9-23-2016 GCS Party and Meeting The Georgia Championship Awards Party will be Oct. 22. What: GCS Awards Party, Where: Whitetail Bicycles, 770 Mid Broadwell Rd, Milton, GA, When: October 22, 6pm, Why: Celebrate the 2016 GCS Series & Award the winners! RSVP Here. The Annual Georgia Bicycle Racing Association will be held at 4:00 before the awards party.

9-22-2016 Georgia Cross Reminders From GACX:  A few reminders as we head into the 2016 CX season:
– New for 2016: There will be a $10 late fee for day of registration. So make sure to pre-register to avoid this!
– As always racers will keep the same bib number for the entire season. There is a $5 replacement charge.
– Make sure your USAC license is current and bring it to the races. Either print off your registration to ride or download the app!
– Racing age is based off of your age on December 31, 2017.
– Savannah’s Saturday race will be double points for the series!!!
Be sure to check the “rules” and “beginner info” pages on www.georgiacx.com if you have any other questions.

9-21-2016 Pro Rider News Holowesko-Citadel picked up Sprinter Ty Magner and his current UHC teammate John Murphy (Asheville, NC). Oscar Clark has resigned with the team. “Eisenhart, 22, was the most-recent addition to the 2017 Holowesko roster after a potential deal with Joey Rosskopf fell through when the former team rider won the Tour du Limousin with BMC Racing. “We were going to bring Joey back,” Craven said. “We were working with him and it looked pretty good, but then that idiot goes off and wins [Tour du] Limousin and got taken back into the BMC fold. That left Eisenhart, who was going to get that spot, without a contract.” (Cyclingnews.com)

9-20-2016 Bike Your Park-Cochran Mill Park This is cool! If you haven’t been to Cochran Mill Park, it’s a gem in S. Fulton County (GA). From SORBA Atlanta: Bike Your Park Day September 24, 2016 Free Parking for all Cochran Mill Park users The City of Chattahoochee Hills in corporation with SORBA Atlanta would like to invite all park users to come out and experience the wonders of Cochran Mill Park on 9/24/2016. Come test yourself and your bike on the 20 miles of new trails, ride the Dirt Sheets gravel loop, the Silk Sheets route or just take a hike with the family. Bike Your Park Day was created by Adventure Cycling Explore your parks and public lands by bicycle with thousands of people across the country on the same day — the first ever Bike Your Park Day on September 24, 2016. Bring your friends and family and help them discover the bicycling opportunities in your backyard.

Georgia Riders go to Worlds Congratulations to Megan Heath (Frazier Cycling/Fearless Femme) on being selected to the Junior Women’s team for the upcoming UCI Road Cycling World Championships!  Megan joins Skylar Schneider (West Allis, Wis./ISCorp Cycling p/b SmartChoice MRI), Hannah Arensman (Rutherford College, N.C./TWENTY16 Pro Cycling), and Summer Moak (Foothill Ranch, Calif./TWENTY16 Pro Cycling) on Team USA in the Junior women’s road race. Joey Rosskopf (BMC Racing) will be racing in the Elite Men (GO JOEY!!), and Ian Garrison (Decatur, Ga./Holowesko-Citadel Racing Team p/b Hincapie Racing) will race both the Junior Men’s RR and TT.

9-19-2016 From Swagger: Six Gap Crit Hundreds of competitive adult and youth cyclists are expected to compete in over 10 races on Saturday, September 24 for the 6th Annual Six Gap Criterium. The Criterium provides a one-kilometer, closed circuit for bicycle racers in the heart of downtown Dahlonega. This spectator-friendly event will have you on your feet and cheering as cyclists speed by at top speeds of 40 miles per hour. The start/finish line will be located directly in front of the famous Historic Holly Theatre.  While waiting for a race to start, be sure to work your way to the Six Gap Century Expo where you can find a variety of cycling attire, equipment, and nutrition from leading industry companies. All Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty merchandise will be available for purchase throughout the day at the Expo.

