Here is our most recent newsletter showing some exciting changes at RideSouth . . . enjoy!
Newsletter 2014-2015

Scary Business

Lately, there have been a number of things in the news that might cause extra concern for some, maybe a little fear even. Deadly viruses seek new hosts, terrorists continue to go berserk and dangerous drivers act criminally.

Reactions, or pro-actions, to these concerning conditions and situations vary. Being a business person, we choose to be proactive about business concerns we might have. For example, we realize it can be scary for folks to leave our shop and enter Old Fannin Road, on a bike or even in a car! The two-year road construction project on Old Fannin has given us concerns about our business, for sure.

So, to be proactive, we are offering a REALLY SCARY SALE, right up to Halloween!! We are discounting ALL 2014 bikes and kayaks! Some prices are right down to, or below our cost! That is scary for us, but good for you! We also have used bikes and kayaks that need to go, so make us an offer! We HAVE to make room for 32 new kayaks and more new trikes coming in the next two weeks!

Now, we are sure business will pick up when the road work is finished. We feel confident that cycling activity will increase exponentially when folks soon see the new bike lanes appear on the road, adjacent to our shop. To deal with some of the other concerns, we wash our hands after greeting every customer, and we are diligent about observation and protection. When riding, or driving, we are extra careful about the many distracted drivers out there. That’s how we choose to handle scary situations in our small world.

Outside, there is a huge, wonderful world (outside of your cell phone!) waiting to be noticed and experienced! All of the senses can be engaged on a bike, or in a kayak! Riding and paddling is therapeutic on every level! So we urge you to take some action now, not from fear, but to have fun! View your world as a positive place and you will enjoy it more . . . we are positive!

Look for the scary witch hanging in the shop! HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Ask us about a special ride this weekend and join us for Saturday Bread Rides beginning at 8:00 AM (for ALL levels)!

RideSouth . . . The Way to Ride!
601 992-2490

A simple, low cost solution:

ALL VEHICLES MUST HAVE
DRIVING LIGHTS ON
AT ALL TIMES

Simply install this sign on the existing sign posts for the Natchez Trace at every entrance. This would REQUIRE that automobiles, recreational vehicles AND bicycles have white lights on the front and red lights on the back IN THE DAYTIME! Visibility will increase and accident rates will drop. This is a NO COST change for cars and a minimal cost for cyclists . . . and cheap insurance. Combo light kits that are visible for MILES in the BRIGHT SUNSHINE are available for less than $90. New batteries last all day and can be recharged with a computer. The few dollars for the signs can be recovered by citations given to offenders by Park Rangers!

We cycle and drive on the Natchez Trace weekly. The shadows make it difficult to see dark cars and dark jerseys, even with our rear-view mirrors. It seems folks will continue to drive and wear what they want, regardless of safety concerns. At least, a dark cyclist with good lights can still be seen by other vehicles. Also, driving with LIGHTS ON helps the motorist be aware that safety is a major concern on this fantastic asset we have in Mississippi and Tennessee called the Natchez Trace!

Ever try answering the traditional question “How are you?”, with the simple phrase “Better, thank you.”? Most of the time that answer solicits a follow-up question like “Have you been sick?” The status quo being, well, the way it is, has been ingrained in us as normal, regular and routine. But, we have to ask ourselves occasionally is that really what we want . . . or can we get better?

Can our diet improve? Can we try different foods for an extended time and see if we are better? Can our exercise regimen be better? Can we try different sports or activities, and get better? How about our parenting skills? Can we perform better for our kids, spouses and our aging parents? And of course, our attitude. Can we approach every situation with a better attitude?

So, if you have addressed the all important, “Why?”, concerning your existence, then a next logical approach could be how to be better, we think. Of course, some may think they are good enough. Hard to argue the point with some. But we are enlightened when we see folks attempting to do, and be better all the time in every aspect of their lives.

