My head has finally stopped spinning - so I can finally say a few words about this year's event - my third.
I started this year's trip by heading to Chapel Hill on Wed to catch up with my brother. He's been through a lot of personal and family challenges in the past few years so it was especially gratifying to see that he is feeling better and after many years off the bike - talking about doing it again. I've been urging him to ride again, but inertia has kept that from happening. We got out on Thurs AM and did a little ride around his subdivision - he on his modern mountain bike and we talked bikes and caught up a bit. Visiting him was strong reinforcement that my wife and I had made the right decision in not having kids (he has 6). Hat's off to all of you that have pulled that off! Seriously, his kids are great - we're just not suited to the task.
Thurs PM - I arrive at the Battleground and find the party has started in the parking lot. It seems like some of the best times happen then as everyone is full of energy, excited about the upcoming days of events and every new participant is welcomed to the group enthusiastically. All kinds of craziness going on and then groups head to dinner at the pizza place just down the street. I had a delightful dinner with Bob Freitas, Edward Albert and Steve from NY(never got the last name). Back to the Battleground where I got to enjoy one of the nicest people I met at the show - Peter Weigle's sweetheart Kendall. She posesses the definition of an infectious smile. I was sorry that my own wife Amy who loves to come to this event was unable to attend this year - but she promises to make it next year! I think she would have loved to meet Kendall and catch up with the rest of the folks we've met over the last couple years. I have to admit that she is the social grease in our union and I missed her this year. As in every prior year, it was great to meet new attendees and put the faces and the names together.
Friday was a blur - lots more socializing in the parking lot and lobby followed by a small group ride in the AM - I was starting to get a bit weary so I took a nap in the PM and missed the hot afternoon official ride so I would be ready for the Six Day Race movie and auction. I managed to avoid winning anything at the auction, but the action had great entertainment value and for such a great cause. Thanks again to John P and all the other volunteers for another great event.
Saturday offered more socializing, another fun group ride, lunch with some of the Georgia contingent, and then what I felt was the best seminar series yet. My sense was that Peter W was sweating it a bit, but he was superb! What a great sense of humor and what a great look into the career of a superb builder. Peter has always been so kind with his time and always so humble while achieving such lofty results with his work. Truly inspiring. Dave M was a treat - another fun and fascinating look into the work of another great builder.
The Saturday banquet was a treat as usual. Ted Ernst wowed everyone with his enthusiasm for cycling and a fascinating look into his family history and its connections with cycling, cultural dynamics, and politics.
Looks like Ted is still going strong for all our sakes. I had the pleasure of meeting John Clay at our dinner table - someone I've corresponded with over the last couple years but had never met in person.
I had the good fortune on Sunday morning to have a chance to chat with Ted Ernst and John Clay at breakfast for a few minutes. Ted was as energetic as ever.
By the time Sunday rolled around, I was pretty pooped and although it was great to oogle all the great bikes, My mind was overloaded. I didn't have the presence of mind to stop and take pictures of so many of the bikes I found so appealing. My brother Paul drove over from Chapel Hill and the highlight of the day was to simply spend time with him showing him my favorites and seeing many of the same bikes receive awards. In regards to the awards - I think they're fine, but I feel that they can be taken too seriously. I know that I don't own any bikes that would win an award of any sort under normal circumstances, but I would hate for attendees to feel like they shouldn't show a bike because it wasn't a potential winner. I like seeing the great and the not so great bikes all together. My feeling is that above all other considerations, they should all be welcome. There will always be great show bikes on display.
As usual, it was great to see so many of you again, and thanks again to Dale, his family, volunteers, and staff for making this another great event!
Thanks all - until next year!
Roman Stankus
Atlanta, Ga.