History of Cycling at MSU

Did you know that the MSU Cycling Club is over 100 years old?

"A companion development was the bicycle fad, fostered when the high-wheel type was replaced by the modern, chain-driven, "safety" wheel. Students and faculty formed the M.A.C. Cycling Club in 1894, with a Captain to lead and a Whipper-in to follow each club ride. The club used dues and contributions to build a gravel path to Lansing along the north side of Michigan Avenue. Bicycles and street cars scattered the students in their idle moments and encouraged men to move from the unsupervised dormitories into Lansing homes or into those that were springing up in the Collegeville subdivision that Beal and R.C. Carpenter laid out at the west entrance in 1887."

This rich history of the Cycling Club makes it one of the oldest student clubs at MSU if not the oldest.

This section highlights some of the rich history of cycling on the MSU campus. If you have a historical story or photo related to cycling at MSU please email us.

E. Lansing Bike Co-op

For many of us old-time bicyclists in the area our introduction to bicycle mechanics was courtesy of the E. Lansing Bike Co-op, which used to be located in the building on Grand River just West of the alley next to the old Taco Bell (which sat at the corner of Bailey St. and Grand River). This co-op was a treasure trove of experienced bike mechanics (some paid, some volunteers) who helped others work on their bikes. Unfortunately, I can't locate a photo of the Co-op (if you happen to have one please send it to me). One of the first mechanics, Donald Ayers-Marsh, recently contacted me and has this to share about the Co-op.

" To let you in on some history, The Bike Co-op was founded in 1974 at a meeting of people who were mostly already involved in the housing co-ops. We were founded as a member owned not-for-profit with a goal of offering the best service and fair pricing. The store first opened in the middle of winter in a tiny brick building about 10 ft across on Evergreen Ave just behind the Gibson's bookstore building. I remember Ralph Ellis, Tom Moore and Chris Johnson as well as myself being among the first people involved.

By 1976 we had moved to 547 E. Grand River Ave, occupying part of two floors in the back of the building and eventually storing used bikes waiting for repair in the basement. The Bike Co-op had the best repair turnaround in town and close to the biggest volume. We had a paid mechanic staff, some of whom completed a 60 hour Bicycle Technician Course, as well as some volunteers who helped with stocking and sales and the bike clinic. We were very proud of our repair quality and tracked all guarantee work. We actually had a 7 day no-flat guarantee on tire and tube repairs.

The Co-op had a large market in used bikes (many of which were produced at our winter mechanic courses) and sold new bikes as well. We also sold and rented cross country skis for a time. We offered a winter storage program, one option of which was free storage with a complete overhaul. The Co-op offered the only public repair clinic in town and did a lot of bicycle and safety education on and off campus."

1936 Raleigh donated by '50 grad, Ed Farmer. Click here to see the pages.

1950 MSU Alumna Donates Raleigh Bought in '47

Ed Farmer (1950 alumna and former Kellogg Center Conference Consultant - retired 1989) bought this bike used in 1947 at a bike shop that used to be located where the current day Brody complex sits. He traded a 1-spd. Schwinn plus $75 for it. It was stolen 3 times while on campus. Lights/ generator work fine. Rear wheel has never been off! This bike is not for sale; it will be part of a new historical exhibit of bicycling @ MSU.

MSU's Bicycle Racing Theme Yearbook - 1978

Click here to see the pages. High-res. and low res. versions provided for your viewing/ printing pleasure!

Recently discovered in the MSU Alumni Assoc. library of old yearbooks is this lovely yearbook apparently designed by a bicycle racing enthusiast, but who didn't have enough editorial clout to get much more than a design theme. There's nothing in the content about the MSU Cycling Club which surely had to have been very active during this hey-day of bicycling in the USA. Anyone know of other MSU yearbooks that feature some of the bike racing action in the 60's-70's? Drop us an email (include a scanned image if possible). The West-Circle Drive criterium race was a huge event for a decade or so until the insurance/ liability issues forced it off campus and then to obscurity according to our sources (former Cycling Club advisors).

MSU's Sesquicentennial Exhibit - Bikes Rule!

Scene from campus in late 1800's. Click photo to enlarge. Click here for high-res. version for printing.

The MSU Museum has finished a spectacular Sesquicentennial exhibit to commemorate the 150 years of MSU which features three bikes that you can read about below & see here covering the late 1880's, early 1900's and current cycling. The following information relates to these periods and the 3 bikes on exhibit. It's also encouraging to note that the main display that greets visitors to this exhibit features 3 bicycles in 3 different photos out of 8 or so photos. Let's hope the importance of cyling isn't lost on the thousands of visitors (especially university VIPs) going thru this exhibit in the coming months.

Early Promoter of Bicycling for Conservation @ MSU

Dr. Milton Muelder, a champion & architect of many important aspects of MSU as we know it today, and recently announced awardee of the 2005 MSU Philanthropist Award (see LSJ article, 6/23/05), was apparently an early proponent of bicycling to conserve gasoline. This photo was discovered in a book celebrating MSU's Centennial, "Michigan State: The First Hundred Years" by Madison Kuhn, published by MSU Press in 1955. Caption reads: "Early in WWII, Tom King, Milton E. Muelder, and Karl T. Wright, when gasoline was scarce."

The Birth of American Cycling

The American Light Champion high-wheeler leading the parade of bikes awaiting their place in the Museum's Sesquicentennial exhibit

Rear view of an American Light Champion high-wheeler made by the Gornaully & Jeffrey Mfg. Co. in 1887, in the exhibit.

Nothing seems to capture this period like the high-wheeler. The one in the museum (see left) is quite the work of art when viewed up close; the rear fork looks so much like current carbon-fiber forks it's amazing.

Click here for more photos of a high-wheeler on display at the Museum.

The Flappin 20's (Modern?) Era of Cycling
 

Closeup of the Flyer's tank; note the small clip-spring for the door to the secret compartment.

Rear-view of the Trail Blazer brand Deluxe Flyer.

Well, I'm no expert on this era, but this Trail Blazer brand Deluxe Flyer model, most likely made in the early 20's and used on campus 1949-50, seems to be a great example. It's dark maroon with black & gold outlining. A tool compartment is attached to the cross bar (the "Flyer" logo is on a sliding panel; see below). The push-button horn on the handlebars sounds a bit like the old police car horns of yore.

Click here for more photos of the Flyer.
 

The Post Modern Era of Cycling
 

Ernie's Magna lined up behind the museum's Flyer as it waits its place in the exhibit.

Ernst "the Can Man" Lucas, bicyclist extraordinaire.

 

"Mountain" bikes have come to rule the MSU campus since the 1990's for many obvious reasons and some not so obvious (to us purists). Apparently the beefy tires/ wheels, upright riding position, shocks, etc. are ideal for the hazards of campus life.

A good example of these bikes is one of Ernst "the Can Man" Lucas' last used bikes, which is also on display at the museum. Ernie, a friend to many & seen regulary on campus collecting cans using his bikes for hauling his precious cargo, passed away Jan. 2004. Here's a couple links to more information on Ernie.

- State News article
- Memorial notice in MSU News Bulletin

The Bike Project donated some parts and time to tune-up Ernie's bike (left) for the exhibit to make it more presentable.

Click here for more photos of Ernie's bike.