Hap's Cycle Sales Staff

David “Bix” Bixler was born May 31, 1948 in Sarasota Memorial Hospital to Carl Bixler and Elizabeth (Albritton) Bixler.  David graduated Riverview High School in 1966.  Went to MCC, today what is known as State College of Florida, and was accepted to University of Florida.  He fell in love with Alice M. Poneleit and got married in June 1968.  He had to drop out of college and then was drafted in the Army.  He served in 1st Division (Big Red 1) in Vietnam from 1969 to November 1970.  After returning home to meet his new son, David Lee Bixler born August 11, 1969, he went back to work for Winn Dixie, but “Hap” Poneleit convinced him to work at Hap’s to sell motorcycles.  David “Bix” was a very successful salesman and his passion for Honda powersports earned him many awards, including a trip to Japan and another trip to Hawaii where he had the honor of dining with Mr. Honda himself. Bix was the number 1 salesman for several decades at Hap’s Cycle Sales.  He later became part owner of Hap's Cycle Sales, Inc. He was a pillar of the motorcycle community and had several accomplishments including being a founding member and early president of FTR (Florida Trail Riders) and SADRA (Sarasota Area Dirt Riders Association). He raced Enduros and was the Hi Point Winner in the 1975 Bushwacker Enduro. Besides motorcycles, David's other passion was softball. He played a pivotal role in starting a men's softball league in Sarasota and served on the board of the Sarasota Area Softball Association for many years. He was known for having the fastest short legs in Sarasota. David also enjoyed helping his wife by volunteering with Sarasota BMX. With Alice by his side, you could always find him at every NBL Grands and then weekends around Florida at the BMX state races. David and Alice also had another son, Stephen Bixler, on March 26, 1974.  David was a staple at Hap’s always with a cigar in his mouth.  Both sons worked at Hap’s and followed their father into the family business.  David passed away on October 4, 2020 after a valiant battle with cancer.