thin, was tbe site af the ILMLX, fostage sot by fee he eee, forking for Hwee on the file about pecaldiyiterii lye Hactey-Devideon factory team racer. From the “expssare in movie theaters acrove the nation, B.M.X, became a bicyele racing phenomenon, with competitors all everthe world, Almost decade later. Meet el mt de the inital pabdicity for the Lawwillibnight Prarie er, the first production mountain bake. Je 308 were made, and today they're ealleetor’s items, Mlthowgh Ul dilo't realine it atthe time, Las Sitar tv bee major memes in liyching, ne ee Anterhikd approached me to prusdace this sp event far the Anabeis: and Aalamtie City In bike Trade Shows. Researching the a “involved two trips i» Marin County, ‘leader Cel Dace Cae Ba] Charks Kelly's “World Headquarters” bat. sanied alone cetera in svealctor by mature, and keeper of the Mlaaye of early Marin Conary menntain bike bare, A Charles Kelly is the king off Norther Cali farsi mowotain bike histery. the endisputed sqeren of Crested Botts ie Care Bauer Roemanih, carasee cd the Meuntain Bike Hall of Fame. The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame is ume roast muse- vem containing the heat effwrts of desiga and achievement by the jroterrs of mountain biking fom all ver the wld. The Creed Bute lacs Fide “vawn bikes" — oli Selewinn frames with eee “were Flee over Pour Pass onthe legemlary ide to Aspen. For scriems singletrack ‘have the finest equipment, Working with stretnc fr acon per ee locale rice wp om their museum picers made me feel Vas in the Mevea of mvutain Mrs, ‘er intent is 9 try te capture the pinaeer amd innovation. of the late “Tk. aed ‘This ea rrpsrentatnaal cules of pee el al meses Bike ofthat era, ‘This prajert man mde posse by the forte “uf may pel an we especially wih be ened Raters DewrllSualio Photography: Chris Dar= row an! The Meantain Bike Buekaroos: John Garela, Pasit Interior Design: Charles Kelly, _Aukar, Sry Newton Sunlis Photography: Slere Ready, Ineebibe: and Carole Hauer Remanih, Bike Haj Fare. WE WERE JUST FooLinc AROUND The invention of the mountain bike Was not = deliberate act. Instead, It is « striking demonstration of the cre- WY CHARLES KELLY TUROUS CYCLISTS FOUND TH DESCESTS GOWN MOUNTAIN ROADS AND TRANS. THERE WERK UNDE: US AREAS LACED: ILS AND PIE IAA, AND A LANE Um JUNKED BIKES IS GARAGES, THESE EARLY“ EXPENDABLE ECAUSE THEY WERE 86 MOT AS ISU, AND SOME DISTROVING A HIKE IN THE, Poe en, Becau WE IEICE AUSE THEY WERE om Two Grams, 11 ASCENDING WILLS WAS IN THE RACK MOST OAD CVOLESTS FELT THAT OFF-ROAD RIDING WAS NOT IMPORTANT TO THE REST OF TH (Lb, WHELE UNDEVEDUALS TAKE. CREDIT FOR THEIR € cru WAS THE PRESENCE OF A GAM WATIEM THAN THE GENIUS OF ENDEVIDUALS THAT SPURRED THE DEVELOPMENT GF THK MOUNTAIN BIKE. MOUSTALS HK: AMONG SEVERAL GAIN RIGERS, ANE Lenic Events, “HEPack™ FRIENDS way oll of Fame, LE BALLENON-TIRE RECYCLES WERK PEMEBCT BA OE MOUNT RIN RIDERS EVEN EXJO oti iaeiaeeaeieinaa en WERK £0 quar ITH OnLy CME FERRED METHOD OF EVCLESTS HECARDED THESE DAREDEVIL DESCENDERS AS 4 CIRCES ACT, ND NT DEVELOPED AROUND FRIENDLY AND SOMETIMES LESS FRIENDLY COMPETITION TOUT THIS FACTOR FT WOOLD NOT HLAVE DEEL KES WERE MEST AT DESCENDING RATHER TILLN CLIMBINE, N Manis Cocery #A6 4 BOW SHILL EVENT SEAR TR TO BE CALLED THE RRRACK ‘To 1964, THES Was A Thee THEA tir ROAD, Ih THE TRAETON OF Me AT IBIGAN WIFE A SALA Chou oF To Crest Fare, Calarwste ESTAMLESH BO WAS THE FAST. DEA. ASUS FRAN. Callens of Mh dle CEO FIREFWGANTEN NAMED Bloes ee A a et with BIKes on dirt roads for many yeare, It was in one BPiace, at one time, that the intensity of that play renched oritical mas: From the give-and-take among = group of bike riders, racers and tinkerers, the bike that revolutionized an Industry omergecd, BuRmows wos eA RACE, AM IF EVERTON MATER ASD STANTER, AND [KEPT THE RECORDS OF HAD BEEN SATISFIED WITH THE ReSULT, THERE THE Racks. AurmoucH I was NOT THE FASTEST T NEVEM HAVE REEN ANOTIIEN, AS THE SWORD BESCENDER, MY INTIMATE KNOWLEDOE OF THE EAD THHOUCH THE CRAPEVE ms FROM COURSE ALLOWED ME TO JOIN-THE “UNDER FIVE SURROUNIIN TOWNS ASKED WIN THREW HAD"F BEEN est AN WTTH 4 RUN 25 SHOUD SLOWER THAN FAVITRD, $01 AMITHER RACE WAS SCHEDULE Woes mikes *TARTEO TARE cin REPACK PETITORS GREW ROM SEVEN AT THE FIRST RACE To cm 30 HID BIKES 8 HEDES THAT INCLUDED RIDING UP ILLS AS WELL 15 ERS HO MET ON A REGULAR BASES TO TEST THEIH SKILLS AND OOWR, THE TENKRERS OOF-TO WOK, SOME TRIED TWO-SPRED OR ‘THEDR Sucioveny, Tir come MIDERS TO LOOK THREES PEED UBS, WITH LIMITED SUCKS; THE ANSWitk senor Fo ANAC BS TECHNIQUE O8 EQUIPMENT, AND PROVIDED A To MAILLOUE CRARS, ERE INCOMPATIBLE 1TH TESTING Gaen mu VELOP- —COASTRN BRAKES. Gany Fisiiem was Tar Fis xtoae ix MiuRix ents, REPWK DESCENDS Coorry To Fur RUM BRAKIEGN HS BAKE, AN ENORMOLS STEEL, MODIFICATION RIDERS mM TANDEM REAR Daum. THs PERMITTED ADDITION OF 4 MIS Te MOET A EMANATE AXD WS | PUSHED THE WEES BEE OVER SO POUNDS, mu OLD RECYCLES CaNBE Bg ASTER it wn FRET IS FIVE MENTS 3 CONVERTED TO. THE IMPROVEMENT IN PERFORMANCE, Was EA ALL THR GREASE IN THE LI WAS CONVERTED TO swoxk, By MATIC. WInmiy a wew weeks urns GARY BAD TELAT TIME THE IBRAKE HAD LETHE KIVECT ON THE SPEED OW THE FITTED Ti Bacyete Comers SHAD Quarterly Winter « amber Fas #805 | Callers of Hall of Fame mocvour. THE SAME OF THE COUR: CAME FROM THE PRCT THAT VERY OFF-ROAD DEM AN THE § AADERS HAD TO REPACK TIME ILM WITH GREASE AFTER EVERY HU. KD TO A OREM BRAKE For SoME OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN Rieracs ERED ONE. Fu Ansa RACE, THE INSMMATION TO IMPROVE THEN INTROBUCHD HUMRSSNO-TENS, WUGC A THAT THAR CUES HAS TURNED INTO THEN FES IRE ONLY