Mountain biking and cycling are two distinct disciplines within the sport of cycling. While both activities involve riding a bicycle, there are some key differences between the two.
Mountain biking is an off-road cycling activity that typically involves riding over rough terrain such as dirt trails, mud, rocks, roots, and other obstacles. Mountain bikers wear protective gear such as helmets and full-body armor to protect them from falls or accidents. Mountain bikers often ride in groups to support each other along the way and to increase their safety.
Cycling, on the other hand, is a more general term used to describe all types of bicycle riding activities. It can include road biking, touring, commuting, and recreational riding on paved surfaces.
The type of bike used for this type of cycling varies depending on the type of activity. For road biking and touring, lightweight racing bikes are typically used; for commuting and recreational riding, hybrid bikes with wider tires are usually preferred. Protective gear is not always necessary for these types of rides but it is recommended for more extreme conditions.
The major difference between mountain biking and cycling is the terrain that each activity takes place on; mountain biking occurs primarily off-road while cycling typically takes place on paved surfaces. Additionally, mountain biking requires special equipment such as full-suspension mountain bikes and protective gear which may not be necessary for most types of cycling activities.
In conclusion, mountain biking is different than cycling in that it takes place off-road over rough terrain while most forms of cycling take place on paved surfaces or light trails with less technical difficulty than what you would encounter while mountain biking. While both activities involve riding a bicycle they require different skillsets and use different equipment; therefore they are not considered to be the same activity even though they share some similarities.
