It was 40 Years Ago Today

[Repack Rider]

Actually the anniversary is tomorrow. This is the very first video of the sport that would eventually be named "mountain biking," filmed on January 20, 1979. This is hardly the first time this has been posted here, but because it's a nice round numbered anniversary, I thought I would give it another mention.

You may have seen a few frames of this in the film "Klunkerz."

In late 1978 producer from a local TV station had heard about this crazy downhill race involving a bunch of hippies in Fairfax. He tracked me down and asked if I would put on a race for the TV cameras.

Of course.

When the gang heard that it would be filmed, turnout was huge. The video was broadcast on the local CBS affiliate on a program called "Evening Magazine." Later it was shown again on the national broadcast of the same program, the first time the public was exposed to this new sport which the participants called "klunking.""

Gary Fisher gets off a great line when asked how long this had been going on. "It's been going on as long as people have been riding bikes. For us it's been just the last five years or so, and in that time it's come a long way, and it's GOING a long way."

If you're attentive, you can see a quick shot of Tom Ritichey on Wende Cragg's Schwinn klunker. He was there at the invitation of Joe Breeze. Later that year Gary Fisher would ask Tom to build a couple of these new bikes.

Here is the YouTube link

[XXtwindad]

And to know that "Repack" is in my back yard, and that I can ride a sliver of history any time I want...what a gift!

On another note, it's really cool that such a seminal figure in MTB history is on this site. At the risk of sounding like a "fanboy" it's like being on a basketball thread and being able to respond to Bill Russell ...

[exapkib]

Thanks for sharing that video. Great footage!

Thinking about all of the 'trends' in cycling lately, sure makes it clear that everything old is new again . . .

[Repack Rider]

Come on down to the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Sunday, January 20 at 3:00 for the 40th Anniversary showing of the ORIGINAL version of the Evening Magazine video, without the terrible music added by Youtube.

While you're there, you can have a look at the expanded museum area and the new improvements to the property.

[54ny77]

that was awesome, thanks for the link!

[clyde the point]

Charlie thanks for posting that. I remember having laughs with you when you were announcing at the original Sea Otter in '91. The sport was so huge in the '90's, big money contracts, Onza parties. Wow things have changed.

[jpritchet74]

That video is AWESOME!

[Veloo]

Blocked in Canada, DAMMIT!

[bcroslin]

Love it!

[Gummee]

That looked like a hoot. Thanks for sharing the video.

More thanks for the stories you've posted

M

[m_moses]

That is so cool. Thanks for sharing.

I liked this line regarding cross country klunking: "Klunking is best away from the cars, the cops and the concrete."

Amen.

[pdmtong]

I may not have been digging hard enough but 1300 in two miles and 4 minutes is some serious hauling a $$

The benchmark climb here is OLH at 3.3 miles /1300 feet.

Repack - a mile shorter - on a coaster brake and a flannel shirt!

[onekgguy]

I always have to have another look whenever I see that video posted, and it always brings a smile to my face. Thanks for sharing and for helping to expand the possibilities of what can be done on 2 wheels!

Kevin g

[efixler]

That was GREAT


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[Whit51]

Thanks for posting. I remember reading an article in the 70’s (Rolling Stone? Outside?) about guys in Marin County putting road bike components and motorcycle brake levers on balloon tire Schwinns. It’s cool that some of the riders in the video, became titans in the cycling world.