Pro GRT #1
(NW Cup)

Pro GRT #2
(Highland Bike Park)

Pro GRT #3 (Plattekill Bike Park)

Pro GRT #4
(Northstar at Tahoe)

Pro GRT #5
(Crested Butte)

Just what is Gravity Mountain Biking?

USA Cycing defines Gravity Events: Events that are gravity assisted, such as Downhill, Dual Slalom, Mountain Cross (4X), and Super D. The start line of Gravity Events is at a higher altitude than the finish line.

The Pro GRT encompasses two of mountain biking’s most exciting & prolific events – “Downhill” and “Gated” racing. Gated is used to group the Dual Slalom and 4X genres into a similar field. 
 

DOWNHILL

“Downhill” in the most general sense, is riding a mountain bike downhill.  The rider usually travels to the point of descent by other means than cycling, such as a ski lift or vehicle, as the weight of the downhill mountain bike often precludes any serious climbing.  While cross country riding inevitably has a downhill component, Downhill (or DH for short) usually refers to racing-oriented downhill riding.

What a typical downhill bike looks like

Because of their extremely steep terrain (often located in summer at ski resorts), downhill courses are one of the most extreme and dangerous venues for mountain biking. They include large jumps up to and including 40+ feet, drops of 10+ feet, and are generally rough and steep top to bottom.

To negotiate these obstacles at race speed, racers must possess a unique combination of total body strength, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, and mental control. Minimum body protection in a true downhill setting is knee pads and a full face helmet with goggles, although riders and racers commonly sport full body suits to protect themselves.

Downhill-specific bikes are universally equipped with long travel front and rear suspension, large hydraulic disc brakes, and weigh around 35-45 lbs.  Frames get anywhere from 7 to 10 inches of suspension travel and are usually mounted with an 8 inch travel triple-crown suspension fork.  In a broad sense, think of a hybrid between a bicycle and a off-road motorcycle.
 

Downhill Racing (DH) is a gravity-assisted time trial mountain biking event. Riders race against the clock, usually starting at intervals of 30 seconds (seeded from slowest to fastest), on courses which typically take two to five minutes to complete. Riders are timed with equipment similar to that used in Downhill skiing. The placing is determined by the fastest times to complete the course; races are often won by margins of under a second (differentials of hundredths of a second or not uncommon). As the name of this discipline implies, downhill races are held on steep, downhill terrain with no extended climbing sections, resulting in high speed descents with extended air time off jumps and other obstacles.

USA Cycling defines Downhill: A gravity time trial competition consisting of riders racing one at a time, against the clock, down a trail, jeep road, or fire road, or a combination of all three. Downhill races are generally technically challenging with courses often featuring a combination of high speeds, jumps, drop-offs, and other technical trail features.
 

GATED

Gated racing is the broad category for two types of mountain bike disciplines that encompass similar characteristics in ride, course & equipment.

What a typical slalom / 4X bike looks like
 

Dual Slalom (DS)consists of two racers racing two almost identical tracks next to each other down a slope. The courses are usually short; one run lasting about 30 seconds.  It is filled with tabletop jumps, doubles and bermed turns, and other technical features.  Both riders' times are taken and then they switch tracks for another round, where after the combined times are counted and slowest rider is eliminated. The winner moves on to the next round until they have 2 riders left racing in the final.

USA Cyling defines Dual Slalom: A gated gravity competition where two competitors race head-to-head down two similar but separate courses. Following a qualification round, riders race against each other in an elimination format (heats) to determine a winner. Dual slalom courses often will feature bermed corners, jumps, and other technical trail features.
 

Mountain-Cross or Four Cross racing (4X), is a relatively new style of mountain bike racing where four bikers race downhill on a prepared, BMX like, track, simply trying to get down first. These bikes are generally either full suspension with 3 to 4 inches of travel, or hardtails.  They run a chainguide on front and gears on the back. They have slack head angles, short chainstays and low bottom brackets for better cornering and acceleration. In recent years the tracks raced on have been rougher and less like those used in BMX, this has been met with mixed reaction from riders although is generally believed the move away from BMX will benefit the sport.

USAC defines Mountain Cross (also called Four Cross or 4X): A gated gravity competition where four competitors race together on a course which will often feature bermed corners, jumps, and other technical trail features. Following a qualification round, riders race against each other in an elimination format (heats) to determine a winner.