Mountain Bike Pioneer and Motorcycle Icon Passes Away at 85

Motorcycling and mountain biking lost one of their most influential architects this week. Mert Lawwill, a man whose name is synonymous with speed, suspension innovation, and the golden era of American racing, passed away on May 6, 2026, at his home in Idaho. He was 85 years old and surrounded by family and friends. Now I know why all the flags here in Idaho were at half mast yesterday…

To many, Mert was the smooth-riding star of Bruce Brown’s 1971 classic On Any Sunday. To those in the mountain bike world...