TREK THROWS A MASSIVE 50TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

In 1976, five employees gathered inside a drafty, rented red barn in Waterloo, Wisconsin, with a radical question: Why aren't there any high-performance bicycles made in the United States? Armed with several thousand dollars, a love for the craft, and steel tubing, co-founders Bevil Hogg and Dick Burke set out to prove that American craftsmanship could challenge Europe’s finest touring frames. (Read more about Trek’s story in Silent Sports Summer print edition.)

Fast forward fifty years. In June 2026, Trek Bicycle Company celebrated its golden anniversary not merely as a corporate milestone but as a historic moment in cycling culture. Over a three-day celebration spanning Madison and Waterloo, Wisconsin, Trek brought together its global fan base, founding members, elite athletes, and local riders to look back on its iconic history and pedal forward into the next half-century.

The event officially kicked off on Thursday, June 18, at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin. The marquee event was the world premiere of “The Journey: The Untold Story of Trek's Origins,” a mini-documentary tracking the company’s evolution from its rustic barn roots to a global powerhouse.

The theatre was packed with cycling enthusiasts, lifelong employees, and industry figures. The highlight of the night was the live, rare appearance of Trek President John Burke alongside original co-founder Bevil Hogg. The duo shared personal anecdotes from the early days—recalling the sheer grit it took to weld frames by hand and the pragmatism required to launch a brand out of a Midwestern cornfield. The film captured the soul of Trek’s classic eras, giving viewers an emotional, behind-the-scenes look at the trial and error that led to the company's first major breakthroughs.

On Friday, June 19, the festivities shifted to its global headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin, for a massive open house and party. The headquarters was transformed into a living museum. Attendees walked through curated galleries showcasing the "50 Bikes That Built Trek." The displays highlighted the brand's rapid engineering leaps. Craftsmen, engineers, and designers gave a behind-the-scenes look at how the brand makes it happen.

The pinnacle of the celebration took place on Saturday, June 20, with the 35th running of Trek’s charity ride. The event is a cornerstone of Trek's philanthropic efforts, raising millions of dollars for pediatric cancer research via the MACC Fund (Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer) and supporting local cycling infrastructure through the Wisconsin Bike Fed. Cyclists had their choice of 20-, 33-, 66-, and 100-mile rides.

My wife, Karen, at age 71, took on her first organized cycling event, completing the 33-mile route with pride—and a very tired body. She loved the weekend’s festivities and came away deeply impressed by Trek’s culture and employees. “Every employee I met made a positive impression,” She also insisted, with absolute certainty, that she rode into a headwind the entire day.