There’s a beautifully written article with loads of storytelling pics over on rene herse—tying together the history of riding bikes on dirt roads, including a key insight (to me, anyhoo) on the marketing imperative of flat bars in the ‘80s (when I bought my first mtb). Gravel Hall of Fame, anyone?
https://www.renehersecycles.com/grav...ld-as-cycling/