We had a great time with Brandon Rudat from Better Mornings Atlanta last week! The weather was perfect — he was a blast to ride with. Looks like he had a good time too!

This is a 6-mile, 2.5 – 3 hour leisurely bike tour and is designed for folks who enjoy bike riding but don’t feel the need for speed! This tour is perfect for families and groups of different ages and fitness levels. The tour begins in Inman Park, Atlanta’s first planned community filled with beautiful Victorian mansions, wide tree-lined streets and lush parks. Inman Park as a rich history and has had its share of decline, but since its ’70s rejuvenation, it has become one of Atlanta’s most sought-after neighborhoods for artists and professionals. Once a shopping mecca to a growing Atlanta, Little Five Points is now known for its funky storefronts and interesting people watching. Next on the route is Sweet Auburn, which features the childhood neighborhood, birth home and resting place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Here you’ll learn about Atlanta’s role in the Civil Rights Movement and visit the grounds of the King Center Non-Violent Social Change. We also introduce our guest to historic Oakland Cemetery and Cabbagetown, a mill town built in the late 1880′s that has become one of the most trendy and interesting bohemian neighborhoods of Atlanta. Tour cost is $49.

How does it happen so quickly?  Thanksgiving came and went and now it’s time to get ready for creative gift giving!  We have something for you to consider!

Georgian Terrace before the snow!

Bicycle Tours of Atlanta is teaming up with The Georgian Terrace on Peachtree Street to bring Atlantans and visitors a very unique and fun experience!  Please join us this holiday season for “Holiday Lights Bicycle Tours of Atlanta”!  We’ll see the amazing Christmas lights display of Centennial Park, Woodruff Park, Underground, the decorated storefronts along Peachtree Street, the neighborhoods surrounding Piedmont Park and more!  Don’t be surprised if this turns into a Singing Holiday Lights Bicycle Tour!  That is what spontaneously happened when our crew was out testing our route.  whole lotta of fun!

AND… guess what?  It will be snowing at The Georgian Terrace during our bike tours.  Yes, you read that right.  Snow machines have been addded to the majestic hotel to create a really amazing Christmas atmosphere!  Don’t miss it!  Details on the website on Dec. 4th.  Hope to see you soon — on two wheels, with a big smile on your face! Tours will run from Dec. 16th through Jan. 3rd.  $35 for 2 hour tour.

Spin your sweetie (or a fun friend) around the city this Valentine’s Day, the classic way: our “Atlanta Love Stories” bicycle tour is a 10-mile adventure through the affections of some of our most famous couples. We will cruise through downtown, Midtown and intown neighborhoods, warming your hearts with tender tales of romance; interesting statistics on love and marriage; and will even offer some free advice on this “THANG” called love. Our tour guides are not trained counselors of course, but we read a lot, we have lived and loved, (we’re funny) and have experience to impart. This tour is for anyone (single or hitched) who enjoys a little romance, some occasional city gossip and can appreciate the goofy things people do in the name of love! We promise you fun and laughter and the city’s signature sights, and a Valentine’s Day experience you will always remember. Tour cost is $50.

Our Love Story Tours run the last 3 weekends in February departing at 10:00 and 2:00. Book a morning or afternoon tour today!

We had a lot of couples come out for a “Bicycle Date”…  GREAT IDEA by the way!  But one of  the greatest pleasures I’ve had this summer has been meeting so many “happily married couples” while on a BICYCLE DATE!  It’s not surprising to have couples in their 20′s, 30′s with just a few years under their belt acting like “newlyweds” … but it is really awesome to meet couples like Dawn and Bill from Delaware.  They are college sweet-hearts and newly empty nesters in their late 40′s.  I meet lots of couples in my new line of work, and judging from the fondness couples show one another, I often imagine they are under the “7-10 year” mark – maybe on their second marriage.  In Dawn and Bill’s case…  they have had 26 years of practicing a happy and successful marriage!  When we chatted about their years of marriage, they both made admiring comments about each other — Dawn said it has been easy to be good to him.  Isn’t that the sweetest???   I wished them another fabulous 26 years – I have no doubt they will make it… smiling  the whole way!

