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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I've got a Klienbone.
@piwakawaka Are you sure you want to publicize that? Concur with the sentiment, but you might want to brush up on your German.
Anyone else remember the Pedal Pusher buyer's guide? A thick tome with fantastically detailed descriptions of thousands of shiny bits. I think I still have one somewhere but I can't seem to find it. That was my reference manual for years.
It seems you guys pay just a bit too much attention yo fashion, and what riders are wearings, especially in The Rules. What's next, having the correct haircut?
Tomac just showed up at work with his lunch pail, got on his bike, and just rode the wheels off it. No tats, no bullshit, no shit-talking, no dead-fish hanging around his neck. You lot could learn from this.
Rule 5a, "Shut the fuck up and ride your bike".
@Zman
If you're Maxim Iglinsky then, yes...
@Zman You should see our photo of Johnny Cash.
@ChrissyOne
absolutely
great one Brett
here in the frigid midwest, I have to admit this is my mtn bike season. There are so many reasons why to mtn bike, but that is off tangent
those were all good days guys, gear that was not quite that good, bikes that didn't quite fit, shocks that didn't quite absorb like you expected, tires that didn't quite hook up, brakes that didn't quite slow you down....it was all good
Tinker, BTW, is that real. He really did pack and go on those exploits, and at the races, was super casually deliberate, really it was hard to believe he was PRO, as he is so cool and approachable, like a dude you know?
@Zman
I pay so much attention to fashion and coffee because I spend so much time waiting for people like you.
@Weldertron
Thank-you VERY much for that clip. Just watched it for the third time and I'm laughing more than ever. Insane ride at the height of Rule#9. I'm so impressed the commentators didn't swear.
11 seconds quicker than 2nd place. INSANE.
@Zman
"Hey! Zman... making copies! The Zman!!!"