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== Geoff Apps - The Father of the English Mountain Bike == |
== Geoff Apps - The Father of the English Mountain Bike == |
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Revision as of 19:07, 28 December 2009
Geoff Apps - The Father of the English Mountain Bike
Geoffrey Cleland Apps, was born in London, England in 1949. His family later moved to live near to the Chiltern Hills which cover an area of natural beauty less than forty miles north-west of London. There Geoff spent his teenage years and developed a love for being at one with nature whilst cycling in the woods. Geoff also became a skilled motorcycle ‘observed trials’ rider but, on his non-competitive forays around the area, was always unhappy with the noise and disturbance his motorbike caused. What he wanted was a silent and capable off-road machine.
The Father of the English Mountain Bike
Geoff began modifying conventional bicycles for off-road use in 1965. By 1979 he had designed and created a custom-built lightweight bicycle which was a logical solution for the often wet and always muddy off-road conditions found in the south-east of England. These were eventually marketed by Geoff under the Cleland Cycles brand, until 1984.
American Links
Geoff read about the Ritchey mountain bike in the February 1980 issue of BMX Plus magazine and immediately made contact with Gary Fisher and Charlie Kelly at the MountainBike Company in Fairfax, California. Knowledge and ideas were exchanged but despite his newly acquired knowledge of the US mountain bikes he remained convinced that his approach was equally valid, especially for the local English conditions and for non-competitive riding and touring.
Geoff became a co-founder of, and regular contributor to, Making Tracks magazine before moving to Scotland to work on the New Cyclist publication. He also published a cycle maintenance guide and co-wrote a beginners guide to off-road cycling with Jim Mcgurn.
Geoff is a highly accomplished illustrator and draftsman, his work having appeared in many publications including Mike Burrows' "Bicycle Design".
He now lives in Scotland where he continues to ride and develop his Cleland style bicycles.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_mountain_bike_and_mountain_biking