At RideSouth, we strive to be better every day at helping our customers know about different ways to enjoy the outdoors more. We plan and implement events to motivate folks to participate in activities and better enjoy fellowship and fun experiences together. We seek out better products, and improvements for products and services we have.

We invite you to come to our shop and take home a new kayak or bicycle! We think you will be the better for it!

Thank You,
RideSouth . . . The Way to Ride

Yesterday, we left early to try and beat the heat for a pre-ride to Vicksburg and a route mapping for the upcoming Recumbent Rally in May. Hey! Look at me! (short video) Sure, Doug Morgan’s reflective vest and bright lights show up well at night, but the bright colors and lights also work well in the bright sunshine and shadows!

So, when we ride the Trace and barely see cyclists in dark colors, it begs the question. Why? Of course, the reds and blues look good on the design screen, and on the dummies in the ads, but why would any safety minded designer use these colors for jerseys to wear out in the distracted public? They appear black in the distance and in the shadows! When your lights fail, you are invisible!

We don’t blame the cyclists all the time, because some of these jerseys were earned, but we should hold the jersey designers accountable. There are plenty of patterns and designs that can be based on the high-vis lime green or yellow background. And, if just one accident, or life is spared . . .

Recently, the Little Mountain ride was held near Kosiusko to honor Dr. Holdiness, who had been a customer of ours. Like Gary, thousands of cyclists have ridden on the Natchez Trace almost daily because it is the safest and most scenic place to ride in the country! Here is a pic of Dr. Russell Rooks at the summit of that ride on his recumbent! Way to go, Russell! This is a GOOD story!

Now, we don’t profess to know all the answers. Heck, we don’t even know many of the questions! But, we do know that to survive, you have a better chance if you are as visible as you can be . . . and ride as if you are invisible! If you can distract the drivers from their distractions, just long enough for them to get around you safely, well, you have done your job.

If you choose to ride a recumbent, stay tuned for the Recumbent Rally and Convention to be based in Flowood, Mississippi May 1-9 2015! There will be sessions for all BentLovers to participate in! Put the dates on your calendar. We are almost ready to publish our events page for you to sign up on, so stay tuned, and stay safe!

Recumbent Rally and Convention Planning

http://www.ridesouthevents.com

The Rally Committee has done the hard work to set a date and a place! The dates of the Rally events are May 1-9, and the center of events is Flowood, Mississippi. While no date will be perfect for all, early May provides optimum weather and fewer holiday conflicts. Mississippi seems to be a center of recumbent activity for the entire Southeast, if not the entire USA, and the growth of cycling infrastructure is most prevalent in Flowood, Mississippi. So now the fun begins!

Here is a skeleton of the event agenda. We have been ambitious in planning events for everyone, so you will have some choices to make. We need help to implement all of these activities and we expect many of you will volunteer!

Friday, May 1:
Workshop Clinic at 3, Short Bay Ride at 4, Welcome Dinner at 7, including keynote speaker.

Saturday, May 2:
Metric Century from the RideSouth shop or Ridgeland Century from Ridgeland. Both rides include the scenic Natchez Trace, begin at 7 and have variable distances. Separate sign-up required for the Ridgeland Ride.

Trail Ride at 7:30, all on trails and lanes from the RideSouth shop. Variable distances from 10-30 miles.

3:00-4:30 PM; Speed trials on East Metro Parkway in downtown Flowood on new, wide bike lanes, little traffic, loops are 3.2 miles, rolling hills, one minute intervals, free frozen yogurt.

4:30-6:00 PM; Free test rides at RideSouth shop

7:00 PM; Recumbent Forum, accessible by bike lanes and trails, providing a variety of topics and panel discussions by leaders in the industry and law enforcement officials.