Across the Beeriers!! (YES! #Crossiscoming !!) October 8 – Southern Brewing Company & October 9 – Terrapin Beer Co. It’s baaaack!! Two days of the best crafted cyclocross racing in the Southeast returns to Athens, GA on October 8 and 9. Added to the hopping good time at The Southern Brewing Company in 2015 will be another day of racing at the Terrapin Beer Co. Each full price race entry includes a brewery tour at each brewery (21 and older, of course).  Just want to watch? Come join us all day or just for the feature pro women and men’s events held at 12:15pm & 1:15pm each day…and definitely learn how to draft with a tour of the brewery. Registration is open NOW!

9-17-2016 Cycle Therapy Moves After 7 years on Broad Street in downtown Rome, Cycle Therapy has moved to 27 Central Plaza, also in downtown Rome.  Central Plaza is a well known shopping center off of East 2nd Avenue that will offer CT customers better parking, more convenient bike drop off and pick up, and trail access to test ride bikes.  Our website and phone number remains the same, www.cycletherapy.us and 706 235 4866 but our hours have been slightly tweaked, we are now closing at 5pm on Fridays instead of 6pm.  We look forward to you seeing our new space and celebrating the move with us.

US Pro to Knoxville Press Release from USAC: The 2017 Volkswagen U.S. Professional Road & Time Trial National Championships will be held in Knoxville, Tenn., next June, USA Cycling and Visit Knoxville announced Friday. “We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to run our most prestigious road cycling event in Knoxville next summer,” said USA Cycling CEO Derek Bouchard-Hall. “Knoxville’s love of cycling, natural beauty and renowned hospitality will make an exceptional location for us to crown our top professional road cyclists in just nine months!” The 2017 Volkswagen U.S. Professional Road & Time Trial National Championships will run June 23-25 in Knoxville. The men’s and women’s individual time trials will run on Friday, June 23, followed by the June 24 Knoxville Gran Fondo. Showcasing the weekend, the men’s and women’s road races will run Sunday, June 25 in downtown Knoxville, highlighted by challenging climbs as well as other scenic features offered only in Knoxville. “Visit Knoxville is thrilled that USA Cycling has chosen Knoxville for their event,” said Kim Bumpas, President, Visit Knoxville. “The Visit Knoxville Sports Commission worked very hard to make this partnership come to fruition. We are also lucky to be working with The American Red Cross of East Tennessee on the Knoxville Gran Fondo. We hope that the community rallies around these elite athletes as well as participates in the Fondo and visits the Cycling Expo at World’s Fair Park.”

USA Cycling is making this a standalone event in June rather than pairing it with Masters and Para Cycling National Championships in May as it did in 2016. This decision focuses greater attention on this marquee event and eliminates the many challenges associated with holding multiple championships simultaneously. The timing of the June 23-25 event aligns with the UCI calendar’s designated timeframe for nations to run their respective road national championships. This marks the first time that USA Cycling’s professional road championships fall in line with the UCI’s designated road national championship weekend.

9-16-2016  DLV Beginner’s Class From the Dick Lane Velodrome Last Beginner’s Class of 2016 is THIS WEEKEND! Our last Beginner’s Class Presented by Outback Bikes is this Saturday and Sunday from 1-4p.m. both days (weather may/may not change the times, so stay posted). For more info on how to register and what the class is about click this link.

Rosskopf Renews with BMC Georgia rider Joey Rosskopf has renewed his contract with World Team member BMC. Joey said: “I’m super excited for the chance to stay with BMC Racing Team,” Rosskopf said. “I just want to keep making steps forward and get better at competing at this level. I assume we’ll be doing even more UCI WorldTour races next year but that’s the goal, it’s a super high level of racing. “I learned a lot from being in the position of leadership at the Tour du Limousin, winning the first stage and defending throughout the race. It gives me confidence and I feel really good about racing for the rest of this season and next year.”

9-15-2016 Ashley Brock Memorial Service From the Hub Bicycles: There will be a service for Ashley Block at Emmanuel Episcopal Church on Prince Avenue tomorrow morning September 15th at 10:00am. Everyone welcome please show your support for their family.

9-13-2016 Athens Tragedy (Note: An updated article is here.)Everyone has been keeping up with the Athens Tragedy on Facebook today. I’ve held of posting anything on SE Cycling until the names were released. A woman was killed. A well known mountain biker in Athens is in the ICU with multiple injuries. Brian Molloy from The Hub bicycle shop was able to get out of the way and was uninjured. The driver has been charged with First Degree Homicide among other charges.

