Thanks To All Our Friends!
I want to acknowledge the partners and friends who have been instrumental in getting Bicycle Tours of Atlanta rolling!
Andrew Prescott, owner of Urban AdvenTours in Boston, MA is an incredible guy! After a few quick phone calls to Boston during my research last summer, Andrew invited me up to Boston to observe his operation! He gave me an opportunity to see behind the scenes and offered tremendous encouragement and insight. If you find yourself in Boston looking for a good time, look up Andrew at Urban AdvenTours. Please tell him Robyn sent you!
Mike Goodman, owner of Intown Bicycles has been a great mentor and source of encouragement during the developmental stages of BTA! He was the first shop owner I talked to about this idea and was a believer from day one. He always made time to chat when I would stop in to talk about the latest developments...My mother uses the expression, “he’s a prince of a man”. If she knew Mike, I’m sure she would use that expression, because he is! Please give this “prince of a man” some of your business if you find yourself along Monroe Drive and 10th Street near Piedmont Park. Finding Mike was like discovering the Sheriff of Mayberry RFD was running a bike shop right in the middle of our big city!
Arno Wood, owner of Silver Comet Depot is a very busy man... but not too busy to help BTA create a promotional bicycle event last year for the hospitality industry! His partnership on that event was critical to test the viability of this idea. With his generous help and enthusiasm, we had a successful event and confirmation that this idea could take off in Atlanta! Arno runs a really cool shop in Mableton along the Silver Comet Trail and has the largest bicycle rental fleet in Atlanta. If your company plans a large bicycle event with Bicycle Tours of Atlanta, you will give us another great opportunity to work with Arno! I look forward to partnering with him again! Please stop by his shop for your biking needs if you are located anywhere near the Silver Comet Trail and Floyd Road.
Berlin Berry, at the Studioplex Lofts is one of our biggest fans and a primary reason why we are up and running! Berlin....YOU ROCK! You know where the key to the bikes are! BIKE ON my friend! ...but do not leave that place without your helmet! Many thanks to you!
Fred Boykin, owner of Bicycle South, Decatur city councilman and very busy individual! Thank you Fred for your support and encouragement! I am very grateful for your wise council ~ it made a difference! When Fred arrives in Heaven there will be a bike “all blinged out” waiting for him for all his good works in the bicycle world. Stop in and see Fred and his team along Clairmont and North Decatur Road for your Decatur cycling needs!
Peter Wicker, owner of Outback Bikes located in Little 5 and Dacula (that’s WAY OTP at Hamilton Mill)! Peter is a big advocate of bike safety education and believes the more access to it the better for all! Thanks for your support promoting the education classes Peter! He’s has two great operations! Check him out if your in one of his Hoods!
Frank Eastland, business manager of Roswell Bicycles has been a big fan of BTA and a great supporter of our education programs. He’s opened doors for us to offer classes at their bike shop, “lunch and learn” programs at nearby companies and to work closely with Bike Roswell, the advocacy group for the City of Roswell. All you folks in the Roswell and Alpharetta area, check out this store! Look for Frank upstairs and tell him Robyn said hello!
Charlton Hoag, Personal Trainer and Bicycle Guru provided tour and education classroom support, bike mechanic and business coaching along with tremendous moral support in the Fall of 2008 while BTA was still in development. He is busy with two other business ventures at this time, but the 8 weeks or so he spent focussed on Bicycle Tours of Atlanta was critical and I hope that he’ll have the time to work with us again! Good luck Charlton!
Anthony Lewis, owner of Construction Couriers has been THE person who has been there from the beginning, listening intently to every detail of planning that went in to starting this business! He’s provided sound council, support and always a kind way of challenging any decisions he felt needed additional examination. I want to thank Anthony for the guidance, patience and true friendship he has extended before, during and since this adventure has begun! Check out his site if you need courier services... he’s the kind of guy you can count on...always!
Candace Overton, a dear friend and expert project manager carved out many hours a week in the first few months of development to help me explore this idea. She also helped with the hospitality tours last year -- could not have done it without her! For any entrepreneur starting out on their own, I pray they can all find their own “Candace”!
Mark Stott - YOU’RE THE MAN...some things never change! Thank you for always believing in my entrepreneurial spirit!
LaTrenka and John Riley of the Gift Answer. These two people know the meaning of commitment! Thank you guys for all your continued support, both marketing and moral!
Marilyn Troup - a true friend! Thanks for lending your creative talents every step along the way!
Sandra Robertson of Robertson Consulting. Thank you so much contracting with me on just about every skill set I possessed while I worked on getting this company going! You truly made so much of this possible!
Carey Logan is a good friend from as far back as ROWLAND ELEMENTARY! She’s been an amazing Montesorri school teacher for over 25 years and is featured at the bottom of the page, doing what she does best... making us smile! Carey - thank you for your support, prayers and most of all, your laughter!
I believe when given an opportunity, most people want to help other people achieve their dreams! The process of getting this business launched has come with many people working on a puzzle called Bicycle Tours of Atlanta. At times, someone might only lay a single (but very important) piece in place, while someone else had time to figure out where 20 pieces would fit. Every single piece made a difference. I am grateful to everyone who has offered their time and advice. Many more people have helped with the puzzle than I can mention and I hope you know I am grateful to each and every one of you who has helped me pull it together!
Sincerely,
Robyn
