Like many old guys who ride bikes, I remember when you could only ride your bicycle on paved roads. All serious bicycles had narrow tires and riding on anything but a paved surface was just not practical or enjoyable. Now, I wonder why it took so long for the mountain bike to be invented!

All you had to do was cross one of those fat tired “old-timey” bikes that so many of us grew up on with one of those funny looking “English racers” with gears. Why didn’t I think of it? Fortunately, someone in California did think of it, and the mountain bike was invented. These fat-tire all-terrain bicycles brought a whole new dimension to the sport of cycling.

I can recall some of my first experiences in the early 1980s on old school, rigid fork mountain bikes. There was nothing fancy about those old bikes. They were heavy and suspension forks hadn’t been invented yet. My friends and I would take a compass and explore the back country on old fire roads and tote roads using topo maps. We would ride, carry, or drag our bikes through bogs and clear cuts, pastures and hardwood stands and find inaccessible places where very few people had ever been. On occasion we’d cross paths with a deer or a moose that seemed to be as curious of us as we were of them. It was like being a kid again on some epic adventure.

I recall startling a logger while he was breaking for lunch, “You boys come over that mountain on those 10 speeds?” He just couldn’t get over it. The pure fun of riding in the forest won me over, and my road bike appeared rather sad hanging in the garage collecting dust.

Mountain biking is much more than it is often perceived to be, and not all riding resembles Mountain Dew commercials. There are those who choose to ride uncontrollably down mountain trails, endangering hikers and horse riders, and this rude, self-indulgent behavior can and has resulted in serious injury and subsequent restriction of mountain bike access to many forest and park areas. It has unfortunately created an image problem for mountain bikers and the controversy of trail access is ongoing.

There is, however, a large share of mountain bikers who are responsible citizens and ride their bikes with respect for the land, landowner wishes, and for those with whom they share trails. Additionally, as the result of a lot of hard work of many mountain bike enthusiasts and organizations, trail systems designated exclusively for mountain bikes have become increasingly available all over the country. All those sport utility vehicles with mountain bikes strapped on them must be going somewhere.

The fact is a lot of mountain biking is done on quiet country and forest roads by folks who just want to ride their bicycle away from traffic. The majority of mountain bikes have probably never been on technical trails sometimes referred to as “single track.” Additionally, there are probably a large number of people who own mountain bikes who don’t really enjoy riding in an aggressive manner. Often these folks remove the knobby tires that the bike came with and install a pair of semi- slick or center bead tires. If you are riding your mountain bike mostly on paved roads this tire change makes riding much smoother, quieter and efficient. My concern is for those who may be missing out on a wonderful low-impact, fitness-related sport because they have been led to believe that they need to risk life and limb in order to indulge. Remember, you have brakes and you can always walk the bike if necessary.

On the other hand, a skilled rider can do some remarkable things in terms of balance, speed and maneuverability. Like downhill skiing, the rider can find a line down a sketchy trail, go airborne over the rocks and between the trees. It can be an extremely exciting activity that can really get you pumped. A rider observed once that his heart rate went up from physical work when he climbed hills and stayed up from fear when he went back down. Another observed that road riding provided a workout, while mountain riding meant getting worked on.

It’s true that the more extreme style of mountain riding can be jarring, and crashing can hurt a bit, but severe injury, while becoming somewhat more common, usually involves poor judgement and riding out of control. Newer and faster bikes cannot compensate for poor reactions or technique, they only allow the rider to go faster. It is interesting to note that the most commonly reported mountain bike injury is corneal laceration, or a cut on the eye from passing branches or brush, and therefore eye protection is as important as wearing a helmet.

As I mentioned above, early mountain bikes didn’t have suspension systems. They were rigid and jarring and down hill speed was limited since they lacked control. Front suspension forks evolved to become light and reliable. and rear suspension designs soon followed. Today’s high tech bike usually has 3 to 4 inches of front and/or rear suspension and can weigh less than 25 pounds. The limiting factor in engineering a quality suspension bike is keeping the weight within a reasonable range. Department stores full suspension bikes commonly weigh more than 40 pounds and have antiquated designs that don’t perform well. However they look cool and are cheap.

If you are serious, plan to spend close to $1,000 for an entry level but a reliable full-suspension bike. On the other hand, a quality front suspension bicycle, called a “hard tail,” can be purchased for as little as $300. The more serious rider would be happier on a bike priced a little higher, say around $500, and the real hardcore second or third bike shoppers may spend way more. You will get what you pay for and after that initial investment you can make it last for years if you take care of it. While this may seem outrageous to the consumer who’s only exposure to bikes is at a department store, when you consider longevity and reliability, a quality bike shop bike is the better value — this is not just my opinion.

As with all cycling, there are physical demands and a work ethic. Climbing can be tough on steep terrain, but it gets a little easier and more enjoyable as the fitness and technique improves. The bikes are light and have very low gears that give the rider some advantage, but you can usually expect a good, low-impact workout. The modern mountain bike that has been properly fitted to the rider feels well balanced and operates smoothly. The more you ride, the better your skills and ability become and the more you enjoy the sport. While the thrills and spills of skilled technical riding are enjoyable aspects of mountain biking, so are the adventures of discovery experienced while bushwhacking your way through the forest. Ancient railroad beds converted to trails, old mining and logging tote roads, even municipal bike paths and Civil War battlefields are just a few examples of perfect places for riding mountain bikes or so called “comfort” bikes.

The “comfort bikes,” sometimes referred to as hybrids, are the newest category of bicycle design that allow the rider to sit more upright and feel more comfortable while on the bike. They are equipped with wider saddles and raised handlebars but still have fat tires and low gears. They are user friendly and just perfect for the not-so-serious rider. They don’t ride well on technical trails since the riders weight is not distributed as well.

While many serious riders turn their noses up at comfort bikes, they now account for 40 percent of all bikes sold. A good bike shop is more than willing to listen to the customer and help with selection, and for those who would be more comfortable riding in a more relaxed style, this design may be just right.

Riding a fat-tire, all-terrain bicycle doesn’t have to be the testosterone-driven, high-speed, breakneck sport that it is often purported to be. While this aspect of mountain biking appeals to many who love the sport, it sometimes discourages others. There is a softer and gentler side of the sport that can be appreciated by those who do not consider themselves extreme athletes.

Riding can be whatever one wants it to be. A quiet, no-polluting, fitness-oriented activity like riding a fat tire bike in a scenic outdoor setting may be just what many folks crave. The development of greenways and similar outdoor spaces will reduce the hazards of overcrowded roads and highways, but many of us can’t afford to wait too much longer for such places to become available in our own neighborhoods. The truth is there are many places to ride that haven’t been discovered yet. Any lightly traveled backroad or forest road is fair game and a great place to experience the simple pleasure of riding a bicycle.
(Molin owns and operates Motion Makers Bike Shop on Main Street in Sylva.)

 

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