Excitement in the United States

Recently our Hoensbroek historical society got a distress call from the United States, about a bicycle!
In Canton, Ohio, someone had acquired a beautiful "antique" bicycle from the 1950's. It looked a little worn, but was otherwise still in fine condition.
It had been looked at by experts (that would be us! NF) and they had discovered that it was a Belgian bicycle from the works of Cyrille van Hauwaert.
Cyrille van Hauwaert was a cyclist and bicycle constructor with a personal style.

Cyrille van Hauwaert
(Moorslede, 16 December 1883 - Zellik, 15 February 1974) was a Belgian racing cyclist. He rode professionally from 1907 to 1915. His nickname was The
Lion of Flanders. He was the first Belgian to win a Tour de France stage.
There was something special though, about the 'antique' Van Hauwaert bike: there was a handpainted sign on the frame that read 'Fr Meulen Hoensbroek'
On an American internetforum someone asked what that meant.
Dutchmen on the forum knew of course that Hoensbroek was in Limburg. The connection with a historical society was quickly made. That is how our
secretary received an e-mail, but he didn't really know what to do with it. The question whether anyone knew anything about this, was laid down before
the board of the historical society.

Frans Meulen
Well, that was a coincidence. One of the members immediately knew that it must have been Frans Meulen who had made the bike. In the book 'Hoensbroek, a
look back, vol II' was an article about Frans Meulen, who'd had a bicycle shop on 19 Hommersterweg in Hoensbroek. Being an avid cyclist and bike
mechanic he built his own bicycles there.
Being a cyclist he knew of Cyrille van Hauwaert's fame and whenever he went to Belgium he bought essential parts from him he couldn't make himself.
In his workshop he built his own frames because none of the other bikes were up tot 'his standard' and completed the bikes with the parts he'd bought in
Belgium.

That way he made a robust bike. The fact that one of them surfaces in the US in 2012 that has withstood the test of time so well is evidence to that.
We think that an emigrant (from Hoensbroek?) has taken this bike with him across the ocean to be able to ride there in the same comfortable manner as
here in Holland. Coincidence?

Sources:
Meulen family
www.bikeforums.net
Wikipedia: Cyrille van Hauwaert

Hi Matthew.
Some information,why I choose fma1905 as username. my dads name was Franciscus Matheus Anthonius.,that is a mouthful.His name was Frans. Born 11 march 1905. In Weert Limburg/Netherlands. See-ing you own the bike a note for future is important. I know that after the war about 1945-1948,he had ordered the connectors,in France or Belgium.I heard him mention that,but not sure wich factory he ordered it from.My knowledge is that they are made in France,and he picked them up in Belgium.There was a garage called Bronnenberg,where he always went for welding.my dad owned a bicycle shop,and started on the Kouvenderstraat,where I was born.a Couple years later he moved to Hommerterweg 19,and started a larger shop,and garage,Sandblasting garage and Paint garage. This all is in Hoensbroek/Limburg/Netherlands.Yes he was a champion biker,but never became professional,a semi-pro. He won a couple bronze,and a gold medal.my son owns the silver trophy,what he got in 1928 for being the road champion,of the Netherlands.The photo you got, was made for that event.That one is in my possession.He had all parts in the store,painted and detailed himself.I can see his handwriting in the name. And I can still see him detailing the bike.If he wanted a improvement on a item,he would draw it and shape it in the shop. Berg en Terblijt,is where a friend lived from him.He belonged to a bikersclub,and some became proffs,one I know was Peijnenburg.He also did the six day ride in the circle (No idea what a wielersbaan is called in English)in Berlin,also in the thirties! I always had the feeling he wanted to design more bikes,and build transportsbikes,they now call mountainbikes.I told my husband he was modern,without knowing.He always knew how kids liked riding and jumping up the sidewalks.he created and designed many different colors,and I had the first light Blue transparant bike. The year you're bike was finished could be earlier than the fifties.How many he made I don't know,but he had more pieces.My older brother passed away,and worked with my dad.he would have known more.Hopefully this will help you're decission to trade you're Raleigh bike for this one.We sold the Raleigh bikes,with Humber and Raket.But what you got is an original.Just ask if you have more questions,regards MiepM.

Hallo Matthew.

Putting all the information on Bikes forum,is perfect,and yes 'n okay from the family.I have more biking photo's from ,my dad. And I will need a bit help,so you will be the first to get them.Yes he was a strong individual,and biked almost everyday of his life.Never owned a car,and did weightlifting,till he was 75 years old.As a young boy he walked 2 hours,to get to work,and after 11 hours work back home 2 hours.Doesn't leave much for social life or sleep. But he was happy to help his mom,she lost her husband when he was 2 years old.He always said,a champion has to be determent to want,and to make the grade ,to have that little bit extra,another doesn't have.Also when he biked.he mentioned,that if there was a fault,flat ,chain problems ,pedal snapping off etc.You had to fix that yourself.he loved to go to the tour the France,coming close where he lived.He knew a lot of people,and now we all feel sorry,not to ask,when he was a life.You write of a beautiful daughter 8 months old,and yes,what you feel for the sport,she'll inherit.I watch anything cycling,on the sportsnet.And I am not sports minded.You mentioned for a museum,I wonder,if that is smart.Hang on if you can,it sounds to me you are a young man,and another 25 years it will be a true antique.With cars they will be first an old timer,after 25 years,but not to sure how that would be for the bike.That the bike is not as heavy,he knew,he needed one for speed.I like you said that the wheel was a 24 inch.He was 5 foot 10.Must be the design for his height.I assume you got the letter from Maarten Venster,about the bike,I send him yesterday? We'll keep in touch,and also a warm hallo for you're wife Carissa.

Regards Miep Moeskops-Meulen.