GRIT: Mountain Bike Playing Cards

GRIT: Mountain Bike Playing Cards is a community-driven, mountain bike-inspired playing card project created by riders, for riders. Designed by Jim Wittwer to celebrate the culture surrounding mountain biking as much as the sport itself, the deck captures the camaraderie, trail stories, crashes, progression, and post-ride conversations that define MTB life beyond the bike.

Rather than focusing purely on cycling aesthetics, the project embraces the broader spirit of mountain biking culture... the shared climbs, skill-building sessions, dirt-covered wipeouts, and social experiences that bring riders together. The deck is aimed at mountain bikers, collectors, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys premium custom playing cards with a strong thematic identity.

The design divides the suits into four rider “teams,” each representing different aspects of riding culture and personality. Hearts reflects riders who enjoy every moment on the trail, Clubs emphasizes precision and control, Diamonds represents strategy and focus, while Spades embodies endurance, toughness, and grit. Every suit symbol is custom-designed to resemble mountain bike tire tread patterns, subtly integrating cycling details into the gameplay experience.

The deck’s visual identity leans heavily into the rugged, worn-in feel of real trail riding. The artwork includes intentional “marks of the ride,” giving the impression that the cards themselves have been through muddy trails, crashes, and long rides. The Red and Gray editions share the same face cards and number card designs, creating a unified visual system across both colorways.

The Aces highlight real mountain biking trail locations across the United States, with elevation profiles based on actual routes and riding events. Even the Jokers reflect the duality of mountain biking culture, contrasting stylish trick-focused riding with the chaos of crashes and failed landings.

Produced in collaboration with Legends Playing Card Company, and pledge starts at $15 on Kickstarter.