A couple of weeks ago, we had Jim and Lee schedule a private tour for 20-something anniversary!  They are Atlanta area residents living in Sandy Springs — they were looking for something different, fun and healthy to do for their celebration. Both fit and interested in Atlanta history and the sites — they seemed to really enjoy the day!  This photo was taken inside of Oakland Cemetery and is one of the most wow-inpsiring views of the Atlanta skyline. And one that few people know about.  Jim and Lee are standing at one of the highest points in Atlanta, near the southeast corner of Oakland.  Although difficult to see in the photo – from this point, you can see headstones from one of the Jewish sections, conferderate headstones lined up next, a layer of trees and then the GA Pacific building down to the Suntrust building on Peachtree Street.  Most of our guest leave with this image in their cameras!  When I discovered this view, I completely changed the cemetery route so everyone had a chance to see Atlanta from this vantage point!

So – DATING ON A BICYCLE… that should be the next great craze!  For a really memorable date, come out soon — see the sites with your Sweetie!

I had the pleasure today to spend Father’s Day with Jenn and her Dad, Jim.  Jennifer Green ishttp://biketoursatl.com/wordpress/wp-admin/edit-comments.php a talented jewelry maker, marketing specialists and all-round interesting  young woman. She’s also one of those very fortunate people who can say, “I’m really lucky, I have great parents!”  Yes, Jim…that’s a quote (happened outside Fresh To Order).  I get the feeling that Jenn’s parents must be pretty pleased with their daughter too.  Jenn treated her Dad to a bike tour for Father’s Day and I believe a good time was had by all! Jenn’s parent’s moved to Atlanta  few years ago —  following their Daughter from SanDiego after she moved here to pursue her career.  Ahhh… retirement is a wonderful thing!  Picking up and moving across the country to be able to closer to your daugther.  Yeah, I think Jenn must be pretty special too.

It was really great being able to spend time with a father and daughter today.  It’s Father’s Day and when your own Dad is not around to enjoy, seeing the love I saw today was a little bitter sweet, I must say.  My own father passed away in 1989 with Cancer.  He was only 63.   I was 29 when he died and now at 50, it seems so unbelievable that he left us at such a young age.  ”Pops” as I loved to call him, was a quiet man, thoughtful and a kind spirit.  

An amazing thing happened a number of months ago regarding my Father.  After this event, I wrote an email to a small group of friends, and I have decided to share this email with any blog readers tonight… in honor of my Dad on Father’s Day.

Dear Friends,

I had a 3rd appointment with a my PT today, his name is Tom.  We were wrapping up and just kind of chit-chatting, and he mentioned something about “model airplanes”. 

I said, “oh, you fly model airplanes?”.  here’s the rest of the story…  

Tom: oh yeah

Me: oh, my Dad flew model airplanes,  do you fly radio control?

Tom: no, actually I fly control line.

Me: You’re kidding, you still fly control line?  I didn’t know anybody flew control line anymore.

…model airplanes were born on a wire (actually 2 wires) – Control line flying is where the pilot stands in one place and circles around with the plane on a wire.  That’s how my Dad did it.  I remember the first time he built a radio control plane, I was probably about 10 or 11 ~~ we went to this big field and his plane took off, flew into the horizon and never came back!   He did fetch it, but it took a long time before we found that sucker! We laughed a lot that day.  Back to the story…. 

Tom: Oh yeah, there are still some of us left.  I am actually the US distributor for control line products.

Me: Wow!  How long have you been flying?

Tom: Oh about 50 years.  

At that moment, I thought Tom must have known my father, but I figured Tom was still too young and it would just be unlikely.  I asked how old he was; he was 60. … I asked the next question thinking it was almost presumptuous. 

