About Us
Welcome to our unique interpretation of adventure vacationing!
Building a bicycle touring business has been Kyle's dream since 1991. It wasn't until he was exposed to the world of 18th century reenacting that the idea materialized to combine his two passions together to form a truly unique bicycle touring company. His "Heritage Tourism" trips give you the unprecedented opportunity to seek adventure while vicariously submerging yourself into the forging of this country's creation. Perhaps one guest's comment sums it up best: "He's a docent on a bicycle!"
Kyle has been a certified personal trainer for over 20 years. He has traveled across the USA by bicycle, has been a competitive tri-athlete, racquetball player, cross country skier and biathlete. He began reenacting 18th century life in 2003, and is a first person historical interpreter of his 18th century persona, Douglas McKenna. He is past Commander of the 13th Albany County Militia, a former member of Sheldon’s Horse 2d Continental Light Dragoons (America’s first commissioned cavalry) and Jaeger’s Battalion of His Majesty’s Company of Independent Rangers.
His accomplishments include 2007 Officer of the Year in the Burning of the Valleys Military Association, receipt of a National Park Service award for outstanding initiative in volunteering in 2005, a fifer, an author of his living history autobiography Musings of a Budding Reenactor, a playwright: Colonial Life in the Mohawk Valley, and soon to be world premiere of Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama. Kyle is the founder of American Heritage Bicycle Tours and Living History Productions.
American Heritage Living History Productions was created by Kyle’s drive to bring history to life for schools and civic organizations alike. "As a kid I was never interested in history at all. Even as an adult I had no interest until I went to a reenactment in Bennington, VT in 2003. I had just been laid off from my job and at the event I found a flyer calling for reenactors to be part of an historical pageant. I decided I would call and ended up getting a principle role in the production! Because I had no job at the time it gave me the opportunity to travel to Bennington for nightly rehearsals. That series of events dramatically changed the course of my life!" Now hobbies have become entrepreneurial ventures that combine his vision of health and history.
Welcome to our world!
JOHN VENDETTI
SUPPORT / TRANSPORTATION CREW SUPERVISOR
While participating in an American Heritage Bicycle Tour and being transported back in time, one may forget it takes 21st century technologies to make these tours run smoothly. One of the requirements for a successful bicycle tour is an experienced and qualified support crew. AHBT is committed to providing safe and inspiring passage to each day's destination.
Thanks to John Vendetti, AHBT riders can rely on a support system that uses a vehicle to transport riders and their bicycles to the starting point when needed. Once the tour begins the vehicle provides a sanctuary should they need a respite from the ride. John also provides mechanical help for on road repairs and adjustments, snacks, refreshing beverages, first aid, and friendly, informative conversation. On most tours we have a nearby bicycle shop standing by if a major repair is needed. All these amenities ensure less downtime and more riding time.
John is an avid cyclist whose extensive bike touring experience spans over twenty five years. He is well versed in solving a multitude of repair problems to get you back on the road as soon as possible.
Recently he earned the certificate "Bike Ed Road I" from the League of American Bicyclists. He is a member of Adventure Cycling, the New York Bike Coalition and the Mohawk Hudson Cycling Club.
Sharing Kyle's passion for both bicycling and history made this collaboration a serendipitous fit. John's contribution to AHBT enhances this unique bicycling experience, where the history of the northeastern United States comes alive amidst some of the most beautifully scenic surroundings and where the support vehicle is never far away.
Introducing
Matthew VanSlyke
On Road Ride Supervisor:
Matt is helping us usher in a stellar 2012 season!
Matt comes to American Heritage Bicycle Tours with just the right mix of experience, enthusiasm, creativity and initiative. His experience comes as a transportation planner. Matt is a senior planner with the Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Study. He is responsible for the publication of the Herkimer and Oneida Counties Bicycling Atlas.
His enthusiasm is apparent because he makes cycling a part of his lifestyle. He not only rides for pleasure but for transportation. Matt’s creativity and initiative has been proven as both a participant and organizer for such events as: The Ride for Missing Children, Brody's Buddy Ride and the Cycling the Erie Canal bicycle tour.
Besides that, he is President of the New York Bicycling Coalition, New York's statewide advocacy organization for bicyclists and a member of the Mohawk Valley Bicycling Club (MVBC). He lives and rides with his wife and 2 sons in Central New York, and earns money for tubes and chain lube wrenching at his local bike shop.
During your tour with us, Matt will be responsible for making your experience nothing short of exceptional. He is not only takes all on road repair worries out of your hands, he knows the local roads like the back of his hand. But it doesn’t stop there.
Where else can you find an on road tour guide that can keep up with the pack and is also learned in the historical theme of the tour?
Matt is our on road ride docent!
He will be weaving together the storyline of the local history as you ride the very roads our forefathers traveled. Besides that, he is just an all-around great guy to travel with.
For example, our feature tour for 2012 is Drums Along the Mohawk. The Mohawk Valley was the heart of Iroquois Indian territory. The Iroquois were the most powerful Indian nation on the North American Continent. Matt’s ancestor’s were part of our founding members of the Mohawk Valley.
His heart lives in his home.
Welcome Matt!
