There are now dozens of companies around the world making mountain bikes, and my company Sacred Rides Mountain Bike Holidays is just one of hundreds of mountain bike tour companies around the world offering adventures to people willing to pay a few bucks to explore the world on their bikes. There are mountain bike trails and clubs in almost every country in the world. Pretty amazing how the sport has grown.
Finding out that the sport is turning 30 caused me to reflect on my first experiences with mountain biking. I didn't get into the sport until I was about 20, way back in 1991. My first bike frame was an aluminum Balance (I don't even think they're in business any more) and I ordered it from one of those mail order places in California, then painstakingly and lovingly built up the frame part by part. It took me about 2 months to finally get the thing together, since I was learning on the fly. it had 1" of front travel on one of the original Manitou forks and top of the line cantilever brakes that were useless in the rain.But once it was complete, I couldn't tear myself away from it. I was in downtown Toronto, not exactly the hotbed of mountain biking, but I took every chance I could to ride it: around town, on the local trails, to class, you name it. I was in love. Here was a bike that could take me anywhere. To say it changed my life is a bit of an understatement. These days, I mountain bike for a living, traveling all over the world in search of the best places to ride. I no longer ride a Balance (our new sponsor is DeVinci and I can't wait to get my new rig), but the thrill is still the same.
So what's your first mountain bike story? I'd love to hear your experiences with your first mountain bike and how you got into the sport. Leave your comments below!
Mike
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