Bicycle travels from pyramids to St. Charles

Oscar A. Lappe's bicycle has seen the sands of Persia, the pyramids of Egypt and the peaks of Switzerland.

On Saturday, the bicycle custom-made for Lappe by Britain's Flavell and Co. glimpsed the plains of Illinois.

The bike was one of the most interesting antiques for sale at the Chicagoland Antique Advertising, Slot Machine and Jukebox Show at St. Charles' Pheasant Run Resort.

Between 1891 and 1893, Lappe and Dr. Frank Clark of Chicago rode their bicycles through Europe, Asia and North Africa.

The feat earned them recognition from the London Cycling Club for "the longest bicycle tour on record."

In an interview with the Pittsburgh Press 36 years later, Lappe recalled, "I went down the Nile to the Great Pyramid but not by bicycle. The roads were sandy so I had to strap my wheel to the back of a camel. Then I went into Syria and Palestine and crossed into Turkey and Persia."

The bicycle's current owner, B.J. Pawlaczyk, bought it at an antique show in Atlantic City, N.J.

"When I saw (the history), the guy says it's already sold," said Pawlaczyk, who hoped the bike would fetch $25,000 at this weekend's expo. "I tracked the (buyer) down and bought it from him."

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 collectors from across the country roamed the Pheasant Run convention center this weekend to find a one-of-a-kind antique.

Among them was Jim Jaczkowski, who was searching for antique hot dog or popcorn vending equipment to add to the collection of vintage items that fills the basement, attic and garage of his Romeo, Mich. home.

"He's like a little boy in a candy store," said his wife, Marilyn, "This is one of the most wonderful things for him."

Despite the battered economy, the antique show had more than 300 vendors this year, including many first-timers.

"The show is economy-driven, but people are still spending money," said Kevin Greco, one of the show's organizers. "It's as strong as ever."