If you happened to look up, you probably noticed we have our new group photo posted.  The high res version is not yet available, but you can grab a lower res version for download.

We're happy to say that the smiles didn't leave the faces of our participants for the rest of the weekend. Well, except during a touch of painted arrow confusion that we're chalking up to some bored kids.

A lot of video footage was captured during the rally, which means it's going to be a while before we post any of it. I estimate that I have about 5 hours of raw footage to go through, cut up, put back together, and then soundtrack. It'll be worth the wait.

Before the rally even officially started, we already have photos showing off the all new delta Aergo.  Everyone who has tried both tadpole and delta agrees that the delta version is far superior.

Check out the Rally 2009 gallery to see photos of it or take a look at the video we shot earlier today .  And check back Saturday and Sunday night for more rally photos.

If you're on your way to our 2009 rally, you have plenty of reasons to be excited.  Here's what's going on this weekend:

• Two speakers at the pre-ride gathering. One to discuss his trans-US tour, the other to show his homebuilt folder.
• Finally rideable Aergos.  Yes, TWO!  One built around a Catrike with a BionX and the other built on a Hase Kettwiesel. No, we haven't talked about the Kett fitting at all yet. Rally goers will be the first to see it.
• A fully assembled Carbent carbon fiber bike from BentUp Cycles. You'll forgive us if we relegate this one to "ogling only" for the weekend.
• Rides with 60 other recumbent enthusiasts.
• Dinner, music, and conversation Saturday night.

And if you can't make it to the rally, we're going to attempt to go a little media crazy this time around.  If all works well, we'll get those presentations recorded and posted for everybody else to see.  And if you know me at all, you know there will be plenty of photos to chuck into our rally gallery.

What happens when a webmaster gets bored one day and starts playing with iGoogle? Why, recumbent iGoogle themes, of course!

If you're an iGoogle user, keep an eye out as I'll continue to add new themes from our photo shoots. And as much as the wannabe marketer in me says "Put in an RBR logo watermark!", I'm not gonna do it. You love us already, right?

... Right?

Jerry, an RBR customer, recently shared his Bacchetta touring experience with us and followed the magic formula: attached photos + plug for RBR rally = blog post.  Honestly, you don't even need the plug.  He followed the Southern Tier route from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL.

I arrived home safely about noon on Monday following 3178 miles. I recorded a top speed of 44.4 mph on one of the screamer downhills and my computer says that I averaged 11.27 mph for the trip, although I don't know how accurate that is.

Sixteen cyclists started the tour in San Diego and ten of us finished in St. Augustine.  I was the only recumbent rider. The basic bike performed nicely and held up to the rigors of touring.  The additions (fenders, fairing, racks) were less sturdy but I learned a lot about them and the adjustments that are necessary for the long haul.  One of the changes that I want to make to the basic bike is to change out the front fork for the newer model that has more tire clearance.

I was the only person on the tour that did not suffer from flat tires, broken spokes and bent rims.  The bike was incredibly stable with the underseat panniers, even with the back rack piled high with my sleeping bag and thermarest mattress.  The Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires handled the roadside debris and the rough roads extremely well.  There were times I wished for a little less rolling resistance, but in some of the downpours and rough roads I was glad I had them on.

I have attached a couple of pictures for the web site.  The first one shows me at the Continental Divide and the second shows me on the beach in St. Augustine.  See you at the RBR rally.