I received a pleasant surprise email yesterday from Wayne Reeves, organizer of the FJREOM rally that falls on the same weekend as Fall Colors in September. He took the initiative to contact me, and express a desire to chat about making this September weekend a winner for everyone! Since his initial email, we have corresponded back and forth, and I'm looking forward to meeting him and the other FJR members. Their philosophy seems to be the same as ours, and all I see is expanded opportunities, rather than any concerns. Wayne has a friend who lives in the area, and he may be able to share some info with me that I wasn't aware of, and I've also learned a few things over the last few years that I may be able to help him with.
Wayne shared with me that the group had also come to the QI in 2008. He and his wife stayed an extra day, just to take a little leisure time. While riding to lunch, he was involved in a serious accident, and woke up in the ICU. He was taken to a Roanoke hospital, and it was declared that he wouldn't ride again. There was speculation that he might not walk. It took 33 days, but he walked out of the hospital, and started a long progression back to normal. We have exchanged numbers and will be touching base with one another between now and Rally time. I truly appreciate the fact that he took the time and effort to contact us. Happy New Year Everyone! Syd