November 2006 Archive
11-1-2006
WBL News Press Release: The Official Unofficial Rides are on November
18 and November 25: 3 hours; 10 a.m. depart from Sunshine Cycles in Athens. The
Real Deal begins on December 2, 2006 with the Saul Raisin Raisin Hell in the WBL
Event. All the sorry details can be seen at www.winterbikeleague.com
For Immediate Release: The First Money Rides: The Fortson Clothing Store Million
Dollar Giveaway: January 1 (Cats 3s, 4s, and Vets only!) and the January 6
Womens' Sprint only gala! Details on our must illustrious site.
And for all you Athenians, vote Against Superior Court Judge David Sweat and For
Stan Durden, a friend of all cyclists (except for Chris Nichols, Bill Riecke,
Jack Cooney, George Schramm, Mike Edmonds, Frank Crumbly, Kirk Smith, Len Slote,
Dave McCoy, and few other bastards who shall remain nameless). Briggsy.
Track News Winter Wednesday Night Training starts Nov 1 - 7pm to 9pm
Holiday Weeks or if it looks like rain your on your own... Training requires
signed waivers and the winter training pass ($40) or one day pass ($5). Waivers
->http://savedlv.org/pdf_flyers/atra_waiver.pdf
____________________________________
Sunday Junior Training - starts Jan 7th 2 to 4pm No class if below 45 or if it
rains
Blue Ridge Capital presented by Peachtree Bikes seeks riders for 2007
Blue Ridge Capital and Peachtree Bikes have teamed up for 2007 to field an
all-new Elite Men's team. The team's focus will primarily be on local and
regional events with a few forays to nearby NRC stage races such as Joe Martin
and the Tour of Virginia. Any interested men's category one or two riders may
forward their race resume's to BRCracing@gmail.com
11-2-2006
Monroe CX The Georgia Cross Series will be in Monroe this Sunday. The first
50 new riders to the Georgia Cross series will receive a free water bottle from
Custom Audio Solutions. Custom Audio Solutions is a home audio company that will
customize your home entertainment system so you get the most out of your
relaxation time. Also, a special thanks to @ The Hub Bicycles in Athens for
providing the prizes for the race. Just a short distance from Atlanta , Athens
or Macon , Monroe is one of the most popular races on the circuit.
For more info check out
www.georgia-cross.com If you’ve never tried cross or haven’t made it to a
race yet come get your water bottle. Don’t forget the series raffle, every race
entered is an entry to the raffle. The raffle will be held immediately following
the series finale. Must be present to win
11-3-2006
Heritage Closed on Nov. 5 This is from John Gentry from the Oconee Co
Parks & Rec Dept:- "We will be hosting a Cross Country running event on Nov 5 at
Heritage
Park and the bike trails will be utilized, therefore, we are temporary closing
them to bikers on this day. Signs will also be posted but I thought this may be
a good way to spread the word as well. Nov 5 is the only affected day.
Thank you for your assistance in this matter. John T. Gentry, Jr. Director
Oconee County Parks and Recreation Department"
Bike for Sale Please contact Eric...2006 Giant XTC Comp Carbon FIber
Mountain Bike Hardtail.
Never ridden. Bike retails for 2600.00 I am asking 1800 or best offer. Complete
specs and a photo of the bike can be seen here:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030.000.000/030.000.006.asp?year=2006&model=11264
Eric Murphy, e.murphy@mac.com
11-5-2006 New Toy I was playing with my new toy on the Silver Comet on Saturday. It's a Casio Exilim EX-S770. My old point and shoot was too big to put into a jersey pocket or my purse. The Exilim is a "credit card" camera and is one of the tiniest on the market. I did quite a bit of research before deciding on it. Of course, I still plan to take most of the photos with my SLR, but it's nice to be able to capture snapshots.
Monroe CX Photos Thanks to Adam and Nancy Jones for a great race Sunday at Criswell Park in Monroe! The course was a lot of fun and quite different than in years past. I have a ton of photos posted here. Also, thank you to Sorella Alison Lowry for taking the photos of the Men's B and Women's A race.
