It seems that as innovation and creativity bring about new “things,” nostalgia seems to creep in, sometimes with a tinge of negativity to enhance the attitude. When it comes to mountain biking and beer, you’re a fool to think that things were better during yesteryears.
Today, we have a mind-boggling array of bikes to choose from, all of them capable of carrying us down the trail in more comfort than bikes did decades ago. I’ll add that mountain bikes are safer to ride nowadays, as well.
Cases in point: dropper posts, dialed-in suspensions, geometries for various riding styles/terrain, improved stopping power/brakes, and on and on.
We have access to more miles of trails today than those before times. Years of our presence and organizing has led to places and spaces hanging up welcome signs for us as we roll up to the trailhead. Land managers actually want to talk and plan with us.
On the beer front, unless we were alive during and still remember the pre-prohibition days (!), we clearly have more independent breweries in small towns and big cities that are creating an endless amount of beer in a plentitude of styles that make it impossible to not find something that we enjoy, if we do drink beer.
The progression of technology, the collective years of us being active, and the sheer joy of riding a bike on a trail, that feeling we all feel, has us in a place in this space and in this time that is the best it’s ever been. Don’t believe me? Ask some of us who’ve been riding for three or more decades.
When it comes to beer, there really is no comparison to pre-Jimmy Carter presidency years. Since then, the brewery/beer scene is better, hands down.
This weekend, let’s ride, have a beer or two and give thanks and praise to everyone along the way who has played a part in mountain biking and beer brewing reaching their current pinnacles.
Could not agree more James. While I am blessed to have been able to MTB since its inception. I do not look back with rose colored glasses. I still own the first really good MTB’s I was able to afford, but I don’t ride them. My most recent bike is head and shoulders above those bikes. And as far as the beer is concerned, I would have to have to say the same. I enjoyed them, but don’t drink them anymore. With that said, I have the fondest memories of those good old days and always will
Good to be reminded of how good we have it. I rember the bad old days here when are choices were few, our brakes were rim, but our grins were just as big!