John Nolan of Greenville History Tours Talks Touring Greenville by Streets and Eats

Check out my chat with John Nolan of Greenville History Tours. We talk about all things Greenville’s past, present and future!

About Greenville History Tours

Nolan started Greenville History Tours about 12 years ago and was the first tour company here in Greenville. The original tour Nolan started with was the West End Walking tour which is a about an hour and gives a general overview of Greenville from the early days of the textile era to things going on now to things that are about to happen. “I love being able to be the frontline of Greenville,” says Nolan. “You know, people come here for the first time and I get to be the cheerleader for Greenville.”

Nolan has since expanded his company with driving and culinary tours. The most popular tour by far is The Chef’s Table Culinary tour; Nolan’s first food tour. Nolan partnered with the Table 301 restaurant group to bring a new way for both locals and visitors to experience Greenville’s downtown. “It’s just a fun three hour, five restaurant sampling and so, I’ve gotten to the point where every one sells out,” says Nolan.

Check out all of Nolan’s tours here: http://www.greenvillehistorytours.com

Mentioned in Video

Greenville History Tours

Greenville Culinary Tours

Table 301

Famous Toastery

Biscuit Head

Le Petit Croissant

Hand Signals Cyclists Want You To Know

Just like motorists use signals to indicate their next move, so do cyclists. However, instead of turn signal lights, cyclists use hand signals. With many cities now opening up their streets to cyclists with designated bike lanes it’s important for motorists to understand cycling hand signals when they see them. See below for three important hand signals all motorists should know, modeled by our cycling pal Marquette:

Hand Signal #1: Turning right

Hand Signal #2: Turning left

Hand Signal #3: Stopping or slowing

A few other things to keep in mind:

• ALWAYS check your blindspots

• Slow down. Never speed past a cyclist when driving around them

• When parking, check your mirror before opening the door

• Maintain a minimum of three feet of space from a cyclist

• Check your blindspot before making a right turn

Not only is this information beneficial to the safety of cyclists riding amongst automobiles, but also to motorists themselves. Drivers, remember these tips next time you turn a bend and see a cyclist up ahead. Stay safe!

Carrie Counton Running for District 19 State Representative

Today we sat down with Carrie Counton running for SC State Representative in District 19. We met Carrie at Truck Inn Tuesday over the Summer and wanted to learn more about her campaign so she joined me on Facebook Live this week and we chat safe streets, public transportation and more …

Carrie is running against 22 year incumbent, Dwight Loftis, who opposed the Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act H.3615 and eventually killed the bill. In a district that includes a long portion of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a 20+ mile paved greenway trail that attracts many pedestrians and cyclists, protecting the safety of these citizens is an everyday concern.

Follow Carrie Counton’s campaign on her website and Facebook page. She will be on the ballot on November 6, 2018 for SC District 19 State Representative.

Thanks for watching and tune in next week Wednesday at noon on for another Facebook Live interview at Swamp Rabbit Inn & Properties page and subscribe to be notified when we go live. #bikeinnbikeout

Jeff Bannister Talks Greenville and Travelers Rest Food Scenes

In this week's video, Greenville resident and "Chopped Grill Masters" competitor Jeff Rhino Bannister and I discuss our favorite restaurants in Greenville, SC and Travelers Rest, SC. 

About Jeff Bannister

Bannister is currently a resident of Greenville, but is originally from the small South Carolina town of Holly Hills. 25 years ago, he and his family left the country behind and headed here to the city where he started Bovinoche, the whole animal open fire cooking event in Columbia, SC. "We use some very unusual ways to cook animals," says Bannister. "It's whole cows, lambs, a bunch of other stuff." Bannister is known locally amongst the Greenville food scene, but he's known nationally from his TV appearances on shows like the Cooking Channel’s “Man, Fire, Food,” and Anthony Anderson’s “Anthony Eats America,” to Food Network’s “Chopped Grill Masters."

