You Can't Kill a Roach
Roach is etched into the roots of mountain biking. Born from energy brewing in the forest of Vancouver’s North Shore, its impact is immortal.
In the early 90s, the first wave of mountain bike progression had riders pushing beyond the limits of their gear. Ingrid Doerr was deep in Vancouver’s bike culture, and began sewing protection and clothing to meet the needs of mountain bikers and couriers. Roach was born. Ingrid became a matriarch to the scene; an artist of form and function who breathed life into the sport with exactly what riders needed.
No matter the weather, the riding on Vancouver’s North Shore never shut down. Progression was happening quick and Ingrid’s creations were enabling a new era of riding.
Mountain bikers pushing the sport were collaborators and test pilots—including none other than the "Godfather of Freeride" himself, Wade Simmons.
"We were forging (stumbling) into the MTB unknown. We needed gear that would perform and protect, designed for our specific needs. The shore provided gnarly descents, builders were experimenting with high skinnies and ladder bridges, huge drops, with terrible landings, being the norm. It defined an era of our sport. Roach was the gear we wore. Designed for the Shore, evolved with our needs. What a time to be alive!"
- Wade Simmons
Luc Prentice with new heights on old hits.
Wade Simmons way up on a skinny – some things never change.
You Can't Kill a Roach
Into the Archives
Renowned photographer Sterling Lorence was there at the start and here for the revival. Relive the Roach era through this series of frames.
