by Marc Kramer
“I count two.”
“Well, I see three!”
This wasn’t Memphis, and we hadn’t had more than a couple of pints at the brewpub; maybe we’d stared too long at tabloid covers in grocery store line-ups. Maybe we really needed this Cyclon weekend to unwind. But there they were, two or more Elvises checking in at the Queen’s University residence.
At breakfast they appeared again. Granted, we hadn’t had any coffee yet, but there was Elvis in a satin shirt, sideburns and all. And there in a rose velvet jacket. And there in white leather boots. Where was that damn coffee!
It turned out that the 230 of us at the TBN’s 12th annual Cyclon were not the only guests at Queen’s this August long weekend; an Elvis convention was also under way, which only added to the fun.
Apart from the serendipitous addition of the Elvises (or is that “Elvi”?), there were plenty of planned highlights to the weekend. Each day offered a great selection of rides, from long butt-busters through the hilly Canadian Shield north of Kingston, to the tranquil, traffic-free concessions of Wolfe and Howe Islands to the south. On Sunday all routes converged on the Colonial Inn in Gananoque for an amazing buffet lunch.
The social itinerary began Friday evening with impromptu gatherings at the numerous restaurants and brewpubs in downtown Kingston, just a short walk from campus. Those who chose the boat cruise option Saturday night were treated to a different perspective of the city and surrounding islands, as well as a great opportunity to catch up with friends old and new. For those who stayed behind, there was plenty to see in Kingston with its stunning historic houses, coach-lane patios and—for anyone willing to stand in line—ice cream in fresh waffle cones.
Sunday’s traditional banquet, complete with tofu, was followed by one of Dave MacLean’s infamous presentations; special thanks to Pat Gerada for setting Dave straight on the correct height for socks! Afterwards, despite the kilometres already logged on their bicycles, people mingled and danced long into the night, somehow keeping their tired legs moving to the beat. Picture-perfect weather continued through to Monday, when a short ride and a wonderful picnic at the Adolphustown beach brought the weekend to a close.
A great, heartfelt thanks to Cyclon director Dave MacLean, to veterans Léo Charbonneau, Bill Hannaford and Rob Long and to new committee members Alan Kary and Marcia Ross. They volunteered hundreds of hours in organizing this first-rate event, yet still managed to maintain a semblance of sanity and even crack a smile! Congratulations on a successful Cyclon 98!
See you in Kingston again next year!