By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
VANDALIA – A large crowd of mountain bike enthusiasts is expected to attend a sports festival at the Dr. T. K. Lawless Park from 10 a.m. to after 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30, rain or shine.
Gary Fisher from California, who created his own mountain bike, will present a program on bicycling called "Meet The Man," sponsored by Outpost Sports. The event is free but there will be a $2 entry fee to the park located on Monkey Run Road east of Vandalia and south of Michigan-60.
After introductions, bicyclists can ride with Fisher on the mountain bike trails from 2 to 5 p.m. followed by a barbecue and refreshments. A feature movie will be held on the history of mountain biking at 7 p.m. at the pavilion.
In 1974 Fisher grafted a mixture of road bike and motorcycle parts onto a 1940 Schwinn Excelsior and created the first reliable, low-maintenance mountain bike. Soon after that, Fisher founded Mountain Bikes, the first company to build production mountain bikes.
Today, Gary Fisher Bicycles is a leading brand of performance bicycles sold through specialty retailers. American made bikes, he manufactures luxury and children's bicycles as well.
For further information, call Parks Director Scott Wyman at 445-8611.