Mountain Biking – A Little History

It is much easier to see where you are going if you know where you have been.

History is often dependent on who has the loudest voice. There is a lot of information out there in regards to the history and origins of mountain biking. Some being highly recognized and some that is influenced by the best public relations firms.

According to some “Mountain Biking” got its’ start with the Buffalo Soldiers. These guys were a turn of the century Army Infantry Battalion who customized some bicycles to carry their gear and equipment over the rough and tough terrain. There mission was simple, over the course of 800 miles beginning in August of 1896, was to test bikes for military use in the toughest of terrain and conditions. The Army wanted to test this concept to see if this was a viable tactic for the infantry solder.

Still others say that the French were the ones to invent the sport of “Mountain Biking”. Some say it was the Velo Cross Club of France that started mountain biking. This club was made up of about 20 young bikers from Paris, who between 1951 and 1956 developed a sport that resembles present day mountain biking sport.

Yet still others believe that it could have also been John Finley Scott, who was the first mountain biker in the U.S. This guy was more than 20 years ahead of his time. In 1953 he constructed what he called a “Woodsie Bike”. He put together his design using a diamond frame, balloon tires, flat handle bars, and cantilever brakes. There were many in this era who didn’t share Johns same passion. He remained an off road enthusiast, even though many disagreed with his vision. Tragically, Scott was murdered in his California home in 2006.

Today, many believe that the history of the mountain bike is most apparent in Northern California. There are a few areas that claim to be the first community for mountain biking, although each and every history book will tell you Marin County.

The sport of mountain biking has taken many twists and turns over the last several hundred years. Even though there are many that say different things about the history and the beginning, we know one thing for sure – one thing has led to another and the sport of mountain biking was born and is here to stay.

GET OUT THERE – GO RIDING