Table of Contents From the President OKHT 2001 Bike Handling Class Refugee Mission Mammoth Cave Overnight LBC Awards Banquet

Old Kentucky Home Tour
Setting a New Standard

We heard it said that the move to Spalding Hall in Bardstown was the best thing to happen to the OKHT since the Cookie Stop! What a splendid way for riders to end their day, cycling up Xavier Lane under the trees. Massage, carriage rides, beer garden, bourbon tasting, ride photographs, dinner, raffle, Dr. Hemiola’s blues band, the lawn and trees, friends — what more could you want? We have Bill Warner and Mike Pitt to thank for all their many efforts in coordinating this new venue. It’s a hit!

Nearly 1000 paid participants and volunteers (many, many thanks to Pam Thaler, our volunteer coordinator!) came together for two very memorable days of music, food, fun, oh, and cycling through the incredibly beautiful Kentucky backroads. We had out-of-state riders from Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Tennessee. Our affiliation with Active.com and on-line registration helped boost our out-of-state numbers. A tip of our helmets to those who made this year’s ride a reality, including, of course, our Supporting Sponsors: Buffalo Trace Distillers, also sponsor of the extremely popular bourbon tasting, Scheller’s Fitness and Cycling, who provided roving support and the Trek road bike for the Brain Injury Association raffle, Dr. Gary Griffin and St. Matthews Dental Care Group, and our newest sponsor, Milestone/Baptist East Wellness Center who have really jumped into the cycling and spinning scene. Once again this year, the Old Kentucky Home Tour and the Louisville Bicycle Club designated a portion of the proceeds from the tour and donated $3000 to the Brain Injury Association of Kentucky. Generous riders also donated over $500 with their registrations. This was supplemented by another $1200 in proceeds from the bike raffle.

Then last year’s bike winner and re-gifter, Dr. Gary Griffin, pulled LBC Pres. Earl Jones’ name out as the raffle winner. Gary had set the precedent in 2000, so Earl most graciously gave back the bike for a second drawing and matched the proceeds. Another incredible moment of generosity! (Would you have kept the bike?)

Nearly one-quarter of the riders completed surveys, and the results were overwhelmingly positive on the overall event and sags, although there were a number of very helpful suggestions made as well. Opinions were divided on the new century route, and everybody complained about that relentless headwind on Saturday (though nobody complained at all about the tailwind on Sunday. Why is that?).

This ride could not be possible without the year-long efforts of our committee. Thanks to Joe Argabrite (Tom Sawyer), Billie Beachy (packets), Cheryl Brawner, Susan Engh (Sag Facilities), Ellen Hall (Merchandise), Bob Horner (Sag Food), Earl Jones, Lynn Luking (Merchandise), Marilyn Motsch (Graphic Design & Publicity), Ellen Mueller (Advance Registration), Mike Pitt (Bardstown), Bill Sanders (Bardstown), Pam Thaler (Volunteers), Jim Tretter (da money! And Day-of-Ride Registration). It’s been a pleasure and a delight to work with you, and your efforts for the LBC and the OKHT are greatly appreciated.

To all the OKHT participants: come back next year and bring your friends! To all the volunteers: recruit another volunteer, work one day and ride one day! To all the OKHT sponsors: THANKS!

Committees now forming for the 2002 Old Kentucky Home Bicycle Tour. E-mail info@okht.org to volunteer. Don’t miss out on all the fun.