Double-take: Does That Say "Leisurely"?!

Saturday, April 25 was a day for firsts here Colorado. Primal and Audi of Denver sponsored the inaugural Colorado Bike Expo at the Denver Convention Center, and Leisurely Pedaling participated in its first ever vendor event! Let's pause and reflect on this a moment...

Denver Convention Center

...Paws and reflect a moment? (You see what I did there?) The bike expo hosts were very attentive and accommodating throughout the experience: here's to hoping all vendor events flow as amazingly well! I'd certainly come back to this one again just for the variety of bike-related industries mingling throughout the day.

Loading up!

Pre-planning *smile*

Our immediate neighbors were Bolle Eyewear and Presserly. Across the aisle were Denver's version of The Fort Collins Bike Co-Op, a cyclist injury law firm, and ladies performance yoga-wear. Directly behind the booth was an adult big-wheels racetrack. Our wonderful neighbors, proximity to the racetrack, and proximity to the beer garden made for an exciting day filled with fun interactions and the most wonderful conversations!

Learn-to-ride area (separate from the big-wheels race course)

I found it refreshing the amount of interest in Leisurely Pedaling and what we're all about, and the many friendly individuals who also acknowledged the odd presence of "leisure" throughout most bike events these days. A walk-through of the expo is a prime example of how many ways a cyclist can do it stronger/faster/farther/longer/weekend-warrior through nutrition, equipment, varied physical activity, and coaching. For the record, I love a quality cycling challenge as much as the next enthusiast (my cycling history is a few stories for another day), but when do cyclist remember to really smile and enjoy the journey? Aside from the two yoga-focused booths and paint studio, Leisurely Pedaling was the "relaxed cyclist stronghold" on the floor. This fact alone contributed to the majority of smiles, chuckles, and friendly banter throughout the day.

Thank you all who stopped by the Leisurely Pedaling booth and brought additional smiles and inspiration to my day! My helper (Marcia, also my beautiful mother) and I thoroughly enjoyed sharing the opportunity to site-see Fort Collins and Northern Colorado by bicycle with us this summer and beyond!

Cheers for now,

Adventure Jes

ready for business!

brochures, T-shirts, and stickers!

Eye-catching, yes?

Our trusty Vintage Cruiser, Courtesy of the Fort Collins Bike Library!

Just a trailer full of T-shirts!

Owner Jes Mallory ready for fun!

We are go for launch - no joke!

Springtime is the embodiment of all that is brand new and full of hope, just like Leisurely Pedaling! March has been quite the whirlwind, and while not the standard interpretation of "in like a lion, out like a lamb" referring to weather... the month proved to be just that. In like a lion: the deafening roar of business deals, purchasing, marketing, coordinating, re-researching, and (finally!) launching. Out like a lamb: now we're in that deceptive lull where the news slowly spreads, grows, and expands into something beautiful, perhaps like the cherry blossoms in Washington DC, or the daffodils hesitantly rising to colorful life in my neighbor's yard.

The Leisurely Pedaling launch party was a smashing success! The Laboratory provided endless plates of delicious delights and a brilliant atmosphere. Akinz, The Parlour, Kilwins, and Old Town Spice Shop donated truly generous and wonderful door prizes embodying the character of Fort Collins. One lucky winner even walked away with a two day tour for two of Fort Collins! In all, about 80 people joined in the festivities, and several friends were showing their support with Leisurely Pedaling T-shirts in Idaho, Washington, and California.

Here are a few fun pictures from the event!