Dumb Atlanta Road Project--WRITE CITY HALL! Ok, ya'll know I don't do
much advocacy on this site, but this is from the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign. It's
lunacy what the city of Atlanta is trying to do!
Alert! Alert! Bike-friendly road being ruined!
This message is intended for all bicyclists who live in or ride a bicycle in the
City of Atlanta. To our surprise and dismay, the City is now moving forward with
yet another road narrowing project which will remove bicycle space, requiring
cyclists to share an 11 foot lane with 30 mph or faster motorized traffic. This
is proposed on East Wesley road in north Atlanta, currently one of the best
roads for biking in the city.
As shown in the photo below, East Wesley now has virtual bike lanes. All they
would have to add are the bike lane symbols, as the 5 foot to 6 foot wide
striped shoulders meet the standards for a marked bike lane. The road bed is 32
feet wide, leaving room for both bikes and cars. The bulb-out shown intruding
into the bike lane space is the first step in a massive construction project
which will narrow the entire road bed to 22 feet wide, leaving the same amount
of space as currently available for cars, but removing ALL of the bicycle space!
After expressing our concerns about such an inappropriate change to a street on
the City's bike plan, we learned last week from the City that they intend to go
forward with this ill-conceived project. Here is a quote from the City's
response:
"...bicycle lanes would have been added in the very beginning, however, because
the residents did not want to have any right of way impact it was not possible
to add traffic calming, sidewalks, and bicycles. The Garden Hills Neighborhood
Association generated the concept and approved the final plan for the project.
It was approved because the main concern of the Association was to calm traffic
and to have a continuous sidewalk along the north side of the roadway. Bicycles
are vehicles and are to use the travel lanes as cars would."
An ABC representative visited the route, and confirmed that the entire stretch
of road between Piedmont Avenue and Peachtree Street still has 5 foot striped
shoulders, perfect for bicycling on this busy road. However, as you can see,
drastic changes are on the way!
Please write to the City and remind them of the following facts important to
bicycle accommodation in Atlanta:
East Wesley is an important route for bicycling between Peachtree Street and
Piedmont Avenue, connecting people on bicycles to thousands of work and shopping
destinations on both Peachtree and Piedmont.
East Wesley is even more important after Lindbergh and Peachtree Hills Ave were
narrowed to preclude bicycle space Traffic calming limits and guidelines must be
established for city-wide use. As a minimum, these standards should preclude
reduction of space for bicycling
on roads with high traffic volume.
Atlanta streets on the City's On-Street Commuter Bicycle Plan should receive
priority for bike lanes and other bicycle improvements and should not be
permitted construction changes which interfere with such bicycle accommodations.
Neighborhoods do not own the streets running through them. Yes, they are
important stakeholders and their preferences should be considered, but so must
the needs of all road-users, including bicyclists.
Atlanta should be taking major steps to INCREASE the safety and convenience of
bicycling NOT DECREASING it.
Also include information on how you use the streets of Atlanta for bicycling,
and how such projects affect you personally.
Please send your message to Public Works Commissioner David Scott descott@atlantaga.gov
, with copies to David Ferguson of the City's Office of Transportation
dfferguson@atlantaga.gov, Valerie Smith of the City's Bond Program VBell-Smith@AtlantaGa.Gov
, Mayor Shirley Franklin MayorFranklin@AtlantaGa.Gov , Sandra Jennings of Public
Works sjennings@AtlantaGa.Gov , and to ABC atlantabike@mindspring.com
Look for fresh updates periodically on our web site at www.atlantabike.org . We
obtained more photos today which will be posted on our web site tomorrow.
Please write as soon as possible! If we can't prevent the removal of virtual
bike lanes on a road that carries high priory on the City's Bike Plan, what CAN
we do ?
Thank you!
____ _o Dennis Hoffarth
___ _ \<, Executive Director
( )/ ( ) Atlanta Bicycle Campaign
404-881-1112
atlantabike@mindspring.com
www.atlantabike.org
Amendment #3--VOTE! From the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign: (Trish's note:
Just vote! It doesn't matter for who or what. Voting is a right not a privilege!
