The Cycling Museum of Minnesota has taken its passion for bicycles to new heights – literally – with a stunning exhibition space nestled within the St. Paul skyway system. The brainchild of cycling enthusiast Juston Anderson, the museum boasts an impressive collection of over 100 historic bicycles that reflect the rich history of cycling in Minnesota and beyond.
As visitors walk through the galleries, they're immersed in a world of nostalgia, with iconic designs from the 19th and early 20th centuries on display. From high-wheel penny-farthings to the safety bicycles that revolutionized cycling, every bike tells a story of innovation, craftsmanship, and a passion for freedom.
Anderson's love affair with bicycles began at an early age, when he'd spend hours tinkering with his friends' bikes in front of their neighborhood bus stop. His own journey took him from enthusiast to collector, and eventually, to exhibiting some of his prized possessions at the State Fair. The owners of Recovery Bike Shop in Minneapolis took notice, and the rest is history – or rather, history on two wheels.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the museum's collection is its emphasis on Minnesota-made bikes and cycling artifacts. Visitors can marvel at vintage bike license plates, race medals, and other memorabilia that highlight the state's rich cycling heritage. Anderson's encyclopedic knowledge of cycling history shines through as he regales visitors with tales of how these bikes were designed, built, and used by generations of cyclists.
The museum's ethos is refreshingly straightforward: preservation over restoration. When it comes to preserving the intricate details and patina of each bike, Anderson prioritizes accuracy over aesthetic appeal. "When you strip it down, take off all the paint, you're getting rid of a lot of the history of the bike," he explains. "Any type of corrosion, we want to get that stopped. But if we were to restore this bike and repaint it, you would lose the original stenciling – I'm not into restoring bikes, because it just eliminates all the history that the bike had."
For now, the museum's collection is available by appointment only in its St. Paul skyway exhibition space. Visitors can book a private tour or explore online to learn more about this unique and fascinating piece of cycling history. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or simply curious about the world of bicycles, the Cycling Museum of Minnesota offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you pedaling away with memories for a lifetime.
As visitors walk through the galleries, they're immersed in a world of nostalgia, with iconic designs from the 19th and early 20th centuries on display. From high-wheel penny-farthings to the safety bicycles that revolutionized cycling, every bike tells a story of innovation, craftsmanship, and a passion for freedom.
Anderson's love affair with bicycles began at an early age, when he'd spend hours tinkering with his friends' bikes in front of their neighborhood bus stop. His own journey took him from enthusiast to collector, and eventually, to exhibiting some of his prized possessions at the State Fair. The owners of Recovery Bike Shop in Minneapolis took notice, and the rest is history – or rather, history on two wheels.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the museum's collection is its emphasis on Minnesota-made bikes and cycling artifacts. Visitors can marvel at vintage bike license plates, race medals, and other memorabilia that highlight the state's rich cycling heritage. Anderson's encyclopedic knowledge of cycling history shines through as he regales visitors with tales of how these bikes were designed, built, and used by generations of cyclists.
The museum's ethos is refreshingly straightforward: preservation over restoration. When it comes to preserving the intricate details and patina of each bike, Anderson prioritizes accuracy over aesthetic appeal. "When you strip it down, take off all the paint, you're getting rid of a lot of the history of the bike," he explains. "Any type of corrosion, we want to get that stopped. But if we were to restore this bike and repaint it, you would lose the original stenciling – I'm not into restoring bikes, because it just eliminates all the history that the bike had."
For now, the museum's collection is available by appointment only in its St. Paul skyway exhibition space. Visitors can book a private tour or explore online to learn more about this unique and fascinating piece of cycling history. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or simply curious about the world of bicycles, the Cycling Museum of Minnesota offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you pedaling away with memories for a lifetime.
it's like, totally immersed in cycling history & they got these amazin bikes from the 1800s to now! i'm all about the penny-farthings tho, like who wouldn't want a bike with wheels that big on each side lol. and the fact they're preserving them just as they are is so cool, no fussing over restoring them, it's all about keepin the original patina intact 
. plus, they got all these rad minnesota-made bikes & artifacts on display, it's like a history book come to life! i'm def goin back for another visit 
just heard about the new cycling museum in MN and I'm SO stoked! 
but what really gets me is the focus on Minnesota-made bikes and artifacts - it's like they're preserving our state's cycling heritage for future generations. 
and I love that the museum prioritizes accuracy over restoration, because let's be real, some of those old bikes are pretty rough around the edges! 
but seriously, if you're a bike enthusiast or just curious about history, this place is a must-see... even if it's only available by appointment, it's worth making the effort 
- no fancy restoration or prettifying old bikes here! Just pure, unadulterated history 
, with these incredible Minnesota-made machines on display. The way they've curated the collection to show the real patina, the wear and tear, it's like stepping into someone's attic filled with family heirlooms 
- you can almost smell the sweat and grease of all those years of riding 
. And the stories Juston Anderson shares, man... he's got this way of making you feel like you're pedaling alongside him, all those years ago 
. This museum is a love letter to the humble bike, and it's infectious 
.
i'm more of a city bike person myself but it's awesome how they're preserving all these historic ones. the fact that they don't restore them but leave them original is so neat! i can see why juston anderson would want to keep everything intact... it's like a time capsule or something 
i mean, can u imagine riding around st paul back then? 
but what really blew me away was that they're not restoring the bikes to look all pretty and perfect, they're actually preserving them in their original state which is so cool! 
. This museum is definitely on my bucket list now – if you're a cycling fan or just curious about history, you have to check it out! 
I mean, I'm all about preservation over restoration, esp when it comes to preserving tht patina n history. It's like, don't mess with perfection, ya know? 
I love how they showcase Minnesotan-made bikes & artifacts – it's like a big ol' nostalgic hug 4 cyclists! 
justron anderson (or whatever his name is) must be a total genius for curating this whole thing. i'm seriously considering booking a private tour ASAP