| Mountain Biking used to be the passion of a selected | | | | popularity, so much so that the biker community |
| few until it became widely accepted as a competitive | | | | endeavored to establish the birthplace of modern-day |
| and enjoyable sport. The reason for this change was | | | | mountain biking. Mount Tamalpais in California won this |
| due to three factors. These factors were the | | | | honor. |
| individuals who used the extreme sport of Mountain | | | | Initially, the only races held on Mount Tam would |
| Biking to fulfill their passion, the location or geographic | | | | involve bicyclists racing down the mount and once |
| aspects and the construction of the Mountain bike. | | | | down they would get their bicycles transported by |
| Factor No.1 - The People | | | | various methods to the top of the Mount. Over the |
| The late 1960s marks the beginning of the history of | | | | years, the races became more competitive and |
| Mountain Biking when San Franciscans getting tired of | | | | extreme and bicyclists not only raced downhill on |
| their extremely busy and frantic lifestyles moved | | | | their bikes but also cycled back to the top of the |
| away from San Francisco and into the Marin County. | | | | mountain. |
| Life in the Marin County was less hectic and | | | | Factor No.3 - The Equipment |
| metropolitan thus bringing the much sought after | | | | The transformation of the bicycles began at Mount |
| tranquility that the San Franciscans were looking for. | | | | Tam where they acquired their present-day |
| The Marin Countys were famous for their | | | | appearance as well as the inclusion of the balloon |
| mountainous terrain and San Franciscans who loved | | | | tires. Safety emerged as the top priority and as a |
| bicycling developed a passion for competitive bike | | | | result the ordinary bike was modified keeping this |
| races. Initially it started as a 3 mile fire trail bike race | | | | aspect in mind. Thus the transformation of the |
| in the city of Fairfax. The race included a downward | | | | mountain bike also made a place for itself in the |
| slope extending over 1600 feet. This race gradually | | | | history of Mountain Biking. |
| became a craze with bikers who wanted to break | | | | These modifications included installation of light as well |
| past records and thus vehemently took part in the | | | | as strong breaking mechanisms like the cantilever |
| competition. | | | | breaks. The breaking device in ordinary bikes wasn't |
| The race grew immensely popular because of its | | | | apt while cycling uphill or moving across rough and |
| competitive and entertaining nature. However racers | | | | dangerous terrains. The cantilever breaks served this |
| were unable to comply with the Insurance | | | | purpose due to its light yet strong characteristic. |
| requirements and since the competition was highly | | | | Another significant modification was the use of |
| risky and dangerous the result was the cancellation | | | | additional gears on the mountain bikes. Riders scaled |
| of these races. | | | | mountain heights and precariously traveled across |
| Factor No.2 - Location or Geography | | | | terrains and these additional gears greatly benefited |
| Termination of these races did not affect its | | | | them. |