POUND ON INEXPENSIVE LAD Fsiten mous THEE COURSE RECORD ow 4 weNLFES, Beroke Taunsiierens, Makin Cooyty sens SCCONDS, ALTHOUGH HE ONLY RACED ONE TIME, Toi USED STEM SHIFTERS ON THE MANDLERARS, BOTIL Riremey axe Joe Bieenne wxcien ar Rerucx wi a's DERAILLEURS WERE OPERATED Soe Mrovee 10 Collection of Bi Mosarravs Action DESIGNING THIER OWN IKES, [EAS THE Ra MAND, WITH ONE SHIFTER ABWWE AND THESDURAR, A SEATERST QUICK He MARIN COUNTY MIKES, BUT LEASE RAs COMMON ON POM STABILITY As FRAC AS TO PROTECT TH E EQUIPMENT. THE SEATPOETS ON THE OLD RIRES WHEE A SMALL DIAMETER, AND THE FRAMES WERE ALM. THE Same sare. Pout a inc MAN TO RIDE COMmroRTAnLy, WE SEATIOST HAD TO BE ENTENDED $0 FAR THAT IT AS OFTEN MENT BY THE ry. pa RIDER'S WEICIT 0 A ROUEH MAD, SINCE MANY OF THE THCHPANES 19 Tak: RPA AK WERE ALS MEMHERS OF A RLACINE CLI, THEI, WERE EN 28 ARCLSSIONS OF WHEN FF ILD A RAKE FOR THE REPACK RACES THAT pun LUKE 1 tae Tour USED ALL THE RICTCLE TRCMOLOCY DEVELOPED be Frasce, Tue nimst TEMP AT A MODERN MOUNTADS IKK WAS A FRAME BUILT FOR MEIN 1976 wy Cac Mirch, HO ATTEMFTED To DUFLIGATE THE GROMETHY OF A By E coe Eves 1) FP WAS MUCH LOCHTEOR, FT MEDN"E HANDLE AS as THE BO YEAR-OLD MACHINE. ET WAS ONLY 4 MAT TEE GF TIME HEFOWE ANOTHNR BRILDEN ATTEMETIOO TO MAESK THE LEVEL OF MUN TAIN HEE TECHNALOGY Ta THAT OF 4 MODERN FICTELE, 49m my LATE 1976 Joe Benge wet ro RO THE: FRORLEN. BUILDING A MOUNTAIN BIKE EX 1976 REQUIRED A COMPLETE REDE 7 ar cM OF THE ale riom Meet esi MANY DIFFERENCES IN MEASUREMENTS OF DRIVE TEAS, HEC: 1 THERE, ann AEN LINE. WHELE BOAD-BaC: LE ISHEN 1 BASKEE EON A IELN- DRED TEARS (0 em WAS MET PUPFRIMENTATION, eT POH Beceen To Ww UnON TO DESION Ws NEW TYPE OF BICWELE, BEFOME CRT A SINGLE PIECE OF THING, BReeze SPENT MONTHS AT HES DRAWING BOARD SOLNING THE PROBLEMS GF GEOMET CLEAR Ans Angud [September 90, Calle ‘Charles Kelly. Reet fe hae ures work. — ARSENE OF 6 ese DES! MODEES MOUNTAIN IKE STAN LATER, HEAVY AND FAR WKS TIFT, mT AW RICHELES ANY HAD ROT CHANGED Hi Jou Heres WNPLUESECE I STILL VES INSTEAD OF THE DRUM BAKES USED ON THE CUSTOM CANTILEVER Rakes, Tres Fem MATTED HIME TO USE TECH-QUALITY HUES, BUT I THE wee On WAS FORCED TO USE STEEL RIMS AND HEAVY 7) Y WHERE oon ENTS ME 5 1935. By, soy Hea eT BREEE MOURTAIX BAKES WEHE STANDARDS OF OFF-ROAD DO THE MooeRN MOUNTAIN MIKE. BREEZE MOLT ONLY HOO THESE mer ey ask AND UCHTTER: THUES RP NEARLY x RILOGHEAM PERPORWAS THe, Mass atuKET, Benore TOOK 4 FANATIC ECM SE THO MMe AS IMPOUTTANT TO TH INPROGUCTION GF THE MOOERY OUNTADS I THE Koski RamCTINbS, Mr ROAD FRAME HUELDPRS Te Auk Bu AND SINE AMGCT CETTING THEI THE GFF-BOAD BICVCLES, THE NEW RIMS ANG 7 MOUNTAIN mEkE rRaanes, Rete E THE SP cman Hap NTE wOHL, J CVCLISTS START SERINC ID war av m TO APPR TWAS CONFINED To 4 Sal OF PEOPLE, Mk THOUGHT ME ENOL To SREVE THE sw HON CAUSE AS