Back when these vehicles were still called "Klunkers," there was one photographer who was there the moment the machine we now call the mountain bike was born.
Wende Cragg. She is a legendary photographer in bicycle history who captured the genesis of the MTB using a NIKON Nikomat FTN.
A massive photo archive, primarily composed of her work and known as the "Rolling Dinosaur Archive," has been released as a photo book curated by THE RADAVIST.
I suspect that because a significant portion of the photos were shot on reversal film*, the colors are vibrant, capturing the atmosphere of the 70s, the bike builds, and their clothing. This lawless sense of freedom and spirit of challenge represent an important moment in bicycle history, depicting the MTB culture as a cultural consequence of the counterculture that emerged in America in the 60s.
Once again, it reminds me that the bicycle is a vehicle of freedom, and I believe this photo book serves as a masterclass in that idea.
*Reversal film: Also known as positive film, this is a type of film that stands in contrast to negative film. Because the film itself is the final viewing product rather than needing to be inverted after processing, it provides a high-contrast photographic medium that allows for breathtakingly beautiful imagery.
It seems Wende Cragg bought a camera at that time purely as a hobby, so I believe she was an amateur photographer back then. However, the fact that she was there at that time and in that moment is an incredible feat in itself. This is a work that truly makes you realize the importance of photography as a medium, allowing us to access and feel the vibe and energy of that era.
I wanted everyone to see it, so I brought this photo book in.
It is, of course, recommended for bicycle lovers, and the ability to see the build ideas of that time so clearly is something only a book can provide.
For those who love American cultural fashion, I also think it serves as a valuable resource to see the real-life style of 70s outdoorsmen, rather than something from a (fictionalized) magazine. The Levi's 501 style is cool.
This photo book is available at the Circles store, our webshop, and at retailers carrying products from CWD, the wholesale division of Circles.
It is a must-have book for every home and every shop!
THE RADAVIST Camera Corner –
Wende Cregg and The Birth of Mountain Biking
8″ x 12″ FujiFilm Fine Lustre Print
Hardcover book, 10″ x 10.5″, 208 pages, full color
Offset printed in Canada
Price: 14,300 yen (tax included)
One More Thing
Furthermore, there is a film to go along with this photo book, which is also a must-see.
*The photos in this article were primarily sourced from THE RADAVIST.