From the Athens Banner Herald: “A woman who allegedly was driving under the influence of drugs struck three bicyclists with her vehicle in east Athens Monday night, killing one of the bicyclists, Athens-Clarke County police said. One of the bicyclists was pronounced dead at the scene, another was in the hospital with serious injuries and the third was treated for minor injuries and released, according to police.

The fatal wreck occurred on Athena Drive, between Olympic Drive and Spring Valley Road, where police said a vehicle driven by 31-year-old Whitney Baker Howard’s vehicle crossed the double yellow line and struck the bicyclists. According to police, there was evidence the woman was driving while under the influence of drugs and also that she may have been on the phone. She had a child passenger in her vehicle at the time of the crash, police said.

Howard was charged with first-degree homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence of drugs, endangering a child by driving while intoxicated, failure to maintain lane and improper use of a mobile phone while driving. Police had not released the name of the person who was killed as of mid-morning Tuesday.”

US Pro to Knoxville I heard from a friend in Knoxville, TN that this Friday (Sept 16) at 10 am there will be a major cycling announcement at a press conference at the World’s Fair Park Amphitheater. Attendees will include the CEO of USA Cycling, a few professional cyclists, local elected officials and other dignitaries. Everyone in the community is welcome. From what I have previously have found out, it looks like US Pro is moving to Knoxville. This is great news for the Southeast as we’ve had this race for nearly 10 years now–Greenville, Chattanooga, Winson-Salem, and now Knoxville. I understand there will be some other announcements as well.

Use a Blinkie! It’s unfortunately that time of year when it starts to get darker earlier. Please remember to use a front and rear light or blinkie when riding on the roads. The darkness makes it hard for cars to see you, even as early as 7:00. It was cloudy last night, and I was surprised by how dark it made some of the roads in Buckhead. All of the local bike shops carry a variety of lights. For road riding, I use the Knog Blinder Road, which has multiple blink & steady settings at different levels. For the rear I use a Bontrager Flash-R. It is really bright and can also be seen in the day. For mtb and off road, I have an assortment of newish and old lights that allow me to see instead of being seen.

SORBA West Georgia Work Parties SORBA West Georgia will be hosting trail work parties this Sat., Sept. 17 at Sarah Babb, Clinton Nature Preserve, and Allatoona. Click here for more information.

Brownwood Bike Rally Celebrating 12 years of cycling, fitness and fun! Get your bikes in gear for the East Atlanta Kids Club’s 12th-annual Brownwood Bike Rally on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Brownwood Park in East Atlanta. The event features bike races for kids and adults. The two adult “crit-cross” races cover both street and dirt track terrain, and are open to beginner and advanced cyclists.  This year’s festival also includes a bike safety rodeo for kids,a health fair, a food court and a festival area featuring family-friendly activities. Prizes are awarded for all races.  Proceeds will benefit the East Atlanta Kids Club, a nonprofit after-school tutoring and mentoring program for promising youth. Register and learn more about the course and race details 2016 Brownwood Bike Rally at active.com.

When: Saturday, September 17, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Brownwood Park, 602 Brownwood Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 (and surrounding streets in East Atlanta)
Time: Registration begins at 8:00 am; bike races and bike rodeo begin at 9:30am and end at 2:00 pm.
Cost: Event admission is free for all. Races are free for children, $10-$20 for adults.

How to Get Involved! This event remains free for all youth participants each year with the help of more than 150 volunteers, the support of several local cycling and fitness clubs, and generous sponsors. ●    Become a Volunteer. Help is needed in all areas, including racing, registration, raffle prizes, fundraising and marketing! For general information about the event or East Atlanta Kids Club, call 404-627-8050 or go to www.brownwoodbikerally.com.
Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/BrownwoodBikeRally, Twitter link: http://www.twitter.com/BikeBrownwood, Volunteer form: http://bit.ly/bikerallyvolunteer, Donations: http://bit.ly/bikerallydonations

9-11-2016 Sept. Trail Party at Rope Mill From SORBA Woodstock The September Trail Party will be 9:00AM, Saturday September 17th at Rope Mill. We will be working on a reroute for Turbine, repairing a sink hole on the recently installed crib wall and doing some general trail maintenance. Lunch will be provided around 1:00. All you will need to bring is water, gloves, closed toe shoes and some friends.

