Last Wednesday I made a trip down to Greensboro to purchase a Ultimate bike stand from Dale on my way to visit my son in the western part of NC. I love to visit places where I have fond memories as it brings back thoses memories more vividly. It was a good time seeing Dale and talking bikes with him again. When I got home I remembered that I had saved in my draft file my reflections of the Cirque. I know it is old news, but maybe it will help in starting to build the excitement for next years event.
Looking forward to seeing each and everyone one of you all again and hopefully some new faces at Le Cirque 2004
Reflections of Le Cirque.
After a week of reading the reviews and observations of the Cirque through others eyes, I thought I would put into print the highlights of the Cirque for me.
It all started when I decided that one would miss a lot of if not staying at the Battleground Inn, so when Tom Adams had an opening, he was kind enough to let me fill the empty bed. Now I have to tell you it just wasnt a matter of me needing a room and Tom having an empty bed, no sir. I had to jump through the hoops and answer questions like:
1) Are your bikes cooler than mine?
2) Do you snore?
3) And something like what do you think of Lamberts?
After passing the initial test Tom allowed me to room with him. Thank you Tom, and loved your Nichols by the way.
The parking lot of Cycles de Ore was pretty well full by the time I got there and when I jumped out of the car I spotted Lou Deeter, went over shook hands and got the skinny on the ride. He did notice that the only bike I had on top of the car was a mountain bike and I told him I got my weekends mixed up and thought this was the weekend for the Le Cirque Um Cision, a mountain bike event. Just so happens I had two road bikes in the trunk, just in case. As we rolled out of the parking lot, and through the hoods of Greensboro, many of us got divided into smaller groups and some of those groups got lost. I was ended up in one of those lost groups. Earlier in the ride, Jan Johnson was riding along side of me and I was admiring her Johnson bike. When I asked her where they were made, she told me northern California. Never once did she indicate that she knew the builder - or that the builder was her husband. It was not until later that I found out how well she knew the builder.
At some point towards the end of the ride I realized that I didnt have a spare tire and thought well maybe Lou will have a s[are. No sooner did that thought cross my mind, when I noticed Lous rear tire was getting a bit low on air. I made a comment about stopping and putting some air in the tire and then boom, the tire goes flat and wraps around the axle. Lou had to park it along side the curb on that shady road and wait for a pickup.
After we all made it back to the shop, Paul and Mark wanted to ride the two miles out to Dales. Now I have had a few miles on the bike this year and two miles wouldnt have been a problem, but it wasnt two miles - it was eight miles. Poore old man that am I, the extra eight miles pretty much wore me out. However, the ride was well worth the walk through the Bike Garden that Dale had set out for our viewing pleasure.
Saturday, had a great ride and then made my way to the rec-center for the guest speakers. Jeff G. and his talk on bike racing/sixes was awesome. By the way Jeff, I did get the book Hearts of Lions before I left on Sunday thanks to Larry Black. What great reading. Then Peter Johnson who was really cool. Chris Kvale who understands bikes and what makes them ride well and builds a beautiful ride. Grant Peterson, what can one say about Grant. I have read about his philosophy in regards to Rivendell and thought OK, that is cool, but I still like race type bikes. But having Grant stand before you and talk about his involvement with the bike industry, his branching out after leaving Bridgestone, building the bike he wanted - the way he wanted - and in the process, giving a large segment of the population a product that the industry lacked and desperately needed was indeed a vision. Allen Bs talk on the airo progression and influence in the 80s was inlighting. Sorry if I forgot anyone and these speakers as I presented them might not be in order of their appearance.
Then it was off to dinner. I had the pleasure of sitting by John, I am not Italian-I am Silician, Pergolizzi. What a hoot. Then it was on to the pub where many didnt show. After a few and jumping back in the car Ray E was going to show Greensboro drivers what side of the road to properly drive on.
Then on to Sunday. The gathering in the lobby of the Battleground Inn that morning was impressive and after two days of riding hard and with the company at hand, not to mention the weather, I stayed and talked shop with those that lingered in the lobby. Peter Weigle had his new bike there and if you didnt get a chance to see it I would drive to CT as soon as possible to view it and have some cash with you as you just might want to place an order. Tom Sanders brings down his Pauley and it was a jaw dropper. So much so that when he told me it was for sale I bought it, only because it didnt fit me. The reasoning there was that if it fit I would have been tempted to keep it and ride it. Couldnt afford that. I wont go into all the steel that was there as that has already been covered. As it has been said before, "It is the people that make this event so special" and the closer the relationship become through the years the event will only become better for those in attendance.
One last parting thought and that was of the Friday night bike race in the Battleground lobby. If you have taken a look at the photos that I posted you will see e-Richie with his last dollars in hand. Now it has been rumored that all is lost and that he will have to triple his production and seek counseling. If you are thinking of a new frame purchase you might give careful consideration to Richie and his work and help him get back on track. And please Wayne, dont bring the Devils games with you next year.
Mark Poore
Slatyfork, WV
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