Why she cried and who came to her rescue during the Trikke Academy’s 2012 finale.
The Trikke Academy’s traveling road show of seminars and riding lessons take detailed planning and organization. So how does Ann Pirone, Academy coordinator and mother of a young boy, manage it all, especially during the biggest Trikke Academy event ever? Here now, Ann Pirone’s Diary, the Vegas Extravaganza edition, Part 2 of 2 (Read part one here).
Well, I must apologize for getting part 2 out so late. Life truly took a hold of me and didn’t let go for awhile 
I didn’t want to leave you all hanging wondering what happened at the event, so I figured better late then never. Okay, so where did I leave off … ah, yes … time for a little shut-eye … the night before the last Academy seminar of the year, plus the first-ever Riding Clinikks Weekend …
… Rise and shine; bright and early Friday morning. Thank God for Mom, who came to help out and also to get some riding lessons. My mother, the Trikke rider. Now I’m the one saying, I’m so proud of you :)
Mom made sure my son made it off to school, and we were on our way for day one of the Academy. Registration went smoothly, everything was off to a great start. This was one of our largest groups, to date. They included a large group of riders from Southern California, a new distributor from Malaysia and almost the entire Trikke Tech staff: Gildo [Beleski], his wife, Ana, their boys, and John Simpson. It’s going to be a great weekend!
Friday’s Academy training went well. No rain and although a little chilly, it was a beautiful day! Around 3ish, Andy [Pliska] and Gildo finished up the tech training for attendees, and Fred did one more training session with our Trikke Trainers for the next day’s Clinikks. That went well, all done by 7pm. Then it was time to prep for tomorrow’s first-ever Riding Clinikks Weekend.
“Yes, I had a little breakdown and cried (hard to admit, but true).”
Rise and shine bright and early Saturday morning: we headed over to the hotel. Fred set off to do the Academy training and I went over to the riding space to prep for Clinikk registration. The trainers were there and excited to get going. We slotted 2 hours for the registration, vehicle inspection and evaluation. Everything went so smoothly, we were done in one hour. Woo Hoo!
We decided to start the clinikks early. The various riding workshops continued throughout the day, while the Academy was in session. Things were running very well simultaneously. The only real hiccup was that one of the electric classes, which was in conjunction with an Academy electric demo class, was delayed a little bit; but Fred just worked through his lunch and made sure those that wanted the training got it.
By 3pm, it was time to prep for the Trikke Rink. I went back to the hotel and loaded up the trailer with the tables and chairs and supplies, then it was back to the riding space I began to unload (with the help of Charlie Reynolds). Soon several other people were lending a hand and the set up was underway.
We’ll, all I can say is that time went by much faster then I expected and having never done a Trikke Rink, I was a little over-ambitious and simply running out of time.
Yes, I had a little breakdown and cried (hard to admit, but true). All I can say and I’ve said it before, Trikkers are the BEST!
So many people came to my aid and pitched in and helped me out. There are not enough words to explain how much gratitude I felt by the kindness and compassion of all these people helping me. Some I knew very well and some I had just met, but it didn’t matter. They took their time and effort to come to my rescue. Thank you to all those that helped me… you know who you are. There will always be a special place in my heart for you
WE DID IT and on time! At 7pm, the rink was open for riding. Other than the fact the food area was in a pretty dark place (set up when the sun was out!), things went well. It was a great learning experience for us. Next time we do it — and we will do it again — we’ll stick to a nice fun dessert bar and focus more on the riding and socializing.
“The hot tub was filled with smiling Trikke faces.
Luckily it was a big hot tub
Everyone ate and relaxed for a bit, then the music came up and helmets went on. It was time for some good old fashion Trikke rinking. Oh, I forgot to mention: while people were eating and relaxing. Gildo and his two twin boys were out in the rink, playing Trikke ball (basically a Trikke form of soccer ball). It was fun to watch them playing together, after which, people got out on the very large, smooth riding space and basically danced with their Trikkes to some fun music. And yes, I did too! I had a great time!
Wow … Saturday is over, now things get a little easier on me. I spent my Sunday going back and forth between the Clinikk and the Academy, making sure everything was running well, and it was
Around lunch time we did the group picture, which included the entire Academy, all the trainers, the Riding Clinikk attendees, and staff (big group, lots of fun). Then we had a hill climbing demo for everyone, which was quite special because Fred, Andy, John, and Gildo each spent time giving a demo on the hill. I’m pretty sure this was a first. It was very educational and neat to experience. After the hill-climbing classes were over, Ana, Gildo and Jim and Marney hit the road back to Trikke HQ in Buellton, California. It was so nice to have them at this event.
Ann and Fred: Trikke Rink deejays?
After the last classes finished up, it was time to celebrate! YEAH the Riding Clinikks Weekend was a great success. The Academy Trainers — Debbie Bumgardner, Jane van Pelt, Kenny Houston, Kevin Purdy, Leo van Pelt, Martin Vasilevski, Shannon Houston and Shelly Hage — all did an amazing job. I grabbed a cold beer ($1 at the sports bar, gotta love that) and headed over to the conference room to help with the final wrap up. A couple hours after the Clinikk ended, the Academy ended as well. I helped with some clean up, then I grabbed some food because, it was Jacuzzi time!
The hot tub was filled with smiling Trikke faces. Luckily it was a big hot tub All of the Academy Trainers were there, some of the attendees, along with Andy, Fred and John Simpson. Some trainers had brought munchies, margaritas and beer. Oh, yes, it was time to celebrate. I so enjoyed just hanging out and relaxing with everyone — something I rarely get to do. I’m normally taking care of my son, so BIG thank you to my Mom.
Monday: one last rise and shine. One more Academy day to run, the optional Monday Electric Class. The day went very smoothly and since my son was in school, Mom came down and we had a nice lunch together. The class wrapped up about 4ish and I headed back for cleaning up and saying good-byes. The last Academy of the year was officially over, a really great event on so many levels. Luckily the hotel didn’t need us out of the conference room right away, so we just headed home and left the major clean up for the next day.
The 2012 Academy events have officially come to a close and I feel grateful for all the new friends I’ve made over the year. Trikke enthusiast truly are extraordinary people. I’m very blessed to be a part of the group and to be able to do the work I do. Thank you!
More Ann Pirone’s Diary!:
Ann Pirone’s Diary: Charmed in Charleston
Ann Pirone’s Diary: the Vegas Extravaganza Edition, part 1
Images are part of a slideshow of photos by Shannon Houston, Jane Van Pelt and Martin Vasilevski.
