Jim

I know these times don't make a great showing for some riders. However, when one competes with oneself I find it significant when a person can gain on themselves.

My park time for my touring bike was usually the best at 1hr 40 minutes. Then I started timing my Trek.....this bike really climbs. I did 1hr 32 min then the next try 1 hr 30 min. The final try came out 1 hr 26 min. I thought that is probably the best I can do. My first ride on my Corsa SS came out 1 hr 24 min. That got my attention because I was just learning to shift and get the feel in the curves on this bike. My next run came out 1 hr 22 min. So today I tried again and got 1 hr 18 min !!!! I have a feeling I am going to bond with this bike really well. It is fun. Thanks!

Don

Hello Jim
 
Hope you had a good Sat. bread ride.
 
Rachel and I continue to enjoy the screaming green trikes, rode at Pensacola Beach today. We made a great choice, thanks for your help.
 
We may be coming north in July and wonder if you have the bread ride every Sat, especially July 17 and July 24. What is the round-trip mileage on a bread ride ?
 
Jake Commer

Jim,
I went out in my Hobie Sport Mirage Drive for the first time and peddled & paddled 2 hours and 20 minutes!  It is fantastic!!!!

Have you had any bites on my Hurricane kayak?  

Also, do you still have the yellow Sport left?  I am trying to talk Pam into it.

Thank you, 
Allison

Jim,
 
I really enjoyed your hospitality and ride this weekend. You did a great job.  The 118 miles just flew by.  Please share my many thanks with Lane(?), the state troopers, the food lady, and others who pitched in.  Hope to participate next year.
 
Michael Constantin, CPPB
Assistant Director Purchasing
Baton Rouge Community College
201 Community College Drive, 70806
225.216.8615; fax:216.8039

Buying a bike is easy.

You can go online.

You can go across town.

Or you can go out of state.

In the end…all you will have is a painted steel frame with wheels and a seat.

The wheels will roll…but the experience will not turn into a wonderful relationship like we have enjoyed with Jim and Lane at RideSouth.

Jim is a motivator, a counselor and a friend…and Lane is a consummate cheerleader.

Ann and I value our relationship with the Sniders and RideSouth. When we need advice on how to ride…where to ride…or what to ride, we know that the best counsel will come from Jim, without even the slightest hustle to buy.

For me, the proof of what I gained by riding a recumbent is in the results: Weight loss exceeding 170 pounds in just a year – and a fitter, brighter and more exciting outlook on life that comes with the joy of riding a recumbent from RideSouth – and new-found experiences on the Natchez and Long Leaf Traces with my bride of 33 years and the prospect of some great cycling vacations ahead.

There are two good reasons why RideSouth remains a 12 year institution in Flowood. Jim and Lane Snider: people who put friendships first.

Blake Wilson
Brandon, MS

How a Ride South bike purchase has helped to enhance our lives.
By
Johnny and Beth Rawls

My wife Beth and I have been cyclist for quiet a while now. Beth has always been a natural at cycling. I have enjoyed cycling since I got my first Western Flyer tricycle at age four.

We’ve had many cycling adventures together but over the past couple of years riding has became a bit of a challenge because of “getting older pains” and being more and more uncomfortable in certain areas that I won’t mention.

We were determined not to give up cycling and decided to ride through the pain if you will. After getting more and more discouraged though and riding a lot less it started to look gloomy for us to continue.

One day last summer while riding though our home town on our motorcycles we saw a lady on a recumbent bike riding along and looking as if she were enjoying her self very much. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Why haven’t I thought of that before? Where would I even find where they sell them?

I looked on the internet to find a dealer and was surprised to learn that we have recumbent dealer very close by.  

After a short drive to Ride South just to look and get a feel on prices, I was greeted by our soon to be good friend Jim Snider. I told him what kind of cycling Beth and I do and the next thing I knew he had me riding around the shop area on a Tour Easy. After wobbling around for a little while I started to get the hang of it and knew this was it. The purchase was made and cycling once again became a great enjoyment. I wasn’t just more comfortable, I was totally comfortable. Mr. Jim told me that’s how it would be, I just didn’t realize how true that would be.

After a few weeks riding along side me and seeing the difference the recumbent made, Beth made the switch from her road bike to a Rans Stratus.

It’s hard to explain how happy we have been now that we can go out again on what we call afternoon and weekend adventures. Our kids are grown and gone and it’s just us. ( Sometimes they think we are not right but we assure them that we are doing our best to spend their inheritance)

This is something we truly love doing together and it is so enjoyable for us now. We can’t imagine not having our recumbents, and wish we had discovered them years ago.

Our Best
Johnny and Beth Rawls

Although it's only been a year and 6 months since I first walked into RideSouth, I don't recall what life was like before I found myself addicted to recumbent speed! I've always been somewhat athletic, but I was always the slowest guy on the team. They said it had to do with "slow twitch" muscle fibers. Apparently, I was overly blessed with these slow twitch fibers, and shorted on the "fast twitch" ones. By chance, I found an activity that keeps me in great shape, and is a perfect match for all those slow moving muscle fibers.

