Traces of Bicycle History on the Land - Book Signing Feb 17th 2017

"[...] the challenge of finding one's way created an entirely different travel experience, changing the relationship between the traveler and his or her surroundings. A self-powered cyclist charting an unknown course is forced to observe land features that other travelers, those reliant  upon shared, route-bound transportation, are unlikely to notice."

Velo Vermont Vintage is starting the year 2017 off right! This winter we present to you:

An evening with local author and Associate Professor of Historic Preservation at the University of Vermont Robert McCullough presenting and signing his newest book "Old Wheelways - Traces of bicycle history on the land."

"Old Wheelways" captures the incredible development of the bicycle in its history, to the first long-distance rides and adventurous tours by bike, as well as the evolution of the first journals and magazines about travels by bicycle. Imagine going on a multi-day bike tour, without road names, maps or google maps and GPS! Relying on other riders descriptions, diaries, journals and pictures, this type of bicycle touring made for a real adventure. Also, it led to the development of an extended network of bicycle paths around New England and the country. 
Robert McCullough will present all this with a fantastic collection of photographs and slides. 

Join Velo Vermont Vintage for an evening of books, photos, vintage bikes and celebrate the joy of riding in the country, for the sake of seeing things you wouldn't necessarily if you were walking or driving! 

Come by Onion River Sports in Montpelier, VT on Friday, Feb 17th 2017 at 6:30 pm for a visual presentation by the author, pick up a signed copy of this wonderful book (at a discounted price), and get excited about this coming season of riding (classic) bikes in the beautiful countryside of Vermont! 
To pre-order a signed copy of this fantastic book please fill out the following google form and we will have it waiting for you on the 17th! (If you would like a copy of the book and can't make the event we can absolutely find a way to accommodate an alternative pickup). We are raffling off a free signed copy to everyone who RSVP'd! It only takes a few seconds! 

https://goo.gl/forms/M8LwZFQ0EKIlKXXQ2

Yours truly, 

vvv

Velo Vermont Vintage Road Ride Re-cap and Photos

It was a fantastic L'Eroica style ride on September 20th here in Vermont and with the weather holding up nicely and the chilly temperatures, blue sky and beautiful autumn colors, everyone who came enjoyed the 28 miles through Vermont's finest hills and most scenic dirt roads!
See for yourself! We hope to see you all out again for more vintage bike riding next year!

Second annual Velo Vermont Vintage Road Ride 2016 on Sept 25th!

Velo Vermont Vintage is doing it again!

We present to you, on September 25th, 2016, the second annual Velo Vermont Vintage Road Ride 2016!

Get ready for the 2nd annual Velo Vermont Vintage Road Ride. Bring out your old 10-speed bikes, and head out with us into the beautiful country side of Central Vermont. Celebrate the classics on this L'Eroica-style bike ride that will take you on some of the most scenic and quiet dirt roads the Green Mountain State has to offer!
This is again a fully unsupported ride, and we are asking for a $20 donation to cover our expenses. This will get a Velo Vermont Vintage Tshirt, or poster, as well as some post ride chow and drink. 
Also, Mallory Brooks Cider is sponsoring the event and will be pouring delicious local Vermont apple cider for all riders after the ride!
See you all on Sunday!

It's not just a new bike, it's a whole new sport!

Presented by Velo Vermont Vintage, hardwood softgoods and Sideshow Cycles!
At the RIPM (Riders in Plainfield/Marshfield) trails, Vermont's first ever Vintage Mountainbike Rally and Klunker Jam!

What a day, the rain held off, and it turned into a beautiful evening, with many vintage bike enthusiastic neon clad folks! We had a big group ride on the trails in the Stranahan town forest, including a mix of brand new singletrack, fire roads and atv trails, as well as some dirt roads. There was skidding on the way back, a Klunker skid contest (mostly coaster brake equipped old steel cruiser/MTB frames) and plenty of vintage bike geeking. We had a wide range of vintage mountain bikes, from a 1940 Columbia Cruiser, with Power Modulators (aka, ''brakes''), to Specialized Stumpjumers (the one that formed "a whole new sport"), a Nuke Proof and Fat Chance Yo Eddy, to two Schwinn Paramounts as well as a Bridgestone MB-2 and plenty others!
Check out a ton of pictures here, and more to come. Also, stay tuned for the 2nd annual Velo Vermont Vintage Road Ride, coming up on September 25th 2016!
yours truly, as always,
velovermontvintage

Vintage Mountain Bike Rally and Klunker Jam - Tomorrow, 4pm!

