Greenville: Inn the Business of Cycling, (this is how we roll...)

Perhaps you’ve heard that Greenville has a bit of a thing for cycling and that cyclists have a thing for Greenville.  What started out as a best kept secret has been whispered across the country until it became a roar.  We built a little trail that went from here to there and it seemed like an oasis in the heart of a city.  The community embraced it, businesses opened around it and on it, put out the welcome mat for cyclists, served healthy food, great coffee, craft beer, and began to thrive.  Soon everyone wanted inn on that cycling thing!

Cycling creates vitality and revitalizes everything and everyone around it.  It supports healthy, mindful living and engagement with both nature and community. That’s good for building great cities and that’s good for business.  The Greenville metro area now supports a massive cycling community with many municipal and industry-supported initiatives.  So how about some numbers? Nuts and bolts? Brass tacks?  (No, squirrels, not those nuts!  Moving on.)

The Greenville Hospital System (GHS) Swamp Rabbit Trail now has over half-a-million users per year. Among those, more than 125,000 come from out of town, contributing $6.7 million in trail tourism.  Dozens of new businesses have opened that have a direct connection to the trail and Greenville’s vibrant cycling community.  Among multi-use, rail-to-trail systems, the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail has above-average use for commuting and short trips. Greenville County tourist spending is on the rise.  It saw an increase of $83 million in 2014.

In addition, companies such as the Trek Travel have chosen Greenville for recurring bicycle-touring trips, bringing tourists from all over the globe. Sample a Trek Travel ride on May 1, 2016 leaving from the Swamp Rabbit Inn!!  Click here for more details on the free ride guided by Trek Travel.

We’ve got class.  In addition to GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail, the Greenville area features world-class road riding, with everything from beginner rides to pro-level challenges and training, mountain biking at Paris Mountain State Park, the Clemson Experimental Forest and the DuPont State Recreational Forest, dedicated cyclo-cross routes, and bicycle touring that rival the European mountains.  Check out "Cycling Greenville" a guidebook with 20 great rides around Greenville County written by inn keeper Wendy Lynam.

There is truly something for every type of cycle tourist in the Greenville area and the Upstate of South Carolina. The weather in the Upstate is temperate year round.  We have a few days that are too hot and a few that are too cold but very few days each year that aren’t great for riding.

We’ve got bragging rights!  According to the USA Today newspaper, the community cycling investment has put Greenville on the map for cyclists traveling in the Southeast. Bicycling Magazine lists Greenville in the top twenty cities in the country for bicycling.  And the League of American Cyclists recognizes more than three dozen Greenville businesses as “Bicycle Friendly” (BFBs).

Gotta love those MAMILs: middle-aged men in lycra (hey, if I didn’t have all this fur I’d be a middle-aged buck in lycra)! Cycle tourists have a median age of 53 years old and use expendable income for cycling related trips.  More than 50% of cycle tourists have household income above $75,000, with 10% earning over $200,000.

A full 92% of cycle tourists are planning a multi-day cycle trip in the next three years.  In addition to cycle trips, cyclists engage in other activities such as: day road rides (87%), taking bikes on vacation (85%), independent bike touring (82%), casual riding in town (80%), and road racing (76%). Rabbits who race bikes (0).

Don’t expect the hubbub to blow over anytime soon.  Greenville has become a hub for international business, hosting companies from all over the world.  Currently, Greenville has the highest international investment per capita in the nation. 

With a metro population of over 860,000, major industries including technology and financial services, and a gross product over $36 billion, Greenville and the Upstate of South Carolina has the right demographics to continue supporting and growing its cycle industry.  And generations of Swamp Rabbits quietly keeping everything warm and fuzzy.  You’re welcome.

The good times have rolled into Greenville and they are here to stay.  Stay with us at the Swamp Rabbit Inn and Properties and enjoy the ride!

--Percy

It’s getting Inn-tense! Lots to-do for Springtime in Greenville!

The weather is here and Greenville is BEAUTIFUL!!  SO much to get ta-done this month!

The National attention for #yeahTHAT Greenville just keeps on coming!  “Travels With Darley” visited South Carolina this fall and stayed at the Swamp Rabbit Inn and biked the Swamp Rabbit Trail.   The “Southern States Road Trip” episode, which features Greenville, Travelers Rest, Anderson, and Belton, has been airing on PBS, ETV and is now available online!