From the first Saturday I struggled to hang on to Jim on his bread ride, to my speedy finish on the MS 150, and the thousands of miles in between and since, Jim Snider and RideSouth were always with me at least in spirit, and in many cases, literally.

Jim and Lane, you two are much more than bike shop owners. You offer encouragement and inspiration to myself and others, and I consider you very good friends. You can buy a bike from anyone, but what Jim and Lane offer isn't for sale, it' free, and it's from the heart. You can't go wrong with RideSouth!

P.S.- Maybe one day I'll take a break from the bike long enough to try one of them fancy canoes!
Doug Morgan

Jim,
Got the Stratus on the Trace for the first time. Wow. It just eats up the miles.
The family was in the Mt. Olive July 4 parade. WDAM covered it and showed footage that night of Gillian (my daughter) on the Zoomer and me on the Stratus with my RideSouth shirt proudly displayed.

Ridin' On,
J. Jinkins

Jim:
 
I greatly regret that my wife and I will be out of town on April 22 but please keep us informed of ride dates.
 
We are enjoying the tandem riding, even though Margaret stops pedaling way too often.  Hase's tandem connection system is easy to use, quickly made, and very stable.  I did my first 20 mile ride yesterday and did it at 10.81 mph.  Not too shabby for a 64 year old man, 40 pounds over weight in my opinion.  By the way at my annual physical, also yesterday, my physician said my weight was down 12 pounds, cholesterol was much better too at 145.  I have always responded well  to exercise.
 
We both are much In LOVE with our Kettwiesels and consider them the best money we have spent.  If you ever are in need of someone to recommend potential customers to contact, please feel free to use our names.  You may rest assured that we will Give the Kettwiesel and you the greatest of recommendations.
 
Yours Truly,
 
Bob and Margaret Mikeal, aka "The Flying Ketts"

Jim,
 
            We are having so much fun on the Hobie kayaks.  Everyone in the family is just crazy about them.  We were up and out on the water at 7:00 this morning.  I usually can’t get them out of bed before noon.  The effortless speed of the pedal drive still amazes me.  The lake has a completely new character from the seat of a kayak.  Thanks again for your help and service.
 
Frank Coxwell

Jim,
I can still tell you that after 400 miles I would make the same purchase decision again. No doubt there is a better touring trike out there but for all around riding, the X-3 has to be one of the best. The small turing radius is probably my favorite thing about the trike, second only to comfort. I have also learned that 27 gears are plenty for me. 81 would be great for full blown touring but I'm busy enough with 27.

Since the tires are slicks, give me a hint as to anticipated mileage.

Alive and well in Fairhope,
Dennis

Jim,
I just wanted you to know that my Velocity2 Formula is performing GREAT. The adjustment to the shifters you made yesterday was just what it needed. I just rode it 25.3 miles and each shift was smooth and positive. It makes me really enjoy the bike. Thanks for the effort.
Don

Hi Jim,
 
Wanted to share these pictures of my husband enjoying his new bike.  We purchased it a few weeks ago and he has ridden it everyday. LOVES IT!!!
 
Thanks for sharing your expertise with me and having patience as I made this purchase.
 
Teresa Armstrong

Jim,
Just a note to tell you how happy I am about my purchase. Right after I spoke to you Tuesday about the computer I got a call from Cycle Genius in Houston. He was trying to find me a dealer close to me. I laughed and told him I was sitting on my Falcon I got from you. Also, today was another test. Claudia and I came home in the RV with the Jeep in tow and the Falcon on the back. I will probably replace my home made rack soon but it did the trick.
Safe riding and thanks again,
Dave

Just wanted to thank you for the advice and encouragement you gave me for the V'burg ride.  It felt sooo good to accomplish the goal I had set for myself and to have done it in such a kick ass way!!!  I can't believe that I beat the two wedgie guys in my neighborhood.  They were not very pleased when they pulled into the Battlefield Inn and I was drinking my second beer and had been waiting on them for about 35 minutes!!!  I only saw one other recumbent rider among the crowd of 130 or so but I did get a lot of positive comments about my bike--I advised anyone that said anything about it that they should go see Jim at Ride South.  I still can't believe that I was one of the early finishers--around number 20 or so I think.  The main reason I think I did so well is because I sprayed my whole bike down with WD-40 right before we left--JUST KIDDING-don't have a heart attack.  Good luck with all of your upcoming events-it sounds like you and Lane have a lot of fun things planned and maybe I will see yall on the Birthday Challenge ride.  Again thanks for everything and take care!!
Jackie

Absolutely awesome ride today.  42 miles, with several tough hills.  Then a celebration dinner at a mexican restaurant.  the recumbents are wonderful rides.  John really enjoyed the Corsa.  He's wearing a knee brace again....but no pain as long as he wears it.  I was screaming along at 36 mph and he zoomed past me, squealing like a girl!!!  He's very happy with the bike.

