Old World Wisconsin: Over 100 High-Wheel Cyclists to Arrive July 19

July 02, 2014
Eagle, Wis.--Old World Wisconsin will make history July 19 for a never-before-offered event featuring over 100 members of The Wheelmen, a national group of high-wheel bicycle enthusiasts, as they descend on the site for a day of historic fun and games.
 
Dan Freas, museum director, elaborated on the one-of-a-kind nature of the event: "When we learned that The Wheelmen were holding their annual national convention in Waukesha just following the launch of our 'Catch Wheel Fever!' 1890s cycling experience, we were delighted by the synergies. We immediately invited them to make Old World Wisconsin part of their experience. They're a fantastic and enthusiastic group, and include members who have ridden across the United States on high wheel bicycles. We've planned a big day of fun and can't wait to see these high wheelers pedaling around our period-appropriate crossroads village and rustic roadways."
  
There are many ways for guests to participate, with or without bicycles:
 
10:45 am: Ten-Mile "Ride With The Wheelmen." Guests may ride their own bikes on  a tour led by members of The Wheelmen, riding their antique bicycles. As many as 50-60 of these antique cycling enthusiasts could be leading the non-competitive ride through a portion of Old World Wisconsin and around the site on local roads. Registration for the ride includes a box lunch and museum admission, which includes a visit to "Catch Wheel Fever!" Reservations for riders are $35 for adults and $20 for children (up to age 17); revenue supports museum programming. Reservations available at http://wihist.org/Wheelmen or by calling 262-594-6301 and close at 5 pm July 16.
 
1:30 pm: High-Wheel Cycling Races, Games and Demonstrations. It is estimated that 130-150 members of The Wheelmen will be on hand, with many participating in high-wheel bicycle races, games and demonstrations of skill around the museum's late-1800s crossroads village. There is no additional charge to witness these demonstrations; regular admission rates apply and include admission to "Catch Wheel Fever!"
 
Special Author Activities:
  • 1:00 pm: Book signing by Nick Hoffman and Jesse Gant, authors of "Wheel Fever: How Wisconsin Became a Great Bicycling State," about the origins of bicycling in Wisconsin and why those origins still matter. It is also about our continuing fascination with all things bicycle. Books will be for sale at the store.
  • 3:30 pm: Presentation by David V. Herlihy, author of "The Lost Cyclist," that tells the story of Frank Lenz, a renowned high-wheel racer, who dreamed of cycling around the world. He set out in the spring of 1892, crossing Wisconsin as part of the journey. Two years later, he approached Europe for the final leg. He never made it. His mysterious disappearance in eastern Turkey sparked an international outcry. Herlihy's talk will capture the joys and constant dangers accompanying the bicycle adventurer in the days before paved roads and automobiles. Herlihy is also the writer of the foreword of the Wisconsin Historical Society Press Book "Wheel Fever."
Old World Wisconsin's New "Catch Wheel Fever!" 1890s Cycling Experience: 
The interactive experience opened last month to excellent guest response. Visitors may hop aboard a reproduction tricycle from the era to take a spin around a track, tinker at the workbench in the bicycle repair shop, and put on period apparel and climb on a high wheeler for a one-of-a-kind photo op. The experience is open during regular museum hours, with no additional admission charge. "Catch Wheel Fever!" details at http://wihist.org/CWFLanding.
 
July 19 Hours and Admission: Old World Wisconsin will be open from 10 am to 5 pm. Adults $16; children (5-17) $9 (children under 5 are free); students and senior citizens (65 and over) $14; family (two adults and two or more dependent children 5-17) $43. Fees include an all-day tram transportation pass. There is no additional charge to visit the new "Catch Wheel Fever!" interactive 1890s cycling experience. All details at www.oldworldwisconsin.org or by calling 262-594-6301.
 
Media Members are welcome to witness the one-of-a-kind action. Interview times are being established. For a media pass, contact Lisa McGovern at lisa.mcgovern@wisconsinhistory.org or 262-594-6304. 
 
Overview of Old World Wisconsin
Old World Wisconsin is located in the Milwaukee/Chicago/Madison triangle.The outdoor museum features 19th- and early 20th-century Midwestern immigrant farm and rural life. During the daily operating season May through October, plus postseason and holiday events in November and December, the museum offers family friendly activities, led by period-clad interpreters, as they visit 10 working farmsteads, explore 12 heirloom gardens, interact with heritage animal breeds, and try historic crafts and trades. Old World Wisconsin is located at W372 S9727 Highway 67, Eagle, WI 53119. For general information and details about 2014 activities, call 262-594-6301 or visit www.oldworldwisconsin.org.
 
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Contact:
Lisa McGovern
lisa.mcgovern@wisconsinhistory.org, (262) 594-6300