A Historical Overview Of Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is growing fast into an excitingly popular sport possible for people of all ages, sizes and abilities. Mountain Biking is for everyone, young, old, or in-between. It's a great way to be outdoors and to stay fit. A wonderful activity for the whole family.

Mountain biking was born in the 70s on Mount Tamalpais, better known as Mt. Tam, in California, USA. A group of enthusiasts consisting of famous names like Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Keith Bontrager and Otis Guy among others, started modifying the heavy Cruiser bikes to be used for riding down the mountain trails. The mountain bike was born.

In the early days, mountain biking was perceived as quite a risk. In fact, it was. First mountain bikers were purely downhillers. They would race only downhill, to get up a mountain they used a truck. Because the slopes were more than those first bikes could handle, they started modifying and improving, which lead to the first real mountain bikes.

The first real purpose built mountain bike is generally credited to Joe Breeze. The year was 1978. Other giants in mountain bike development like Gary Fisher, Tom Ritchey and Charlie Kelly soon followed.

Since the 70s much has changed. Technology and popularity has improved tremendously. In the 90s mountain biking really exploded. Few of the pioneers who rode down the rocky trails of Mt Tamalpais, would have believed how widespread their passion would become. Are you aware that mountain biking is an Olympic sport? It is.

Over the years many aspects of mountain biking developed and improved. New technologies, new materials and new styles were discovered. Performance was greatly enhanced. Nowadays you have all kinds of bikes that meet the demands of a variety of terrains and riding styles. Cross country, downhill, freeride, all-mountain, and trials. There is a lot to choose from.

It's true that bicycles have been ridden off-road since their invention, but it wasn't until the invention of the mountain bike that off-road biking became wildly popular mainstream activity.