From Germany to the east coast of Canada, Dan's 1996 Altitude made the cut of belongings that were coming with him when starting his new adventure on a new continent.

 

This is my beloved Altitude from 1996 (15th Anniversary edition).

 

As a boy, I always loved biking, especially BMX. When I was 15 (1987), the first Mountain bikes came out in Germany and I loved this kind of sport immediately. I lived in Leverkusen (close to Cologne) and nearby we had some beautiful forests with hills to climb and to go down. I started biking on a Raleigh, then got a Scott and later on a Diamondback. Bikes from the USA and Canada have always had some magic for bikers in Germany. In the bike magazines that I read; I fell in love with Rocky Mountain bikes. And at age 24, I finally broke the bank and got a Rocky Mountain Altitude frame from 1996 (15th Anniversary edition) at my local bike shop

 

Even though I liked my other bikes a lot – the Rocky was exceptional. The riding was amazing. The frame is a Tange Prestige Ultimate Superlight with Ritchey chainstays. Man, this bike was fast and climbed like a goat. I treasure it so much.

In 2003, I moved to Canada. And I sold almost everything I owned. But I would never sell the Rocky. So, the Altitude travelled with me – back home to Canada – where it was originally built.

 

I still ride it today. It's still fast and climbs as ever but it’s a bit comfier (cane creek seat post suspension, RockShox Recon, full XT, German Magura hydraulic brakes. Thank you, Rocky Mountain, for building bikes that stay with you forever. I love the ride!