This book represents the first critical examination of the social, cultural, and political significance of mountain biking in contemporary societies.
Starting from the premise that cultures of mountain biking are diverse, complex, and at times contradictory, this book offers practical and theoretical insights into a range of embodied, material, and socio-technical relationships. Featuring contributions from an interdisciplinary team of researchers, artists, and (Indigenous) community members with backgrounds in sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, community development, and coaching, chapters critically unpack the complex and contested nature of mountain biking identities, bodies, environments, and inequalities within specific settings. Via a range of international case studies from England, Scotland, America, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa, authors highlight how tensions and conflicts in the world of mountain biking initiate important conversations about climate change, colonialism, discrimination, and land-use.
This is essential reading for academics and practitioners in sociology, cultural studies, sport-for-development, and human geography.
Introduction: mountain bike culture as a ‘structure of feeling’
JIM CHERRINGTON
PART I
Mountain biking identities
1 Exploring mountain bike coaches’ perceptions towards learning to coach through story completion: coaching happily ever after?
THOMAS M. LEEDER AND LEE C. BEAUMONT
2 Evaluating competitiveness as a personality trait among a sample of mountain bikers
KIEREN MCEWAN, NEIL WESTON, AND PAUL GORCZYNSKI
3 The motivations, identities, and environmental sensibilities of contemporary e-mountain bike users: the people behind the power
LESLEY INGRAM-SILLS
PART II
Mountain biking bodies
4 A sociology of how things go wrong in mountain biking: falling into place
MIKE LLOYD
5 An exploration into the sensory experience of pain in mountain biking
BENJAMIN MORELAND
6 Encounters with mountain bike trail centre spaces: experience landscapes
DAVID GIBBS AND LEWIS HOLLOWAY
PART III
Mountain biking environments
7 Downhill MTB, digital media, and DIY urbanism: riding with Red Bull
JACOB J. BUSTAD AND OLIVER J. C. RICK
8 Sustainable mountain bike trails: towards a holistic approach
TOM CAMPBELL
9 No dig, no ride: repairing and caring for DIY-designed mountain bike and BMX trails
LIAM HEALY
10 Air pollution as ‘slow violence’ during multi-day mountain bike trips
CLARE NATTRESS
PART IV
The cultural politics of mountain biking
11 Women and barriers to participation in mountain biking: the impossible climb
LOUISE BORDELON
12 Hegemonic masculinity and sexualisation in mountain bike trail naming practices: what’s in a name?
BENJAMIN MORELAND, ALICE LEMKES, JENNI MYERS, AND JACK REED
13 Portrayals of ideals of authenticity in mountain biking multimedia: escaping to find yourself
JEFF R. WARREN AND JOHN REID-HRESKO
14 Reflections on trails, mountain biking, and indigenous-settler relations in British Columbia: ride, (re)connect, and (re)build
TAVIS SMITH, PATRICK LUCAS, TOM EUSTACHE, AND THOMAS SCHOEN
Biography
Jim Cherrington is Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity, Sport, and Health at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. His research explores how identity, bodies, knowledges, and objects are materialised in/through everyday life, with much of his recent work dedicated to investigating the socio-historical, socio-technical, and onto-political conditions of mountain biking.
'As a former elite athlete, and now Head Coach at the Santa Cruz Syndicate, it is great to see mountain biking getting the attention it deserves. This sport has given me everything and continues to do so. It’s allowed me to travel the world, meet new people, and experience many different cultures. Hopefully, this collection will help to bring these cultures to a wider audience, whilst encouraging more people to get out on their bikes.'
Steve Peat, Head Coach with the Santa Cruz Syndicate and Downhill World Champion
'Mountain Biking, Culture and Society is the definitive text for anyone interested in understanding mountain biking as a sport, practice, community, identity, and embodied experience. It brings together the most cutting-edge research from scholars around the world, each advancing new ways of thinking about sport, moving bodies, technologies, and the environment. This is highly recommended reading for critical and social scholars of sport, physical culture, action sports and outdoor recreation, as well as those passionate about mountain biking.'
Holly Thorpe, University of Waikato, New Zealand