Vote this Tuesday!) Amendment Number 3 on the November 7th, general
election Georgia statewide ballot concerns legislatively- created,
directed-extra- revenue specialty license plates. It is on the ballot as a
result of House Resolution 1564: http://www.legis. state.ga. us/legis/
2005_06/sum/ hr1564.htm
The vote results will determine whether or not there will be improved
constitutional standing for such plates AND whether or not the extra funds
generated by such plates will benefit the particular specialty license plate
causes or be able to be more readily tapped by legislators to fund
non-related causes and/or the general budget.
With passage of Amendment 3, there should be fewer legislator challenges to such
specialty license plates AND it is more likely that the extra funds generated by
such specialty license plates, like those for wildlife habitat protection,
wildflower plantings, cycling safety initiatives, disabled
athletes assistance, and breast cancer screening and treatment, will
conclusively go towards the subject causes.
11-8-2006 Welcome 55 Nine Performance Southeastern Cycling welcomes a new advertiser, 55 Nine Performance. 55 Nine offers Wobble Naught bike fittings custom to each person. 55 Nine also offers a full array of coaching services by Endurance rider and coach Eddie O'Dea.
Please support the Southeastern Cycling advertisers who make this website possible!
Fulton Flyers CX Report The Land Rover-Seimens team checks in with their race report from the Monroe cyclocross race.
11-9-2006 IMBA
Trail Care Crew Atlanta Visit Thursday Nov 30th
6-9pm - Trailbuilding School at REI store ATLANTA location
Friday Dec 1st 7-9pm - Social Event at residence of Bruce Dickman in Roswell
Saturday Dec 2nd 9am-12pm - Classroom Session at REI Perimeter store location.
12pm-1:30pm - Class attendees have lunch on their own and arrive at Trailhead
for Field Session by 1:30p (located <15 minutes from REI store)
1:30pm-4pm - Field Session
Sunday Dec 3rd
12pm - Group Ride at Georgia International Horse Park. Ride will be led by Mike
& Jan Riter.
Big Stampede in Charlotte The fourth Annual Big Stampede Cycling Expo &
Swap will roll into Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, November 12th. Held
next to the NASCAR Motor Speedway, the event will feature an expanded kids' area
with a bike rodeo.
The swap will include items for sale such as bikes, parts, and accessories from
area retailers, cycling manufacturers, clubs, service providers, and local
riders cleaning out their garages.
In conjunction with the swap, the Tarheel Trailblazers will host the Southside
Spanker road ride. For more information, go to
www.bigstampede.com
Spin for Kids Fundraiser Join Team Myogenesis for a Spin for Kids fundraiser for Camp Sunshine this Friday at StarTime Entertainment in Roswell. See the invite here. The donation is $20, and the bar will be open! The donation is $20. Support a great cause!
Felt fine until the four of us (Kim and Daryl Sawyer and Cindy Nelson) were attacked by someone in a car with a paint gun. Daryl was hit on the back, and I was hit on the left wrist in two places. We heard a pop and then felt the sting. We didn't know what happened. Daryl was able to get a look at two white males in a black newer model Civic or Accord. I had yellow paint all over my wrist and a large welt in 2 places. Kim called the Marietta police, who arrived within about 15 minutes. They took our report, but there was not much they could do without a better description. We opted not to file a police report but wanted to report it in case that these males in their late teens or early 20s shot at something or someone else.
11-10-2006 Beware in Marietta/Cobb County! Four of us were riding at the Marietta crit course tonight when we were attacked with a paint ball gun or some kind of air gun. One guy was hit on the back, and I was hit on the left wrist in two places. We heard a pop and then felt the sting. We didn't know what happened. The guy that was hit was able to get a look at two white males in a black newer model Civic or Accord. I had yellow paint all over my wrist and a large welt in 2 places. The guy's wife called the Marietta police, who arrived within about 15 minutes. They took our report, but there was not much they could do without a better description. We opted not to file a police report but wanted to report it in case that these males in their late teens or early 20s shot at something or someone else. The other guy that was with us later found a sign that had been hit with the paintball gun. Thankfully, our only injuries will be red welts and some bruising. If you are in Marietta or Cobb County and see this car or have a similar experience, please report it by calling 911! (The police were very helpful and concerned.)
Why Do You Ride Some NARC riders have it figured out!
