Originally Posted by cyccommute
XC is cross country. Start at point A, go to point B, maybe go to point C, and possibly come back to piont A. You pedal. Up, down, over, through. If you happen to use a shuttle from point C back to point A, it's still XC. If there happens to be some stairs along the way, it's still XC. If it happens to involve some concrete or road ways to get from one side of a creek to another, it's still XC. If it happens to be in the middle of a metro area along a creek, it's still XC. If you happen to go to a ski area, pedal your bike to the top of the mountain and then enjoy the downhill back to the car, it's still XC.
As usual, you pretty much nailed it. I have an aversion to shuttling, but I suppose if there's 50km of highway between the start and finish, it's probably a good idea.
Originally Posted by cyccommute
However, if you go the the skate park and spend the whole day annoying the skate boarders or go to somewhere and spend the whole day riding down and up the stairs without going somewhere, that's not XC. Or if you spend the whole day riding up a lift to the top of the mountain so that you can ride down it, that's not XC either. Those can be fun but they're not XC.
This is epidemic at our local skate park. Guys show up on their Stinky Deeluxe or VPFree with full armour and tool around doing doubles and 6' to flat drops, completely impressed with themselves.
Of course, they are somehow oblivious to the BMX and skate folks doing exactly the same drops without 8"+ suspension, but throwing in a kickflip or 360 for good measure. Oi!