A sincere thank you to MJ and Wayne for running an excellent Cirque; they had big shoes to fill after Dale's, and they certainly walked well in them on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The other volounteers deserve a thank you also: Lou, Michael, Harvey, John, Gabriel, many others who helped in unnoticed ways, and those who dismantled on Sunday.
The venue of the hotel worked well, better I think than changing locations for the Greensboro, but as someone mentioned, I did miss seeing Dale's store again. That, however, was compensated by the array of bikes in the lobby and hallway leading to the conference rooms. I thought the presentations were worthwhile. The number of vendors at the swap seemed smaller than at Greensboro, but this is the first time. I liked the arrangement of the two buildings, in particular, I liked the perimeter of the show bikes having the vendors around the "corral" show bikes.
As others have mentioned, the heat tooks some of the spunk out of it.
Beyond the friendships renewed and new friends made, however, what I liked the most about this year's cirque is the younger folks, particularly the younger frame builders, there. They appear--at least measured by their work on display--that they have the skills and vision to turn a tradition that came close to dying at one point into one one that not only will survive but can thrive.
Thanks to everyone there, and in particular once again thank you to MJ and Wayne and the host of volunteers. Dreams of another leather skinned Colonago and another ride on Harvey's Alenax are beginning to form for 2009.
Cheers.
Tom Hayes Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44023 where's it's still in the nineties.