The Cycle Showcase STL 2020 was held on February 1 - 2, downtown St. Louis on Delmar Avenue. The Pageant Theater had the honor, once again, of hosting the 6th annual event. As in the past, over 50 rare and custom bikes from all walks of the sport, including historically significant, hand-crafted works of two-wheeled art were brought in by museums and private collections from across the country. Being in this intimate venue placed the spectators minds in the mood of a smokey gritty nightclub. With energy you could feel emitting from the empty balcony seats, it gave the bikes a feeling of nostalgia and honor. Normally all eyes are on the stage when The Pageant comes alive with live music, and this weekend was no different.

Attendees were encouraged to amble around chopped, stock, engraved, embellished, stripped, restored, and rusted bikes- all picked for the showcase with an emphasis on beauty in both the design and engineering. The Bobby Seeger/Indian Larry bikes made an appearance again this year, being staples in not only the history of motorcycles, but in St. Louis. I finally had the honor of meeting Randy Nodge, founder and spokesman, who always makes sure there is fresh blood represented in the bikes that are showcased, with new builds, old finds, art exhibits - and this year he had everyone even more excited by inviting an ICE CREAM vendor to the event- bikes and ice cream on Sunday morning was just what the doctor ordered. THANK YOU.

The crowd filtered in, a mix of youth with eyes as big as saucers, proud dads showing family members what bikes were supposed to be.

Not to be out-shined, the female-built sporty had a lot of chatter from the women, seeing that they have a seat at the table any time they want to take it… ladies.

The old timers (my favorite group by far) were out in strong numbers, and I was lucky enough to run into my old friend Kurt, who I had last seen riding his panhead down the 16A to Custer State Park a few years ago. Another familiar face in the crowd was world famous builder Carl Pusser from Walkin Tall Cycles, and he was nice enough to introduce me to his friend Larry Curik, from Lone Star Choppers, who had a bike on display. I got to chat with Chopper Charlie for the first time in real life, and met the lovely Missi Shoemaker from Cycle Source Magazine. Seriously, if you wanted to make friends, it wasn’t hard in such a great group of people!

Everyone in attendance couldn’t help but stop dead in their tracks as they walked in the door to find a puppy kissing booth, that of course had a few bulldogs involved, in the spirit of charity. Ok, bikes and ice cream, AND puppies...this is really a show for everyone, and everything!

On Sunday morning the ride for the Aidan Jack Seeger Foundation kicked off, and the temperatures miraculously climbed from 32 degrees the previous day to almost 60, topping 70 for the charity ride. There was NO lack of de-raked St. Louis tradition and pride on display as the what-felt-like-a-hundred riders came back and parked outside of the Pageant for Day 2 of the Cycle Showcase.

A show that appeals to racers, chopper enthusiasts, nostalgia nerds, or just looky-loos...it’s always a good time when you can walk around with a beer (or ice cream) in your hand discussing motorcycles with new and old friends, and next year, I heard a rumor the WALL OF DEATH was coming back… so don’t be a stranger, and come in to say hi at the CSSTL!

Article by Amy Sue Stucker / @amysue_rides

Photos by Benny Stucker / @benny_stucker