If you're anywhere near the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, be sure to check out next weekend's Minnecycle IV, on May 21st and 22nd at the Peacock Groove workshop/studio in Minneapolis. Nine regional custom builders will be on site for you to visit with, and new this year is a "Meet your Maker" group ride with the builders on Sunday morning from 9 am to Noon.

Joel Greenblatt of Clockwork Bikes is the show organizer, and he produces it with the help of Peacock Groove Cycles, who host the show at their studio in downtown Minneapolis. This is the show's fourth edition, although it has not happened every year. The first edition took place in 2009.

Photo: Joel Greenblatt

The show is a regional affair, and according to Greenblatt it draws a healthy crowd. "The last show saw about 1,000 attendees on Saturday and 800 on Sunday," he said.

Nine builders from the Twin Cities and Minnesota will be exhibiting: Clockwork Bikes, Peacock Groove, Anderson Custom Bicycles, Appleman Cycles, Bob Brown Cycles, Vincent Dominguez Cycles, Speedhound, Curt Goodrich Bicycles, and CKC (Chris Kvale Cycles).

The "Meet your Maker" group ride with the builders at 9 am Sunday is new this year, and Greenblatt anticipates full participation from the show's exhibitors: "This will be the first year we have the ride so I don't know what to expect other than it will be very casual.  I suspect all builders will ride."

Admission to the public is free, outside of the cans of food all visitors are asked to bring with them. The Peacock Groove Cargo Trike will be filled to capacity and then pedalled to the local food pantry for donation.

Greenblatt is keen to point out that you don't necessarily have to be a potential buyer to enjoy what is as much an exhibit of art as it is a bike show. "It's really more of a local show that will attract potential clients but mostly bike and art enthusiasts," he says.

For more information, visit the show's Facebook page.

FACT FILE

What: Minnecycle IV: Bike gallery and a ride with the makers
When: May 21-22, 2016
Where: Peacock Groove workshop & studio, 2718 E 27th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406 
Who: Nine of the leading Minnesota bicycle frame builders
Admission: Free, but bring canned food for donation to food bank