Larry Martin-the Fallasburg Historical Society (FHS) and the Covered Bridge Bike Tour (CBBT):

Larry became involved with the Society as an active volunteer about ten years ago to help with the bike tour. He designed, rode, and marked routes, distributed our flyers at other biking events he participated in, and generally was a “goodwill ambassador” for the Covered Bridge Bike Tour.  On tour day he drove the roads and assisted stranded bikers, fixed flat tires, and occasionally loaded the bike of an exhausted rider onto his bike rack and hauled them back to Fallasburg Village.  Larry was invaluable in all facets of planning, preparation, and administration of CBBT because he actually was active in the fraternity of avid cyclists, he went on the rides, he knew what worked and what didn’t.  He had been there and done that, and shared all that knowledge and passion for cycling with FHS.

In 2007, Larry joined the FHS Board, the same year I became President.  As a novice with cycling events, not to mention Board presidencies, Larry guided me through my first tour, but also proved he was willing to do much more than just help out with the bike tour.  As a licensed builder and Realtor, Larry possessed a wealth of knowledge and resources necessary to preserve and maintain a 150 year old Village.

• When we needed termite work at the Schoolhouse, Larry knew the right guy; carpentry, Larry knew someone; stonework, ask Larry.
• When we sold the Betsy Fallas House last January to finance the Tower Farm Preservation Project, Larry handled the transaction for free.  Once we started working on the Tower Barn, Larry was there to make sure things were getting done right.
• When we needed a volunteer to man our table at the Fallasburg Fall Festival, Larry would give up his whole weekend.
• At the recent Lowell Farmer’s Market at TSC, Larry turned up to work his shift.  Seeing an empty donation jar on the table, Larry threw in $5 and said, “You need seed money.”  At the end of the day we had $50.
• Larry has been a tireless advocate for FHS!

Larry was just a guy that was always there for you, anything you needed, and he was very proud of his Fallas family heritage.  His car bore the personalized license plate: FALLAS.

This past year Larry really helped FHS focus on “growing” the bike tour.  Larry diligently distributed flyers at other events like the MS 150 on Memorial Day weekend and to bike shops throughout the area.  He talked up the tour, even posted our event on Facebook, the ins and outs of social media escaping many of us, but not Larry.  Last October Larry convinced me to pledge “$1 Per Rider,” for this years’ bike tour, a donation program benefitting the League of Michigan Bicyclists (LMB), a lobbying group dedicated to making Michigan a safe place to bike.  By pledging that $1, CBBT would be prominently displayed on the online cycling events calendar and in the printed publication distributed at bike shops throughout the State.  By virtue of Larry’s recommendation, we received record pre-tour interest and inquiries.

Were it not for the blistering hot weather Sunday, July 10 we were poised for the biggest and most successful CBBT ever.

FHS will make the donation to LMB’s “$1 Per Rider” program in memory of Larry Martin.

Too soon to say exactly, but look for next years’ 18Th Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour to honor Larry Martin; the passion and dedication to cycling he possessed.

Rest in Peace, Larry.

The Fallasburg Historical Society Board of Directors
Ken Tamke, President
Ed Roth
Doris Roth
Alan Rumbaugh
Bill Van Vugt
Patty Brechbiel
Dorothy Blain
John Kolb
Dave Emmette