Aaron Jaynes Idaho Falls, ID

Do the Olympics have any event for mountain biking?

If so, is it ever too late to start training?

Steve Jones's Answer.

	Steve Jones The author of four mountain-biking books, Steve Jones has logged thousands of miles of trails and backroads. Meet Steve Answer Archive Biking Forums

It comes as no surprise that you haven't heard of Olympic mountain bike competition. This summer's games in Sydney will mark only the second time in history that"cross-country cycling," as it is known, will be a sanctioned Olympic medal event. The first time mountain biking appeared on Olympic programs was four years ago in Atlanta.

The competition in Sydney, as it did in Atlanta, will have two categories: men's individual and women's individual. Since your question centers on training, consider this: The men riders raced approximately 30 miles, with the Gold Medal going to Brent Brentjens of the Netherlands. He finished in 2:17:38 for an average speed of 13 mph. So, if you want to train to be an Olympic mountain biker, you need to be strong and fast. This year's site, a seven-kilometer course at Fairfield City Farm, Fairfield, Australia, will also feature steep drops and single-track as narrow as 50 cm, less than the width of your handlebar! So you also have to be a confident bike handler with impeccable balance.

But how should you be training? Obviously, the best thing you can do is ride, ride, ride. A world-class cross-country cyclist must love to ride in order to endure the long, grueling days of staying in the saddle and cranking out the miles while building strength and endurance. I would also advise you to take care of your body by giving it plenty of good food and water. Rest is also important. Those are the basic steps and the easiest to follow.

Also, look for area competitions where you can enter races and begin to test your skills against others your age and with similar experience. The National Off Road Biking Association (NORBA) works with qualified race organizers to sanction events that will prepare you for tougher competition than you will get just by racing against your buddies in the woods. There are also camps you can attend, just like with other sports, where pros can teach you some of the tricks it took them years to learn. And if at first you don't have as much success as you thought you would, try harder. The true champions never give up.

If you have enough talent, approach a local bike shop and ask the owner for a sponsorship. It will likely start out small — maybe with just a jersey or some socks — but by continued hard work and a show of success, you can position yourself to land a sponsorship with a larger company. But most important: Conceive, believe, and you will achieve your goal. You've already taken the first step by seeing yourself as a world-class mountain biker. Believe that you can do it, and who knows, in a few years we may hear an announcer tell the world, "Riding for the United States of America, the Gold Medal Winner in Men's Cross-Country Cycling — Aaron!" We'll be cheering you on!