The next generation of cyclocrossers in Georgia. © Cyclocross Magazine
CONYERS, GEORGIA – For a first year bike expo, the Southeast Bike Expo couldn’t have picked a better day or place to hold its inaugural event. The weather? 65 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. The location? The site of the Atlanta Olympics mountain bike course, where riders were able to demo mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes all weekend. On Saturday night, riders could even take bikes out after dark to test night lights. There was also an area for testing out new road models on site, and with Terrapin providing “adult beverages” and Red Bull providing a DJ, the Expo was more festive than most. The promoters emphasized the consumer as well as the dealer, and charged admission for anyone from bike retailers to the average joe rider to come in and check out the displays. They told Cyclocross Magazine, “We had 801 paid people through the door. Also, about 200 more in volunteers, guests, and media people.”
Exhibitors included SRAM, Specialized, Felt, Trek, Orbea, Scott, Jamis, Stan’s No Tubes, Foundry and many others.
Georgia’s cyclocross series, GACX, was also in attendance with barriers set up so that people could test out new cyclocross bikes, or just see a demonstration of what cyclocross is all about. The event coordinators for the series have hopes of running a cyclocross race during the expo next year, CrossVegas-style.
So, will it happen again? “Plans for next year are yes. We have so many things to think about.”
Check back soon for a video highlighting Felt’s newest disc brake-equipped cyclocross bike, as well as some new cyclocross-related info on the 2012 SRAM Red components.
