When Bob Swaim ventures into his garage to take an early morning ride, his bicycle selection process may be a little more difficult than that of the average person.

"I have about 200 bikes ... several tandems, three-, four- and five-passenger bikes make up my collection," he said.

For the past four years, Swaim has showcased one bike each year in the Penn State Homecoming parade, and 2005 will not be any different.

With two wheels, 48 spokes per wheel, a 1,200-pound capacity, and 27 speeds, Swaim will hit the parade scene next year riding the 17-foot-long Penn State Six Pack -- a six-passenger bicycle.

Swaim said he originally attempted to build the Six Pack by himself and was inspired by Penn State's school spirit.

However, a number of setbacks ensued and Swaim questioned the project's worth. "I'm not a quitter," he said. "I knew it would be a difficult project, but I decided that I didn't care what the cost was, or if anybody cared ... I said, 'I'm going to finish.' "

Such determination helped foster a relationship across the country with former Californian bicycle manufacturer Mark Finley, who built the Six Pack with parts Swaim bought.

Finley said the bike is a labor of love that has been built through efforts, which have spanned the continental United States. "There is more heart into it than anything else," said Finley, who built the bike in his free time. "We work well together, and it's really a pleasure. It's a great experience getting it ready for Homecoming 2005."

In 11 days of work -- in a span of about seven months -- the bicycle was completed and successfully driven, and it is ready for the finishing blue and white touches, which will be a surprise, Finley said.

Swaim began to collect bikes as a way to combat the boredom of exercise and has toured his unique bicycles in parades and events all over the country.

Over the years, he has participated in many Macy's Day and Miss America parades, but he said nothing compares to the Penn State Homecoming parade.

"There are three ways that I judge a parade. One is on organization. The next is by the quality of entries. And finally, what is the crowd like," Swaim said. "The Penn State crowd couldn't be better -- they are so energetic, and the electricity just flows."

He added that the crowd is the best part. "I want them to know that I appreciate them," Swaim said. "It's important not to march by them but to interact and get the crowd involved with some cheers of 'We Are ... Penn State.' "

Now that the bike is complete, Swaim's focus has turned to finding some good Penn State student "stokers" to pedal in next year's parade.

"He's a really awesome guy and also an entertainer," fellow participant Sean Miller (senior-political science and history) said. "It was great how he incorporated Penn State cheers with his bike as well."

Monica Constantino (senior-hotel and restaurant management) rode with Swaim in this year's parade on a red circular bicycle, the "conference bike." "He really loves bicycles," she said. "He's all about pleasing the audience ... and really has a passion for bikes. It was a lot of fun participating in it."