Short of striking another competitor or knocking him off his bike, hindering progress by slowing down on narrow, impassable stretches is acceptable. A lead rider from a team can create a big gap from pursuers when other team members are riding cooperatively. Yet competing individually has its glory. At Mammoth Mountain, Calif., Cody rode three miles uphill for a vertical change of 1,500 feet in 24 minutes. He again placed first among a field of professionally ranked riders.
Accidents are a perennial danger in mountain biking.
That is where skill plays an important role. Overestimating your ability can be a painful realization. Next fall, when classes resume, Cody will be devoting part of his time biking through the hills of Kentucky and racing at the collegiate level. As he is already aware, the winters are mild in Kentucky. Express Publishing Inc. All Rights reserved.