Abstract
An important and relevant issue for contemporary tourism, sport and recreation planners is how to further develop trails and mountain bike areas that are in keeping with the demands of proficient mountain bike riders. In this article, we offer an overview of the affective experiences ensuant with mountain biking over a range of common ride obstacles and terrain. By adopting a post-modern subcultural approach, our analysis reveals the link between rider affect and different components on mountain bike tracks. In doing so, our paper brings together the voices of dedicated and experienced mountain bike riders in New Zealand. The research follows a qualitative phenomenological methodology to explore trail components and affective experiences. Through the use of semi-structured interviews, datum has been gathered from 12 reputable mountain biker riders. As a highly experienced rider, the lead researcher's reflexivity is entwined in the research process and acts as a point of reference for many of the findings.
This research increases knowledge in regard to ride experience, and the key components that help define the sport of mountain biking. The findings highlight how the strongest ride affects are brought about by the accumulation of experiences on various obstacles found on entire tracks. However, the affects can also be examined individually with examples such as jumps, drops, or fast sections. We also found that the obstacles on tracks that caused the greatest affect were those that were awkward, difficult, technical, fast, or overwhelmingly induced states of flow.
MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
Research defining trail components and obstacles offers resource managers important qualitative information for designing, building and maintaining new mountain bike parks:
Provides insight into how mountain bikers choose their ride locations and mountain bike parks.
Provides a qualitative overview for track designers and builders in regard to what trail formations are most desired by dedicated mountain bikers.
Bike parks, trail networks, and individual trail managers may use these insights for the benefit of trail planning and site selection when considering terrain, gradient, elevation, drainage and overall rider satisfaction. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.