In a unique endeavor that showcases its love for bicycles and preserving history, the Cycling Museum of Minnesota has taken to the skies – literally – with an exhibition space nestled within the St. Paul skyways. This brainchild of local collector Juston Anderson, who amassed over 100 antique bikes, is set to take cycling enthusiasts on a journey through over a century of two-wheeled history.
Anderson's fascination with bicycles dates back to his childhood days, where he and friends would ride their bikes to the bus stop, tinkering with the mechanics. As he grew older, his interest only deepened, leading him to curate a personal collection that eventually caught the attention of local bike shop owners, who encouraged him to share it with the world.
Today, Anderson's passion is realized in the Cycling Museum of Minnesota, featuring an impressive array of bicycles from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum boasts significant contributions from Minnesota-based manufacturers, including vintage bike license plates and rare racing medals. A notable section of the collection showcases high-wheel bikes, affectionately known as penny-farthings, which were once a staple in cycling history.
These ancient vehicles may seem comically large to modern riders, but their unique design was rooted in practicality. The oversized front wheel provided more distance traveled with each pump of the pedal, an advantage before the advent of modern gear-and-chain drivetrain systems. However, this design also came with its share of challenges, including the risk of accidents due to a comically large front wheel.
As the cycling landscape evolved, so did bike designs. Anderson explains that safety features such as bells and whistles became essential components, allowing cyclists to alert nearby horses without startling them. Additional accessories like acetylene gas headlamps, map cases, and tool-carrying attachments further showcased human ingenuity in innovation.
At the heart of the museum's ethos lies preservation rather than restoration. Anderson takes a meticulous approach, ensuring that original details are preserved intact, whereas restoration could result in lost historical context. "Every bike tells a story as it is," he emphasizes, highlighting his commitment to preserving the authenticity and history behind each bicycle.
For those eager to delve into the museum's vast collection, information on guided tours of the exhibition space can be found online at www.cmm.bike. As the Cycling Museum of Minnesota continues to take its place within the St. Paul skyways, it invites visitors to step back in time and experience the rich history of two-wheeled adventure.
With over 100 bicycles on display, the museum serves as a testament to Juston Anderson's unwavering dedication to cycling heritage. As he would say himself, "When you strip it down, take off all the paint, you are getting rid of a lot of the history of the bike." The Cycling Museum of Minnesota will continue to inspire and educate enthusiasts about the intricate stories hidden within its vast collection.
Anderson's fascination with bicycles dates back to his childhood days, where he and friends would ride their bikes to the bus stop, tinkering with the mechanics. As he grew older, his interest only deepened, leading him to curate a personal collection that eventually caught the attention of local bike shop owners, who encouraged him to share it with the world.
Today, Anderson's passion is realized in the Cycling Museum of Minnesota, featuring an impressive array of bicycles from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The museum boasts significant contributions from Minnesota-based manufacturers, including vintage bike license plates and rare racing medals. A notable section of the collection showcases high-wheel bikes, affectionately known as penny-farthings, which were once a staple in cycling history.
These ancient vehicles may seem comically large to modern riders, but their unique design was rooted in practicality. The oversized front wheel provided more distance traveled with each pump of the pedal, an advantage before the advent of modern gear-and-chain drivetrain systems. However, this design also came with its share of challenges, including the risk of accidents due to a comically large front wheel.
As the cycling landscape evolved, so did bike designs. Anderson explains that safety features such as bells and whistles became essential components, allowing cyclists to alert nearby horses without startling them. Additional accessories like acetylene gas headlamps, map cases, and tool-carrying attachments further showcased human ingenuity in innovation.
At the heart of the museum's ethos lies preservation rather than restoration. Anderson takes a meticulous approach, ensuring that original details are preserved intact, whereas restoration could result in lost historical context. "Every bike tells a story as it is," he emphasizes, highlighting his commitment to preserving the authenticity and history behind each bicycle.
For those eager to delve into the museum's vast collection, information on guided tours of the exhibition space can be found online at www.cmm.bike. As the Cycling Museum of Minnesota continues to take its place within the St. Paul skyways, it invites visitors to step back in time and experience the rich history of two-wheeled adventure.
With over 100 bicycles on display, the museum serves as a testament to Juston Anderson's unwavering dedication to cycling heritage. As he would say himself, "When you strip it down, take off all the paint, you are getting rid of a lot of the history of the bike." The Cycling Museum of Minnesota will continue to inspire and educate enthusiasts about the intricate stories hidden within its vast collection.
I think this is so cool! A museum with bikes in the skyways? That's like, whoa! You know what would take it to the next level though? If they had a section where you could ride some of those old penny-farthings 
. I mean, can imagine the looks on people's faces if they saw someone cruising around on one of those things in the city 
. But for real, preserving history is so important and it's awesome that Juston Anderson is doing his part to keep those bikes intact and share their stories with others 
.
- 100 antique bikes is actually a pretty modest collection for a museum. I mean, some places have entire museums dedicated to just bicycles! Just kidding, but seriously, it's still cool that Anderson has such an impressive assortment. And I love how he's preserving the original details of each bike instead of restoring them to what they might've looked like 100 years ago. That's super important for maintaining historical accuracy 
Those things looked comically large back in the day! The attention to detail is insane, preserving every original part and story behind each bike is genius. I love how Juston Anderson wants to show us that bikes aren't just about function, but also history and nostalgia 
! I mean, who wouldn't want to see these old bikes in the skyways? It's like a blast from the past, you know? 
. I love how they're not restoring or refurbishing the bikes, but rather preserving their original state – it's like stepping into history 
. I'm definitely adding this to my bucket list to check out! 
. I'm not sure if that's progress or just more stuff to carry around 
. The penny-farthings though, man... they're so cool! Who knew something that looked comical could be rooted in practicality? 
. Can you imagine cruising around on those antique wheels while sipping coffee and enjoying the history of cycling? 
That'd be a real treat!
. these penny-farthings from the 1800s are HILARIOUS lol, who knew they were actually designed for practicality tho 
It was created by some dude named Juston who loved collecting antique bikes since he was a kid 
His collection is massive, over 100 bikes! 
But you can actually learn about how they were designed to be practical for the time, even though they seem weird now 
The best part is that he's preserving the original bikes without restoring them, so it's like stepping back in time 
I think this museum is a great way to learn about cycling history and appreciate how far we've come with modern bike tech 
. It's amazing how some old designs were actually super practical back in the day, even if they did come with some comical risks 
. The penny-farthings are already giving me major nostalgia vibes 
, and the fact that they were designed with practicality in mind just makes them cooler