Mountain biking is an Olympic sport that doesnt garner the attention it deserves. The sport of mountain biking consists of two disciplines; the cross-country endurance event and the more skilful and extreme downhill event. You may think that the downhill side of the sport looks rather dangerousand youd be right.
The clubÔÇÖs president Gabriel Balbernie Collings admitted that injuries are common, but that doesnÔÇÖt put him or any of CUMTÔÇÖs members off. He rides both cross-country and downhill and is one of a few riders that chose to come to Cardiff University specifically for the rich array of potential rides around the city. The Welsh Valleys and the Brecon Beacons are only short train rides away from the University, not to mention the new Bike Park Wales in Merthyr Tydfil, where 16 of the clubÔÇÖs members visited two weekends ago. Members enjoyed the venueÔÇÖs 25 different trails that vary in ability from beginner to expert. Balbernie Collings has reassured that more trips to Merthyr are planned.
CUMT do not limit themselves to Wales in search of a good ride. This summer, they spent 12 days in the Alps, camping out at six different locations across both France and Italy. The Alps provide an ideal location for mountain biking, as many ski resorts diversify in the summer through the provision of some challenging, yet beautifully located trails.
This academic year, as well as returning to the Alps, CUMT are planning a trip around Scotland. Balbernie Collings explained that this is due to the sheer amount of world-class terrain and trails that there are practically on our own doorstep and that itÔÇÖs an opportunity that CUMT members should not miss.
In terms of competition, CUMT are looking to improve on the success they enjoyed last academic year. At the 2013 BUCS Championships, the menÔÇÖs downhill team came a creditable fifth, with Guy Gibbs placed second overall. The womenÔÇÖs cross-country team impressed with a strong third-placed podium finish. Balbernie Collings is confident of more podium finishes this year and is extremely keen to finish ahead of rivals Swansea University, who finished above CUMTÔÇÖs downhill team at the Championships.
The club are always looking for new members and Balbernie Collings was quick to dispel a commonly perceived notion of phallocentricism in the sport.
He admitted: ÔÇ£I am aware that the sport may have a macho image, but thatÔÇÖs not what CUMT is about.
ÔÇ£Mountain biking is about camaraderie and enjoying the great outdoors.
ÔÇ£For me, those are the two major reasons that I love the sport.
ÔÇ£To join CUMT, all you need is a bike and a helmet and to come along on one of their weekly rides to various locations off the Taf Trail.
ÔÇ£The club is composed of members of a wide range of abilities, so potential new members should not be concerned about a lack of experience.ÔÇØ
David Riley 
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More information about CUMT can be found on their Facebook groups ÔÇ£XC CUMTÔÇØ and, for the more adventurous among you, ÔÇ£CUMT DownhillÔÇØ
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