The term Freeride does tend to conjure up some rather extreme images in peoples minds. Mountain biking borrowed the term from other 'extreme' sports but over the years its meaning has altered and morphed into something quite different.
In its original context, Freeride has much more in common with 'natural' riding, mountains and unexplored trails. If you were 'freeriding' it implied that you would be riding whatever you came across ... it could almost have been called, lottery-riding. You dealt with whatever appeared in front of you or got off and walked! If you've ever ridden the Rangers path off the summit of Snowdon then you've been freeriding. It may not have felt like it, after all there were no wooden structures, 20 foot gap jumps or 15 foot drops to flat but if you look back through mountain biking's pretty short history you'll see that's what you were doing.
As for the Forest part ... anyone who's been here will understand but for those who haven't the picture above should help explain.
