10 Years of Fun—Phil Manger’s Greencastle Great Escape!

Where to begin with all the great things about the Phil’s Great Escape weekend?  Since Phil is one of the BBC’s all-time great route-masters, we should begin with the routes and riding. This year’s 29 different—and great—routes epitomize just what makes so many of us return year after year!  From the wonderful mountain views—without all the climbing—to the quiet country roads, Phil’s expertise, time, and effort on the routes is clear.  From historic sites--Fort Loudon, to ice cream—Misty Meadows and Mikies, and even sometimes bucolic fields full of buffalo, this second weekend of June always had so much to offer.

Group dinners were lively affairs with riders recounting the day’s cycling adventures and sharing stories of the past year.  As if the great Antrim Community Park wasn’t the nearly perfect ride start, Phil decided to make a new Saturday set of rides from the picturesque and historic Cowan’s Gap State Park, with rides going to visit a narrow gauge steam railroad and trolley museum.  Phil, like all route-masters, never rests.  Until now that is. Phil Manger has announced that this year’s 10^th GGC will be his last. Phil, we will miss your smile, your attention to detail, the beautiful cycling, and the after-cycling ice cream and beverages.  Phil is looking for someone to take over the Greencastle Great Escape. He has offered to assist with the routes.  Everything is in place—the second weekend of June—for a fantastic cycling weekend.  All we need is you!  Please consider coordinating the GGC so that this great event lives on.

Michael Reinsel