free-ry-ding
Verb, Noun
Riding a mountain bike on natural terrain with no set route or goal
Example usage: I'm going freeriding this weekend in the hills.
Most used in: Mountain biking communities around the world.
Most used by: Mountain bikers looking for an adrenaline rush.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 5/10
Also see: Downhill, All-Mountain, Trail Riding, Enduro,
What is Freeriding in Cycling?
Freeriding is a popular form of cycling, especially among mountain bikers. It involves travelling downhill on trails or mountains using natural features such as logs, rocks, and berms (mounds of dirt). Freeriding is a more extreme form of cycling, usually done on more difficult terrain than cross-country riding. It is often seen as a more thrilling and adventurous activity, allowing riders to test their skills and adrenaline levels.
Freeriding can involve performing stunts such as jumps, drops, and slides. It is a type of off-road cycling, and usually involves riders wearing protective gear such as helmets, knee and elbow pads. The goal of freeriding is to get from one point to another using the most creative and challenging route possible.
Freeriding is a growing sport, with the number of mountain bikers worldwide increasing every year. According to the International Mountain Bicycling Association, there are now more than 50 million mountain bikers in the world.
If you are looking for an exciting and thrilling way to experience the outdoors, freeriding could be the perfect activity for you. With the right protective gear and an adventurous spirit, you can enjoy the freedom and exhilaration of this unique form of cycling.
.The Origins of Freeriding in Cycling
The term ‘freeriding’ has become part of the modern vernacular in the world of cycling. It was first used in the early 1990s, in the North American mountain biking scene, to describe the practice of riding off-trail and down steep slopes on mountain bikes.
The term was popularised by the 1991 film ‘Klunkerz: A Film About Mountain Bikes’, which documented the early days of mountain biking and its evolution from a fringe activity to a mainstream sport. The film featured a scene of bikers riding down a steep slope, which they called ‘freeriding’, and the term quickly caught on.
The term has since been adopted by other cycling disciplines, such as road biking and BMX, to describe a style of riding that is more adventurous and less structured than traditional racing. Freeriding is now a popular recreational activity among cyclists of all levels, and there are even freeriding competitions held around the world.
So, while the term ‘freeriding’ may have originated in the early 1990s North American mountain biking scene, it is now used around the world by cyclists of all disciplines to describe a style of riding that is free and adventurous.
