BACK TO THE FUTURE

MTB LEGEND HANS REY REVISITS THE ROOTS OF THE SPORT NEAR SAN FRANCISCO WITH SOME FELLOW PIONEERS, THEN CHECKS OUT WHERE IT’S HEADED

- HANS REY

Just north of San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge lies Mount Tamalpais, the place where this whole ‘mountain biking’ thing started, in the mid-tolate Seventies. Back then, before the bikes and even the name were invented, these Marin County locals would challenge each other on old ‘klunkers’ – modified beach cruisers – on a downhill known as ‘Repack’. I’ve made arrangements to meet some of these OGs, along with another famous face, and ride this infamous descent with them. Then I’ll be heading into the city to ride against some of its celebrated backdrops, before checking in with the next generation of the sport. But first, time for a solo warm-up on the Camp Tamarancho trail network.

ROOTS RADICALS

Just outside the town of Fairfax, Tamarancho is home to some great singletrack and fireroads, a highlight being the Endor flow trail – a really fun track with berms, rollers and jumps, through a beautiful redwood forest. While I’m looking forward to meeting the others, I love riding alone, too. You can just soak up the nature, clear your head and forget everything else in your life. Just be there in the moment and be one with your bike. Feel the wind blow in your face and listen to your tyres rumbling or the sounds of the birds. As I cruise along on my new GT Force Carbon, I can’t help contemplating how much mountain bike technology, trails and the way we ride have evolved over the past 45 years.