FREEHOLD—David Metz, owner of the Metz Bicycle Museum and resident of Applewood Estates, will host the 2009 International Cycling History Conference on July 29 - August 1 at the Metz Bicycle Museum, 54 W. Main Street and the Courtyard on Main, 30 W. Main Street. The annual conference is hosted at selected historical cycling sites worldwide. Antique cycling aficionados are expected from across the nation and more than 10 countries. In 2008, the conference was held in St. Etienne, France. The 2010 conference will be held in Prague, Czech Republic.
"Hosting this cycling conference is the biggest event in the history of our museum," Metz says. "We also hope this conference will bring in more frequent visitors from the local community as well." The museum is home to one of the world's finest collections of antique bicycles featuring boneshakers, high wheelers, quadricycles, and other one-of-a kind cycles.
Applewood Estates, a continuing care retirement community, is supporting Mr. Metz’s historic event by donating complimentary shuttle bus service between Freehold hotels and the conference sites during peak conference hours.
More than 30 lectures by American and international cycling historians will be offered including, "The Tour de France: A Design for Success" by New Zealander Karl Kane and "Cads on Casters: A History of Bicycle Polo" by Peter Matthews of Dublin, Ireland. The conference will feature a bus trip to Smithville, NJ, where the American Star bicycle was manufactured in the 1800’s, and conclude with a bicycle ride around Manhattan.
The community is invited to attend the conference and registration is required in advance. For further information about the Metz Bicycle Museum’s International Cycling History Conference, call (732) 462-7363 or visit metzbicyclemuseum.com.
Applewood Estates, part of CentraState Healthcare System, is a non-profit, continuing care retirement community offering apartments and cottages for independent seniors, assisted living services and skilled nursing care.
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