SOON AS OTHER ON HS EXPERIMENTAL RICWCLES, Es 1978 aLMve a Mines FAN THE CORRECT sizes TO Tes TON FL, AE THES pm THE THAT THE MOUNTAIN MIKIE WAS HEADY HU }CUT WHEELS WERE AVAILABLE, FT LATE TAIN BIKING, 80 stow, THs SINGLE MMPROWEMENT WAS SUARIFY OF MOLUVTAIN BAKES aS Tm rue, By 1979 Keach Moet Lowen, ax ne AND Fwy RECHMAN TAB As ONLY 21 YEARS Ay THE THM AUT BE WAS ALREADY AN EXPERIENCED CYCLIST exo FRAME peUILE, Fie MAD MRES A MEMBER OF THE JUNom Woup CHAMPIONSINP TEAM AND HAD BING FRAMES FROG THE, Is 1978 Jor Bareze xsxeo RITCHEY To UL mY A TANDEM, AND ATT LONG AS SEVE) mTons Le THE LDER PUR: SAME TIME SIRGWHED HIE THE FLICST MOUNTAIN KES HK ‘GUASED THE COMPUINENTS AND ASSEMBLED 17; THE 1G HAD BUILE. RITCHEY HAD BEEN RIDING I€1S ROAD BAK, r 25 AND LONG DELIVERY TIMES WOULD DRIVE ANAY 4. (ON THAILS FOR MANY YEAS, AND HIE Was FNTRHESTED we IN MOUNTAIN BIKE CUSTOMER, BUT MANUFACTURE IMMEEHATELY, Jor Gave ToM SOME AIAECK BASED co {WAS NOT THE WHAT PROCESS WT es TOY. Dx 1979 THERE 1118 08S EXPERIENCE WERE SO MOENTAIN BIKE 60 PONENT GROUPS AVAIL: Rivcury .noeD 4 susneR SEAS AND IN ABLE, ASD PARTS CAME FROM Many soURCES. FoR. 979 Ton BUILT His. Faves T seoweTAN ak, THs RIK, ENAMPLE, THE CRANKSETS BENE TA, MECAUSE THESE Th Anmaal Appetite ESCUUDED FEATURES WHDCH RECAME ©TANI Seminar 158, ONY CHUNKS « STANDARDS Ti emi IML WERE KS THAT CAME WETH TRIPLE FIRST MASS-PRODOCED MOUNTAIN BIKES, PRIMARILY alty. CHAISIOINGS, 6 H-TOOTIE ISWER GEAR AND ANY-LENGTH. THE FRAME anqames, THe pOMITRY AND THE maxes on Tei RUTCHEY HIKES WERE Maree (OnE PuECE “BIELLWOnSE™ HANDLE TANDEM CANTILEVER MARES, WHICH REGU in MORAIEATIONS naus. Wien Gary Fisuee HOTT ON MOUNTAIN HERES, ANION THEE PROCRL ESN THEW WERE hover ose oF RYTCHEY'S FIST LARD IOAN WRU, RAKE LEVERS Cur row Mucues, AND THREE MOUNTAIN . Tow ms whee Pom Woop og Pikes val Pm ; Colenes feu poker RED RIE HE THOUGHT He ns, By 198) THERE WERE seve COULD SELL. ANY MORE OF Tunes. Wears « seers Tom JENIN COMPANIES MAKING MOUNTAIN DBUICT RINE MOE PHAMIES, AND CARY ASKED ME IF ana: Marra BIKES, 181 1 (Jere Laxnsan) LSsren To EL Her sea THEM, WR PUT TCT axp VicTom VINCENTE OF AMEROCA. WAUILE Sass PRD ASML & AT OF MOVEY AND STARTED UR BUCTION OF WOLNTADN BIKES WAS INEMETABEE, so0s7 08 NESS, WE Len MourrursBuwes, Ay rink r ra RW BICHCLE CoMPan Same Time MERT LAW WILL, STATE: MARRORTISG Bs WEEE TOO CONSERVATIVE TO feral aesigmeal by Je Areeae Calle tom of Mi Bike Hal of Fee. ProCkvenn, THe Koski novice DESIGNED & CLT INVEST EN THIS MamwET, IN 1982 ‘CLASSIC CALLED THE TH Tee CAUrORNLA ConPaNnes, Sire. MASTER, ASE Jar Bareee WAS WORKING ON HIRE SECOND PRODOCTION RUN OF BMEKZERS, CIALLEED AND UNIVECA, S080 THE FIRST Muss. HE NEW HSCVCLES WERE NOT EASY To GET. Fike! PRODOCKD MOLT maces, ix ANU Sierra Neo Fatlae Fest i. Calleerasn of Mr, Made Holl of Fame, EXPENSIVE, COSTING