CYCLE NEWS
A bimonthly summary of “What’s Going Around” at
The Bicycle Museum of America
April - May 2013

At the time of this writing there are 5 inches of snow on the ground but it is Ohio so it should be gone in a few days. That means spring and weather more suitable for cycling is just around the corner. Just a reminder, if you are making your way to the museum, bring your bike. The roads, paths, and streets are numerous and accommodating for enjoyable cycling. Don’t be surprised if the locals driving by wave at you. They do that for everybody.

Speaking of riding in the area, we are so looking forward to the 2 night visit of the Great Ohio Bike Adventure(GOBA) and 3000 cyclists this June 19th and 20th.  The museum and the community of New Bremen are planning some exciting things to make it a great time for the riders.  For more information about GOBA see their website at www.goba.com.

We here at the museum continue to incorporate many of the recent Burgwardt/ Copake auction purchases into displays. The non-bicycle items are particularly interesting. The influence and aura of the bicycle in the 1890’s was huge. Some of the items you will see at the museum include: skirt lifters, flasks, a bugle, chocolate molds, bells, beer steins, a Kodak bicycle camera, tintype photos, lithopanes, and medals. What is said to be the largest collection of medals won by one person is housed in a large case at the museum. The craftsmanship applied to making these medals need to be seen in person to be appreciated.

Harley-Davidson and sewing machines? The Davis Sewing Machine company of Dayton, Ohio was the exclusive manufacturer of bicycles labeled as Harley-Davidson. The museum has recently acquired a collection of Harley-Davidson bicycles. The 8 pieces in this collection of 1920’s era bicycles can be found in the Huffy section of the museum. The Huffman family sold the Davis Sewing Company and later started the Huffman Manufacturing Company, later to be known as Huffy. The Harleys are immediately identifiable with their olive drab paint and gold trim. Stop by and see the whole collection soon!

The museum is beginning to get bookings for group visits. School groups, bus tours, and special interest groups (car and camper folks etc.) find the museum an interesting place. Most groups spend about an hour and a half at the museum. The museum is happy to expand hours to meet your group’s time constraints. The cost of a visit is only $3.00, $2.00 for seniors, and $1.00 for students. Call for more information today!

Facebook friends of the museum have just passed the 2000 mark!  If you want the up-to-the minute information about the museum or want to share information about anything bicycle related with other folks with bike interests join us on Facebook today!

The American made display at the museum continues to expand and evolve. Six-Eleven, Moots, and Weaver have bikes on the way!  Stop by and see the quality and innovation of bikes and bike parts made in the U.S.A..

The Bicycle Museum of America is excited to be partnering with The Carnegie Science Center Museum of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this summer.  About 30 bikes and bike related items of the  museum’s collection will be on loan to the Carnegie Museum for a temporary display this summer (June-September)entitled “BIKES: Science on Two Wheels”.  See the center’s website www.carnegiesciencecenter.org  for more information.

The Bicycle Museum of America enjoyed hosting the Ohio Wheelman on March 23rd.  They brought many interesting items to share and swap. Most interesting, however, was listening to the conversations and stories told about their experiences with their old bikes. We look forward to their return in the future.

Recent research of bicycle museums indicated that The Bicycle Museum of America is the largest bicycle museum in the world. This was based on total number of bicycles in the collection, nearly 1200. If you are interested in bicycles and bicycle history you owe it to yourself to make a visit to the museum. For your friends and relatives who may not be so passionate about bicycles we also have a collection of precious gems, presidential inaugural badges, presidential medallions, and a restored Civil War flag and other war related items of that era. Several of our bicycle related items are interactive as well so come on in and get the feel of riding a high wheeler and other things. Hope to see you soon at The Bicycle Museum of America!