Summary 3 - Out in the Wheel World

Mountain biking is the fastest-growing sport in Britain. The saddle of a bike is a far better vantage point from which to explore the countryside than a car, and you se much more than you would walking. On top of this, it’s great exercise : a day off-road cycling will have everyone sound asleep at night as soon as their heads hit the pillow. But perhaps the best bit of all is that after every lung-bursting climb comes the thrill of bouncing downhill.

Access is one of the most contentious issues surrounding the sport, with everyone from ramblers and horse riders to farmers and environmentalists wailing about the impact of mountain bikes on country-side. However, if you are riding on a legally accessible trail, you have just as much right to be there as they do. The main thing, as with all outdoor sports, is to show consideration for others: don’t tear up behind walkers or riders – warn them of your approach and ride past slowly. As for erosion, try not to skid unnecessarily on wet grass and soil, although independent research has shown that mountain bikes cause no more erosion than walkers’ boots and good deal less than horses’ hooves.

If you pass through gates, always close or fasten them behind you. Don’t disturb livestock, and make sure you always know where you’re going, so don’t end up riding through a field of crops after making a wrong turn. Mark your route on a map before you set out 9and know how to read it!) so it’s easy to follow the trail.

Everyone falls off at some point – a rock, a pot-hole or tree root will catch you out eventually – so the golden rule is to wear a helmet. Always.  It’s also useful to carry a basic first-aid kit, and, as an expert advises, ‘don’t stray too far out into the wilds, just in case you do have an accident.’ Many of the more experienced riders who go up into the mountains of Scotland and the Lake District take mobile phones in case they come to grief in a remote area. You might agree that this would be a good occasion to have one.

Read the following article about mountain biking. Then write a paragraph giving advice on ways to make sure that mountain biking is safe and environmentally responsible. Write no more than 120 words. Use your own words as far as possible.