But Trish, WHY? Why don't I post charity rides, centuries, fun rides,
etc.? I don't have time or the
resources. There are several great websites in Georgia that already list these
types of rides including the Southern Bicycle Leage and Georgia Bikes. I don't
like to duplicate what is already out there. Southeastern Cycling started out as
my personal site. I'm a racer; always have been, so I focused on racing. I
continue to focus on racing. But why did you post that one ride? The exceptions
I usually make is for a race team that is associated with a charity such as Spin
for Kids and Team Myogenesis. I will also add a century to the calendar if it is
one popular with racers (Covington, Beautiful Backroads, etc). It comes down to
SE Cycling is focused on racing, and as I do all the work on SE Cycling in my
spare time, I just don't have the time as I have a family that I spend time
with, my training, a full time job, etc. Charity rides, centuries, etc. are not
races.
Marietta Cross This Sunday, November 12th, the wildly popular Georgia Cyclocross Series is set to host the 5th annual Marietta Cyclocross Grand Prix presented by Camp Highland at Jim R. Miller Park . Racers can expect the same lightning fast course as last year with a few turn changes/modifications. In addition, for the third year in a row the course will include the infamous dirt run-up. If there is rain in the forecast, make sure you put the spikes in your shoes. For more information on the race, including directions, see www.georgia-cross.com
Trish's note: Daryl and crew put on a GREAT race! Even if you don't race, come out to watch and cheer on the racers!
11-13-2006 The
Upstate Winter Bike League will start on Saturday, December 2nd (Not to be
confused with THE WBL in Athens, GA.)
The UWBL will begin its second season on
Saturday Dec. 2nd with “The Phil Whitman Celebration Ride”. The ride will be 3.5
- 4 hours and will leave from the downtown Carolina Triathlon at 10 am. No
sprints in December!
A look at the tentative riding schedule for this winter is quite impressive. At
this time there is an organized group ride on every weekend between Thanksgiving
and the spring series. Besides the UWBL (which will be every Sat. besides the
following) rides we have Joe's B-day ride (tent. 12/23), S'burg Taproom ride
(12/30) free with pizza & Soft drinks served after the first 60-miles, Carolina
Tri. New Years Day Chili Ride and hopefully one more S'burg ride towards the end
of January.
Also there may be Sunday rides in G'ville. The only excuse not to get miles this
winter will be the weather! As for the UWBL, “we are hoping to be bigger and
better”. A web site is in the works and once it is up and running will provide
all the detailed info needed as well as providing us the ability share news
quickly. (i.e. friday night weather reports, ride changes.) We are also going to
introduce a points system with a Leaders Jersey (actually a vest provided by
Hincapie Sportswear). This will start on the January 6th ride and there will be
some form of a handicapping system so that hopefully everyone will feel they
have a chance. Al l this will be on the web site. The only thing you need to
remember about December is that you get points for participating! If you do all
three rides in Dec. you will already have points! Remember to sign in!
We will never charge for these rides but we will strongly encourage donations
for the sag driver. For those who have not participated, we have a sag following
us for mechanicals only! (if you bonk, you bonk! come prepared!). This enables
the pack to continue moving while the rider is in the sag attending to the
problem. This is like insurance! A couple bucks is well worth it to have this
service. This having been said, we would love to find a few people to sag. This
job is obviously a lot to ask of one person for the whole series. So if anyone
has any suggestions please get in touch with me.
I am also looking for one or two people who would be willing to step up and take
a leadership role in the UWBL. I want to make sure that if I am sick or need to
leave town that there is a person or persons in place to lead the ride. The only
criteria are a big mouth and a sense of directions (my personality helps but I
wouldn't wish that on anyone).
Again if anyone is interested in helping in this role, get in touch.
Remember Sat. Dec 2nd. Phil Whitman Celebration ride. Sign in for points. Rest
up, it's going to be quite a winter!
Blanket's Creek Work Party From SORBA Woodstock: November 12th 2006,
Blankets Creek Work Party, 9:00 AM- Noon
Other Information: The SORBA Woodstock Chapter wants to keep Blankets Creek open
as many days as possible this winter and with your help we can do that. Our main
goal for our Work Party this month is to remove the leaves from the trail.
