Reviewing Mountain Biking History
July 25, 2009 by James Brown
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Mountain biking history began in California in the 1970s, when a group of friends began to alter their street bikes by fitting fat tires. Actually, there are many different stories about the true origin of mountain biking. Most would agree that mountain biking is the sport of riding bicycles off-road, often over very rough terrain.
Buffalo Soldiers
Some claim this group of infantry soldiers, who in the late 1800s customized their bicycles to carry gear over rough country, were the beginning of mountain biking history. They rode on a journey from Missoula, Montana to Yellowstone National Park and back, a total distance of 800 miles, to test the durability of their customized mountain bikes. The testing in mountainous terrain by the military proved very useful in future wars.
Velro Cross Club Parisien
This group of cyclists in the mid 1950s developed a sport that was very similar to mountain biking today. Approximately 20 riders juiced up their bikes and roared up and down the French Alps.
John Finley Scott
In 1953 John Finley Scott, a pioneer of mountain biking history, built what he called a “Woodsie Bike” using a Schwinn World diamond frame, balloon tires, flat handlebars, derailleur gears and cantilever brakes.
The Cupertino Riders
Also known as the Morrow Dirt Club located just 75 miles south of Marin County, California, they were modifying their bikes to help them get up and down the steep hills of San Francisco. They were grafting thumb shift operated derailleurs and motorcycle lever-operated drum brakes onto their klunkers. They just disappeared after few years.
Most mountain bikes are built with strength, durability and high performance in mind, using wide tires, large round frame tubing and shock absorbers, that transfer into a far heavier bicycle weight to rider ratio.
Categories of Mountain Biking
Through the history of mountain biking, four distinct categories have emerged, being cross country, downhill, free ride and trails or street riding. Cross country is the most popular form and involves riding point to point. Downhill is riding mountain bikes downhill. Free riding encompasses everything from downhill racing to jumping and generally requires more skill and aggressive riding.
The history of mountain biking is still in its virgin years and still developing. The purists love the sport because it requires a variety of different skills, such as endurance, bike handling skills and self reliance. Riders become very proficient at fixing flat tires so they are not stranded hundreds of miles from home.
Rides often occur in isolated areas and they always involve more than one rider for safety reasons. Mountain bikes are so comfortable and flexible, they now make up 80 percent of all bicycles currently sold in the USA.
Mountain Biking Great For So Many Reasons
July 14, 2009 by James Brown
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Riding a bike is something many of us learn how to do at a very young age. It is a good source of exercise and it can help you to be able to enjoy the scenery. Mountain biking involves riding on terrain that isn’t flat and smooth, but very rugged. It is a terrific way to get involved with nature as many mountain bike trails go through some beautiful areas.
You will need to invest in a good bike that is made for this type of terrain though. Otherwise you are going to be dealing with punctured tires and other mechanical problems that will get in the way of your outdoor adventures. You also want to wear a helmet while mountain biking in case you are involved in any sort of accident.
Make sure the mountain bike you select is a good size and overall fit for you. Some mountain bikes are only designed for a casual outdoor ride. Others allow you to explore your wild side as you can go cross country on them. This is generally for the more experienced riders though. The cost of a mountain bike is going to depend on the brand and the style that you buy. Some of them are only a few hundred dollars while others will cost you thousands.
Always carry some basic supplies with you when you are out mountain biking. It is wise to go with a partner in case you have any problems. A cell phone is good to carry but you may be out of range. Carry a supply of food and water as well as plenty of sunscreen. You should also carry some basic tools in case you need to do any repairs to your mountain bike.
Mountain biking can be a wonderful activity for the entire family to enjoy. For those that are too young to ride their own bike, a seat can be mounted to the back of an adult bike. There are also small trailers that can be attached to the adult bike so a child can lay down and be out of the sun during the ride. Of course this involves only riding on the mellow trails but it is still going to be plenty of fun.