I had originally hoped to get this update out before the latest Bicycle Quarterly was mailed, but since MJ and I are behind schedule on a number of Cirque fronts, that just didn't happen. I'd like to apologize to everyone who is anxiously waiting for information, but there have been a number Cirque matters that have been more complicated and more time consuming that anticipated. In addition, there have been a couple of unanticipated personal issues that have also demanded time and attention.
One Cirque issue that has proven to be more complicated and more work than anticipated has been setting up the "back-end" infrastructure for the event. Our intent is to set up the Cirque as its own legal entity, with a tax status and ID, insurance, bank account, etc., something that was never really done before. All that is starting to come together, but it has taken a lot longer than we thought. In fact, some things will likely still not be fully in place by the event. The web site is coming together, and we hope to have lots more info there soon too. Nevertheless, the show will go on!
We appreciate the support that has been shown in the way of hotel reservations. At last tally, more than sixty rooms had already been booked for the event, so the hotel staff is very enthusiastic as well. The majority of Cirque events will be in the hotel, including an opening reception, the charity auction, the seminars and the banquet. We have reserved the Loudoun County Fairgrounds for the Sunday show and swap meet, and have access to a number of buildings on the site. Since we have a lot more space and therefore more options, we hope to expand the show and swap, allowing more non-vintage vendors (and possibly other exhibitors) the opportunity to participate. We also plan to expand the "show" area, and break it into sections to make viewing (and photographing) the bikes easier and more interesting.
As some of you will have seen in the recent Bicycle Quarterly ad, our "theme" is almost a non- theme. It was described as "From the Past and Into the Future", subbed "Where we've been and where we're going". Our intent is to showcase the primary CR time-frame, broken into blocks of time, rather than have bikes displayed just by region of origin, and acknowledging the "continuation" (resurgence, really) of bicycles being built in similar style and tradition. Bear with me and I'll try and explain the "vision" a bit more. In the early days of the CR list and the origin of the Cirque, the primary focus on "vintage lightweights" was somewhat limited, really from the 60's through Dale's mandated 1983 cut-off. For the Cirque show, Dale has always been a bit more flexible, allowing later KOF bikes (even C Record equipped ones :)) to be displayed. As the CR list expanded with new members and new influences, and Cirque attendance grew, our horizons have expanded as well. We all started paying closer attention to much earlier bikes and components, and also to "newer" artisans and craft persons carrying on the traditions. This has been evident both in CR discussion, and in what's been displayed at the Cirque, over the years. One of the most interesting things, at least for me, has been the growth and expansion of "new" bikes being shown at the Cirque, particularly in the past several years. This gets to the heart of what I'd like the Cirque show to be; a look at (and comparison of) what's happened in the past and what's happening now as an extension/continuation of that history/style/tradition.
The "Show" for 2008 will be organized in six time categories. For practical purposes, the earliest time category will have to be a catch-all for early bikes. My experience suggests that early bikes, say from the 40's or 50's for example, are generally few in number at past Cirques, so I've decided that it's best to group anything prior to 1959 into a "beginning" category. Category designations will be as follows (years indicated are inclusive):
1959 and earlier 1960 thru 1967 1968 thru 1973 1974 thru 1980 1981 thru 1986 1987/KOF and later
I developed these categories in consultation with several respected CR list-members, and think that each category represents periods of time where there were recognized changes, milestones, and/or evolution happening in the lightweight bicycle world. I know that this could instigate a huge discussion about what/when/why, but that is not my intention, nor will I participate in any debate about it. I've made the decision about the categories, and that's what they will be. I encourage everyone to bring bikes that they feel might represent the "best" of the period (very subjective, of course), and/or bikes that mark changes/fads/evolution of the day (the aero craze of the early 80's comes to mind). I also encourage people who have bikes earlier that 1960 to consider bringing them to help flesh-out that category.
One of the reasons that I want to organize the show this way is because I anticipate an increased number of one-day participants on Sunday. With the event in the Washington area, there is the potential to draw greater numbers of people on Sunday than in Greensboro. In addition, we will be "marketing" the Show & Swap to bicycle enthusiasts of all types (even bike messengers:)) through local touring and racing clubs and at the Westminster swap. I believe that having the show organized the way we've planned will make it interesting and a little different for hard-core CR types as well as to others who are not as deeply involved in the "movement" (yet!).
That's probably more than enough to digest at the moment. We will have more detailed information on the schedule out soon, but the basic schedule will be very similar to previous years and cost increases will be very minimal. We plan on having detailed pricing and registration info on the web site, and registration open, shortly after the first of the year.
Please send any questions you might have to:
wbingham753@gmail.com
the email address that is linked to the Cirque website:
http://www.cirqueducyclisme.com .
Thanks for your patience and stay tuned!
Wayne Bingham
Lovettsville VA USA