Presented by HardWood Softgoods, SideShow Cycles and Onion River Sports!
Tomorrow! 4pm, in Plainfield at the RIPM Trails, leaving from 362 Taylor Farm Rd!
BYOentryfee (grillables, salad or 4/6Pack)
Get ready to shred some Vintage Mountain Bikes and Coaster Brakes!

Pedaling Through History - Vermont Exhibition

From HenrySheldonMuseum.org

2016 marks the 150^th anniversary of the first pedal bicycle patent in the world. The Henry Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, Vermont celebrates this occasion by showcasing the extensive bicycle collection of Glenn Eames with the exhibitPedaling Through History: 150 Years of the Bicycle. The exhibit traces the evolution of the bicycle from its inception until today, while spotlighting the bicycle’s golden era at end of the 19^th century. This period is often referred to as the Gilded Age, a term derived from writer Mark Twain’s 1873 The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today, which satirized the era.

Father and child upon a circa 1892 Victor Model “C” cushion tire bicycle. Collection of Glenn Eames.

The exhibit’s high points include the Velocipede or Boneshaker from the 1860s, High Wheel or Ordinary Bicycle of the 1880s, Safety Bicycle of the late 1890s, and a selection of more modern 20^th and 21^st century road, off road, and fat bikes. Complementing the two dozen bicycles will be historic photographs, ephemera, and bicycle accessories, as well as documentation of the bicycle’s impact on women’s liberation and children’s recreation, health, mobility, and tourism.

During  the Gilded Age, these long-spoked bikes were the playthings for the wealthy, who enjoyed leisure time and had energy that manual laborers  toiling 12-hour days did not have.  In addition, high-wheels were expensive, several thousand dollars in today’s money.  Riding conditions were difficult. Roads at best were brick or cobblestoned, and muddy or dusty at worst. Cyclists dodged easily frightened horses, streetcars, pedestrians, and dogs. But the payoff was speed when compared to walking.

High-wheel bikes were direct-drive, much like today’s fixed-gear bikes. One turn of the pedals attached to a wheel 60 inches in diameter could propel a rider more than 15 feet. But a rider had to be tall enough for his feet to reach the bottom of that pedal stroke.  The ride was trickier for women. With their flapping skirts posing a safety risk near the spinning spokes, they began adapting to clothing such as bloomers or even pants but risked the jeers of passersby.

The inveterate, engaging bicycle collector, Glenn Eames will be on hand to answer questions during a reception on Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 5 – 7 p.m. and at gallery talks on Wednesdays July 27, August 17 and October 5 at noon and on Saturday, September 3 at 1 p.m. The talks are limited to 20 people, so call to reserve a spot. Glenn will be participating in a high wheel bicycle demo/ride on Sunday, September 25, 2016 in Middlebury, joined by enthusiasts from The Wheelmen. Check back for more details about the high wheel event!

Bicycle Times on Keyesville Classic

From Bicycle Times Magazine

Evolving just as quickly is the modern mountain bike, a concept that has rocketed from balloon tire klunkers to carbon fiber superbikes in a single generation. While the new bikes are certainly fun, there’s something about the bikes from the early 1980s that captures the wild, wooly and wonderful essence of the sport’s early days. At the Keyesville Classic stage race there’s no suspension, no disc brakes and no bad attitudes as riders reconnect with their roots.

As you’ll see in these pages, a bicycle doesn’t need to be cutting edge to be a hell of a lot of fun. Whether you’re taking a trip down memory lane or cycling into the past for the first time, this issue of Bicycle Times has you covered.

Modern vs. Retro

Check out this wonderful video from the UK. Two riders comparing a vintage road bike to one from 2016.

Vintage Mountain Rally and Klunker Jam 2016!

This summer...

Presented by Hardwood Softgoods, SideShow Cycles...

... the lovely people behind Velo Vermont Vintage bring you:

Knobby tires, rigid forks, V-Brakes and neon clothing!

Vermont's First Ever:




We want you to bring out the old steel 26" Mountain bike you've got hanging around the garage/basement and come for a ride with us that's going to throw you back in time! Big time!
Proflex stems, gumwall 26" Smoke and Darts, rigid forks vs. Judys,
Bring your neon yellow - purple jerseys, big-ass sunglasses, helmets (!) and whatever you think someone 20 years ago thought was cool....
We'll do Vintage Mountain Bike Group Rides, chill and grill, skid competitions, and Klunker re-pack races down the fire road.
Get stoked!

Presented by yours truly, Velo Vermont Vintage:

 Vintage Mountain Rally and Klunker Jam 2016! 

