I started riding when I was about 5(1969). I didnt know what mountain biking was until 1990s and started riding a "mountain bike" in 94. suspension then for me was low psi in my tires. as a kid if point a to point b was closer by riding in the woods, well, we rode in the woods so technically I started mountain biking when I was about 10. we didnt care about name brands then, we just rode and rode and rode.up hills, down hills, thru the mud, in the rain, jumps were a necessity not a huck, and a helmet was something we wore only at the skateboard park and only because it was required