On January 24, the Iowa Bike Expo will host the Teesdale Handbuilt Bike Show at the Iowa Events Center HyVee Hall A in Des Moines. Tom Teesdale died unexpectedly on RAGBRAI last year and the event bears his name in memorial to the great bicycle builder from West Branch.

Teesdale was known for building bicycles by hand. He was involved in building some of the great brands, like Kona, Fisher, and Richey over the years. The handbuilt bike show celebrates the craftsmanship of the bike builder.

Mark Wyatt, executive director of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and organizers of the event says people are excited about seeing these bikes. “This event will feature 7 or 8 builders this year. This is an industry poised to take off here because there is two things Iowa does well, bicycles and manufacturing.”

Bike Builders will be coming away from as far as Colorado to show off their wares. And this isn’t just steel. At least one builder is using bamboo in the frame design as a sustainable material.

“Expo attendees will get a chance to vote for their favorite bicycle too. We are offering a People’s Choice Award. Everyone that enters the Iowa Bike Expo will get a card to vote for their favorite hand built bicycle.” says Wyatt. The voting takes place from 10 AM to 4 PM and awards will be on the mainstage at 4:30 PM.