Now on to the activities!

A little rock history anyone?  April 12th at 7 pm:  Upcountry History Museum at Furman University presents Backstage Pass with Chuck Leavell.  Chuck will share his music and stories from a career  spent on tour with legends like the Rolling Stones and the Allman Brothers.  Tickets still available.

How about something for your little bunnies?  Tuesday April 12th and Thursday April 14th  - “Goodnight Moon and the Runaway Bunny”.  How could I not take all  (all, all, ALL) of my nieces and nephews to this magical puppetry production?!  By Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia, performing at the Gunter Theater.

Dog lovers cannot be left out!  We rabbits must remember to be inclusive!  Thursday April 14th at  6 pm, Yappy Hour at The Humane Society is the mixer for dog lovers with themed treats for our four legged friends and the bipeds who love them.  For $10, you and your friends can unwind with cold brews and live music from local artists.  Meanwhile, your dog can run off leash in our canine courtyard and take a dip in our “doggie pools”.

Also, for the canine inclined, April 21 at the Old Cigar Warehouse, The Pawmetto Derby!  Derby-goers enjoy live music, derby-themed fare, bottomless cocktails and top shelf bourbon!  It all leads up to the main event of the evening – the “Run for the Noses” race where adorable (and adoptable!) puppies compete to win the coveted “Run for the Noses” Champion trophy!

Missing a little 90s music?  April 15th Cool down on tax day with Coolio at the Well, and, April 16th have your happy-it’s-over jam with Pearl Jam also at the Well.

In case you forgot the signature event, Bikeville Classic... The week of April 12 - 17 Swamp Rabbit Lodge is currently available to book for Bikeville Classic weekend!

We know you don't want to miss this, so, a gentle reminder:  April 23rd Community Tap Craft Beer Fest at Larkin’s Sawmill, conveniently followed by:  April 24th at 10 am - 1 pm the Upstate welcomes Biscuit Head with Biscuits and Beer Brunch!   at Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom.  A little Hare of the Rabbit, eh?!

May Day!!!  Lots going on May 1st.  Three events at the Swamp Rabbit Inn!!!

First on May 1st at 10 am, join us for the Trek Travel Ride.  The ride will be approximately 40 miles.  We will ride from the Swamp Rabbit Inn,  out on the Swamp Rabbit Trail towards Travelers Rest, with the option to climb Paris Mountain.  Paper route guides will be available at the start.  After the ride Councilwoman Amy Ryberg Doyle will give the May Bike Month proclamation also at the Swamp Rabbit Inn!

That evening, also May 1st:  "Dinner with Friends".   After that big ride, come sit awhile at our table and join us for a lovely repast.   This is our first "Dinner With Friends" event at the Swamp Rabbit Inn with some of our very good friends Chef Michael Kramer of Table 301, Steven Musolf of Lazy Goat, Teryi Youngblood of Passerelle Bistro, Krystal Hill of Lazy Goat, Craig Rogers (the Cycling Shepard) of Border Springs Farms and Michael Kimball of Williamsburg Winery.  As of this writing there are still 24 tickets left, purchase them HERE.

Please don't forget we have our Tuesday Latte Rides leaving the Inn at 9:30 am every Tuesday.  And do save the date for May 10th, our first Truck in Tuesday of the season!

Of course you can always cruise in to downtown for Main Street Fridays at NOMA Square.  Happening all summer long,  5:30 - 9:30.

In short: if you want to be bored this spring stay the heck away from Greenville SC, 'cause we are gonna party, bike, eat, drink, and dance our fuzzy little tails off!

Cheers!

--Percy

In Case You Missed Our Sneak Peek at the Swamp Rabbit Inn, Greenville, SC

Here is an online sneak peek of the six bedroom European style inn that we fondly refer to as the Swamp Rabbit Inn.  We welcome anyone to this inn and particularly those who like to explore on two wheels.  Please enjoy this sneak peek of the Swamp Rabbit Inn which will open in June 2014 and share with your friends.  Book whole house by calling 864-517-4617 or individual rooms online now!