Very few folks routinely ride 130-year-old bicycles.

Only a handful do it and we've become close friends.It's been my hobby for 15 years, riding an 1889 Columbia Light Roadster.Another in our group has been doing it 35 years. He's 74 and a Purple Heart recipient of the Vietnam War.In northeastern Pennsylvania, there are six of us who take our machines to heritage events, parades and museums.The highwheel, of course, is much more than an old bike. It was the first mode of personal transportation, meant to replace the horse.Even more, it was the world's first machine to allow man the ability to travel a long distance on land by use of his own power.People enjoy seeing it, but this year has been a struggle for us to attend some events. Three of the riders are dealing with major health issues.At this point, we've been lucky to make it midway through the riding season.The largest event once again was the annual Scranton St. Patrick's Day Parade. It drew 100,000 spectators lining the streets and hundreds of thousands watching on television.Crowds also were strong at the Girardville parade. We've been there just about every year. One time we were positioned behind former President Bill Clinton, who walked the route and waved to onlookers.One of our favorite trips this year was a day spent as guests of Lewisburg. Another day we helped Kulpmont celebrate its centennial.Coming up will be occasions in Wyomissing, Coopersburg, Schuylkill Haven and Orwigsburg. A busy season.But some other events have folded and are missed. It's sad when a community is forced to drop its heritage celebration.At one time Bangor hosted the Slate Belt Heritage Festival, a downtown gala that celebrated the region's rich slate tradition.We were part of it, but the festival ended several years ago.Same for Northumberland-Pointe Township Heritage Day. It was always hit because it emphasized authenticity. They avoided all things contemporary and kept to tradition, sticking with a theme of colonial times and later. But the festival folded.We used to enjoy Berks County Historical Society's celebration in center city Reading. It saluted an entire county but fell by the wayside.We also had participated for two days every year at the huge Danville Iron Heritage Festival. But that event ended abruptly two years ago when a troubled man committed suicide by throwing himself under the wheels of a moving tourist train. It happened early morning as we were unloading our highwheels by the railroad tracks. It was a traumatic experience and one I'll never forget.And so eastern Pennsylvania has lost quite a few heritage celebrations, some due to lack of volunteers, others to lack of funding and one due to tragedy that led to financial loss.It's also been a tough run for some of the museum-related activities. They're often hurting for crowds.For years, we took part in Civil War Weekend and Patch Town Days at Eckley Miners Village. But attendance has fallen there and so we've been opting to accept invitations elsewhere.One of our favorite events was an appearance a few years ago at the Betsy Ross House and Liberty Bell as guests of Historic Philadelphia Inc.Five of us rode our machines through the streets of center city. Motorists slowed down to stare. City police weren't sure what to make of our presence and were probably unaware we had been scheduled to be there. We tied up traffic in a big way. Luckily, we got through the day without being arrested. That's always good news.The past 15 years have been a blast. The highwheel has opened the door to many new friendships. And it's been fun to visit cities and towns in New York, New Jersey and our own state and learn about the rich heritage of our communities.It's a special treat to ride high and see sights from a different perspective.Hopefully, some younger folks will step forward, take an interest in the highwheel, learn to ride, and keep the tradition going.If not, the days of the Victorian highwheel are numbered.I realize nothing lasts forever, but it'd be a shame to see it disappear after 130 years.Contact Donald R. Serfass at

dserfass@tnonline.com.