Mountain Bike Riding
as a Sustainable Activity
Mountain bike riding is one of the most popular sports in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people love to get on the saddle of a bike and explore the local area or explore the mountains.
What makes mountain biking so popular is, above all, the ease of access. All you need is a mountain bike. Moreover, even overweight people can start this sport. The advantage here is that your body burns masses of calories this way.
Why is Mountain bike riding sustainable?
Basically, mountain biking is good for the environment simply because you don’t emit any exhaust fumes. Nevertheless, there are also many critics who claim that mountain bikers ride recklessly across meadows and scare up animals.
So whether mountain bike riding is environmentally friendly depends mainly on your behavior. If you stay on the already existing paths, then not a single plant will be flattened by your bike. Only if it is an appropriately designated area, you can also leave the given path without a guilty conscience.
To be considerate of wildlife, it is best not to mountain bike at dusk. Because at this time many of them become active. Especially because they have become accustomed to the fact that people rarely enter their territories, they are even more sensitive when someone does.
The next point should be self-evident. But still, it’s worth reminding again. When you take a break and eat something, also take your trash back with you. This also applies to compostable food waste in the mountains. Because due to the altitude and the different temperature in the mountains, biodegradation is much slower.
Some of the best mountain bike trails
Old Ghost Road, New Zealand
This 85-kilometer-long trail through New Zealand is a true paradise for anyone who loves mountain bike riding. You will ride for some time through a beautiful rainforest. After some time, you will reach a hill a bit above the tree line. From there you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the sea of treetops below you.
Especially the Ghost Lake Hut is worth a longer break. You can watch a clear starry sky there. But you should not underestimate the sunrise and sunset either.
Mefjellet, Norway
This spot belongs to the best mountain bike trails in whole Scandinavia. At the beginning, the ascent to this mountain formed by glaciers is a bit arduous. But with the views, it’s definitely worth the effort to climb the 1,100 or so meters in elevation. Best of all, you can just whiz down on your mountain bike afterwards. At the end of the ride, you’ll arrive at Geirangerfjord. It’s a sight you won’t forget so soon!
Mountain biking is indeed an environmentally conscious way to spend time in the great outdoors. With the right amount of consideration, it also proves to be an extremely sustainable sport. And since you can also explore some interesting places away from civilization, you also get in direct contact with nature.
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