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Mythical Beasts
Only been riding for a couple of years myself so not that aware of the history of the sport. Came across a magazine "History of Mountain Biking" and found some great articles. One article, "Mythical Beasts" writes how a few Americans started the craze only 40 years ago. By the look of the photos of the bikes and gear they wore compared to today's technology and gear, wow, MTB has come a long way. These pioneers are still riding and going strong, what a buzz it must be to have seen such an exciting and pleasurable sport develop into an international phenomenon. Grab it if you can get a copy.
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Too True...
I have a dvd called Klunkerz which is a reasonably well produced doco on the origins of mountain biking. I really enjoy watching it every now and again.
CB
Joe Breeze has some good articles on the mtb hall of fame.
there is no doubt the the scenes that popped in the us in the early 70s had a major impact on mtb as we know it today, with lots of those guys becoming major players in design and manufacturing. But there was lots of things before that lead in as well as similar movements at about the same time else where
Remember the first bikes were all ridden on dirt.
Mulga bill invented downhill, or maybe it was free ride, in the 1800s
There were cross country bicycle platoons used in the American civil war. The Swiss army experimented with off road bicycles. Schwinn and others had specific off road bicycles in the 30s. These were the bikes the klunker and repac riders began modifying.
Mtb didn't just leap out of nowhere in the 70s there was a long continuous series of innovation and adaption for the very first draisine.
Sure that innovation and improvement has accelerated since the 70s but that's true for just about every form of technology
I agree. But as for the modern recreational and competitive aspect of mountain biking, these guys popularized it, but yes, there was a definite build up and it didnt just pop up over night. Its like fishing, around since year dot and for catching your dinner, but only became recreationally popular for the masses during last century.