MORE THAN A FINE We YEAR OTHER COMPANIES 1 AN PRODI ‘Ti, Socom SIMILAR BICYCLES, AND WHEN AT LAST M0UN- STOMEN HAD TO EVERTON, AEN BOK WECAMI AVANLAILE BICYCLE FIRST, AND Fisher om a Rischey bebe ie Manin Camry PART Pate be erie Fer see11592 Stumpjemper wen TA cranks, Tomaselt trate vers. Mane ceetaeees branes, Suan lour aeraifeurs and thumdsivttess. From the —_— ‘Sehwien Excelsior chen 2925 Ini and owned by Gary Fianer and ‘used tw net the Repack course necend of 4:22, Cauipped with Union ‘not ang Warkanan sear drum bike, Honda maloteycle Brake vars, Campagnate seatpost quick relews, Sun Tour thumbahiflers, Shenae 600 100 forameur, Sunt oar Spat Wont Gerabeur, TA Pinker Make nee ly Jee crass, Murray tsi the FOR MERRELA National Championship, 1977 Wherenee ered ey Charlee Kelly. Seema llrceeer bl casirped th PR Wve an, Magen halla ad Leake Dever ‘Swotour thuratedaltere sal seradlewes, Wrinman = a ie \Chertie Conainghams 1079 Sapead with handmade togele bees, (88 sede, TH crash Cok Kewthere fork Sesto wifi by amgeesine stems, lian chsimguae, tata tne ig, Tepe fark, SisaTour AMX rear derailleur, Frou the Mountain Bike Hall Boe Breer. of Fame and Museum. ie ap fof erty rats Main ais 197: Fred Woe, Wen agg, Merk Lino, let Seracrt, Chis Lan, Jim Preven, en Strwar, Charles Kelly. Gary Fisher, foe Bree, Eric Fletcher, Craig Mitel. John Drom, Ray Riwers Alen Ronda, Casdeanfied.Poser of Mari Grom riding sat Pepck. Pade by ale Press, IE. pts by Wet Crag Fram the cod leer af Ceres Kel. Saas THE PIONEER BEFORE CAROLE BAUER-ROMANIK Tue PIONEERS Fruit Misa a Ta a es play to mountain bike Rowen Marin Commty aed helped hike > appear on the subject ‘o-Exolation Quarterly of the five Marin vf Butte im 1978 for thy rtner in the Point Reyes kes, spabilished of He was alse ube fest visited Cre practitioner of an uncen- ventional sport. TETRA EICERIGORC XO NTT TEEmountain bikes and be is prim ducing mountain biking #6 that region, His knowledge of Pa Conditions and the market for mountain as the trend setter among eastern, ne of the wncomprosising, quality oriented American IMers whose produ worldwide nda ©O0K BROTHERS. In the I omarel by Craig and Gary Cook, was known as the premicr component manufacturer far the hooming BMX market When the first mountain bike manufacturers needed high quality parts, they sued Cook Brothers praducts. Conk Rrothers Racing. STEVE COOK d excellent tithes area atl is credited with exploring the most popular trails im that area. In 189 Ihe was pre pecial award at the Fame induction Me fer capturing on rimer gence of mo when no one realized that the growing sport w of importance outside a small circle of friewds, el ever be ‘own design. When lighter balloon tires and 1 le im E97, be Molt bi oversize tubing and al became ing many component how @ principal partner