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Vintage bicycles are like antique cars in one respect: They don’t make ‘em like they used to, at least in terms of style.
Tammie Matthews of West Monroe has been collecting and restoring vintage bicycles for the past two decades, and several rare models from his collection will be on display at the Starr Homeplace in Oak Ridge this weekend.
Matthews said his interest in vintage bikes can be traced back to his childhood.
“When I was 10 years old, my dad gave me a 1930s Schwinn that he had restored,” said Matthews. “It was vintage, even back then. That was my bike -- I rode it everywhere.”
As often happens with childhood treasures, his first Schwinn was given away while he was in college. Many years later, however, he found an identical Schwinn at a flea market in Canton, Texas.
“That was the beginning of my collection.”
Matthews said he now owns between 30 and 40 restored bicycles spanning from the 19th century to the present. His collection at its peak has included upwards of 200 bicycles, most of which he has sold to fellow collectors.
“It can be an expensive hobby,” he said. “But I’ve lucked out a few times and found some very rare bikes.”
Matthews said he once found a 1917 Indian bicycle with wooden wheels and an electric taillight, leaning against a dumpster.
The oldest model in his collection is an 1883 Columbia high-rise that he purchased at an estate sale in Vicksburg. The “Penny Farthing,” as it was known in the old days, has a large front wheel and small back wheel.
“Sometimes interesting things happen in the hobby,” said Matthews.
For example, he was once contacted by an assistant to former presidential candidate Ross Perot about buying a bicycle from his collection. It was the same model Perot had used to deliver newspapers as a child.
What is Matthews’ favorite model?
“I’ve found that for every generation, it’s the bike they had as a kid,” he said. “The old classic Schwinn is hard to beat. But there are also some really beautiful Colsons.”
The Colson company started out making wheelchairs, said Matthews, and then switched to making bicycles.
Matthews said he plans to give a Powerpoint presentation Saturday on the history of the bicycle, from its invention to the end of the “vintage” period in the 1960s. He will also talk about which models might be considered collectibles in the future.
Starr Homeplace founder Joe Rolfe said he is excited about the vintage bicycle show.
“I’ve probably seen 10,000 antique car shows,” said Rolfe, “but I’ve never seen an antique bike show before.”
The vintage bicycle presentation will begin after lunch Saturday. Rolfe said the day’s events will include a demonstration of the “Slow Foods” cooking method by chef Willis Barry, and a demonstration of biomass gassification.
Admission to the Starr Homeplace Community Days is $5 and lunch is served for a contribution.
Vintage bicycles are like antique cars in one respect: They don’t make ‘em like they used to, at least in terms of style.
Tammie Matthews of West Monroe has been collecting and restoring vintage bicycles for the past two decades, and several rare models from his collection will be on display at the Starr Homeplace in Oak Ridge this weekend.
Matthews said his interest in vintage bikes can be traced back to his childhood.
“When I was 10 years old, my dad gave me a 1930s Schwinn that he had restored,” said Matthews. “It was vintage, even back then. That was my bike -- I rode it everywhere.”
As often happens with childhood treasures, his first Schwinn was given away while he was in college. Many years later, however, he found an identical Schwinn at a flea market in Canton, Texas.
“That was the beginning of my collection.”
Matthews said he now owns between 30 and 40 restored bicycles spanning from the 19th century to the present. His collection at its peak has included upwards of 200 bicycles, most of which he has sold to fellow collectors.
“It can be an expensive hobby,” he said. “But I’ve lucked out a few times and found some very rare bikes.”
Matthews said he once found a 1917 Indian bicycle with wooden wheels and an electric taillight, leaning against a dumpster.
The oldest model in his collection is an 1883 Columbia high-rise that he purchased at an estate sale in Vicksburg. The “Penny Farthing,” as it was known in the old days, has a large front wheel and small back wheel.
“Sometimes interesting things happen in the hobby,” said Matthews.
For example, he was once contacted by an assistant to former presidential candidate Ross Perot about buying a bicycle from his collection. It was the same model Perot had used to deliver newspapers as a child.
What is Matthews’ favorite model?
“I’ve found that for every generation, it’s the bike they had as a kid,” he said. “The old classic Schwinn is hard to beat. But there are also some really beautiful Colsons.”
The Colson company started out making wheelchairs, said Matthews, and then switched to making bicycles.
Matthews said he plans to give a Powerpoint presentation Saturday on the history of the bicycle, from its invention to the end of the “vintage” period in the 1960s. He will also talk about which models might be considered collectibles in the future.
Starr Homeplace founder Joe Rolfe said he is excited about the vintage bicycle show.
“I’ve probably seen 10,000 antique car shows,” said Rolfe, “but I’ve never seen an antique bike show before.”
The vintage bicycle presentation will begin after lunch Saturday. Rolfe said the day’s events will include a demonstration of the “Slow Foods” cooking method by chef Willis Barry, and a demonstration of biomass gassification.
Admission to the Starr Homeplace Community Days is $5 and lunch is served for a contribution.