Leaves on the trail hold water and with the freeze thaw affect creates a big
mess. Some think the leaves help insulate the trail but that is not true. This
Saturday we will have our annual winter preparation work party. We have almost
10 miles of trail that is in need of removing the leaves. Can you help us? Can
you bring a leaf blower or a rake? Can we count on you? Please join us at 9:00
AM. Bring a rake or blower and let's get the most used trail in the Atlanta area
ready for winter riding. The more workers we have the quicker we can get
finished and ride.
Marietta Cyclocross Bravo to Daryl and Kim Sawyer and crew for a great race! As the longest running race in the Georgia cross series, Marietta is also known as one of the best races. It didn't disappoint today!
Marietta CX Photos As always, I put a few hundred photos of the Marietta cross race up here. Interested in the digital photos for personal use? Email me at sttarlite@hotmail.com.
11-14-2006 First Unofficial From the WBL: The first Official Unofficial ride is this Saturday, 18 November, 10 a.m. at Sunshine Cycles (Athens): 3 hours on the dime: No stops, No points, No sprints, No drug testing, No entry fee, No whining. If a fat boy like Jan Ulrich can ride 3 hours in November, by gawd, we can too. Come show your love for Jan in the 1st annual "We Love Fat Boys Ride."
READ IF I OWE YOU CX PHOTOS!! If I owe you CX photos, please give me til tomorrow. Hotmail, where all of the emails are, has decided to go down tonight on Nov. 13th. I can't get to the emails to see who has paid today. Sorry!!!
Please forward below to all riders, clubs, teams, websites, etc. you feel may be interested The 06/07 edition will commence Sunday November 5 The OFFICIAL start is the Trinity Loft area at the beginning of HWY 29 The OFFICIAL start time is 10 AM...note: THIS IS AN EARLIER START TIME FROM YEARS PAST. THERE IS NO NEED TO WAIT FOR ANY GROUP TO ARRIVE IN THE TRINITY AREA ANYMORE. RIDE LEAVES TRINITY AT 10. There is VERY limited parking in the Trinity area and NO restroom facilities, so you are STRONGLY encouraged to ride to this area, gather,a nd then leave at 10. There are 2 options..63 and 43 miles. The ride departs at a reasonable pace for 11 miles down HWY 29 and after a left turn the NATURE BREAK occurs. From this point the pace generally is still very manageable for most. After the minor climb just past Christian City, a sprint occurs as the road flattens out. It is at this point as the right hand turn occurs that the pace may get interesting. Go with it ,or not, no one cares. As the ride soon crosses the railroad tracks ,the 63 mile route turns left and the 43 stays straight. There is a store stop in Palmetto on the 63 and no store stop on the 43.Both routes eventually dump back onto HWY 29 for the straight shot in to downtown. Scott Hilburn
Silver Comet in Austell, Nov. 3, 2006
11-16-2006 Take
Action! From the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign: Help Save Bike Friendly
Streets! We Ride Saturday! Save our Streets for Bicycling!
When: Saturday, November 18, 10 a.m.
Where: Peachtree Bikes, the bike shop at 2837 Peachtree Rd.
(Go to the back parking lot - take Rumson east off Peachtree and take an
immediate left into the parking lot - please DON'T park at Fellini's).
What: Ride the route where bike lanes are being removed on East Wesley.
Show massive support for bike space on this road - we expect the press to be
there! Make no mistake about it! This is a call to ACTION!
At a meeting with the City of Atlanta on Monday, we asked for a stop to road
construction on East Wesley Road until bike lanes can be included in the design.
We showed them specific information and photos explaining how bicycle lanes can
be an effective part of a traffic calming plan.
The answer? They'll consider that and get back to us. Based on past
experience with McLendon and Lindbergh, we need to give them plenty to consider!
I am very concerned that the pattern will
repeat where they continue construction to completion while still listening to
our concerns! Let's get out there Saturday and show them what a narrow road is
like with bicyclists on it!
In the meantime we need to keep those letters and emails coming! I believe it is
important at this time for the City to continue hearing from as many bicyclists
as possible; specifically asking that the construction stop until bike lanes are
included. That will be the message on Saturday, but don't wait til then - please
write to the Mayor now! Tell her we need to stop construction before it's too
late! Send copies to her assistant Luz Borrero, and key people in Public Works.