9-8-2016 Allatoona Partially Open in Winter! From SORBA West Georgia Great News!  Cobb County and SORBA West Georgia are pleased to announce that Allatoona Creek Park’s Turtle Back, Red Baron, and Whipper Snapper trails will now be open year round! Previously off limits due to hunting in November and December, the County has determined that the area’s growing interest in mountain biking, trail running and hiking called for keeping some of park’s trails open. Hunters will still have access to the park outside this area. During November and December, access to these trails will only be available through the Pitner Road Dog Park. Trails will open at 10:00 am. No access will be available from the main parking lot. The rest of Allatoona Creek Park’s trails will continue to use the following schedule.

September / October – Trails open at 10:00 am
November / December – Trails (except those noted above) closed – HUNTERS ONLY. Turtle Back, Red Baron, and Whipper Snapper open at 10:00 am (from Pitner Road Dog Park)
January – Most trails open at 10:00 am. Everything north of the bridge over Allatoona Creek closed – HUNTERS ONLY

Cochran Mill Work Party From SORBA: Monthly Cochran Mill Work Party, Saturday at 9 AM – 12 PM, We will be meeting at the main parking lot at 9 and then we will ride to the Red Trail to hand build some new trail. If you enjoy using the trails please consider coming out to help and remember if you volunteer 8 hours you get a free yearly $25 parking pass for the park. Bring your BIKE, gloves, water, snacks, close toe shoes and your epi pen if you are allergic to bees. If you plan on attending, please RSVP.

9-6-2016 DLV Collegiate Cup Photos Photos from all categories from the Collegiate Cup at the Dick Lane Velodrome on Monday are ready at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com.

Fool’s Gold MTB Races Fool’s Gole MTB Races– Sept. 17, 2016 – 85 Spots Remaining in 60 mile race If you would like to participate in the 60 mile race, please register soon as there are only 85 spots remaining in the 60 mile. There is plenty of room in the 90 mile for long course racers. Important Dates: September 14th – 8 pm Registration Deadline. No race day registrations for this event. New Start/Finish Location and Improved Courses! We are pleased to be partnering with Anderson Creek Retreat in Ellijay, GA to host the 2016 event. On Site Camping for 2016!  One of our primary reasons for the move was to provide you with the option to camp at the race venue. Due to limited space, you MUST RESERVE YOUR SPOT by emailing lisa@mountaingoatadventures.com no later than Sept. 12th. Please include the type of camping unit…RV, Sprinter, Tent or Sleeping in car/SUV, so we can ensure we have room for you.
As far as the course, all of the fast Bull and Jake Mountain singletrack that you know and love will remain the same and will continue to be ridden in the same direction that you are used to. We knew you’d like to hear that. The main course changes will be to the gravel road sections and we feel will make the course safer and more fun. The 90 mile course will complete two 30 mile laps of the Bull and Jake Singletrack and then head back the same way as the 60 mile riders for a course that includes approximately 60 miles of trail and 30 miles of gravel or paved road.

9-4-2016 Cobb International Village Velodrome From a Facebook post: The United States is successful internationally in sports that are accessible to the masses. There are running tracks, swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields and football fields abundant in most communities. These are all sports the United States is successful in. Cobb International Village will be breaking away from the norm and include a velodrome. For those not familiar with a velodrome, it is a banked track where cyclists appear to defy gravity as they ride around the steeply banked turns. Without going into physics, once a rider hits a certain speed, they will not slide down the banking. Racing is exciting to participate in and watch on a velodrome. Fact is there are less than 30 operational velodromes in the United States. In contrast, the significantly smaller United Kingdom has just over 20 velodromes and currently has the most successful track cycling program in the world. Cobb International Village’s plan to include a velodrome will open up recreational, training and racing opportunities for the local community.