Greenville and Travelers Rest Food Scenes

"Greenville has got a great food scene and Travelers Rest has got one that's even, just...will blow your mind away," exclaims Bannister. Bannister continues to enjoy the rapidly growing food scene here in Greenville, but has been focusing on the one in Travelers Rest as of late; taking advantage of the smaller boutique establishments that push out high quality food and environments.

“That’s what’s so awesome about these local businesses, is the product is such quality and they’re there,” explains Lynn. “You develop this relationship with their food, and their product, but also with them.” Bannister notes that the food scene in Travelers Rest ten years ago was nonexistent in comparison to what it looks like today. With restaurants like Sidewall for pizza, Monkey Wrench Smokehouse for barbecue, the best cocktails in the upstate - according to Bannister - at Rocket Surgery, the cafe at Williams Hardware for sandwiches, and more.

Mentioned in Video

Swamp Rabbit Inn

Greenville One Center

Bovinoche

Sidewall Pizza Company

Monkey Wrench Smokehouse

Rocket Surgery

Cafe at Williams Hardware

Hare & Field

Williamsburg Winery

Fat Canary

Be sure to check out the phenomenal food scenes gracing both Greenville and Travelers Rest if haven’t. Bon appétit!

5 Cutting-edge Cycling Gadgets

Looking to change-up your cycling experience? Whether you want to improve your performance, update your safety features or have fun with your cycling style, we recommend trying out any of these inventive gadgets.

1. Lumos Helmet

   Improve your cycling safety on the road with the Lumos Kickstart Helmet. This sleek helmet is the first smart bike helmet that encompasses integrated lights, rechargeable battery, turn signals, automated warning lights, waterproof, wireless remote and a smartphone app all in one! Colors and editions vary.

2. XOSS SPRINT

   This quad-GPS cycling computer does more than show cyclists where there are and where they’re headed. While utilizing an offline map for intelligent route planning, the built-in BLE and ANT+ chips monitor riding sensors like speed, cadence, heart rate, power, etc. Download the XOSS app to your laptop and/or phone to sync the cycling computer to view your data through chart analysis.

3. Garmin Varia Radar

   Say goodbye to the fear and stress of constantly having to look over your shoulder while riding with the Varia Rearview Radar. This radar alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards (140 meters). Not only does it alert you when a vehicle is approaching, it’s tail light unit flashes to notify said vehicle of you up ahead.

4. Cycle-On 30-Tool Bicycle Multi-Tool

   Yup, you read it right: 30! This compact multi-tool kit incorporates 30 different tools for maintaining and fixing your bike while on the go, AND is only 12mm long making it easy to store.

5. LINKA LEO (coming this fall)

   Never worry about pesky chain locks again with one of LINKA’s smart bike locks. LINKA bike locks attach to the frame over the back wheel. When ready to lock, you simply press a button and a security shackle slides across. What makes LINKA bike locks even more convenient is the keyless access feature. As long as your phone is on you and your bluetooth is on, the LINKA bike lock will sense your approach and unlock once you’re near.

We hope you find these nifty gadgets to be as cool and innovative as we do. Share some of your favorite gadgets with us in the comments section below.

Family Friendly Accommodations in Greenville SC

We love this post from A Geeky Ginger who stayed with us with her young family! They enjoyed our family friendly accommodations in downtown Greenville, SC. There is so much for young children to enjoy in our very walkable downtown from the Mice on Main, the Greenville Zoo, the Liberty Bridge over Falls Park and the Children’s Museum to all the outdoor dining and treats dotting Main Street. Book your stay in our family friendly inns and vacation properties and come explore all the Greenville, SC has to offer! #yeahTHATgreenville

A Family-Friendly Stay At The Swamp Rabbit Inn

Finding a great place to rest your head during travels can be difficult, especially for a special needs family. The Swamp Rabbit Inn in Greenville, SC is just what we were looking for. Read more here..