-- RIPM Trails in Plainfield/Marshfield, 362 Taylor Farm Road, Plainfield, VT

Sunday August 14th! 

meet at 4pm for some Vintage Mountain Bike group rides, bike geeking, klunker racing etc! 

- any 26" Mountain bike older than Y2K! 

- Single speed and Coaster brakes more than welcome!

- No disc brakes (unless they're really cool). 

- Elastamer suspension forks, or rigid frigid!

- gumwall tires (Dart and Smoke, of course)

- Spandex, epic sunglasses, neon colors welcome! 

- ...

Leaving from 362 Taylor Farm Road (Park along the road if there's not enough room) we will head out for a couple group rides on classic bikes, 'interesting' single track, and then start a Repack race down a good old fire road! Heats of 3 or 4 will go off at a time, for bragging rights, and some sweet SWAG! We won't make any promises but there might just be a skid competition happening! 

We will follow the action with some drinks and snacks at Tristan's house, Taylor Farm Rd. 

We hope to see you there. Bring what you got, this an all-bikes-welcome event! (PS We might just have enough Klunkers for everyone!)
Yours truly,
Velo Vermont Vintage

And don't forget:

The return of the ring....

Check out redclovercomponents! Beautiful idea and parts!! Keep up the vintage!


 Add to Cart

Our 122 triplizer is patterned after the original rings found on Stronglight's iconic Model 93 crankset, as specified on the Peugeot PX-10, Gitane Tour de France, and many other mid- and high-end imports of the late 1960s and 70s. It's also compatible with many other 122 BCD cranks. The inner bolt circle will accommodate any standard 74 BCD inner, mounted on 3.8 mm spacers.

The currently available 42-tooth version is ideal for building into a classic 52-42-30 full-size triple. It also provides nice even half-steps when combined with a 46-tooth big ring and a 14-28 five-speed freewheel. Add a 24-tooth granny, and you have a great setup for loaded touring in the mountains.

No ramps or pins. For 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-speed chain only.

A rainy spring day in Vermont - still, what a wonderful ride!

What a ride, what a day! 

We had about 30 people show up despite the dooming weather forecast for the weekend and everyone who came out to Red hen Baking in Middlesex, VT had a great time. We had some 'energy food' from Red Hen, in form of Anis/Walnut Paninis, and a little history lesson, getting to check out an original Schwinn Paramount Track bike from 1948! Wool jerseys from SideShow Cycles and Velo Vermont Vintage Spring Classic T-Shirts (both still available!) were your entry 'fee' to the ride. Fearlessly, folks headed out into the dark clouds and South into the Mad River Valley. We stayed on paved 100B for a little and hit the dirt roads in Moretown, climbing up Pony Farm. With the rain 'hanging out' over the Western Mountains, mostly holding off, it was just a little chilly once we were decending into the covered bridge of Waitsfield. We added in a little beer/food stop at the local general store, and that made the second half of the ride even more enjoyable, as we stopped by the side of the road for a a sip of 'sunshine' every time the sun came out. Passing some beautiful spots with awesome views on the way back made us forget about the drizzles all together, and heading back past the swimming holes along Lovers Lane and into the parking lot of Red Hen, we were greeted by more vintage bike talk, a parts swap and some red wine, baguettes, and a cold beer.

What a day, what a ride, and thanks so much to our sponsors: Red Hen Baking, Nutty Steph's chocolates (raffle!), Hardwood Softgoods, and Sideshow Cycles! 

We even got talked about on the Behind the Handlebars Podcast! Listen Here

Thanks for all the kind words, and thanks to all who came out despite the Vermont "summer" weather!

Stay tuned for more New England Vintage Events by Velo Vermont Vintage. 

True Love!

Hello Bike Friends! We are excited for the ride this weekend. We will have some great prizes from Red Hen Bakery and Nutty Steph's Chocolate Shop as well as some snazzy new T-shirts and Sideshow Cycles wool jerseys. Yes, yes, we also have seen the pending weather but we will be there! We may modify the route slightly if it is really nasty but a steel bike is a steel bike rain or shine! We can't wait to ride, swap parts and drink a beer with you! True love in all VT weather, Velo Vermont

In terms of details, when arriving use the North entrance (entrance closest to interstate intersection); follow signage. Parking will be around back so we won't be parking in customer slots for Red Hen and other shops!

Behind the Handlebars Podcast Interview

We were interviewed by Chain Stayley from the Behind the Handlebars Podcast and you can listen to the whole show (and their older podcasts) right here!

