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