Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Marin Museum of Bicycling

Diablo Wife and Diablo Daughter took me here for Father's Day.  It's in Fairfax, which is a town with a huge cycling presence... all kinds of bikes everywhere.

Met Joe Breeze and his wife who were running the place (for the day at least) and they actually seemed to enjoy answering all my questions and telling stories.

The first part of the tour is the exhibit on the early evolution of bicycle design - they had a hobby horse, a penny-farthing, a shaft-drive bike, and a few other really interesting antiques showcasing the changes in materials, drive trains, and geometries.

The second part was the exhibit on the evolution of the mountain bike from the early pioneers including Mr. Breeze himself, to a modern double-sprung 29er with disc brakes.

Also on display was Vincenzo Nibali's bike from the 2014 Tour de France - the one he rode on the last day into Paris.  It was a striking contrast to the wrought iron contraption from 1820 that was only a few feet away.

The "Mountain Bike Hall of Fame" exhibit was mostly just posters and a trophy... interesting history but not much to look at.

There was also a library that had the kind of books you could browse for hours - like a Schwinn maintenance manual from the 50s.

The souveneir shop had T-shirts, water bottles, and books.  Picked up a water bottle and a book called Goggles and Dust with a hundred photos of pre-1940's Euro races... the kind where guys have tires wrapped around their shoulders and stuff.

Joe said that they're mostly counting on "word of mouth" advertising for the museum - I may have slightly over-stated the influence my blog has on the cycling public but he was eager to accept my offer to promote the attraction.  So if you go visit - tell them "Diablo Scott sent me".

























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