Mountain biking: the only sport where you can run over pedestrians and get away with it. Photo courtesy of visitslo.com
Biking has been on the rise in San Luis Obispo high school. Ever since the pandemic, the freedom of mountain biking, combined with fresh air and physical exercise, has made it a popular sport among students.
“I got into mountain biking during COVID-19 because I couldn’t play soccer with anyone (Or on my team for that matter) because everything was shut down. My dad and I eventually tried mountain biking for the first time and it was one of the best decisions I ever made,” said senior Christopher Kaml.
SLO has already produced the cream of the crop when it comes to mountain bikers. From Union Cycliste Internationale team member Lance Haidet to Christopher Blevins, both trained in SLO while attending Cal-Poly.
Part of what draws talented bikers to SLO is our perfect Californian climate. From Madonna mountain to Irish hills. San Luis offers some of the best trails available for potential mountain biking enthusiasts.
“The Grade is the most intricate set of trails, and can be hard to find your way around without a guide the first few times,” said junior Payton Shoresman.
Other mountain biking trails include the Johnson Ranch loop, Shooters, the Tunnel 10 Truck Trail, and Hazard Peak.
But despite apparent enthusiasm, students at SLOHS should consider the pros and cons before deciding if mountain biking is best for them.
However, good trails can often be dangerous for bikers. Steep-downhill rides can quickly turn to disaster with a bump in the road or an unstable rock. Injuries with mountain bikers are incredibly common, with damages ranging from mild to severe.
“In amateurs, 63.4 percent of all injuries were severe (bone fracture 34.1 percent, joint injury 24.4 percent, concussion 4.9 percent),” said the National Library of Medicine.
Some bikers may think that they are immune to injury if they just stay careful; but proper precautions can’t avoid risk entirely.
“88 percent of mountain bike riders were found to suffer from some kind of injury throughout their career,” said Scientific Reports.
In most cases, injury is not a question of possibility, but inevitability.
To others, the financial cost of owning and repairing a bike can create a “vicious cycle” of debt. Just off a cursory internet search, a “lightly used” Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 10 Mountain Bike costs around 1,500 dollars. While cheaper options are available, the cost of a mountain bike can sometimes be a difficult cost to manage.
“Most good bikes are going to be at least a thousand dollars now, so it is a little bit of an investment, though one might be able to get away with a used one for less,” said Shoresman.
Although some bikes may cost as much as a car, they are also incredibly utilitarian. Recently San Luis has been heavily investing in biking infrastructure to reduce car dependency. Although changing transportation modes may not be the best option for everyone, the accessibility of bike lanes, combined with savings made on gas and vehicle expenses could make biking a better alternative for a number of students.
Biking can be enjoyable to exercise and start a new hobby. For those willing to try, Mountain Biking Club is great for biking trails and meeting friends. The club meets on Tuesdays in room 203 and welcomes all new members. However, while mountain biking may make a great hobby, when it comes to the financial and physical challenges; sometimes it’s better to walk.
