Cycling Disciplines
While there are many cycling disciplines other than the ones covered on this page, these are the types of events currently supported by our #FillThePodium program.
MTB
Mountain biking is a bit of a misnomer — there’s loads of great MTB that doesn’t involve mountains. At its core MTB is about taking your bike off-road. This could be as simple as tackling a smooth, flowy single track through the woods. It could also be sending it down the side of a literal mountain, but you can save that until you’ve built up some skills.
XC MTB
From Mountain Bike Experience:
XC mountain biking is defined by the very terrain that it covers. XC riding focuses more on the endurance and distance of the ride vs the difficulty of the terrain it covers.
In XC riding, the focus is mostly on completing the course as quickly as possible rather than seeking out the most adventurous route. Typically, cross-country routes are forrest paths, smooth fireroads, paved paths, singletrack or doubletrack paths. Generally speaking they are smooth enough paths you could almost use a hardtail mountain bike for it.
Substance Projects XC MTB races have multiple distances to compete in assuring you that you can choose the challenge that’s right for you.
Enduro
From Liv Cycling:
While enduro does require some physical fitness and skill to complete the course, it is one of the most approachable disciplines for an amateur rider.
In general, modern enduro races involve anywhere from 3-6 timed stages. The timed portions of the race are mostly downhill but can vary in steepness, length, and difficulty depending on location. Between each stage, there will be untimed “transfer stages” that are mostly uphill. Depending on the race, transfer stages can involve sections of hike-a-bike, a chair lift, and/or good old-fashioned pedaling.
Enduro combines elements of all racing disciplines from the physical fitness necessary for cross-country racing, the mental stamina necessary for XC-style stage races and the bike-handling skills to navigate technical gravity-fed singletrack.
You’ll find out that each enduro race has a different style, fitness and skill requirement – and, often, a set of rules unique to each event. For example, some races just require that you cross the finish line of the last stage by a certain time in the day to get your name in the results. Other races have a time limit for each transition stage.
But for the most part, enduro is meant to be a fun, approachable and exciting form of mountain biking.
Gravel
Gravel cycling can loosely be defined as riding on anything but pavement — hard packed dirt, sand, rock, mud, and yes, gravel are all in the mix. While this can mean the occasional tricky technical section, it’s generally a much smoother ride than MTB but more bumpy than road cycling.
Gravel routes in Ontario will more often than not send you on dirt roads where cars have carved out a smooth line for their wheels. However, there’s plenty of fire access roads, rail trails, and single track to explore.
Typically gravel bikes are very similar to road bikes, but with wider tires that increase comfort and speed on the bumpy bits. However, it’s not uncommon to pull out something with suspension if you want or need that extra cushion.
Traditional
(Substance Projects)
Substance Projects gravel races feature a traditional race where you ride a pre-defined route as you race the clock. Their events start and end at the same spot so no need to worry about moving your gear back and forth. This also means that the food, music, and your friends will be waiting for you when you arrive… unless you beat all your friends to the finish line.
All of Substance Projects’ rides have multiple routes and distances to choose from so you can make sure to pick the right one for you. While the vast majority of these events are on dirt roads, rest assured there will be a section or two where you and everyone else will have to get off and walk their bike. So, take your time, enjoy the route, and get to the finish line in your own time.
Timed Lap Race
(Hurtin in Haliburton)
In a timed lap race you’re challenged with completing as many laps as you can or want to within the time limit. Whoever completes the most laps wins!
Hurtin in Haliburton is an eight hour timed lap race. We know that sounds like a lot of riding, and it is, if you choose to ride the whole eight hours. Very few people actually do this.
The HIH route is 27 km long on rolling 100% dirt roads. With four aid stations and your team pit stop at the start/finish so you’re never far from an awesome place to take a break.