2012 SMOKY MTN. RECUMBENT RALLY (SMRR)

We haven't nailed that down just yet. Will post to let everyone know as soon as we can.

 

Larry doesn't live that far away up in Kentucky. I got the impression he is going to be here for the duration.

I wanted to take this opportunity to note something and thank my wife Keila who has been putting this together.

We want to promote our products and our shop but the real reason we are doing this is we like recumbents and love the recumbent cycling community. Jon, Keila and I have talked about having a rally for a couple years now and Keila ran with it. This looks like it is going to be great and I have to say Keila has done a great job of getting it together. The presentation of our models is going to be a very itty bitty piece of the weekend. We are doing this for YOU. We have so much to offer cyclists in our area with beautiful rides and routes we just wanted to share. The reason I note this is if you are regional recumbent shop and want to come to this rally it won't hurt our feelings and we won't think you are spying on us. We want you to come and have fun. You guys know who you are. What I've learned about this industry is that we all compete but many of us sell to each other unique things we have to offer and I've seen other shops cross promote. This industry is sorta....family...in many ways. So if anyone has been hesitating to come on down for fear of giving the wrong impression, throw that aside and sign up and come on down.

Once again, more super KUDOS to my lovely bicycling wife who keeps her shop running and does all of this. You guys do know that she is the owner right?????

 

sssh!thanks hon.:love:

 

We are heading towards the rally this weekend (we're on vacation) and still haven't decided what to bring to ride. We can either bring trikes or two wheelers. Not being familiar with the area, what are others bringing to ride?

 

Either one will work. For the Cades Cove ride the trikes will work better because you can stop and look often. But either will work.

I am taking my Bacchetta Strada on the Friday 44 mile ride and my V-Rex on the Cades Cove and Tremont rides. Most rides are short, slow paced with some rolling (but not difficult) hills. So trikes and bikes will work. If you are planning on doing the Intermediate / Advanced 44 mile ride to South Knoxville, I would bring the two wheelers. Besides that, either will work. If you plan to socialize a lot while riding, then trikes are the ticket.

 

I hope I didn't misunderstand, but just in case...don't show up too early...this weekend is mother's day...the rally isn't until May 17-20 that is NEXT weekend.

 

Yep, we know that. We had already rented a place for the week before as part of our vacation before we knew about the rally.

Looking forward to the rally.

 

Most recent revised Itinerary for the Smoky Mountain Recumbent Rally.

 

WEATHER REPORT

Folks the weather will be DROP DEAD GORGEOUS this weekend in Townsend, Tennessee. Lows in the 50s. Highs in the low 80s. ZERO chance of rain. Get ready to have wonderful weather on this ride.

See you tomorrow!

 

New Models

We will be definitely showing the 2012 Django and the Haiku. The ARC leaning trike will be shown to a few select people, but it is just the ARC rough prototype and not a production prototype. More of a curiosity at this point than a product.
I'll be giving a short spiel on how we make our bikes and what is coming down the pike.

 

Y'all have fun...I'm down here jonsing.

 

The SMRR was WONDERFUL!!!!! If you didn't come, start kicking yourself!!!

Will write up a full report. If you have pictures I will be putting drop box so we came put together a BIG video.

This was a GREAT event!!!!! Thank you Keila!!!!

 

Hi Guys,
Something came up and I had to leave after the Cade's Cove ride today. I really enjoyed the rally and all the fine folks I was fortunate to meet. Larry Varney is a great guy and it was a pleasure to spend time with him. Dick Marten is amazing at age 77, he rode every mile with gusto!
Bill and Kelia did a great job on their first rally, and I hope they make it a yearly event. I've been to many states, but the scenery in the Townsend area is among the greatest anywhere!

Ed

 

Wow! Cades Cove was beautiful.
Watched the sunrise over the green mountains as the mist lingered in the valleys. Saw a pair of wild tom turkeys showing off their plumage for their potential turkey girlfriend. Saw deer grazing in the meadows. Saw a foraging black bear from a comfortable distance. Enjoyed a delicious meal in a restaurant with a view of the mountains while listening to a top notch bluegrass band.
Met so many nice people. To mention just a few:
the nice gentleman who helped me when my trike got stuck in 8th gear on the first up-hill, the gentleman who was capturing photos of people finishing the loop, the gentleman who used my iphone to take a picture of hubby and I, the lovely couple who sat at our table who shared an interest in bluegrass and exploring healthy eating, Larry Varner who shared his story of how he got interested in recumbents and became a writer/reviewer, and of course the Gillette's, who made this perfect day possible.

 

I will try to post a photo