After borrowing the bicycle and learning how to master it, Bob became more confident.  He laughed as he recalled how his son had to hold on to the bicycle when he got on and run alongside of him, and then help him get off.  He admits it took several attempts at riding the highwheeler before he could do it alone.  Bob credits his friends, Jon and Ellen Flood and their son Patrick who encouraged him to appear in local parades.  Bob fondly recalled the first time he appeared in public riding the highwheeler.  It was the Memorial Day Parade in Fond Du Lac, in 1992.

Since then, Bob has drawn quite a following because he has appeared in many paraes including those in Green Lake, Warren (where Cranberry Fest is held), the Milwaukee Circus parade, at Eden and Allenton, to name a few.  Without any hesitation, Bob admitted the famous circus parade was his favorite as thousands of people looked on from the streets of the big city.

For the last eight years, Bob has become a familiar face at the Fourth of July parade in Sheboygan where he has enjoyed lunch with the mayor.

Outfitted in costumes from the 1890's, complete with the striking trademark handlebar mustache and pedaling the unique bicycle, Bob is a favorite to young and old alike who line the parade routes.  Bob sports hightop black shoes, knicker pants (that sport three brass buttons on each side), a striped shirt with an elbow garter and a black tophat.  Another favorite hat he sometimes dons is a straw hat from the original T.E. Ahern men's clothing store which was located on Fond Du Lac's South Main Street many years ago.

"This hat was handed down to me from my dad," he said.  The brass buttons are only available to members of the "Wheelmen," an elite national club that promotes and preserves antique bicycling.  There are approximately 15 members in Wisconsin according to Bob, who keeps in touch through a newsletter.

Bob said his closet holds approximately 25 different costumes and he appropriately chooses one for specific occassions, depending on the parade location and theme.

A seamstress provides Bob with various themed outfits depicting 1890 apparel.  Bob noted the Wisconsin uniform colors are light gray knickers, white shirt, burgundy tie, matching sox and elbow garter, plus a gray visor-type hat.

Linda Paulson, a friend, often referred to as "the hat lady", frequently accompanies Bob in the parades.  Sometimes another friend, Karl Ziebert, shares the attention as they highwheel down the street.

Bob has a stainless stell rack on the back of his car which he uses to transport the highwheeler back and forth.  Weather usually doesn't deter Bob's plans unless a parade is cancelled due to heavy rains or -you guesed it- lightning, for obvious reasons.

Bob is currently restoring an 1895 lady's bicycle.  His collection includes an 1886 original Columbia bike (restored), a 1913 service bike with wooden fenders, chainguard and rims and a 1953 Schwinn bike with balloon tires.

Although professionally known as R.J. Gross, Bob's business card reads: R.J. Gross man of the 90's (the 1890's) .

In addition to his business, parade schedule and restoration projects, Bob hopes to complete the restoration of a 1962 airstream travel trailer, in which he hopes to tour the country.  Bob also, enjoys sailing and water skiing, and ice boating in the winter.  For now, though he is checking his calendar for parade schedules.

For more information of parade bookings, or to participate in parades with him, Bob can be reached at   920.579.1510.

 
   
 

FDL's Bob Gross loves highweeling on 1887 Victor bicycle

By Lois A. Pflum (Maturity Times - June 2006)

 

Bob Gross takes bicycle riding to "high" etremes.  Bob has become a familiar face with his trademark handlebar mustache and 1890 period period costume as he pedals an original 1887 Victor highwheeler bicycle in area parades.

Bob restored the classsic bicycle which is unique and well-recognized by anyone who has seen it.  The large wheel in front is as high as Bob's shoulder and has a solid rubber tire, while the small rear tire is just 16 inches in diameter and also has a solid rubber tire.

The unique bicycle has a spring suspension hammock set, explained Bob, and the spade handlebars are copper-nickel plated  As one might imagine, it takes skill to get on and off the bike, as well as ride it.

Bob graduated from Horace Mann High School, in North Fond Du Lac, and continued his formal education at UW-Oshkosh, where he received his Bachelor's degree in business administration.  He then served an apprenticeship and became a journetman carpenter.  Bob is the owner and president of Gross Construction Company, Inc.  He is the father of adult children, Rachelle, Andrea and stuart, and the second generation in the company.

"Old things and antiques have always fascinated me," said Bob.   When he chanced upon an old highwheel bicycle in the window of the Fond Du Lac Cyclery on South Main Street several years ago, he checked it out.  "I was curious and wondered how a person got on and off a bicycle like that."

 
   
 
   
 

R.J. Gross - Man of the 90's.... the 1890's

 
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