Behind the Handlebars

BORN AND SHAPED IN THE GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE AND FUELED BY A LOVE OF BIKES

We caught up with the fine folks (or two thirds of them anyway) from Velo Vermont who are organizing the Velo Vermont Vintage Ride on May 15th. We sent in our top reporter, Chain Stayley to ask all the tough questions. If you enjoy riding old bikes and swapping old bike parts, event details and registration can be found here. 

News and Events: Bikes on Amtrak's Vermonter, National Bike Month,National Bike Challenge, Burlington Bike! Bingo, Rutland Rec Riding Clinics,Onion River Sports Bike Swap, Upcycle Art Competition.

We had time to watch Bike City, Great City, a documentary film by David Chernushenko. We first were exposed to David when he was the keynote speaker at the Vermotn Walk Bike Summit in Rutland earlier this month. We found the documentary to be well-researched and informative. You can buy the DVD or rent the film from various online movie networks.

Beer of the Week: Alchemist - Heady Topper

PLAY

April 30 - Velo Vermont Vintage Ride & Alchemist Heady Topper

The Behind the Handlebars Podcast

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Ride Details

Who: Anybody with any inclination, whatsoever, to ride a vintage road bicycle for the sake of riding a vintage road bicycle.

What: A casually paced ride (approximately 30 miles long) on an only slightly hilly route. It will start and end on the scenic route 100B. There will be some riding on dirt roads.

Where: Middle Ground in Middlesex, Vermont. It's right on Rt. 2, west of Montpelier, east of Waterbury.  Exit 9 off Interstate-89. We will congregate somewhere behind the Red Hen Bakery.

When: Sunday May 15th.11:00 am.

This is a free ride, and as of now, uninsured. As such, liability waivers will be required.  Not required, is a suggested donation of $20 dollars or so. We will have some very nice t-shirts made, and we will have food, Red Hen sandwiches and drink in some capacity. We have to see what we can get insofar as sponsors.  

We hope to have some version of a 'swap meet' after the ride. Bring any sort of neat old stuff you might be interested in selling or trading.  

Also, as far as equipment requirements, we have none. Yes, these events are inspired by racing bicycles pre-1990 or so. No, we won't turn you away for not having a bike that checks all the boxes (I'm looking at you L'Eroica). Bring what you've got in the garage. Ideally, that's a steel road bike with friction shifters.

Be there or be square.

Cheers,

and true love,

Velo Vermont

Attachments area

Get excited for some beautiful bikes and beautiful scenery!

Check out some pictures of last fall's Velo Vermont Vintage Road Ride and get excited to ride on May 15th with us!! Register TODAY!

 

 And some more after the break...

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Pre-registration is up! Head over to Eventbrite to let us know you're coming!

Run what you brung! L'Eroica Vintage Ride Vermont 5/15/16

We are setting more and more details in stone and this is going to be a 'run what you brung'-kind of situation. Hope to see you all out at Red Hen Baking Co. on Sunday, May 15th for Vermont's L'Eroica Velo Vermont Vintage Spring Classic Ride. 

This spring we are excited to see what bikes you are going to bring. Like last fall we are not going to turn anyone away, because a bike doesn't meet the 'requirements'. As long as you have a good story to tell about why you love riding this particular bike, feel free to bring it. Any mechanically sound bike is fine! Note though, that there is some hills along the route, just in case you are planning on bringing that fine ol' English 3-Speed or your Penny Farthing. . . 

         

Here is a few pictures from us scouting out the route for this Spring's Vintage Ride! Be sure we will include roads that have the finest views, the best swimming holes for those who dare, and then maybe even a little surprise along the way. So pack a quarter or two, just to be safe. 

      

We can't wait to see you on May 15th, 2016 at Red Hen Bakery in Middlesex, VT.

True Love, 

--- Hardwood Softgoods / SideShow Cycles ---

We are doing it again!

Join us on Sunday May 15th for Velo Vermont's second Mini L'Eroica Vintage Road Bike Ride. 
We will start and finish at Red Hen Bakery in Middlesex VT. Exact route is still tbd.
The (uninforced) equipment requirements for this ride are - as last time: bicycles older than 1990, non-aero brake cable routing, friction shifters, preferably mounted on the downtube, gum wall tires, pedals with clips & straps, wool jerseys, classic shoes, .....
This year we would like to set up a little vintage parts/accessories market after the ride, so bring a couple of the bins of stuff you have at home and get ready to swap, trade, sell, buy..... The older, shinier, weirder, the better.

We are looking forward to seeing you out in the spring.

True Love,
Velo Vermont Vintage

--- Hardwood Softgoods / SideShow Cycles ---

Dust off your 10-speed!

Fall Classic

Check us out and the ride photos on facebook!