Hi gang: To those of you who have received your Vintage Bicycle Quarterly (and it mus t be most of you as you surely have subscriptions, right?), you will find errors and corrections needed!
Most importantly, I apologize that the dates on that promotional sheet are goofy. The proofreader is incompetent! (me!)
The event takes place the last few days of April and the first Sunday in
May.... April 28, 29, 30 and May 1st to be exact! If you need to be reminded
,
please refer to the web page: http://www.classicrendezvous.com/
Additionally, that esteemed bicycle industry pioneer, Mel Pinto, had agreed over a year ago to be our Banquet speaker, and that is printed on the promo sheet... but after I sent the sheet to Jan Heine at VBQ, Mr. Pinto had to withdraw due to personal issues. See below what is on tap!
So here is the Classic Rendezvous member insiders' schedule of events in detail:
Thursday, April 28:
Folks start arriving, assembling their bikes in the famous "artist's loft" a t cycles de ORO. Last minute adjustments, BS sessions & reunions galore.
3 PM - 5 PM: vehicle caravans start west to attend the open house at Jeff Archer's First Flight Bicycle shop in Statesville, NC. (45 minute drive)
Friday, April 29:
Until midday: Check-in, unpack, assemble bikes & meet other arriving attendees, then visit the hospitality desk at cycles de ORO for maps, sched ule and directions. Noon Reception: A âmixerâ welcoming out-of-towners with lig ht snacks and beverages at cycles de ORO.
1 PM Fixed gear (or?) ride... Easy paced, leaving from cycles de ORO. Maps/cue sheets provided for self pacing. No charge (no en route services )
3 PM Lawn party at Dale Browns home. Surprise demo by famous frame builder (I hope!)
7 PM Social: Everyone gathers in the basement of Anton's Italian Restaurant
for dinner, drinks & talk. $12 fixed cost per person. Dinner entrée cho ices: 1) Anton's famous homemade Lasagna, house salad and choice of homemade dressing. 2) Grilled Atlantic Salmon topped with a fresh cucumber salsa, baked potato, house salad and choice of homemade dressing 3.) Vegetarian dinner No payment but reservations required. Contact Scott Ramsay at masiman@bellsouth.net
Saturday, April 30th "The Classic Rendezvous" Day
9 AM âSee the Sightsâ Rides. The traditional get-acquainted excursion for out-of-towners and locals. Departing from cycles de ORO Bike Shop. The first
group rides an easy short ride (12 miles + -) around the city, focusing on Greensboro landmarks. The second group will do a faster (25 miles) out in the country side. Maps/cue sheets provided for self pacing.
Noon till 4 PM:Â Classic Bicycle Seminars. Â In the Lewis Recreation Center (same buildi ng as the Tour of Guilford ride registration, Swap meet & Show the next day) Talks , show and tell by cycling folk who are each in a unique position to share information and experiences about traditional bicycle lore. Includes box lun ch. Speakers include:
- David Herlihy, Massachusetts, author of Bicycle, The History - Michael Barry, Toronto, Canada. Bike shop owner and builder, Mariposa bicycles - Jan Heine, Seattle, Washington. Publisher of Vintage Bicycle Quarterly magazine and the new The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles - Mike Kone, Boulder, Colorado. Founder of Bicycle Classics and vintage bicycle aficionado
- Hilary Stone, Bristol England, editor VCC News & Views and Cycling Plus magazines.
7 PM Banquet & Awards...   A Cirque âmustâ! Â
A delicious catered meal at the nearby "Painted Plate"
- The 6 Day Races: the worldâs hardest sport film presented by Jeff Groman, Kingston Classic Cycles, Bambridge Island, Washington - Award presentations by the Cirque committee, including the prestigious annual Mike Richardson Memorial Classic Rendezvous Vintage Bicycle Award.
9 PM Charity auction, At cycles de ORO, conducted by John Pergolizzi and assistants.
Sunday, May 1st      9 AM Tour de Guilford Ride... Leaving from Lewis Recreation Center. Ch oose 25, 35 or 63 mile road rides or a mountain bike trail ride! Includes maps & food upon return and entry to swap meet & show. Registration opens at 7 AM.  10 AM till 4 PM  The Cirque du Cyclisme!
Bicycle Swap Meet.... Inside the Lewis Recreation Center. Buy, sell, a nd swap for all sorts of bikes and cycling related gear. Parts, books, clothing , you-name-it! Bicycle manufacturers factory reps selling their samples! Doors open to buyers at 11 AM. Vendors setup at 9 AM. See vendors fees on the ent ry form.
- Vintage Bicycle Show.... Collectible bikes of all sorts! Inside the Lewis Recreation Center. Awards for many categories including "People's choi ce", "Best British", "Best USA", "Best Italian", âBest French", "Best Bal loon Tire", "Best Restoration", "Best Original", "Best Display," etc. Plus the 2004 them e, bikes of Italy! Displayers registration & setup at 9 AM. Ken Toda will have his wonderful Bike photo studio set up again where you can get your collectible immortalized for chump change! The traditional CR group photo at 2 PM!
That's about all but usually a tired but happy gang do one last dining out Sunday night.
Questions? Drop me an e-mail.
See you all at the Cirque!
Dale Brown, Scott Ramsay and Ken Toda, your Cirque hosts!