(Site last updated January 11, 2025)
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IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This website’s creator and administrator, Ray Hoffeld, died suddenly in June of 2024. His obituary can be found on Legacy.com here.
The website will remain live but static. Feel free to explore its thorough and informative content. Ray would be very pleased you are here and interested!
Three of Ray’s Avatars have been re-homed. A fourth, the one Ray called the “orphan,” is missing its seat frame. (See the For Sale page for details.) A friend of Ray’s is assisting me with the de-acquisitioning of the remaining items.
Interested individuals may inquire about certain parts/ tools at the ratavabike2 gmail address. I will either respond directly to you or forward your inquiry on to Ray’s friend. One of us will definitely reply and do our best to help you. Thanks for understanding.
Sincerely, Adrienne — Ray’s widow
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Ray’s last updates to the site, through June 2024:
- I have finally consolidated my notes from the papers donated by Eric Maciejewski (Harald’s son) Harald Maciejewski Papers
- Reformatted list of the original purchasers back in the early ’80’s. (From Harald Maciejewski Papers)
- Yes, it is possible to crash an Avatar! …..read more
- Updated and more readable Avatar 2000 Trans-America Log – Len Vreeland’s cross-country record attempt plus added maps of each state on his route.
- Thinking about a new seat for your Avatar? More info & detail here
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Overview and Purpose of this Website
The Avatar 2000 is considered by many to be the “Grandfather of the Modern Recumbent Bicycle.” (Conceived and produced long before Hollywood and the geeks got hold of the word ‘Avatar’)
With the receipt of the remaining documents from Harald’s son Eric, this site is the major repository of information about the Fomac Avatar2000.
With only approximately 140 units originally produced 40 years ago, it is not realistic to think that very many bikes remain “out there” in roadworthy condition. There are relatively few active riders, and only a handful of original owners.
But, there are a few. Their knowledge and experience can be added to my own, so this remarkably designed and constructed bicycle is not destined to the dustbin of history.
