WEnde CRAGG

THE CHILDLIKE WONDER OF THE EARLY DAYS WAS SO INTOXICATING

When the founding fathers are talked about, there’s rarely mention of the fact that there were women riding with them, most famously Wende Cragg, who could be considered the ‘mother’ of mountain biking. “There were so few women back then, I could count them on one hand and still have a couple of fingers left over,” she recalls. “For the most part, they were the wives and girlfriends of the guys. For the first year or so, I was the lone female along for the ride.” However, from the getgo, Wende was treated as an equal. “Each and every one of the men treated me with respect, like I was one of their sisters. They coached, mentored and encouraged me. To this day, they’re still my best friends!” Her newfound passion soon became a way of life, which she followed for 30-plus years.

“What began as a fun sideline quickly morphed into a full-blown obsession with all things bike. My klunker offered freedom and independence, and I took full advantage, exploring all the backroads and byways of Marin County and beyond.” Wende was the first woman to ride over the 3,886m Pearl Pass, out of Crested Butte, Colorado, not to mention many of the Californian trails. As well as riding and racing, she was passionate about promoting and photographing the sport.

Looking back on those blurry days of late 1970s California, Wende is eternally grateful to have been there. “I pinch myself every day! Sometimes, I wonder what it would’ve been like if I’d been more cognitive, more aware of the amazing device being developed right in front of me, but I was too caught up in just having fun. The childlike wonder of the early days was so intoxicating, a new drug, really.”

Wende still lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and runs her own Applique Artistry craft textile business. She remains a huge cycling fan.