500 Adrenaline Adventures (Frommer's) - Lois Friedland [185]
There is no doubting the skill of these young bikers as they weave through a race course that on a wet English day can resemble a flooded construction site. Studies have shown that motocross bikers require a level of fitness greater than track athletes and football players. The intense physical demand of keeping a 91kg (200-lb.) bike under a controlled speed over a rigorous track means the riders have to be young, skilled, and exceptionally strong. Riders sustain a heart beat of 190 beats per minute as they weave and jump around the circuit that lasts on average 35 minutes.
The dangers are obvious. Frequent falls and crashes see spine snapping injuries. Riders limp off with fractured shoulders and shredded muscles. Many endure battle wounds patched up with titanium plates and broken bones knitted together with steel pins. As if the race is not dangerous enough, many riders now opt for a variation on motocross known as freestyling. Here they perform acrobatic stunts during high jumps. One is called the Superman Seat Grab where the flying rider lets the bike sail before him mid-air as he stretches out and holds the bike seat. He truly does look like Superman coming to the rescue.
Other motocross variations include vintage motocross where old bikes such as the legendary British made BSA are wheeled out and put to the test on a swampy circuit. BSA was the pioneer brand that first saw bike riders test their rides on the British countryside in 1924. The distinctive high chassis and big suspension forks of motocross bikes were all features introduced to handle the ruts and mires of scrambling and bike makers such as Suzuki first proved their worth by competing in motocross. —CO’M
When to go: July.
East Midlands.
$$$ Cathedral Quarter Hotel, 16 St. Mary’s Gate, Derby, DE1 3JR, U.K. ( 44/1332/546-080;www.cathedralquarterhotel.com). $$ Holiday Inn Express Derby Pride Park, Wheelwright Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8HX, U.K. ( 44/1332/388-000;www.ichotelsgroup.com).
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U.S. Music Festivals
The Beat Goes On
Nationwide, U.S.A.
The crush of the crowd, the blistering guitar solos, the stage diving—each summer, thousands of revelers pack auditoriums, parks, and stadiums across the country for music festivals that feature these and other thrills. Whether you’re a teenage rebel looking to bust out or an aging hippie who just can’t let go of your Woodstock-era tie-dye clothing, there’s a music festival somewhere near you.
Perry Farrell thrills the crowds at Lollapalooza.
Lollapalooza (www.lollapalooza.com) has proved its staying power since Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction started the party in 1991. Held in Chicago’s Grant Park, the event has featured old-school rockers like Depeche Mode and new indie acts. Chicago is also the home of the Pitchfork Music Festival (www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com). Founded by the music site Pitchfork.com, this party distinguishes itself by letting attendees suggest set lists for the bands performing at the concert.
All Tomorrow’s Parties (www.atpfestival.com), a renowned British institution, has found a stateside home in the farmlands near Monticello, New York. Another small town hosts a big event when Bonnaroo (www.bonnaroo.com) comes to Manchester, Tennessee. The 3-day party and camp-out has hosted renowned bands like Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Elvis Costello. Like many of these events, the All Points West Music and Arts Festival (www.apwfestival.com) prides itself on being a green party: This 3-day concert is accessible by numerous forms of mass transit from New York City and New Jersey, and enforces a park-wide recycling program. On the other side of the continent, Outside Lands (www.sfoutsidelands.com) rocks the San Francisco