Editing Trail riding (section)

==Mountain biking==
Mountain bikes are typically ridden on mountain trails, fire roads, logging roads, and other unpaved trails. These types of terrain commonly include rocks, washouts, ruts, loose sand, loose gravel, roots, and steep slopes. Mountain bikes are built to handle this terrain and the obstacles that are found in it, like logs, vertical drop offs, and small boulders. Mountain bikes, therefore, are more sturdily constructed than regular bicycles, have larger knobby tires, more powerful brakes, and the lower gear ratios needed for steep grades with poor traction.

Trail riding on a mountain bike can be: 
* On steep, highly technical, constructed trails.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/aug/22/mountain-biking-trail-centres-uk|title=Where to mountain bike in the UK|first=Chris|last=Moran|date=21 August 2009|website=the Guardian|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064300/http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/aug/22/mountain-biking-trail-centres-uk|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>
* On longer trails, like bridle paths, rail trails, farm and forest roads and [[towpath]]s. The [[South Downs Way]] in England and the [[Ohio to Erie Trail]], in the USA would be examples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/bike-rides/event-information/south-downs-way-off-road-bike.aspx|title=South Downs Way Off-Road Bike Ride|website=www.bhf.org.uk|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026142612/http://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/bike-rides/event-information/south-downs-way-off-road-bike.aspx|archive-date=26 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohiotoerietrail.org/|title=Ohio to Erie Trail|access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref> 
* On hiking trails that can include steep mountain trails and high passes. These rides can last for days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.Alpinebicycle.org|title=The Alpine Bicycle Club & Colorado Rough Riders|website=www.alpinebicycle.org|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911195711/http://alpinebicycle.org/|archive-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>

Off-road bicycle trails are generally function-specific and most commonly waymarked along their route. They may take the form of single routes or form part of larger complexes, known as trail centres. Off-road trails often incorporate a mix of challenging terrain, [[singletrack]], smooth fireroads, and even paved paths. Trails with an easy or moderate technical complexity are generally deemed [[cross-country cycling|cross-country]] trails, while trails difficult even to experienced riders are more often dubbed [[Enduro (mountain biking)|all-mountain]], [[freeride (mountain biking)|freeride]], or [[downhill mountain biking|downhill]]. Downhilling is particularly popular at ski resorts such as [[Mammoth Mountain Ski Area|Mammoth Mountain]] in [[California]], USA or [[Whistler Blackcomb]] in [[British Columbia]], Canada, where [[ski lift]]s are used to get bikes and riders to the top of the mountain.

Long rides on hiking and mountain paths have some resemblance to [[cycle touring]] but the latter usually take place on [[Asphalt concrete|tarmac]]. However, [[Mixed Terrain Cycle-Touring]], nicknamed "rough riding" in Canada and the US and "rough stuff" in Europe, is a form of trail riding, because it involves cycling over a variety of surfaces and topography, on a single route, either using a mountain bike or [[hybrid bike]]. A new style of travel called adventure cycle-touring or expedition touring involves exploring remote regions of the world on sturdy bicycles carrying lightweight gear. This type of trail riding is in fact a form of [[backpacking (wilderness)|backpacking]].<ref>Stephen Lord, Adventure Cycle-Touring (2006)</ref>

[[File:Biking on Mount Tamalpais.JPG|thumb|[[Mountain biking on Mount Tamalpais]], [[California]], USA]]
[[Mountain biking on Mount Tamalpais|Mount Tamalpais]], [[California]], USA, and the surrounding areas in [[Marin County, California]] are recognized as the birthplace of [[History of the mountain bike and mountain biking|mountain biking]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gatetrails.com/mounttam.html|title=Mount Tamalpais|website=gatetrails.com|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123115313/http://gatetrails.com/mounttam.html|archive-date=23 January 2016}}</ref> In the 1970s, mountain biking pioneers such as [[Gary Fisher]], Otis Guy, [[Charlie Kelly (businessman)|Charlie Kelly]] and [[Joe Breeze]] were active. The 2006 film [[Klunkerz: A Film About Mountain Bikes|''Klunkers'']] chronicled their story, solidifying Mount Tamalpais' legendary status as a trail riding destination.

There has been considerable controversy around trail access for mountain bikes, both in terms of [[Mountain biking#Environmental impact|environmental impact]] and the safety of other trail users. As a result, bicycles are generally restricted from narrow, single-track trails, though bicycles are allowed on most fire roads. However, mountain bikers in the United States generally have access to multi-use trails.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/dias-ridge.html|title=Dias Ridge|website=www.parksconservancy.org|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712065750/http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/dias-ridge.html|archive-date=12 July 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Path down from the Ridgeway to Bishopstone, Wiltshire.jpg|left|thumb|[[Bridle path]] down from [[the Ridgeway]] to [[Bishopstone, Salisbury]], [[Wiltshire]], England.]]
In England and Wales, [[bridle path]]s and some other [[Right of way (transit)|rights of way]], such as [[Byway (United Kingdom)|byways]] and 'Roads used as paths' (RUPP), are open to cyclists, but [[footpath]]s are not.<!--<ref name="ride-uk.org.uk"/>--> However, in [[Scotland]] there is no legal distinction between footpaths and bridleways, and it is generally accepted that cyclists and horseriders may follow rights of way with suitable surfaces.<ref name="Outdoor Access Scotland">{{cite web|url=http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com|title=Scottish Outdoor Access Code|website=www.outdooraccess-scotland.com|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316101704/http://outdooraccess-scotland.com/|archive-date=16 March 2018}}</ref> Public rights of way are somewhat limited in [[Northern Ireland]].

[[File:Mountain biking.jpg|thumb|Mountain biking in the [[Julian Alps]], [[Slovenia]] ]]

There are long-distance routes throughout Europe, including some through the [[Swiss Alps]] that involve crossing high [[Alpine passes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bikeland.myswitzerland.com/en/routes/route-01.html|title=My Switzerland|website=myswitzerland.com|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141123151610/http://bikeland.myswitzerland.com/en/routes/route-01.html |archive-date=23 November 2014}}</ref> There are also extensive routes through [[France]] that include both steep, rocky, alpine terrain and minor country roads or off-road on a variety of surfaces, from wide forest roads to narrow, muddy woodland tracks.<ref>''The Grand Traverse of the Massif Central by mountain bike, road bike or on foot'', by Alan Castle. Published by [[Cicerone Press]] http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/571/tab/detail/iid/4/show/introduction#.VEexAEvz0Ww {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721101005/http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/571/tab/detail/iid/4/show/introduction |date=2015-07-21 }}]</ref>

Extreme trail riding, such as [[Megavalanche]] are [[mountainbike]] downhill [[marathon]] style events combining gravity-assisted sections with those that emphasize the riders' levels of fitness, endurance, and nerve.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/10/mtb/video-danny-macaskill-rides-stunning-ridge-isle-skye_348202|title=Video: Danny Macaskill rides stunning ridge on Isle of Skye - VeloNews.com|date=2 October 2014|website=competitor.com|access-date=25 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014133951/http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/10/mtb/video-danny-macaskill-rides-stunning-ridge-isle-skye_348202|archive-date=14 October 2016}}</ref>