Well, the Cirque is now just 13 days away, and things are pretty hectic in Loudoun County. Things are coming together nicely though, and we think the Cirque is going to be really great this year. There are, however, a few important details I need to bring to everyone's attention.
There are still a number of people that have indicated that they are attending, but that have still not registered. If you are going to attend, you need to register ASAP! We need to get a better sense of the numbers to get arrangements in place for food and beverages. The original cut-off date for registration before price increases was this Sunday the 23rd. However, we are extending that cut-off to next Sunday the 30th. After that date the prices increase as follows:
General event and Seminars fees go from $40 to $50 each. Private party vendor space cost for the swap goes from $35 to $45. Commercial vendor space cost goes from $60 to $70.
ON LINE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE AT 11:45 PM ON SUNDAY THE 30TH!!!!!!
We have a lot to squeeze in for the weekend, so the schedule will be a bit fluid right up until the end. The Auction on Friday will benefit Bikes for the World, and we have already received some really nice items to auction off but we still need more, so dig into your stash of goodies and give something a new home and support a great cause.
The primary presenters for the Seminars are locked in with Hilary Stone, David Herlihy and Mike Kone. We also have a few videos to show in and around the presentations. The reception on Saturday will be the frame builder segment of the Cirque this year. Attending builders are invited to display a couple examples of their craft. There will be some very special bikes on display this year, so you don't want to miss this. Dave Bohm (Bohemian Bicycles), a first time attendee and special guest this year, will give a short presentation. There will be special Bill Hurlow and Ernest Cuska memorial exhibits, and Jan Heine and Kevin Kruger (who are helping organize these exhibits) will say a few words about each.
There is a new event coordinator for the Fairgrounds, and she been very helpful and cooperative. The main show barn is now fully paved, and it will be cleared and swept for us by the Ground's crew . It's still an agricultural facility, so don't expect it to be spotless, but this is a BIG improvement over the past couple years! We have a new food vendor too, and we will have broader, healthier choices this year.
The rides this year should be pretty nice, and we'll have a couple local enthusiasts on hand to help lead rides. Even though we had a very severe winter, the local roads are in pretty nice shape. There's still a fair amount of roadwork going on in the area, so don't be surprised to encounter a few service vehicles now and then. There is a major power-line project going through Loudoun County which also impacts some local roads. That project also impacts the W&OD pike path West of Leesburg and right in front of the Fairgrounds. The W&OD path actually detours before you get to the Fairgrounds, drops you into a housing development, reconnects to a temporary path and winds through the Fairground property before connecting back to the original path just West of the Grounds. It's fully paved, well marked and easy to follow, but since it's deviates from the original elevated railroad bed, it's not completely flat like the path. We've been calling it the "Roller-Coaster Section". There are a number of short dips and rises as the detour navigates the terrain near the original path. I just road it again this morning, and the detour is only about 12-15 minutes travel time. You can still ride it with a fixed gear, but you may have to hump it up and over a couple of "bumps".
Once again this year MJ and I will be hosting our a little gathering at my shop on Thursday at 3:30 for those arriving early. We are not calling it the "Tea Party" for political reasons. This year, however, the gathering will be "weather permitting". If it rains, we will probably just gather at the hotel. The shop is just not big enough to accommodate everyone if its raining. I also have a lot more bikes in the shop now, which I usually put out under the front canopy, but the canopy isn't big enough to harbor bikes and people. My shop is about 11 miles West of Leesburg, just off the end of the W&OD bike path. When you reach the end, depart the path left onto N 23rd St. Make an immediate left onto N 21st St, and then an almost immediate left onto O St. Our parking lot is a half block down on the right. There's a big white canopy out front, and usually a lot of bikes. The physical address is 148A N. 21st St. Purcellville VA because the building fronts on 21st St, but we are on the back of the building. Let's all hope for good weather!
Again, if you have not yet registered, please do so as soon as possible. If you have questions or want additional information, please email me at this address.
Thanks!
Wayne and MJ
http://www.cirqueducyclisme.com/
Lovettsville VA USA