MHPVA News Blog: Owosso Bike Fest

For bicycle enthusiasts, as opposed to bicycling enthusiasts, Owosso Bike Fest is great fun.

As the flier above says, it's intended for classics, cruisers and homebuilts, and not for road and mountain bikes. And probably not recumbents, though two were seen there.

But for people who like the intended bikes, who like to talk about bikes, or are looking for restoration projects, or parts needed to complete restoration projects, Owosso Bike Fest is a small, but terrific event. For instance, looking for a cable-drive (no batteries or programming needed) speedometer to complete the 1960s look on a bike? One seller had several.

This year's Bike Fest, the 17th annual, was on Sunday, Aug. 14. The event was also a salute to Rick Morris, owner of sponsoring The House of Wheels, who was celebrating his 50th year in business. (He now has the business and building for sale, as he looks forward to retirement,) The Bike Fest takes place in the block long parking area behind the store.

In addition to the Bike Fest, there was the traditional trail ride to Ovid on Saturday and on Sunday afternoon, a bicycle scavenger hunt, which was a collaboration between the Shiawassee Arts Council, also celebrating its 50th anniversary, and House of Wheels.

(Text by Mike Eliasohn. Photos by Julie Turner, assisted by Ginger, and Mike Eliasohn.)

Owosso Bike Fest is a swap meet and show, with attendees voting for their favorite bike in various categories (but no road or mountain bike categories). Here's the winners and their plaques. Michigan HPV Association co-founder Terry Gerweck, winner in the small wheel category, is second from left. House of Wheels owner Rick Morris is at right. (JT photo)

Here's Terry Gerweck's award-winning bike in the small wheel category, which he completed in 2013. It was entered in the show, but he also was hoping to sell it. (ME photo)

Mike Gonyea of Owosso takes a test ride on Terry's bike. (ME photo)

In the world of freak bikes, this is what is known as a "small tall," being ridden here by its builder, George Cook of Owosso. He said he made it about three years ago. (JT photo)

This Sun or Sun Seeker EZ-Sport CX was the lone recumbent for sale. I (Mike E.) neglected to ask the owner for the price. I believe he took it home unsold. (EZ-Sports can be modified to lower the seat and reduce weight by cutting off the straight tube on which the seat originally rests, then usually replacing the original seat with an all-mesh seat, such as those made by A.D. Carson at Recycled Recumbents.) (JT photo)

Bikes of all sizes were for sale at Owosso Bike Fest, though most were in the adult-size vintage category.

If my memory is correct, these were two different brand (and sizes) of bikes made to match by changing components and were entered in the judging. (ME photo)

Devin Nelson of Owosso started with a 1963 Schwinn Hollywood frame and turned it into this fat tire bike. The only other original part is the seat tube clamp. He estimated it has parts from at least six other bikes, including wheels, fork, crank, seat post and saddle. (ME photo)