Mountain biking’s origins are a tale of innovation, passion and sheer joy, captured vividly through the lens of Wende Cragg. Her work provides a rare window into the early days of clunkers, camaraderie and creative exploration that would evolve into a global phenomenon.
Documenting a revolution
In the 1970s, Wende Cragg’s camera became an extension of her experiences on the trails. Initially used to photograph wildflowers and mushrooms, it quickly turned toward the riders she accompanied. These weren’t ordinary cyclists—they were pioneers tinkering with road and cruiser bikes to handle Marin County’s rugged terrain. “I just wanted to capture the spirit in those people,” Cragg said, reflecting on the thousands of images she amassed over six years.
Her work became the most comprehensive documentation of mountain biking’s infancy, capturing a community united by curiosity and adventure.
The clunker scene and the Repack race
The earliest mountain bikes were “clunkers,” repurposed Schwinn cruisers with wide tires and makeshift gears. Riders like …