Even though in today’s mountain bike world the bikes are better, the clothing more appropriate, and there are more trails to ride, there’s no denying the early 90s were the Golden Age of Mountain Biking. Just look at these fellas, and tell me I’m wrong.
Tomac knew what was up. You don’t get such a badass Rainbow Jersey by accident, and his year in the bands (’92) was probably the last time the jersey looked that good. Plain black shorts, white socks, back flat as a pancake. And who else would you expect to be the first to rock a Troy Lee paint job on their helmet?
Tinker, well he’s a man unto himself. Probably the crowd favourite on the strength of recognition, being the only dreadlocked Hispanic riding a fluoro green or purple bike at the time making him easy to spot. That and his cadence, crunching the big ring where others, even Tomac and Ned, feared to tread. Legend has it that Tinker would fill a backpack with the biggest rocks he could find then set off into the mountains for a six hour training ride. Even if it’s an urban myth, the fact that it’s an urban myth about Tinker makes it more than a bit plausible.
Gumwall tyres, polished silver rims, colour matched forks, Campa… Campa? Multicoloured Sidis, Tinker made it all work. Even the Etto helmet looked good on him. Tomac was arguably the most Rule Compliant mountain biker ever. Even with limited resources to work with, these guys set the bar. Not many have reached it since.
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@unversio
They've never been seen in the same room together. Maybe they're the same person??
@Weldertron
Not only is that riding incredible, the commentators are TOTALLY worth the watch just to hear them shit themselves completely!
@frank
Hilarious. But he needs to raise his saddle.
@Nate
It's that low to clear the metric fuckton of balls he's carrying around.
Ahhhh the Campa MTB groupset...... about the only thing that nearly tempted me to try MTBing. Beautifully made, horiffically expensive, iirc almost as costly as C-Record but there were no other ensembles in their MTB range hence no "cheaper" options. And I had enough trouble paying for my road addiction without chasing that off-road dragon....
@Weldertron
I'll say. By the end he must have been gassed yet he still has the cahones to throw it sideways in the air as he approaches the finish?? Judging by the technicality of the course there must have been some primo wipe-outs. Then the commentators would definitely have a thrombo!
GOLD. This thread is GOLD!
@frank
Tomac had this way of pedalling in the big dog, sliding and pushing the rear all-at-once with a grace that was hard to believe. Before discs! Finesse and brutal force combined. I'm not sure it is fast by today's standards but it was entertaining! Oh, and he seemed pretty nice off the bike too.
Anyone still have their kit?
I was breaking Rule #17 before it was cool.
@panarchy
No, it's ANODIZED PURPLE.