Greyhound Rescue Ride

This will be a great ride for a great cause. I hope everyone can join us on this Saturday. There will be three different route for every different level rider. We have registration here in the Anderson Great Escape or download the registration from the web link below. Hope to see everyone out there!!

http://www.gpaelectriccity.org/EVENTS.html

Butt on bike, Helmet on head.

Been noticing that our new local Rail to trail "swamp rabbit trail" is getting some good use on the sections that are open. However, it's troubling to see many recreational riders NOT USING BICYCLE HELMETS when riding. Parents, set a example for your kids and use a HELMET when riding your bikes. Enjoy the trails.

E-flite's Blade CX2 and CX3

For a while now I've been flying and servicing the Blade series of electric helicopters. The most common models being the CX2 and CX3. Both I consider to be the strongest training electric choppers available for a novice. However, there are some key differences to consider for the beginning pilot.

First, let's take a look at the CX2. The CX2 is a coaxial counter-rotating designed chopper that makes hovering easier for first time pilots. The CX2 uses an advanced 3-in-1 control unit including main motor ESCs, mixer and rate-mode peizo gyro. The CX2 also employs a simple easy to remove 2 piece body. This chopper uses a 7.4 volt 800 mAh lithium polymer battery for continuous power output and light weight. This helicopter uses a Spektrum 2.4 GHz DSM2 radio for interference free flying.

Next, the CX3. The CX3 uses the same coaxial counter-rotating design as the CX2. The CX3, however, uses the same advanced 3-in-1 control unit with main motor ESCs and mixer, but with a heading lock gyro. The CX3 employs an outstanding looking scale 1 piece Police MD 520N body. The head and blade assembly must be removed for body change-out, however. The CX3 uses the same lithium polymer battery and Spektrum 2.4 radio as the CX2.

Now for the differences. Both choppers fly very well and are very stable in hover. No surprise here with the coaxial counter-rotating design. The real difference in flight characteristics comes I believe from the gyros of the two helicopters. The CX2 will perform smooth scale-like turns giving plenty of time to think through maneuvers. The tail however, will slightly drift, especially as the battery discharges. It will require constant gentle pressure on the left stick to keep the nose straight. No big deal, but worth noting.

The CX3 on the other hand with it's shorter body seems quick i the turns - almost too much so. You feel the head lock gyro kick in as soon as you lift off, but turns are very fast. The shorter body (tail) seems to enhance this sensation.

All that being said and $20.00 more for the CX3 I say save the money and buy the CX2. But hey, that's one sales consultant's opinion. And you know what they say about that. It does seem to me that TRUE novices have an easier time (read as "more time to think") with the CX2. Until next time - keep the sky side up.

Berley Stabler
Hobby Sales

TGE SPARTANBURG WELCOMES DENNIS

The Great Escape in Spartanburg is proud to announce that Dennis Greene has joined our staff. Dennis has a wealth of knowledge and also a large group of friends in the cycling community. Stop by our store and say "hi". We feel very priviledged that
Dennis will now be heading up our Spartanburg service center.

The Great Escape (Spartanburg) Hobby Shop

Hello everybody and welcome to The Great Escape (Spartanburg) Hobby Shop blog.
Between all of the folks working in the hobby shop, we will strive to have new content posted at least once a week, probably (or at least possibly) more often. We are all novices to the world of blogging, so as we become more and more comfortable things will be easier (or so one must hope).

Anyone out in the world of cyberspace who reads this and has questions, comments, ideas for discussions or general observation about topics relevant to The Great Escape (Spartanburg) Hobby Shop - which would include plastic models, trains, radio controlled cars, planes or boats, or other similar things - are welcome and encouraged to share.

With that said, on to today's topic:
We're going to start with plastic models (everyone else stop reading now…just kidding).

