Just like the MAH, mountain biking is all about creativity and community, so we've gathered together some timely content for our mountain bike-loving friends. Get to know some of the frame builders, athletes, partners, and local organizations featured in our current exhibition, Trailblazers: The Creative Story Behind Mountain Biking in Santa Cruz.
Jump to
Specialized Bicycles
Featured in Trailblazers under the section: A Growing Industry you'll find the Specialized Stumpjumper 1981, Specialized Stumpjumper 2019, Specialized Turbo Levo 2019, an interactive video game, and some vintage posters.
Specialized may be based in Morgan Hill, but it's always had its roots in Santa Cruz County. When looking to build the first production of mountain bikes founder, Mike Sinyard, turned to Santa Cruz builder Tim Neenan of Lighthouse Bikes. Tim drew up plans with other Specialized employees and test rode the first prototypes in the mountains of Santa Cruz County. Check out a video of the Stumpjumper in action below.
Santa Cruz Bicycles
It all began in 1993 in a small workspace inside the Seabright Cannery in midtown. It was there that Rob Roskopp, Mike Marquez, and Rich Novak launched a brand that would make Santa Cruz County synonymous with mountain biking.
Inside Trailblazers you'll find the Santa Cruz Tazmon 1994, Santa Cruz V10 29 Carbon - 2020, Danny MacAskill’s Custom Trials Bike 2018, and the Juliana Superlight - 1999.
Learn more about Danny MacAskill on our blog here.
Ibis Cycles
In 1976, Scot Nicol converted his old Schwinn and began klunking around Mendocino. Scot launched Ibis in 1981 out of a small greenhouse in Mendocino. Like the company's namesake bird, Scot headed south and Ibis landed in Sonoma County until 2002. Ibis is now located on the west side where it shares the neighborhood with Rock Lobster, Caletti, and Santa Cruz Bikes.
In Trailblazers you can check out 1983 Ibis Mountain Bike, 1986 Ibis Trial Pro, 2005 Ibis Mojo Carbon, 1996 Ibis BowTi, and the 2018 Ibis Ripmo.
In 1987, Andy Grayson rode the 1986 Ibis Trial Pro (on display at the MAH) at the National Off-Road Bicycle Association World Championships. Then in 1990, Johnny Carson caught wind of Andy's talents and brought him on The Tonight Show, shown above, to talk about this up and coming sport.
Bike Safely During COVID
Our partners over at WTF Bikexplorers created some amazing graphics with tips and advice on how to safely get out on the trails during COVID. Check them all out on Instagram.
And pop over to the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz for their latest update on how to stay safe out on the trails if you choose to ride.
