California Bicycle Museum

In the 1970s, the idea for mountain bikes progressed under the guidance of Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Tom Ritchey and other Northern California enthusiasts. Production of mountain bikes boomed from about 200 in 1979 to an estimated 50,000 in 1983. To fuel this growth, in the early 1980s, mountain bikes were being factory-produced in large volumes by emerging companies such as Fisher, Ritchey, Specialized and Univega. In 1984, mountain bikes accounted for 20 percent of bike sales in the United States, and by 1996 the sport of mountain biking had been added to the Olympics.

Early drawing from personal collection of John Finley Scott showing idea for a "cow trailing" bike. The drawing was recently (2008) discovered and provides an interesting glimpse into the very early origins of mountain biking and attempts to create a new style of bikes in the United States.

Manufacturer: John Finley Scott

Location: Davis, CA

Private Party

Photo Provided by Vance Sprock, Cupertino Cycles