Me: Well… I wonder if you might have known my father…  Bob Elliott??

Tom smiled

Tom:  The 1954 Stunt Flyer National Champion?  

… my mouth is open… I am stunned.  I can not even begin to describe the feeling.  

Tom: That Bob Elliott?

Me:  ahhh, well …I think so… 

Somehow, I didn’t know this exact fact about my father. I knew he had won trophies.  They had been everywhere when we were growing up.

About now, I’m starting to feel like I’m in the Twilight Zone.

Tom: The first time I ever saw anyone fly a model airplane, it was your father.  I was 10 years old, it was the summer of 1958 in Athens, GA.  I stood there and watched how your Dad flew that plane, and I said “THAT is what I want to do!”  I’ve been doing it and loving it ever since.  

He started telling me about the Black Tiger airplane plans that my father designed and that he (Tom) still sells those plans today.  Apparently Dad sold the plans to a model airplane plan company (probably for next to nothing).  He was telling me all sort of things I never knew about my own father.  It was like he was telling me who my Dad was out there in the world.  Tom said, “you could say that I am like the offspring of your Dad.  Seeing him fly, not just that day, but all the times I saw him fly, was the reason why I do what do. He made a huge contribution to model airplane flying.”  

Me:  Do you think we’ve got the right Bob Elliott?

Tom:  Is your mother’s name Sara?

About 10 years ago, he met Mom.  The Model Airplane Association (or whatever they are called) had their big Southeastern annual competition in Tifton, GA and invited Mom, David, Paul and Betsy (I was living in Boston at the time).  At the end of the competition when the trophies were handed out, they presented (for the first time) the Bob Elliott Award, a stunt pilot trophy.  Tom officiated the event.  

Tom said, “everybody who has been flying for any amount of years, knew who your Dad was. Your Dad was big deal.”  My Dad is a legend and I didn’t even know it! Now granted, this was a small group of people, but to watch Tom talk about this, you would have thought my Dad was a super hero. How cool was that?

It was an amazing discovery to learn more about my Father after he has been gone for 20 years. If our parents only knew how much we really want to know about them, not so much as our parents, but for who they were out there in “their” world, they would be surprised.  

I know I went a little “off topic” from cycling on this blog, but again the time I spent with Jenn and Jim made me remember him and want to honor him.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Father’s Day! Thanks for reading.   

BIKE ON!

Robyn 

The most amazing thing about leading tours are days like the one I had with Stan from Australia!  Stan was in town for the BioTechnology Convention and my experience with him makes me so happy I decided to lead tours of Atlanta!  Stan had a private bike tour and requested some very specific stops.  He asked for the Martin Luther King Historic District, Piedmont Park, Stephan’s Vintage clothing store in Little Five Points, the Fox Theater and the High Museum of Art.  The Super Loop (15 miles) our Downtown to Midtown tour included all of these stops, and a few other great places too.  

Before his tour Monday morning, Stan walked down from the Omni Hotel to Ria’s Blue Bird next to Grant Park for breakfast. He invited me to join him there.  Over oatmeal and omelettes, he started telling me about the Royal Peacock.   

The Royal Peacock is located in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn historic district, and was once one of the city’s premier African American music venues early in the twentieth century. Originally named The Top Hat Club, when it opened in 1938, the Royal Peacock Club hosted local and national talent.  You could see entertainers like Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong,  B.B. King, the Four Tops, Ray Charles, James Brown, Sam Cook,  Little Richard, Aretha Franklin, The Supremes, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Ike and Tina and Atlanta’s own Gladys Knight, all at the Royal Peacock. Stan is a musician, plays in a band back home in Austrialia and loves the blues. He spoke of the Royal Peacock in this amazing romantic way… He said, “I just walked up to the building and stood there in awe.  I just imagined Sam Cook and James Brown coming out  front on the sidewalk between sets for a smoke!”  

