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Mayors' Ride Bios - Jacques Graber

cornering1. Which Relay link do you want to ride?

The Davis-Sacto-Folsom link

Listen to the Interview with NBG

2. How you found us

I got E-mails a-plenty on it, and it sounded too good to pass up!

3. Why you want to do this ride

To promote the movement. I am all for anything bike friendly and promotional. I have not ridden a good ride since my  Berlin-Prague-Berlin ride on my 1889 Eagle, or the Rhin ride of Japan or Australia on my 1886  Gormully and Jeffrey. It is a great stretch to travel especially along the American River Parkway.


4. Tell us about your touring experience- if little or none, indicate many miles have you ridden over the last year:

  • 1987 125 miles on my 1886 G and J the maiden voyage on my newly restored ordinary. In Yosemite.
  • 1989 Arnem Holland-Lenk, Switzerland and back on G and J. Set European 200 mile (double century) record 12H 30min.
  • 1989 Japan 500 miles on G and J
  • 1990 Raced then set 100 mile record in Tazmania of 7H 48min. 545 mile tour with Cycle Victoria in First Tazmania Bike Ride.
  • 1990. World Champion (Ordinary) International Veteran Cycle Association Rally Findlay Ohio
  • 1990-1993- several centuries on Ordinary on modern bike centuries
  • 1993 Berlin Prague tour on 1889 Eagle.
  • Organized first AIDS fundraiser bike ride in Calif (if not US) in 1983; Sacramento to San Fran with three other riders.
  • Cycle commute; 23 years to date. 210 miles per week currently.

5. Tell us about your bike

I plan on riding one of two: My replica of the 1889 Eagle, built in mid-highwheel period. A "highwheel safety" with the large driving wheel at the rear and the smaller stearing wheel at the front. What I rode in Prague tour. Or, 1884 Humber Ordinary. The classic 1800's bicycle with the large front wheel.

 6. Describe your training regimen

Ride a lot. Eat a lot.

7. How are you making time for this

Just taking it

8. What are your fears about doing this ride

None!

9. Do you have any special skills that you feel would benefit the Mayors' Ride?

Riding an Eagle. The BIKE speaks plenty when seen. A visual impact for any event. Sticks in people's minds so it's good for impact.
Good speaker.

10. If you are involved with other non-profit organizations, please tell us about them

California Bicycle Museum and California Transportation Museum.
As member of Board of Directors and Curator. I serve in decision-making capacities and also on assessments and appraisals of bicycles. Restoration skills after having restored those in my collection of 110 bicycles dating from 1881 to 1970 (discounting my modern bikes), I also belong to the Wheelmen, and Lute Society of America.


11. Anything else you'd like to share with us?

- Here is what Folsom Life said about our 2004 Davis to Folsom ride!
- And what the Sacramento News & Review said
- Here is the Slide Show for the above ride..
- Here is what the Sacramento Bee said
- Graduate of UC Berkeley in MA Geology, Paleontology. Alum Sac State BA Biology/Music
- Etc:

  • Coordinated and displayed bicycles in art exhibit "Form and Function" at U.C. Davis 1990
  • Exhibited restored bicycles at Sacramento's Premiere art Gallery, the Himovitz Art Gallery, Sacramento, 1989
  • Won 1st Place Restored, Antique Bicycle class at local bicycle Concourse, Tower Theater 1990
  • First and only bicycle collector to be invited to exclusive Capitol Course d' Elegance vintage vehicle show 1987, 1988, 1989.
  • Displayed at famed Nevada City Classic Bicycle Race, 1989
  • First Bicycle Exhibitor to display in Sacramento History Center, by invite. Regarded as the best exhibit the Center has ever had by its Director attracting over 400 attendees per day. 1988
  • Donated bicycle and consulted for Santa Cruz History Museum on exhibit featuring 14 yr old local cyclist.
  • Invited to Channel 40 (Fox 40) Feature on "Dare Dave" sports cast challenge; 100 meter sprint on ordinaries with sportscaster host. Promoting first "Cyclebration Classic" (guess who won).
  • Champion, 7 consecutive years plus one more, Davisville Classic 1 mile, Cyclebration 100m sprints, 1 mile races and others 1990 2000.
  • Featured in local TV segments Ch3, Ch 6, on antique and vintage bicycle collecting and musical instrument building.
  • Ride Leader, 2004 National Bicycle Greenway Davis-Folsom
  • Design consultant/partner Algenon Bicycles, manufacturer of original Ordinaries and other historic bicycles.
  • Coordinating with representatives of CalTRANS for Transportation Educational Center featuring vehicles and California Bicycle History Center
  • Researcher and speaker at local bicycling clubs, International Cycle History Conference, Muenster, Germany, published papers and articles in "The Wheelmen Magazine"
  • Currently researching a pedal-driven vehicle built 1732.

Career:

- Engineering Geologist
- Interest besides bicycling:
- Music play guitar, lute, oud, vihuela and many other string instruments. Build guitars, lutes, ouds and other fretted instruments. Enjoy kayaking, hiking, nordic skiing, skateboarding, etc.


E-mail: jacques_graber@yahoo.com



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