The World Champion artistic cyclists from Germany were among the featured attractions at the 21st annual Seattle Bicycle Expo, but the new digs for the show at the spacious Smith Cove Cruise Terminal was definitely a huge drawing card.
It seems that whenever the Cascade Bicycle Club moves its expo to larger quarters, the number of exhibitors and visitors fill the space to capacity.
That appeared to be the case on Saturday, as the same interest in bicycling that drew record numbers to the Chilly Hilly bike ride two weeks ago, also prompted bicycling enthusiasts of all stripes — racers, tourers, commuters, recreational riders — to attend.
Video clip
Usually, I'll shoot pictures and interview some of the exhibitors from the Expo. This year I packed along my Flip camcorder and shot some video. I tried to show some of the bikes and the atmosphere of the Expo in the 3:45-minute clip above.
In other stories, I'm posting longer videos of the artistic cycling performances, as well as short interviews with Joe Kurmaskie, Willie Weir and Bill Thorness.
Let me know if you like this format, and I'll try more of it in the future.
Classic
The new venue this year enabled an outstanding display for the Classic Bike Show, which was augmented by a collection from the UK's Jack Taylor Cycles. The family started making bikes in the 1930s and continued until just a few years ago.
One of the family members, Ken Taylor, came to Seattle for the show to participate in the Classic Framebuilders panel discussion with Bill Davidson and Glenn Erickson.
Handmades
Up on the second floor of the Expo a group from Oregon Handmade Bikes had their bicycles on display. This is a good group of guys who love to talk about their creations, which one calls a form of utilitarian art.
Among the builders represented were Winter Bicycles, Metrofiets and Love Machine Cycles. Talking to these builders, I was surprised that all their shops hadn't been represented at the recent North American Handmade Bicycle Show in Richmond, VA. It made me wonder how many good shops exist that aren't represented in the major shows.
Along this same line, I saw that local bike builder Bill Davidson displayed some of his handiwork; Renovo also showed some of its hardwood bicycles.
Bike rides
Trolling among all the exhibits for upcoming bike tours this summer, it was good to hear that Fort2Fort is returning after taking off in 2009 for construction on the Hood Canal Bridge.
There are a couple of new rides coming up this summer.
The West Sound Cycling Club, which is presenting the 17th annual Tour de Kitsap bike ride this summer, is helping to sponsor the inaugural American Red Cross Life Cycle Bremerton bike ride on June 5.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the Emerald City Lights Bike Ride is launching the Cornucopia Days – Kent Tastic on July 10 in Kent. Check the websites for more details.
Sunday
The Expo runs again on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Smith Cove Terminal 91 (see directions). Among the featured performers and speakers are return engagements by the artistic cyclists and bike trials specialist Ryan Leech, as well as authors Joe Kurmaskie and Willie Weir.
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