Why do you ride?

Several academic studies have asked this question, “why do mountain bikers ride?”

I thought I’d have some fun and find out what these researchers found out, and put the findings into a real-world context.

MTBer riding singletrack in nature - Chilean Patagonia

connection with nature

A 2018 study from a university in the UK surveyed almost 1,500 mountain bikers from around the world and asked them “why do you ride?”

“Nearly 90% of the participants agreed that mountain biking makes them feel more connected to nature and the world around them.”

Another 90% concurred that MTBing makes them explore their local countryside.

The more time people spend in undeveloped nature the happier and healthier people are. Countless studies show the connection between spending time in green spaces and increased feelings of wellbeing, positive emotions, increased self-esteem, and reduced heart rate, cholesterol, and stress hormones.

Why does ‘nature’ make us feel better? Recovery from stress and attention fatigue, promotes physical activity (like MTBing), facilitation of social contacts, and time away from social media & cell phone use. These all contribute to the benefits of spending time in our great outdoors. As technology isolates us further from real interaction, activities like mountain biking reunite us with the woods and our friends in a face to face natural environment.

low-impact: Trail riding & XC

The same study from the UK found that trail riding and cross country mounting biking were two most popular forms of mountain biking, with downhill (DH) riding as the least popular.

I know many mountain bikers that get into trail riding or cross-country mountain biking because their knees can’t take the pounding from hiking or trail running anymore. Outside of DH riding and expert rated singletrack, most MTB trails provide a great low-impact green workout….and in the great outdoors.

I both hike and MTB, and enjoy both activities. However, I generally only hike when trails are closed off to bikes, or if I’m on a multi-day backpacking trip with friends. I appreciate how mountain biking allows me to trail ride, while getting a heart-pounding low impact workout, with stunning mountain views that only a few people get to see.

Many non-mountain bikers are under the impression that MTBers are all dropping cliffs, and involved in ‘extreme adventure sports.’ However, less than 10% of MTBers actually ride pure DH in bike parks or ski areas. Most MTBers are trail or cross country riders. In 1995, ESPN aired their first eXtreme Games, now known as The X-Games. Many people’s construct of extreme sports has been created through the watching of a few elite professionals that do tricks and stunts that few others can do. Go to any ski resort in Colorado, and the only people shredding the half-pipe are the pros or up-comers, and a few locals who practically live on the hill.

Emotional happiness & fulfilling experiences

The majority of mountain bikers in the UK study mentioned that “mountain biking maintained a sense of emotional balance: helping them to destress and deal with negative thoughts and everyday worries, and encouraging them to feel good about themselves.”

“What’s neat about mountain-bike riding is that you are able to fuse the moment and your intention together . . . There’s none of this thinking about what you’re doing and then doing it. It’s an existential dream because you’re right there in the moment”

— Kevin Patrick

The maintenance of emotional balance is certainly helped from participating in an outdoor activity that is largely performed in areas of untamed wilderness. However, many MTBers from the study reported positive feelings from completing fulfilling and challenging experiences. The combination of fulfilling experiences and riding in green space is a powerful emotional stabilizer.

Most people are familiar with the state of flow or being in the zone. Mountain bikers become absorbed in a state of flow as your bike becomes an extension of you and as you focus your attention on the ever-changing trail. As you let your natural reactions and instincts takeover you will find yourself riding in the zone.

great physical exercise

A study out of Norway found that physical exercise was the primary motivating factor for Norwegian MTBers.

The best exercises are the ones where you don’t even realize you're doing it. Cross country style mountain biking burns almost 700 calories per hour. (I have an entire article that focuses on calories and MTBing, if you are looking for more info)

Mountain biking is a full-body activity, as the lower body powers the pedals, and the upper body & core stabilize the body, especially on steep descents with rugged terrain and tight cornering. Mountain biking IS high-intensity interval training (HIIT), as you alternate between steep climbing sections followed by active recovery flat section and bike gripping descents. Most studies show that HIIT is superior for health benefits and fat loss compared to moderate-intensity continuous training (MOD/MICT).

Mountain biking in academic circles is classified as a green exercise or plainly stated as physical activity in natural environments. Researchers out of Australia noted that MTBers and road cyclists report high levels of anxiety reduction, while trail and cross-country runners report only modest reductions in anxiety. Why is this so? Mountain bikers generally spend at least a couple of hours engaged in the activity, and trail riding requires more focus, as the rider needs to navigate turns and the terrain. This extra mental engagement may create a distraction effect. However, the researchers were unclear, since the reasons are multifactorial, but noted the increased duration had a positive effect.

Part of Identity

In the UK study, 86% of the respondents reported that “mountain biking is part of my identity,” with a further 56% agreeing with the statement, “I want others to see me as an adventurous person.” This study was conducted online and anonymously, as I was quite surprised to see that over half those surveyed cared about portraying an adventurous persona.

However, it should be noted the researchers created a list of questions with many agree, neutral, and disagree type responses. Surveys and polls that ask a set list of questions, compared to open-ended questions are always a limitation. Closed-ended questions are great for creating a large data set but lack the details that open questions offer.

Peak experiences, which are a transcendent moment of pure joy and elation, are considered to be “turning points that lead to a change in self-concept and identity.” Mountain biking for many is filled with peak experiences, which could be a reason that 86% of the respondents identify as an MTBer.

social relations

In the aforementioned study, only 15% of the respondents preferred to bike solo, with 85% of the MTBers preferring to bike in groups or social settings.

In a study titled How do mountain bikers and road cyclists differ?, the researchers noted that “Road cyclists in comparison with mountain bikers place more emphasis on the motive achievement and competition and they like to compete more. Mountain bikers on the other hand appreciate risk, the search for new adventure and getting to know more people.”

Whether or not you agree with the researchers, human nature is to form social connections and friendships, which create a sense of belonging. Shared hobbies have a way of uniting people with different backgrounds as people bond over shared experiences.

Mountain biking creates very strong social connections since it combines adventure, physical activity, overcoming obstacles, outdoors, shared peak-experiences, and an MTB that becomes an extension of the self. All strong linkers for group cohesion. As MTB technology has improved, the sport has become more inclusive and egalitarian, which becomes obvious when you’re on the trail.

Final Thought

“Flow. The flow of a good piece of singletrack. Social flow, sometimes
lubricated with tasty bevvies. Spiritual flow that allows one to merge in
a meaningful way with the natural surroundings. Mental flow that encourages
the release of tension and negativity. Bodily flow, where you, the bike, and
the ground interact as a single unit. The shared appreciation of flow is mountain
bike culture. Simple.”

— Bikergrl - 2011

Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile (most of the year). Jesse has a Master of Science - Health and Human Performance and is a fitness & nutrition consultant. Hobbies: MTBer & snowboarder and an avid reader of nonfiction and academic articles