Sports
Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Moving to Marin
The birthplace of mountain biking will soon house its Hall of Fame.
In a move that some may feel is long overdue, the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame will be relocating to Marin County — often considered the sport’s birthplace.
The organization broke the news yesterday, while also announcing this year’s inductees. Otis Guy, Joe Breeze and Marc Vendetti, all of whom are industry leaders, have taken on the project of bringing the Hall of Fame to their home turf.
There is no specific location or timeframe established at this point, but all of the Hall of Fame’s operations will be centered in Marin.
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“This is exciting,” said James Weinberger of Mikes Bikes in San Rafael. “It’s very positive news. It should drive enthusiasm about the sport.”
Weinberger said that the store already sells more mountain bikes than street bikes.
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Historically, mountain bikes are deeply connected to Marin.
“There are a few areas that will claim to be the first mountain bike community, but every history book will lead you to Marin County,” claims the Hall of Fame’s website.
In the 1970s, bike riders used balloon-tired cruisers and modified them with gears and motocross or BMX-style handlebars, creating “klunkers.”
The term would also be used as a verb since the term “mountain biking” was not yet in use. Riders would race down mountain fire roads, causing the hub brake to burn the grease inside, requiring the riders to repack the bearings. These were called “Repack Races” and triggered the first innovations in mountain bike technology as well as the initial interest of the public. The sport originated on Marin County's Mount Tamalpais.
The sport grew, and Crested Butte, Colorado staked a claim on the Hall of Fame in 1988.
In addition to revealing the relocation plan, the Hall also revealed its 2013 class of inductees this week, led by Bill and Robin Groff who were recognized as pioneers of the sport. A group called Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association, or CORBA, will be inducted in the advocacy category, David Epperson is being recognized in the journalism category, and Marla Streb and Nicolas Vouillez are being inducted in the racing history category. The induction ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, during the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas. The event will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center, in the Islander F Hall, immediately following the first day of the indoor show.