Trish’s Notes: Yes, a velodrome in Cobb County! I have been in touch regularly with someone on the consulting team to CIV. It is looking like a real, real possibility. Construction on other parts of CIV is scheduled to begin in early 2017. The track will most likely be regulation 250m. I don’t have a firm date on when the track might open. Like the DLV, there will be “memberships” or somesuch available to ride it. You will need to be certified for safety reasons, etc. There will be programs for all levels of riders and racing. I think the Atlanta market can support two tracks because of the large population north of 285 and south of the north arc of 285. I am still a HUGE supporter of the DLV and will be racing there in 2017. We have more racing than almost any track in the US except T-Town–but no one can match T-Town. Needless to say I am really excited! I can already see a DLV Friday & Sat. night Pro race the weekend proceeding a National Championship at the CIV track! Can you imagine the quality of racers it would attract to Atlanta? ATL is already home to a few former Masters Track World Champions, current Masters National Champions & medalists, a Junior that has represented the US at Junior Worlds & Pan Ams, other National Champions (DLV has riders from several nations!) as well as Elite medalists. This all blows my mind!

But for now…. #crossiscoming.

9-1-2016 Ride Time Changes As a reminder, a lot of the weekday rides move to an earlier time in Sept. Check out the Rides page (scroll to towards the bottom) to see if your favorite ride is among them.

8-31-2016 Spokes for Speech Fondo Press Release: October 8th, ride the Spokes for Speech Fondo to Mule Camp, a fantastic charity fondo through the hills of North Hall and Lumpkin County, supporting the Northeast Georgia Speech Center. The Northeast Georgia Speech Center has been serving much of Northeast Georgia since the 1950’s.  Join us for the Spokes for Speech Fondo to Mule Camp, support the good folks at the Northeast Georgia Speech Center, while you enjoy a fantastic ride with amazing sag stops stocked with gourmet baked goods, yummy beverages and a host of, “fill your pockets” Clif products, to keep you moving on the 20, 40 or 60 mile route. Then, arrive at the finish, get a quick shower, and take a short walk to the Mule Camp Festival in downtown Gainesville, with cool shopping, food, craft beer and great live music. When – October 8, 2016, 9am, Where – 751 Green St. NW, Gainesville, GA

Check out the interactive route maps here: tinyurl.com/s4sf2mc Register now, and use coupon code: S4S10Off for $10 off! (USA Cycling License is NOT required to register) Plus, the first 250 ride registrants are guaranteed an authentic logo’d musette bag and they’ll be entered in a prize drawing worth over $500!

New Trail at Chicopee Woods NE GA SORBA is excited to begin work on a new trail at Chicopee. Plans are to build new trail at the end of White Tail (aka Outer Loop) across the Walnut Creek Dam and rehabilitate sections of White Tail. This is the first of many upcoming work parties this fall/winter. We need your help! Join us Saturday Sept 24, 2016 for a morning of trail construction and fellowship at Chicopee Woods MTB Trails. Everyone is welcome. Meet fellow riders and make new friends. Please arrive at the Chicopee trailhead on Elachee Drive by 8:45a.m. for sign-in. Meet at the tool shed in the upper parking lot. We will work from 9am-1pm. Tools and Lunch will be provided. No experience is necessary. Bring closed toed shoes, water, snacks, gloves, etc. Stinging insects are active at this time of year. If you are allergic please let one of the crew leaders know at sign-in and bring your meds. Once you have logged 20 volunteer hours you will qualify for access to Promotive.com, an industry discount site. We will have a raffle for prizes after lunch. RSVP to negasorba@gmail.com by Thursday Sept 22 to help us make sure we will have enough lunches. Feel free to email us with any questions.

8-30-2016 CX Clinic Thanks to everyone who came out to the annual cyclocross clinic in Marietta, GA yesterday! We had a nice turn out! I hope to see a lot of them at races this year!

CX Clinic participants getting ready to practice skills.

8-29-2016 DLV The Velodrome Cup Photos Photos from the DLV – The Velodrome Cup are ready at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com.

The Men’s A field during the points race at the Velodrome Cup at the Dick Lane Velodrome.

8-27-2016 CX Clinic The annual CX clinic is THIS Monday at Jim R. Miller Park at 6:15! All are welcome! Ride what you brung, but helmets are required!

