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Mountain Bike Roots - the early days of mountain biking

Repack Downhill

The steep and rough Repack Fire Road in Fairfax, Marin County, California is where mountain biking started. It got its name from the smoke that billowed from burning grease and the subsequent need to repack the hubs of early coaster-brake bikes cruising this classic downhill.

The first formal race down Repack was held in 1976. For the handwritten results of those early races, see Charlie Kelly's Repack records. These are the earliest documents in the sport of mountain biking.

Thanks to Rob Nilsen for sending three of the photos.
(Click any picture to enlarge it)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Rob Nilsen in 1985 Repack Downhill Unknown rider in 1985 Repack Downhill Repack Downhill, 1984 Repack Downhill, 1984
Rob Nilsen coming into finish line in 1984 Repack (photo by Dan Nilson) Craig Weichel in 1984 Repack (photo by Dan Nilsen) 1984 - A racing mountain bike sidecar! Steve Boehmke is in the saddle, Kye Sharp is on the "sidecar". 1984
       
Repack Downhill 1984 Repack Downhill 1984 Repack Downhill 1984 Repack Downhill
1983. Contributed by Rob Nilsen (photo is copyright 1985 Rodale Press) 1984 Vince Bischoff,1984 Dave Cummins after finishing race. 1984
       
1984 Repack Downhill 1984 Repack Downhill    
Dennit Colescott. 1984 Don Mertle at finish line with shredded rear tire. 1984    

This page last modified Wednesday Dec 31, 1969 at 7:00pm EST
All content and images are Copyright 1983-2013 by Erik Gordon Bainbridge except where noted otherwise