The lifestyle of a Mountain Biker

Have you ever wondered why people mountain bike, and why they like it so much? Mountain biking is a sport that takes your full attention at all times and there's no room for any mistakes. I am going to tell you some stories about people's reasons of why they like the sport and also why they think it is so great. This documentary is about the true meaning of the sport of mountain biking and why thousands of people do it everyday. I'm going to begin with a brief history of the sport, and then describe this small bike shop located in San Jose, California. It is interesting how they created a local bike park that many kids go to everyday.

The history of Mountain Biking began in the mid 1970's when the sport of road biking was just becoming developed. During this time, a few bikers from California decided to make a fatter tire to be able to grip on rough terrains. Instead, they ended up a making a new style of biking called Mountain biking.

 

"During the year of 1976, Kelly and Fisher, with Joe Breeze and Tom Ritchey, organized and steadily increased the amount of races that were held at the 3 mile long Cascade Fire Trail near Fairfax. Riders from all over the city soon joined the fun. Every rider would start at different intervals with one thing on their mind. They all wanted to own one of the 'Clunkers' and break the 2.9 mile dirt track record that had a vertical drop of over 1600 feet. They soon adopted the motto of Hell's Angels - "Ride to live and live to ride." (The Pioneers of Mountain Biking)

Today, Fisher and Tom Ritchey have two of the biggest bike companies in the world, Gary Fisher and Ritchey Bicycles.

 

There's this shop in San Jose which is really helping out the mountain biking community, Calabazas Cyclery is a bike shop that has everything, top of the line, from mountain bikes, road bikes, bmx bikes, components, and accessories. The people who work there are really nice. Some of them are also professional mountain bikers. Everything they sell has been carefully selected from years of riding and racing experience. About two blocks down the street from the shop is a city owned park by the name Calabazas. About 30 or so years ago, when the sport of bmx biking emerged, a few locals in the area thought that the area around the park would be a great place to make some dirt jumps. So they ended up turning the 1.6 acre parcel of land into a bike park. Over the years, it was torn down several times by the city. But the riders convinced the city to allow them to rebuilding it. This park has started out many top professionals and lots amateurs. But in 2004 the park was said to be closed forever, because this 16 year old kid who got seriously hurt while he was riding at Calabazas Bike. Here's is the story.

 

"In July 2004, 16-year-old Alex Ghenis clipped his front tire on a landing ramp of a large double, went over the bars, landed on his head and broke three vertebrae in his neck, paralyzing him from the chest down. (As of April 2005, he's regained some feeling in his arms, hands, neck and head. He can move his shoulders and extend his arms, but he can't move his fingers well.) Of course, this wasn't the first time the city learned of an injury, and it turns out safety isn't the only issue concerning the park. Pedestrians have complained of near misses with bikes on the walkways, and residents have complained about too many riders teeming around the neighborhood" (Lee McCormack)

 

In 2006 Calabazas cyclery, joined together with the city of San Jose to rebuild the park, since it was closed for two years. It kept the daily bikers from not having any places to ride. The city decided they really needed to do something about this, so they decided to recreate the park and make it safer for the riders and the community. This was a huge project that took a lot of money and time to create.

 

"The $566,000 reconstruction project was funded by a number of entities, LeZotte said, including the city's Park Trust Fund, Council District 1's Construction and Conveyance Fund, as well as a $10,000 grant from Toyota Motors and the Extreme Sports Tour." (Rachel Hill)

"Professional BMX rider Ryan Nyquist will be attending the press conference as well. Ryan Nyquist grew up in Los Gatos, CA and started riding at Calabazas Park. He is an honorary member of the planning committee setup to redesign and build the BMX Park. "I am grateful to Ryan and Toyota for supporting this community effort with their time and money," stated Councilmember LeZotte. (Linda LeZotte)

 

I asked my Friends, David Wobber and Justin McCarthy, some questions about why mountain biking is so important to them.

So, David when did you start biking?

"I've been hard-core biking since first grade." (David Wobber 3/8/08)

What kept you interested in mountain biking?

"The thrill of it. It's just such an asome sport you can ride from point A to B. Or you could like do crazy tricks for hot chicks and stuff. I don't know it's just a life style I guess."(David Wobber 3/8/08)

Do you think this sport is good for all ages?

"Defiantly I see little kids biking at Calabazas, that's where we ride with are mountain bikes so there a bunch of little kids jumping a lot of new kids are starting to get into it. It's actually a great sport for them to do and stay off drugs." (David Wobber 3/8/08)

"It's a way to get out. And not sit in front of the TV." (Justin McCarthy 3/9/08)

Have you ever gotten hurt on any rides you have done?

"I skipped a chain when we were doing some bigger jumps about 30 feet and I went over the bars and broke my full face helmet and I landed 130 stitches in my chin and like 15 or 16 staples."(Justin McCarthy 3/9/08)

As you can see from these stories mountain biking means a lot to people and they will do any thing to get back out and ride.

 

So, you may be wondering what a professional Mountain Bike event is. Well there is this one event that is held every year. At this event are the top riders of the sport they pick out the best riders from all over the world. It is called the Red Bull Rampage they are normally held in Utah. At the event are some of the biggest dare devils in the world they have to do huge tricks off of 50 to 100 foot cliffs. They are judged by how good there trick was and if they had a good landing. Another event is the Sea Otter Classic held in Monterey California it is a biking festival and a competition they started having this event in 1990. It has always been held during the month of April. They call it the sea otter classic because in Monterey they worship the sea otter. At the Sea Otter Classic they offer many different types of racing international racing, beginner through professional and include mountain biking events, such as cross country, downhill, dual slalom, mountain cross, and a dirt jump contest. The professional mountain bike races are part of the NORBA the (National Off-Road Bicycle Association) racing calendars and approved by USA Cycling. At this event they also offer road bike races and BMX racing. As you can see these are big events and you have to be pretty amazing to be able to participate in them.

 

Mountain biking has a huge community whether it is a small bike shop that is trying to make a difference by helping out the community, or if it is a huge national event for kids to look up to and go to with there families. Mountain biking is said to be grate for all ages because it keeps kids and teens from getting into trouble. That's why I am so glad that the city of San Jose decided to create a bike park for kid to have fun at and get exercise without even thinking about it. I know myself that it is hard make an area designated just for biking because when you create it. Your creation becomes destroyed by people because of legal reasons. I hope you can see why this sport is so amazing and why people like it so much. Just thank Tom Ritchey and Gary Fisher for making this sport known as Mountain Biking.