For more information call 404-881-1112 or send an email to atlantabike@
mindspring. com.
TdG News The Tour De Georgia is expanding to 7 days! It will be Aptil 16-April 22, 2007.
IMBA Trail Care Crew in Atlanta From SORBA: The award-winning Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program includes two full-time, professional teams of trail experts who travel North America year-round, leading IMBA Trail building Schools, meeting with government officials and land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated groups to improve mountain biking opportunities. IMBA's Crews have led more than 1,000 trail projects since the program debuted in 1997. The Crews teach "sustainable" trail building, which means building trails that last a long time and require minimal maintenance. This helps reduce trail damage, protects the environment, and enhances visitor enjoyment. All are welcome to join the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leaders when they come to town. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2006, 1:30PM-4:30PM Sope Creek Park at Chattahoochee River NRA (Columns Drive parking lot) "IMBA Trailbuilding School field session" To register for the IMBA Trailbuilding School, visit SORBA's online registration webpage. The registration is free and open to the publi\c. For more information, contact Walt Bready 404-423-7257.
Trail Work Day From SORBA: : Reinhardt College Trail Work Day 12/9/2006 9
am-1 pm,
Location: Waleska, GA, Category: Trail Maintenance Trail work on creek crossing
and light raking and blowing leaves off of trail. Meet at the trail head (look
for kiosk) 9am behind gym. Directions: From Canton Take GA HWY 40 toward Waleska
Take right on GA Hwy 108 The Gym is second building on right Take driveway
beside gym through parking lot At end of parking lot look ahead at kiosk
11-20-2006 NC Photos I will have my NC UCI photos up by Tuesday morning. I didn't get in until very late on Sunday night.
Daryl Sawyer (Camp Highland) shows high style (notice the leg warmers) after the Elite Men's race at the UCI NC Cyclocross Grand Prix in Hendersonville, NC on Sunday.
11-21-2006 WBL
News From the WBL: This Saturday, 25 November, and this Saturday only, due
to the Georgia-Georgia Tech Foolball game, the ride will depart from Oconee
Heights Church at 10 a.m. with the 15 minute window wide slap open. The Oconee
Heights Church has free parking available, and is located:
1. Off Jefferson Road on the frontage road;
2. Across from the intersection of Whitehead Road and Jefferson Road;
3. Across from the Golden Pantry;
4. 1/2 mile from the grain silos where the Tuesday night ride meets.
Afterwards, the pack will cruise out the Jefferson Riveria Road to Brockton
Loop, then wend its way back over behind the used car lot where the dead bodies
were found, dive back down to the Allen's old home place where that terrible
event happened, cut through Saint Humbert's back 40 where poor Loilita lived,
put the wind at our backs in Turtle Town Creek, stop for biscuits at Presto's,
then be back at the church in 3 hours flat.
This is last week's winner's Bill Riecke's favorite loop. See
www.winterbikeleague.com--Carney!
Ft. Yargo From YABA: Ft. Yargo is now bidirectional: The signs that are
being professionally made will not be their till summer not sure why but that is
what the park told me. I asked if we could put up some temporary signs they
agreed to let us do that. Their is pamphlets at the office inside and out side
telling you which way to go and also a rules of the trail sheet plus a trail
map. Next time your their stop at the office and pick one up. ENJOY.
Please spread the word that they are now BI-Directional.
Hear is the Schedule:
Monday CW
Tuesday CCW
Wednesday CW
Thursday CCW
Friday CW
Saturday CCW
Sunday CW
Fulton Flyers The Fulton Flyers had a very successful weekend at the UCI races in NC. Oscar Clark won the B's race on Sunday. Read the entire race report.
NC Photos My NC UCI Cyclocross photos are now up from Day 2. Check em out!
11-22-2006 TdG Route Announced! The 2007 Tour De Georgia route has been announced. Not to many people's surprise, Dahlonega has been left off the host city list. City reps claimed that the TdG priced out some of the smaller cities. I'd heard preliminaries of the route from my inside sources, and not much of it was a surprise to me.