Janet

If I have not made it clear, your continued success is important to me.  I have a passion for the notion of recumbency in particular and for cycling in general.  For me, cycling is a life saving and exciting journey, YMMV!   As a friend of recumbents and a purveyor of fine recumbent product and service, you are more than just a business owner.  Thanks for all that you do and we continually think of you and Lane.
 
Keith May

Dear Jim,
In one short month I have come to wonder how anyone could ever ride and upright bike if they once ride a recumbent. At 56 years of age and 230 pounds. and he aging knees of an old football and rugby player, riding my recumbent 40 miles, non-stop, averaging 18 miles an hour, has got to be better than Viagra. Last Saturday, at the end of a solo 36 miler, I hit a flat and just wanted to see if the ole boy could still git it. I hit 30.6 mph on a flat and have truly never done that before in my life. I had a bike through the 70s and part of the 80s that I put 35,000 miles on so I have rolled a little I my life.
That ride on Saturday made me feel like I was 25 again. Now I just need to lose thirty pounds and prepare for the RAAM.
 
Thanks for everything,
Dan Brown, Jacksonville, FL

Jim
 
Any info you can give, ie length, difficulty etc., would be appreciated.  KettWiesels are IT!!
 
Thanks a MILLION for all your help in selection.  I think the Speed Drive is fantastic and would recommend it to all.
 
Bob Mikeal

Hey Jim,
 
I sure do wish I could join you guys tomorrow.  I have been in this indoor race series and I did two nasty time trials this week.  My legs are all used up and I have to go again on Tuesday.  The good news is that I am in 3rd place and I am set to win 50 bucks if I keep it up!  Whoo-wee!
 
I finally got some dry weather to get my new bent bike out Wednesday and then again this afternoon.  I really love it.  I did 30 miles Wednesday and then went cruising for a couple hours in the neighborhood today.  If I had carried business cards with me, I bet we would have sold 5 bikes.  If I passed 100 people, I got 101 comments!  People on this side of the rez haven’t seen these before.  Everyone literally stops what they are doing and stares.  The majority get giggly smiles on their faces.  Some cars even stop and watch.  Ha!
 
I am looking forward to riding with you guys again.  Maybe I will just cruise over at idle speed just to taste the bread and say hello.
 
Jason

Thanks for the help Monday getting dad lined up with a great bike.  2 days with his Townie and he’s already put about 15 miles on it, has big plans for this weekend, and we are planning a trip down to Hattiesburg for early November if we can get some good weather.  Not to mention he’s been showing it off to everyone.  If you have anyone else that would be interested in just cruising with him or a group that already meets to do that, then let me know!  He’s always enjoyed riding and this has made it even better for him.
 
Thanks again,
Cliff

Jim,

It took me about a month to train my muscles to the Kettwiesel, before I took it on the RAGBRAI in July. Worked flawlessly. I was surprised I didn't see another Kettwiesel out of the thousands of cyclists on the ride across Iowa.

This last weekend I completed a 300 K brevet from New Orleans. It is hard to compare it to the 300 K I did in April near St. Louis on my old diamond frame 15 speed touring bike different weather, landscape, etc.). One of the recumbent riders took a spill on wet pavement. I never had anticipated the increased security of the stability of trike in the rain.

In other words, I'm getting spoiled with the trike. The extra low gears of the Mountain Drive have definitely been an asset.

The only thing I have "changed" is to change the rear tires to Continental Grand Prix. My sense is the narrow/high-pressure give a more secure "feel" to the bike (also harder bumps), and definitely better for the generator light system.

John Shelso

Jim,
 I have a new saying for you but you will have to give me credit for it, “Once you go bent you will never go back!” Anyway, riding has been great. Can’t get Jeanne to go recumbent yet but she loves her Rans. Can I get a kick stand for it and what headlamp would you recommend for me. I ride early (5:30=7 am and go down some unlit roads. I have two lights on the front but they do not illuminate that well. I need to see as well as be seen.
Thanks for introducing me to a whole new way of riding and living.

Dan Brown

Dear Jim:
Thank you for the information. I am getting there. On Labor Day I wrote
14.9 miles on the Trace, so maybe it won't be much longer before I can
join others in riding. Thanks again for all you do, not only in sales,
but in promoting and encouraging riders.
Sincerely,
John Reeves

I can't express my love for the Rans. Been riding every day this week. Now I ride with my head up and I don't miss a thing. Donkeys, roosters, Tennessee river, flowers.....I'm so comfortable these days.

Jim - Not bad photos for self-taken. This thing is a hoot. Had it on two wheels once. Been up to 30 mph downhill. Cruised at 19.5 on flat w/no wind. Rode 26 miles Sat. Have almost 100 miles on the trike with no issues. Right machine for the right person. Tight turning radius is a big deal that adds a lot of flexibility to where the trike can fit.

Dennis Watson
Director of Operations

Jim,
 
I just wanted to check the status of our order for the Shimano riding sandals.  By the way Dez has already clocked 70 miles on her Cruiser.
We know 70 miles isn't a lot to you guys but all our riding is up hill :), You can definitely list us as extremely happy customers!
 
Thanks,
Steve