I watched XC racing for the first time during the women’s race in the Rio Olympics. The course was much more exciting back then. However, this current course seems to be a bit lackluster. Part of it takes place on a road, and the rest feels almost the same except for a few mild rock drops.
I don’t believe I have lost touch with mountain biking. However, I do worry that non-mountain bikers watching this race might mistakenly believe that this is all there is to the sport. It may not be very appealing for them to pick it up. On the other hand, there are probably individuals who never ride their mountain bikes on dirt yet still consider themselves mountain bikers.
Each form of mountain bike racing has its own challenges and appeals to different types of riders. While XC racing may not be as exciting as downhill racing, it still requires skill and endurance. It’s important to remember that each type of mountain bike racing has its own unique experience and appeal.