One thing that is refreshing in any industry is finding manufacturers who listen to their customers' feedback and actually do something about it in an effort to deliver a superior product. One such manufacturer that has recently come to our attention is Round 2. For those unfamiliar with Round 2, they have obtained permission to re-release many of the kits previously released by AMT and Polar Lights - most notably the line of Star Trek models, most of which have been out of production for many years. Instead of simply re-releasing the kits (which would certainly have been welcomed if that's all they did), Round 2 has made IMPROVEMENTS to several of the old kits. Their re-release of the old AMT Enterprise from the original Star Trek TV series was updated to eliminate the grid pattern so many of us spent so much time removing with files and sandpaper. This however, pales beside their recent re-release of Polar Lights 1/350 Movie Enterprise. This kit now includes 4 huge, new decal sheets replicating the multicolor "Aztec pattern" featured on the movie prop. Previously, this level of detail required hours of tedious masking or the purchase of expensive aftermarket templates or decals. As if this weren't enough, the single biggest gripe leftover from the original release has been dealt with. The original release featured a stand consisting of two clear plastic rods supporting the primary hull with a small clear prop under the secondary hull, leaving the starship perched precariously on top. The re-release eliminates all this, replacing it with a metal rod that slots securely into the bottom of the secondary hull.

Round 2 is certainly not the only manufacturer that falls into this category. Dragon and Trumpeter have revised or updated molds when their initial released have contained flaws or inaccuracies. Model manufacturers take a lot of heat when they make a mistake. Maybe it's time that they get an "attaboy" when they do something right.

Anderson: Complete The Streets Next Meeting

Please be reminded of our next Complete the Streets Committee meeting. It will be on Tuesday, June 2 @ 10:00 AM located in the City Recreation Center (located right behind the downtown Wachovia).

Attached are the notes from our last meeting (May 5).

At our next meeting, we hope to have representatives from Greenville to share their process.

Complete the Streets Committee
Meeting Notes
May 5, 2009

Joe Drennon, with the Imagine Anderson Recreation Committee, noted that the goals for Complete the Streets were a natural fit for the Recreation Committee.

Per the training session in March, one of our first considerations may be to develop a resolution for present to City Council.

Currently, there is another community project underway called Reality Check, which is sponsored by the Urban Land Institute. At their last meeting, greenways and positive use of space was a strong topic of discussion. We should find a way to tie into this project. It was noted that several community leaders from Anderson are involved and could possibly serve as a liaison to our committee (mentioned were Mayor Terence Roberts and Lee Luff with the Chamber of Commerce).

City of Anderson has done a lot of work on their Master Plan. They have also looked at Safe Routes to School program.

Anderson County has mentioned hosting a bike race as part of Celebrate Anderson....we need to speak with Rusty Burns.

Tony Norris mentioned being a location on a national bike tour...this showcases Anderson and is a tourism event.

The committee decided to meet on a monthly basis....the first Tuesday of each month at 10:00 AM at the City Recreation Center.

Next Steps:
Joe Drennon will speak to Rusty Burns about a bike race, possibly for May 2010 to coincide with National Bike Awareness Month. We can look at Fall 2009 for a smaller bike event to generate interest in the May event. This could be something like a “Family Fun Day” and could include bike safety.

We need representation on the committee from that ADA to help us understand the needs and proper installation of curb cuts, parking, and access points for our disabled citizens. Cindy Hopkins and Bobby Beville will invite Sandy Hanebrink to join the committee. Also, invite Dwayne Smith with Safe Kids as well.
We may want to invite representatives from Greenville to speak to our committee about their process. Blythe Smith and Blake Sanders will work to will invite the Greenville reps to our next meeting.

It would be a good idea to get resolution approved by City Council....have only one meeting in May (May 18 @ 6:00). If we present the resolution this month, it needs to be on the agenda today by 5:00 and the actual resolution will need to be submitted by Friday to include in the meeting package. Jeff Guilbault will draft the resolution, and Cindy Hopkins will forward to committee for input and revisions. We’ll also need committee members to attend the Council meeting as a show of support.