Way back about a quarter century ago I bought my first Specialized Rockhopper. I was upgrading from my Raleigh Elkhorn, at a time when the technology and innovation of the mountain bike was absolutely charging forward. Advances in components, frame building, wheels and tires… were coming almost weekly. And for a novice mountain bike racer like me it meant that I was always looking for the next cool thing. The evolution was exciting, but eventually the “race bug” faded away a bit. Ah, but fortunately my love of all things bicycle has been with me my whole life.
I am delighted to report that my children and now even my grandchildren have also discovered the joy of messing about on bikes.
I bought my first bicycle from Gregg’s Greenlake Cycle back in about 1968. It was not my first bike, by any means, but the first bicycle that I had bought with my own money. A Schwinn Continental as I recall. Since then we have included a stop at Gregg’s in every family bike shopping excursion… many times it was the last stop. And so it was when my grandson Kingston and I went down there last Friday to look for my new mountain bike.
It just sat there; flat black, hydraulic disc brakes, big old 29 inch tires, looking all “urban assault” like… Yep, it was another Rockhopper!
It would be unkind to compare this bike with my last Rockhopper… Think Moto GP bike running against a covered wagon.
When did 100mm of suspension travel become the standard benchmark for front forks? And where have those ergonomic flat handlebar grips been all my life?
Here is a little video from the first ride. I went up to Monte Cristo and rode into the old mining town:
I hope you like that little movie. How about a couple more images from today’s ride:
That’s about it for this edition of the Adventure Journal. Thanks for having a look, now go out and ride your bike.
Kat
Once again you demonstrate that you are THE coolest dude on this planet. No guarantees about the other planets, but at least here ur top of the list. RM
Whoa, dude. Easy there turbo. Thanks RandyMarrs, glad you liked it.
That last shot is a classic! It evokes the joys of the beginning of an era.
Thanks friend. Glad you liked it.