Based on the facts that fifteen thousand people paid $8 bucks to go buy used or last seasons’ gear, I’d say that people in Denver like bikes—Road, BMX, Mountain, Commuter, Unicycles and Vintage were all well represented.

If you have never been, Veloswap is a huge swap meet, where 550 bike shops liquidate newish stuff at major markdowns, reps sell their samples for 70% off to people who happen to have the sample size (curses on my platypus feet and giant ass), and individuals pull the dozen collector’s Schwinns outta the barn to the hipsters’ delight. It’s a frenzy with hundreds of tiny booths of mostly indy retailers…but it’s fun even if you never buy a thing.

Though we got a bunch of fancy stretchy stuff that makes us look fast at the coffee shop, it was the vintage Brooks saddle I scored for 45 bucks that made the trip worthwhile. As much as anything, the sense of community made me feel warm and fuzzy about the two wheeled passion.

~ Dave Rogers