I have chosen to write my essay on comparison and contrast by writing about two
sports I enjoy to compete at: crew and mountain biking. I have been racing crew
boats since the spring of 1997. I began racing mountain bikes the following
spring of 1998. I plan to point out similarities and differences in the two
sports. I hope to prove even thought the two sports are quite different they
benefit each other. I also hope to teach you things that probably don’t know
about each sport. In crew it is all about teamwork the boat is only as fast as
the slowest rower. But in mountain biking you are as fast as you train to be.
Training for crew has to be at a time when all the rowers can practice together.
In mountain biking the rider can work training into his or her schedule. Both
sports take a lot of discipline to become good at. The most important muscle to
both athletes is their legs especially the quadriceps. An average crew race
lasts between five to seven minutes whereas a mountain bike race usually last
between two to three hours. In a crew race it is all out hard as the rowers can
go for five minutes. Unlike a mountain bike race where the riders push hard for
a couple minutes then rest waiting for that perfect time to make an another
charge. Both sports require a very good aerobic base. Mountain bike race take
place in the woods on single-track trails. Although crew races usually take
place on open waterways. I think that I have shown many points of difference,
along with some points of similarity. I believe also that I have proven my point
that the two sports benefit each other. By participating in both sports it has
made me a better well-rounded athlete. I also try to switch back and forth to
keep from getting burned out on just one. I hope that this essay has enlightened
your view of both sports.