Wednesday 10-2 The Bicycle Museum of America

Just having fun

Larry and I slept in. Larry got up at 7:00 and I crawled out of bed at 8:30. We weren't in any hurry considering we were only going 7 miles down the road. We had breakfast and then got the Minnie ready to go.

On the way to our destination we stopped at a True Value Hardware Store and got propane in the Minnie. We hadn't got propane since we were in Wisconsin. The gentleman was very friendly and asked what brought us all the way from Texas to Ohio. We explained that we do a two month Fall trip each year. He suggested we go to The Bicycle Museum of America. We told him that is where we're headed next.

The Bicycle Museum of America is located in New Bremen, about a mile from the True Value Hardware Store. We parked the Minnie next to the Museum. There was a cool park right next door so we walked around the park. We saw one of the locks that The Miami and Erie Canal used when it was in use. I don't know if I explained the canal system or not but here's a little information about it. Between 1825-1845 a canal system was used to transport passengers and freight between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Then the railroad came along and it wasn't used any more. The park has a nice statue called Partners, which pays tribute to the local boys and their mules that pulled the boats through the locks. There was also a Lockkeeper house. There also was a statue thanking all the volunteer firemen in New Bremen. The park has a great playground for the kids and a splash pad. After walking around the park we went to the museum.

The Partners Statue

The lock and lockkeeper's house

The firemen memorial

A family of lions welcoming you to the park

At the museum we were greeted by a very nice gentleman. He told us some of the history behind the museum and showed us a movie about the history of bicycles. The museum has three levels, they own about 900 bicycles but can only display 230. As with most museums they rotate their displays to keep things fresh and bring people back. The museum started as a Schwinn Bicycle collection in Chicago. In 1997 Jim Dicke II purchased the collection of bicycles and memorabilia from the Schwinn family and moved it to New Bremen. The bicycles currently on display start with one of the first bicycles ever built, an 1816 Draisine and go all the way to today. The Draisine 1816 didn't have any pedals so the rider had to straddle the beam, lean forward and push with his feet. When bicycling became popular they developed bike suited for women and their skirts, family, couples and kids. As we walked around we saw how the bicycle had changed because of the demand and to make them safer. They had a display where you can get on a highwheeler. We had a great time exploring the Bicycle Museum of America. 

First bicycle built 1816 Draisine

1880 Otto Bicycle

Riding on a highwheeler

One of Robin Williams bicycles on display

1960s Schwinn Typhoon used for tight ropes 

Pee Wee Herman bicycle

Before leaving New Bremen we stopped by a laundromat to do laundry. While the clothes were washing we had lunch. It was hot so we had to run our generator in order to run our air conditioner.

After doing laundry we drove another 60 miles to get to Buck Creek State Park. We stopped at the front entrance of the park to get a site. No problem but the campground was 3 miles farther down the road. Buck Creek State Park is a beautiful park on C.J. Brown Reservoir, which is run by the Army Corps of Engineers. The campground has 86 electric sites 22 non-electric sites. It has bathrooms and showers. There are 25 cabins available to rent. There are hiking trails and boat trailer parking. 

Once we setup the Minnie we had dinner. After dinner we walked around the campground. It's fall in Ohio and the state parks have great decorations around the parks to celebrate the season. Buck Creek State Park went all out, it had the Pirates of the Caribbean, witches, ghosts, jack-o-lanterns and just seasonal decorations. Some of the campers decorated their sites. 

Welcoming in the Fall Season

    

Backside of the Pirates of the Caribbean

Frontside of the Pirates of the Caribbean

Getting on picture on a welcome sign

The campground office all decorated for the Fall season