Some of you may remember that back in the 80's and early 90's Hutchinson had an annual Bike swap meet that drew in buyers and sellers from both coasts with sometimes as many as 30 booths. It was held indoors on the Kansas State Fair grounds. Most of the participants were Balloonatics and Krateurs plus a good smattering of Wheelmen with pre-1917 interests. Few were looking for light weight stuff or roadsters so I usually did okay. I did have plenty of competition for delivery bikes, however. Mike McJunkin and Tom Pickering [?can't recall his name] organized it. The ever increasing cost of liability coverage and city fees eventually made the meet prohibitively pricey to produce. Mike McJunkin is still there and really fine guy to know. Give him a call and tell'em Calvert sent you. He'll tell you where the shops & clubs are. As I recall there was a decent LBS on the main street through town. But it's been a decade since I was there.
Now if you get up this way (Kansas City)......
Old Town Cyclery is an absolute must see. Sarah has put together one very interesting retro-progressive, club-like atmosphere. Where else can you find a BS with a Campyccino machine for the customers? Couch, bike book library, magazines, VCR running cycling videos all day, classics rigs and components hanging all around the shop.... Only too bad that its NIMBY---its way out in Lenexa rather than here in midtown. Good things never seem to last and I suppose that inevitably some small venture-capital type is going to figure its value, hand her a bundle of bucks and she'll return to her life as an itinerant mechanic/constructeur.
Midwest Cyclery is a fine place too. Bob's the kind who will bend over backward for a customer in need. I understand he injured himself doing a riding demo out at Interbike... I don't know the entire story. Hanging from the ceiling are several of Henry Meyer's older classics. HM was the captain of Schwinn's late 30's 6-day team.
ALSO a must see is Mark Pace's Bicycle Haven out in Independence. It's in an old fire station and the owner lives up stairs. Appointment only but he's usually there. Mark's primarily known for his fine wheel building and attention to set-up detail. Count on having your leg frequently pulled by a man with a straight face. He's got a sharp sense of humor and no mercy.
There are others but I'm typed out.
Calvert Guthrie KCMO
In a message dated 10/25/2003 10:15:54 AM Central Standard Time, handsfie@aol.com writes: I've just moved to Kansas, I.m looking for bike shops/museums to visit. Any ideas? Rodney handsfield in chilly Hutchinson, KS.