What is the atmosphere at cycling events like?
I take part in downhill racing, where the route goes only downhill and you take a lift to the starting point, or in enduro competitions, where the routes are varied (downhill and uphill), and you have to get to the beginning of the route by yourself on your own bike. The atmosphere is always very friendly. It’s all about good vibes, really. This variant of mountain biking does not attract masses, so most people into it know and root for each other. When someone’s bike breaks down on the route, when someone needs an inner tube, a bicycle pump, or some other tools, it’s very common to see other racers come to the rescue.
What is the biggest challenge at MTB events?
In enduro and downhill competitions, the biggest difficulty is about focusing on your body, choosing the path to follow, and keeping your balance. You make decisions with your heart rate at 170 BPS.
Do you have any tips for MTB beginners?
Training, training, and even more training. There’s a saying that goes: “It’s not about the gear”. When you make your first steps into MTB, it’s really reasonable to buy a good training package instead of a fancy bike. First of all, many beginners are simply not able to take full advantage of the potential of a $5,000 bike, and might as well do with a bike for half that price. A great beginner’s guide, so to speak, is Sławek Łukasik and Arkadiusz Perin’s book “Enduro i Downhill. Kompletny rowerowy podręcznik”.
What else if not cycling?
I also enjoy skiing and snowboarding. But other sports or hobbies are not out of the question because there’s always something interesting to discover. Like my recent discovery, which is learning how to play the tank drum.