The upcoming 2024 NC Cycling Festival builds upon many decades of vintage biking tradition. Collectible bicycles are highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors alike. These bicycles are often considered to be superior to modern-day mass-produced bicycles because of their high-quality materials, durability, and timeless designs1.
The appeal of collectible bicycles lies in their nostalgia, history, heritage, and artistic designs1. Many people who collect antique and vintage models are now grown-up kids who long for what they once had or always wanted. These bikes are valued for emotional reasons as much as monetary ones, and point to a market segment that has a high degree of interest in buying their past1.
There are many individuals who are experts in the field of collectible bicycles. Some of the most notable figures include:
- Mike Fallon: A renowned bicycle mechanic, writer, and historian who has sold more antique bikes than anyone else in the world1. His love of bikes and the people who collect them have propelled his auction house, Copake Auction, to having one of the most popular and well-respected antique bicycle auctions in the world for the past 30 years.
- Grant Petersen: The founder of Rivendell Bicycle Works, Petersen is a well-known figure in the cycling world. He has written several books on cycling and is a strong advocate for vintage bicycles. Petersen is known for his unique approach to cycling and his emphasis on comfort and practicality.
- Eben Weiss: A writer and blogger who is best known for his blog, Bike Snob NYC. Weiss is a strong advocate for cycling and is known for his humorous and insightful commentary on the cycling world. He has written several books on cycling, including "Bike Snob: Systematically & Mercilessly Realigning the World of Cycling".
- Jan Heine: The founder of Compass Bicycles, Heine is a well-known figure in the cycling world. He is a strong advocate for vintage bicycles and is known for his extensive knowledge of cycling history and mechanics. He has written several books on cycling, including "The Competition Bicycle".
- Lennard Zinn: A writer and mechanic who has contributed significantly to the cycling community. Zinn is known for his extensive knowledge of bicycle mechanics and history. He has written several books on cycling, including "Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance".
These individuals have all played a significant role in shaping the classic and vintage bike collector movement. Their contributions have helped to preserve the history of cycling and have inspired many people to take up cycling as a hobby or a profession.
The NC Cycling Rendezvous was hosted in historic Farmington, North Carolina beginning in May of 2019, celebrating the vintage and classic bike collector movement by hosting a judged bike show, swap meet, industry speakers, and great food, in addition to scenic bike rides. Unfortunately, Covid created an environment where the event was cancelled or diminished in the following two years, and decisions were made to scale down to just the bike ride components in 2022 and 2023. In spring of 2023, its organizers discussed ways to bring back the special features of the original event, such as the bike show, swap meet, and speakers, as well as creating a festival atmosphere to celebrate "all things cycling". To do so would require more space than the FCEC could provide. Seeking partners in the county seat of Mocksville, NC, the organizers found support from county and town agencies, and the 2024 NC Cycling Festival was born.
The inaugural event will be held Friday through Sunday, April 19-21, 2024, with three days of activities for all ages, hosted in the quaint downtown of Mocksville, North Carolina. The festival will feature a local vendor fair, swap meet, parade, VeloQuest, gran fondos, speakers, judged bike show, live music, scavenger hunt, and bike rides. Whether you are a rider, collector, builder, or just need something unique to enjoy, you and your family will be entertained and enjoy the hospitality of the rolling hills of the Piedmont community of Mocksville, NC. Please visit https://nccyclingfestival.com/ for more information including how to register for the event.
Overnight accommodations are limited, so attendees are urged to make reservations early to get the closest guest locations.
About Farmington Community Events Center: Opened in 1921, the facilities served as public schools for the community until 1970, then were deeded in 1971 to the newly created Farmington Community Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency. Governed by an elected board of directors, the Center is certified on the National Registry of Historic Places and hosts a variety of education and recreation programs, along with four venues for event rental. The Nature Park, Davie Disc Golf Course, walking circuit, and playground are open
daily, dawn to dusk, at no cost to visitors. The board continually seeks sustainability and ways to leverage the amenities of the complex for the betterment of the community and the county. Funding partners of FCEC include: Davie Community Foundation, Davie County Recreation & Parks, Davie County Chamber of Commerce/Tourism, Bermuda Run Tourism and Mocksville Tourism Development. Visit www.farmingtoncc.org for more information.