8-25-2016 Masters National Track Championships I went to the Masters National Track Championships two weeks ago and wrote a guest blog for the East Point Track Club about it. I came home with 4 medals in the Points Race, Scratch Race, 500m TT, and Sprints.

Spot on TT The Spot On Time Trial is this Sunday in Cumming, GA. Same Great course with new name (and a larger parking area)! The Spot on Time Trial will take you through the beautiful scenic roads of Forsyth County. All TT Categories with Age groups plus Merckx division added for 2016. Juniors will have a slightly shorter TT course. This is a Challenging TT route with 2 small climbs and 8 turns. Not your typical out and back. A portion of all registration will go to the Smith Gall Humane Society. Lets help our fury little friends.

8-24-2016 Stand and Hammer Giveaway Congratulations to Steve Z.! He is the winner of the Stand and Hammer tshirt giveaway!

Wilson 100 From the promoter: After all of the summer rides and training, it’s time to get ready for the Wilson 100! The Wilson 100 is September 10th starting and finishing in the beautiful and quaint town of Senoia at 8am. Join us for either a 40, 62 or 100 mile ride. Register now by clicking here. This year, we will be doing packet pick-up and registration on ride day at Marimac Park, next to the library. Please make a note of that, as it is different from the past two years!
Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty Press Release: Coming on September 25, 2016 and taking place in Georgia’s Premier Cycling Venue, the Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty boasts many of the same roads and mountain climbs as the elite Tour de Georgia. Come ride the Ride of the Pros! The Six Gap Century’s ultra challenging route takes you up and down six of the steepest climbs in the North Georgia Mountains. Test your stamina with more than 11,200 feet of vertical climbing over the 104 mile course. Elevations for the six gaps in this ride range from 1,400 feet to 3,460 feet. The toughest climb, Hogpen Gap, will test even the strongest riders, averaging a 7% grade for seven miles, with sections as steep as 15%. The Three Gap Fifty’s alternative route offers half the gaps and half the distance, but is nevertheless a demanding and challenging course at 58 miles. Elevations range from 1,400 feet to 3,364 feet. We are also pleased to announce the 7th Annual “Valley Route” Bike Ride. This 35-mile valley option is a great introduction to the infamous Six Gap Century and boasts some of the most scenic mountainside in the Southeast. This new route will cast a special spotlight onto Yahoola Valley, Turner’s Corner, and R-Ranch in the Mountains. Call 706-864-3711 with any questions.

8-23-2016 Georgia CX Clinic Join Trish for her annual Cyclocross Clinic Monday, Aug. 29th at 6:15 at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. We will be starting PROMPTLY at 6:15! Please be ready to ride then. Park in the big field across from the Fairgrounds (look for cyclocross racers). As always, it’s free & everyone will be welcome! Ride what you brung—although I highly recommend a CX bike or mountain bike. Bar ends & bottle cages need to be removed from all bikes. A HELMET IS REQUIRED! If you do not wear a helmet, you will not be allowed to ride or participate in the clinic. Baggy clothes like baggy mtb shorts, cycling skirts, and running shorts will get caught on the saddle—Lycra is your friend for this clinic and CX in general! We will go over basic CX skills like shouldering the bike, dismounting, remounting, and going over barriers as well as basic CX & USAC information. Junior racers are welcome! The clinic will last approximately an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. Contact Trish if you want to attend or RSVP on Facebook.

Stand and Hammer Giveaway Looking for the Stand and Hammer Tshirt Giveaway? Scroll down just a bit to enter! 🙂 There is still time!

Greenville CX-Cup p/b Cycle Haus Pedal, Run… Jump! Save the date for the first CX race in Greenville SC, the Greenville CX-Cup presented by Cycle Haus. Races begin at 10 AM – Full schedule of Youth, Amateur and Professional races. Course will have two dismount sections, a challenging hill (or two) and many long straightaway sections for riders to pick up speed. FREE Kids races, under 9 yrs of age. Enjoy the Travelers Rest Farmers Market and beautiful start to Fall weather in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. We look forward to seeing you at Trailblazer Park on September 10th. Registration, courses and category information at www.startsmartcycling.com.

Debbie Milne leads the Women’s 1/2/3 field at Grant Park.