Our tours included Little Five Points because it is just SO COOL!  But we usually don’t stop in Stefan’s, one of the best vintage clothing stores in Atlanta. Stan was looking for something “70′s with ruffles”, something for him to wear when he performs.

Have you ever heard the saying “the thing that makes a person interesting, is that they are interested”?  Well that’s Stan.  He took pictures non-stop, asked lots of questions, took his own turns on some roadways because he spotted something he wanted to see (I lost control of my tour a few times) …  and kept me smiling the entire time!  Stan, thanks for making my day!  Come back soon!

Bikefest took place in Woodruff Park on Wednesday and many cyclists and non-cyclists came out for the fun!  Mike Gerke and I rode the pedicabs into Atlanta from Decatur!  I have a new appreciation for Mike and Pam — those pedicabs require a great deal energy to move about.

We met many great folks involved in promoting cycling!  I really enjoyed meeting Ken Rosskopf, PC.  He specializes in providing legal services to cyclists due to the negligence of motorists, manufacturers producing defective products, etc…  very facinating! His website will be up and running by the middle of May, check it out…  www.kenbikelaw.com.  You can reach him at ken@kenbikelaw.com. 

I also had the privilege of meeting Lisa Campbell at Bikefest!  Among many other things… she’s a strong supporter of women cyclists! I’m looking forward to combining our efforts to get more women on bikes throughout Atlanta!  What an amazing woman!   She has been in the Atlanta Media scene for years, writing, producing, and anchoring the evening news at WSB. But if you think THAT is interesting… check out what she is up to THESE days… CHECK OUT HER SITE: LisaCampbellMedia.com. - Lisa,  so glad our paths have crossed!

We had a great tour on Saturday morning! Normally we ride the Heart of City tour on Saturday mornings.  However we had 8 cyclists all in great shape and very familiar with cycling… so I we decided to do the 15 mile SUPER TOUR which is called Downtown to Midtown on our website.  We usually run this tour on Sunday mornings.  

We had guest from Athens, GA join us:  Teresa, Bob and Andrew.  They said they felt they were able to see ALL OF ATLANTA by doing the 15 mile loop.  The Super Tour really does show off about as much of Atlanta as you can see in 3 hours!  They also felt they got a work out, which they enjoyed.  

We stopped in Inman Park to see some of the many beautiful Victorial Homes built in the early 1900′s.  However, there is one stop in Inman Park that seems to impress most of our guests!  It’s the “Old Police Lock-up” which is single-person cell, called an “iron maiden.” The iron maiden was used by foot patorlmen in the early 1900′s to hold prisioners until the paddy wagon stopped to pick them up.  It’s an interesting little structure and can be found at Delta Park along Edgewood Avenue.  

Thank you Bob, Teresa and Andrew for coming over from Athens and enjoying our tour!  We loved having you!  

Do you ever find yourself attending a conference in some city and just start thinking about how great it would be to BUST OUT? Playing hooky never felt so good!  Sue Kloster arrived in Atlanta Saturday evening before a 3-day conference kicked-off on Monday.  She took our bike tour on Sunday morning… but it just wasn’t enough.  She came back for more today.  I wouldn’t say she really played hooky… it was just an extended lunchhour.  She rides 3-4 times a week in Milwaukee and made cycling a part of her life years ago!  She invited her friend from Seattle, Jeannett to join us!  

 It was such a wonderful ride.  The weather wasn’t too warm – a little southern breeze blowing most of the time.  Sue didn’t mind going back to Virginia Highlands, Piedmont and Ansley Parks so Jeannett could see some of our great neighborhoods.  

Thank you Sue and Jeannett for coming out and riding today!  …and Jeannett, you just let me know when you’re ready to open that bike touring business in Seattle!  

And Sue, don’t forget to check out Andrew Prescott at UrbanAdentours when you visit Boston!

It was a wonderful day to be on a bike!