Video: Tom Ritchey’s 40-Year Ride

posted by Kristi Benedict - September 12, 2012 - 5pm EDT

Follow Tom Ritchey as he describes the experiences that led him to build the first true mountain bike, which led him to develop components for the growing mountain bike industry. The story and photos are a rich bit of cycling history – many thanks to Jay Bird Films for the video, and a shout out to Lee for the link.

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Comments

Saris - 09/12/12 - 5:45pm

Awesome clip. Does anyone have details to share about the helmet Ritchey is wearing over his hat?

Topmounter - 09/12/12 - 6:27pm

It looks like an old Italian leather helmet (aka “hairnet”).

Djlxr400 - 09/12/12 - 6:58pm

Great video, Tom Ritchey is the Steve Jobs of Mountain Biking.

Aaron - 09/12/12 - 7:16pm

I am of the disposition that Steve Jobs is the Tom Ritchey of personal computing.

Djlxr400 - 09/12/12 - 7:41pm

Touch’e

Steve M - 09/12/12 - 10:23pm

One of the greats…. except for that silly helmet

mtb4me - 09/12/12 - 11:25pm

aw yeah…..

ws - 09/13/12 - 12:12am

The helm is retro, he’s retro but knows what’s up.

jcharles - 09/13/12 - 12:51am

sausage hat!

Sevo - 09/13/12 - 3:10am

Never seen a pic of him wearing a real helmet. Probably was tough to get him to wear the brain bucket. I saw him fly by me on his road bike on Gold Camp road here in Colorado Springs once….no helmet.

Rich - 09/13/12 - 7:04am

That guy is awesome. I’d like to shake him by that hand for his contribution to mountain biking. Love what he and his brand stand for. One day, I WILL treat myself to a fillet brazed Ritchey frame…

Joey B - 09/13/12 - 8:54am

I was fortunate enough to ride with Tom Ritchey a few years ago in Colorado for three days. He truly is a class act! I am proud to have some of his components on my bikes today.

Justin - 09/13/12 - 12:00pm

TR FTW!

MaLóL - 09/13/12 - 6:01pm

touche x2

Sean - 09/14/12 - 11:13am

Great story. Was anyone else distracted by the subtitles with their typos? It’s not as if TR has a strong accent or something and can’t be understood.

feg - 09/14/12 - 1:02pm

@Sean:
non native american english speakers and the hard of hearing appreciate subtitles. that said there’s another version on vimeo without the subtitles.

tommy - 09/14/12 - 11:05pm

Jay bird films, that is Tom’s son. I am friends with Toms daughter. never met the man himself yet though.

Tom - 09/15/12 - 7:15am

That was fantastic!

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