Fun with Muscle Bikes!

MCACN 2016 Sneak Peek*

1970 Schwinn Orange Krate

2016 MCACN Muscle Bike Entrant

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MUSCLE BIKES ARE FUN TOO!

Those who know me know that I am a, well...out of control bicycle collector. Yes, it all started when I begged for a Schwinn Orange Krate, but my Dad thought the $85.95 price tag was a bit much. Of course, this was back in 1968. Alas, on my 8th birthday I did leave our local Schwinn dealer with a shiny blue Stingray Deluxe! Even though I added plenty of accessories, I still dreamed of that Orange Krate. And so, life goes on and when my son Ian started getting interested in bikes, I told him all about the cool Muscle Bikes of my era. And then it started. The hunt was on at every possible garage sale for the elusive Krate bike. Although we never found one, we did manage to find a variety of Stingrays. Then someone told us about the Ann Arbor, Michigan Bicycle show. Literally the biggest vintage bike show in the country, we were blown away! Hundreds of bikes, all kinds of parts and lots of people having fun. Just like a good car swap meet, but with rows of old bikes! Needless to say, we were hooked. That was in the early 90’s, so we were just a little bit ahead of bicycle mania. Since then, some might say we have accumulated far too many bikes. Yes...it is true that we now own every year Stingray, from 1963-1979, most of the Krates and now, a wide variety of off brand bikes. Simply put, we have a blast with these two wheeled treasures, and that is how the Muscle Bike “Show within a Show” Sponsored by Koolestuff started at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals.

 

 

 This week, we will return to Ann Arbor, Michigan on Sunday the 24th for this annual event. Dubbed “The Biggest, the Oldest, The Best” I am here to tell you that is a very true statement. The show opens at 8 am and is one day only. Held at the Washtenaw Fairgrounds, it is an absolute must do for anyone interested in pretty much any kind of two-wheeled pedaled vehicle, and even mini-bikes. For full information along with directions, go to www.ann-arbor-bicycleshow.com

With that being said, we are already gearing up for our own Muscle Bike gathering at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. Last year (see above photo!) we had over 80 bikes on display and several mini-bikes. This year you will again see a variety of Schwinn Sting-Rays, Fastbacks and Krates, Sears Spyders, Ross Apollos and Barracuda’s and all kinds of others. Since we launched this feature in 2012, it has grown substantially each year, and when Gary Wold of Koolestuff, one of the country’s premier sellers of Vintage Muscle Bikes and accessories joined us as our Official Sponsor, things went to another level. Thanks Gary! Be sure to make a point of checking out the MCACN Muscle Bike display and if you own one, please plan on showing it off with us. To enter your Muscle Bicycle into the MCACN “Show within a Show” click here;

So, this weekend we will be at the Ann Arbor Bike show to spread the word about MCACN and especially our fun Muscle Bike feature, with a display in Building D, right at the door on the show side. And if you are looking to buy a cool old vintage Muscle Bike for your own collection, we will have several original paint Krate bikes along with some other interesting bikes for sale. And of course, the Koolestuff crew will be there with some great bikes and lots of ultra rare accessories, also in Building D, right in the center. Gary is the master of finding the good, (or should I say Koole!) stuff, so c’mon out and see us.

The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals is the world’s largest all indoor specialty show devoted to Muscle Cars, Dealer-built Supercars and the finest and rarest Corvettes. We will again fill nearly 400,000 square feet of exhibit space at the beautiful Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, (suburban Chicago), Illinois, just minutes from the Chicago O’Hare Airport. The show will take place Saturday, November 19, from 9 am – 9 pm, and Sunday, November 20, from

9 am – 5 pm. To submit your application for your car, click here; To submit your application for vendor space, (automotive related only!) click here. Don't delay, prices for show car entries increase on June 1, 2016.

Title Sponsor; Mecum Auctions. Presenting Sponsor; Bill Stasek Chevrolet.

Happy Peddling and hope to see you this weekend!

 

Bob Ashton
MCACN LLC
Managing Member
www.mcacn.com