San Diego Cycle and Arms Co. in 1904

Vintage San Diego: Free Wheelers

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The biking scene is nothing new to San Diego. More than 100 years ago, San Diegans who were passionate about their two-wheeled wonders formed the San Diego Wheel Club. When they weren’t riding, cyclists could pursue their hobby at the San Diego Cycle and Arms Co. (pictured). Originally located at the southeast corner of Fourth and E, the store was much more than a bike shop. The SD Cycle and Arms Co. sold cutlery, fishing tackle, ammunition, sporting goods for games such as baseball, golf, and tennis, and, as the name implies, guns and bicycles (notice the taxidermy on the left-hand wall). It also offered a range of bicycle and gun repair services. The store’s owners, Stanley Andrews, Archie Aldridge, and Max Toews, stood proudly in their establishment in 1904.

By The Numbers

• 2,000

  Riders participating in the Campagnolo Gran Fondo, taking off in Little Italy on April 6. The longest course is 105 miles.

• 2013

  San Diego held its first CicloSDias event

• 20

  Bike racks that will soon be installed throughout
  Balboa Park

•  

• 1,800

  Bikes that will be available through San Diego’s bike share program starting this summer

• $312 million

  Cost of new plan that’ll add 595 miles of bike paths in San Diego by 2030