European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 10, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ass Steve Taylor by Steve Taylor Munich Burea Mountain biking with arc for Many there is no better Way to enjoy the Beauty of the Alps than astride a sturdy Mountain Bike a to be free unfettered in a wind through your hair environment among Crystal peaks that slice the sky like a hot knife through butter. The Alps Europe s Premier Mountain Range Rise from the Plains of Southern Germany a natural Wall of skyscrapers with Spaghetti trails winding through Pristine Alpine valleys. Just nature the Birds and you. It s a Quot mind boggling Quot experience says Mountaineer Leigh Plowman an avid rider for 21 years. It s his Job to get cyclists neophytes and old hands to places that Are out of the Way a away from traffic smog and Large crowds. Mountain biking also known As off Road or Al terrain biking has become one of the hottest sports around using specially designed and constructed bicycles. It s a sport that anyone can participate in from recently converted Couch potatoes to dedicated fitness bugs. Quot to get up pretty High you have to be pretty fit Quot Plowman says Quot but we have something for  what he s talking about is the armed forces recreation Center s summer Mountain biking program in Garmisch which offers guided Bike Tours of Southern Bavaria. If the Only Bike you be Ridden is that old Rusty five Speed getting on a modern High tech Mountain Bike will take some getting used to but arc s guides can teach you How. Mountain bikes were developed in Marin county Calif in the mid-1970s and were first mass produced in 1982. Since then their popularity has grown explosively and they now account for half of the sales at Many Bike and sports stores. As it turns out Many people buy Mountain bikes to 8 stripes Magazine May 10, 1990