Sunday, May 3:
Begin ride to Vicksburg Military Park at 8:00 AM . . . or
Transport shuttle to Vicksburg Military Park at 9:00 AM . . .or
Transport shuttle to Prentiss to ride LongLeaf Trace
Picnic lunch in Vicksburg or Sumrall
Transport back to RideSouth shop at 3:00 PM from Vicksburg or Hattiesburg

Monday, May 4:
Transport leaves RideSouth for Natchez at 6:00 AM.
Begin Natchez Trace Tour from Natchez to Nashville (via the Tanglefoot Trail)
Transport back to Flowood Saturday, May 9 for Flowood Festival
Tour details and SAG to be arranged. Please let us know if you can help!

We need passionate recumbent riders, and friends, to volunteer for helping to make this Recumbent Rally and Convention a world class event! We are soliciting your feedback on assistance, forum topics, speakers, costs and events. We understand there are thousands of recumbent riders who may be interested in some, or all, of the events we will offer. This is a chance for us all to grow and learn from each other, and we are excited to be a part.

Please respond by e-mail to [email protected] and indicate how you would like to participate. We will put your address in a database for further updates on the event.

Thank You,
RideSouth Recumbents, LLC

The RideSouth Experience

Yesterday, while waiting for an appointment in a nearby building, a customer walked into RideSouth. We met him at the door and asked how we could help him today. Expecting to be in a typical bike shop, he commented that he had recently bought a bike like one of our cruiser bikes. As most customers do, he began looking around with an inquisitive look on his face.

It happens almost every time. Customers go from a slightly defensive disposition to a demeanor of wonder. We love seeing inquisitive minds begin to open to new possibilities and more choices than they are used to seeing in other shops. As we discussed other options, including the wide range of recumbents, drive shaft bikes, and even velomobiles he looked at me intently, trying to process the information. Our eyes locked for a long time, the customer looking for a contradiction that wasn’t there. Before he left, he wanted to ride a recumbent around the parking lot. The wonder on his face escalated to joy. He left, late for his meeting, calculating how to deal with the expansion his mind had just undergone. We are sure we will see him again.

This is what we are committed to at RideSouth . . . mind expansion. Of course, some resist and want to stay with the status quo. That is ok, too. We totally understand. Our own fifteen years of experience on “out of the mainstream” bikes and boats, and thousands of customers giving us positive feedback and testimony, drives us to expose folks to the possibility, that is all. It is OK to be different.

Folks rarely buy from that first exposure. They will analyze for a few days, to a few years. Some wait to raise the money, many wait to raise the courage to be different from their peers. Some just want to fit in and ride big name bikes. That is perfectly fine with us. Some wait for a debilitating injury, a painful fall or illness. Some just wait to age more.

So, if you are ready for an experience that may change the way you view the world, at least on a bicycle or kayak, walk into our store for the first time. Get involved in our group rides, events and adventures. Have your bike serviced in our excellent service department. Check out our accessories for cycling and kayaking. Help us to grow the cycling industry and infrastructure in our community. Help yourself to have more fun!

RideSouth . . . The Way to Ride!

RideSouth has promoted the Electra Brand, including the Townies, for our fifteen years of existence. Many of you have trusted us in our recommendation of the brand and the bikes. Earlier this year Electra sold out to Trek bicycles. This is unfortunate for the Electra brand, we feel. We have elected to discontinue buying Electra products and want to have nothing to do with the company. We still have many Electra bicycles to sell and will discount them, starting today, until they are gone. Of course we will warranty the products we sell.

RideSouth has made a business of dealing with folks that have integrity and companies that provide exceptional service. Electra no longer meets our criteria. We are bringing in some neat commuter bikes and are expanding our recumbent line-up. Please visit our shop soon to see what’s new and save money on our remaining Electra bikes. We recognize you have chosen RideSouth as your preferred dealer and we will do everything in our power to live up to your high standards.

Thank You,
RideSouth . . . The Way to Ride

We have both sizes in stock now! See us at the Reservoir Boat Show on May 31 and June 1!

More info on the Pro Angler . . .