As an avid mountain biker and having grown up in a family of trials riders and hill climbers, I have always had an appreciation for the incredible skill, bravery and fortitude of the riders who compete in trials and hill climbs. The precarious and all-or-nothing nature of a hill climb event on two wheels makes it a thrill to watch.

I also have an intimate knowledge of that split second moment when everything has gone pear-shaped and you are poised between a crash and the adrenaline rush of a near miss. These hill climbing pioneers, captured in that very moment, clearly share that experience.

Jeff Decker, the artist responsible for the hill climb statue decorating the plaza of the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, has recently posted a gallery of vintage hill climb images supporting the extreme pose of his statue. The images are immensely impressive, both for the effort of the riders-these bikes have no rear suspension-and the quality of the photography.

Check out the full galleries at Decker’s blog here, here and here for all of the images in their high resolution glory. His blog and website are worth a look as well for anyone interested in retro and vintage motoring, motorsports and art.

Seth Reinhardt

Via The Chicane Blog and Jeff Decker’s blog

Images via Jeff Decker’s blog