AUSTIN, Texas – Custom bicycle makers and enthusiasts from around the country came to Austin Sunday for an event that proved to be as unique as the bicycles it showcased.
- 11th year of event
- Participants traveled from across the country
- Event started from a Craigslist ad
“The bicycle’s like the best invention of mankind," said Chris Hunt, founder of the Annual South Austin Custom & Vintage Bicycle Show.
In 2008, Chris Hunt put out a Craigslist ad to meet other custom bike enthusiasts like himself. He had no idea it would turn into an annual bike show that would celebrate its 11th anniversary this year.
“I’ve always wanted to meet other people that were into the similar thing like Low Rider bicycles, classics Schwinns, stuff like that. And yeah, it was just, it's turned into a great avenue for meeting people in that manner," said Hunt.
Custom bike makers from all over the country brought their unique creations to this year’s show.
“We have a huge selection of different cyclists. There's Low Rider bikes, custom built choppers, there's BMX bikes, there's vintage BMX bikes. I just like the culmination of the like-minded cyclists," said Hunt.
For them, making custom bikes is an opportunity to be unique.
“The great thing about a custom bike is you walk into Walmart, and the choice is what it is. That's your selection, what you see. With custom bikes, there's no limits. It's whatever you can imagine," said Stefani Sheron, owner of Low Life Bikes.
It can also be a form of creative expression.
“The lines, the style, the process that goes into it, every bike here is a little bit different," said Hunt.
But perhaps the best part of custom and vintage bicycle making is the community that comes with it. Hunt says that’s been key to helping the show grow each year.
“Because how it grows every year and how everybody kicks in, makes it a little bit bigger. I mean, most of these guys here from California, or Florida or Houston," said Hunt.