Annual bike show continues to be exciting for all ages
Just part of the antique bicycle exhibit seen at the home of Mark and Cori McGuire is seen above, while Luke, Addie, and Rayah Wasylowich stand amongst their grandparents' vintage bike collection. The Southern Ontario Vintage Bicycle Show was held last Sunday at the McGuire's home.
While some visitors to this year’s Southern Ontario Vintage Bicycle Show came as far away as Trenton and Belleville, others, and some of the youngest of admirers travelled just a few hundred feet.
The 12th annual event, hosted by collectors Mark and Cori McGuire of Amherstburg, may have been hampered by rainy weather, but that didn’t prevent their neighbours grandchildren Luke, Addie and Rayah Wasylowich from making the trek to one of their favourite places.
Luke is seven-years-old and according to grandma Cori, he likes to get behind the big counter and pretend he is back in time and waiting on customers at a bike shop. He is also known to take a trike for a pedal with his sisters towed in the wagon behind.
“I think they are awesome because grandpa thinks they are awesome,” said Luke of the McGuire’s collection.
Gazing up at a small CCM Cyclet, which back in the day retailed for $14.75, Luke’s keen eye says, “it looks like a scooter bike.”
Canadian Cycle & Motor Company (CCM) opened a large factory near Toronto in 1899 and after moving to another location, continued to make bicycles of all sizes up until it went bankrupt in 1983.
The company than started into the hockey gear business but as recognized with great pride by the McGuire family, CCM made a very good bike.
Throughout the dozen plus years, the collection has grown and Mark McGuire continues to seek out a rare find and bring it home. His recent discovery is a highwheeler, also known as a Penny Farthing. McGuire explains that in England, a penny is big which represents the 56” front wheel and the smaller farthing, the back which is just “17.
“I bought it at a meet in Burford in April. They are quite rare, it’s about 1880.”
This particular bike, which would have taken a lot of balance to ride was built by Rudge & Co. and distributed by C. Robinson and Company.
While Sunday’s rain at the Amherstburg event on Concession 6 North may have prevented a few from coming, it certainly did not stop regular event participant Earl Richardson from bringing his 1947 MF Studebaker pickup truck.
Eight years ago, when he was 80, Richardson went all the way to the east coast to bring the gem home to Harrow. Now at 88-years-old, he still pampers it and likes to talk about the restoration work he has done.
“I was looking for one that was completely original. I drove it home from New Brunswick. It wasn’t as good as I thought it was but I bought it anyway because I wanted one,” said Richardson.
With a 318 Chrysler engine, wherever he takes it, it’s always a head turner.
Annual bike show continues to be exciting for all ages
By Fred Groves
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