of * Trail Bikes, which develops components anil ree for major manufacturers, and also produces a limited line of the high handmade meauntain bike com. ponents, +, Camninghar EA LE LIL TR TTT IT HUCK ELLIOT, also known ax Bodfish, lives in Chico, far from plain bike jing independently fi spired the Marin riders, and in i scene. He took up same reasons hat he pat on an off-road race that predated the first Repack event by several months, Bodfish is well known as «tour keader and the author of numerous mauntain bike touring guidebooks. DR. AL. FARRELL is one of tain bike tourists, having t and Canada’s Northwest Territor of the cash prizes w and the patron of the Mountain fi the most traveled af meu red en his bike im the Andes He is also the donor of image of mountais apart worth « world champiorss 1979 was the first company tv eell mountain regular basis, holder of the Hep ree recard, and ORES was professional skateboarder and am sur film maker during the 1970s. When he beard the Repack Downhill, he brought his movie camera second race and captured the only existing enotion ure Footage of the ene-spee JACI and bi CRAM was a salesman eres! firectly resp erganication of Northern group the Nati be Association. ‘Tory IRBA is part of the United States Cyel i respected as tbe fir sant ja riders who called their « Federation, ng Bry Cow the sport. HARLES KELLY 5 ted Repack races from 1976 to 198 THE KOSRKE BROTHERS Don, Erik and Pav i the family basiness, the Cove Bike Shop in As part of the clunker movement, they helped launch he sport hy stocking the ebseu I parts need: ed to replace the machinery destroyed at Repack, The Korkis designed the prototype that became the Lavewill arin Coun racer, made the fi Lanowill Knight Pro- MURRAY raced bi in County eros the first superstar of mountain bike raring, wir hing national cham putting together an ummatebed string im 1984, Sul « prominent racer, Joe's a designer of moun. Lain bike components and tires. ENN ODELL took over the leadership of a foundering in the summer of al mountain | promoted the championship in the fall of tha vewalett cipal organizers Week im Crested Hutte, the premier rmosataie Like festival inv the co STEVE POTTS took up mou biking im 1980 whem ber aecec ied Joe Breeze on a tour of New Zealand, a prinetpal in ikes. a Northern ment company that designs and prc high-quality components, | DORIS aR eyo SOC RRO poe Ie IE IE FRIES RY ETL k her fire 080 on a for years belare his own ee MIKE SINYARD is the owner of ike to the general market, bis company has beem among the leailers in the industry ike prod VICTOR VINCENTE of Ame mm Michael Hiltner, and ioe promestinr iim San wee of the First lines of rm here California ard! pre. untain bikes, the Topanga, Sea race im 1960 ought Northern and Southern ia riders togetlver, neste ce