A high efficiency all terrain bicycle or motorcycle tire having a tread design in which spaced tread blocks are arranged in circumferential rows and overlapped to allow a smooth shift in load from one tread block to another in different circumferential rows with a minimum of casing hysteresis and at the same time provide a low rotating mass, low rolling resistance, high cornering adhesion with high consistency across differing types of ground conditions, high motive and stopping traction. The tread blocks in the different rows have shapes, spacings and orientations which createa plurality of tortous paths for flow of material without excessive constricting of flow in any one spot.