Description

Many people believe the mountain bike was invented in Marin County, California, in the 1970’s. Whilst carrying out research recently I came across an article in a CTC Gazette (July 1930) by Vernon Blake (1875 to 1930) about a machine he had built, which I think fits the criteria for an ATB, ie wide tyres, low gears, cantilever brakes Blake described it as a cycle which after a lifetime of experimenting he felt best suited the type of riding he did in the south of France. The gear was what was known as a floating chain, no mechanism a single freewheel on the rear and a triple chainring. Gear changes made by hand!!! The wheel reversed to give six gears in total