2007 Ride to the Capitol Mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 6... and
plan on participating.
The Georgia-Rides-To-The-Capitol event in March was a resounding success with
almost 1,000 enthusiastic participants. In 2007, police-escorted rides will head
to the Capitol from both Roswell and Decatur, led respectively by their Mayors,
Jere Wood and Bill Floyd. A third police-escorted ride may come to fruition too;
from Marietta. Other mayors are expected to join at the starts or along the way
since the 62-city strong Metropolitan Atlanta Mayors Association has endorsed
the ride in conjunction with a pledge of support for development of a regionally
connected bicycle and pedestrian system (the ARC and its consultants are in the
process of developing a new plan).
Event details, including the opening of registration (hopefully it will be free
again if sponsorships work out) and start times are anticipated with the
activation of the event's website in January.
11-24-2006 Thankful I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I have a lot to be thankful for this year.
Ft. Yargo News Ft. Yargo in Winder will be closed to all visitors for a deer hunt on November 29th and 30th. This will include the mountain bike trails.
11-27-2006 CX
Coming to Montgomery From the Alabama Cross Series: Race #5 in
the Alabama Cyclocross Series ( http://bamacross.blogspot.com/ ) is coming to
Montgomery AL on Dec 3rd at Fain Park. This race is presented by the Cycle
Escape USA Cycling Team. Jeff Dorminey, promoter. A race flyer can be downloaded
at http://cycleescape.blogspot.com/ -- a PDF, MS Word, or JPEG version can be
provided upon request. First race starts at 10:00 AM on Dec 3rd. Beginners race
starts a 11:00 AM. This a perfect opportunity to race in or watch one of the
fastest growing cycling competitions.
2006 Nashville Cyclo-Cross Series’ Last Race Approaches Nashville, TN –
25 November, 2006 – The 2006 Nashville
Cyclo-Cross Series will wrap up in Madison at Cedar Hill Park on December 9.
The 1.6-1.8 mile race course includes one run-up, two sets of natural barriers,
one pair of temporary barriers. It is roughly 75% grass, 25% pavement, with
small sections of mud, sand, and dirt.
Cyclo-cross is an event characterized by the riding of a bicycle over a variety
of terrain, consisting of pavement, grass, sand, gravel, dirt, and,
occasionally, mud. In cyclo-cross races, riders must navigate over obstacles
such as tree branches, steps, and temporarily-placed, artificial barriers during
each event. Races are held on closed-circuit courses ranging in distance from
1.5 – 2.2 miles. Each race is between 30-60 minutes in length, and involves
successive, repeated laps of the course.
The series beneficiary is House of Mercy, Inc., a house for homeless moms and
their kids to live together during recovery. Series sponsors include: BioLube,
Bongo Java Coffee, Circle A Cycles, Clif Bar, De La Paz Coffee, DeFeet, Gran
Fondo Cycles, Sean Letterman Photography, Lightning 100/ Team Green, Louis
Garneau, NashvilleCyclist.com, Pacenti Cycle Design, Richmond Re-Cycles, L.H.
Thomson Company, Unconventional Medicinals, White Industries, and WickWear
Sports.
All interested bicyclists are invited to attend. The race day will feature
several races. Participants will be categorized according to their age, sex, and
skill level. Awards will be provided to the top three athletes in each category;
all racers 12-and-under will receive a small prize. Series winners will be
announced following the races. Those winners will be awarded cash and small
prizes. More information can be found via the contact information listed below.
Website: www.nashvillecyclo-crossseries.com
E-mail: dan.werle@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 227-8530
Upstate SC WBL (not to be confused with
THE WBL in Athens) The Upstate
Winter Bike league will kickoff next Saturday morning, December 2 at 10 AM from
the Carolina Triathlon store in downtown Greenville. The first ride will be in
remembrance of Phil Whitman, our long time cycling friend that passed away last
year. Steve Sperry, the UWBL promoter is expecting a huge crowd this
year!! As a matter of fact, Steve thinks we'll have 150 cyclists participating
on the Saturday rides! With that said, plan to arrive early in Greenville so you
can find a Parking spot and throw on your winter cycling duds and roll out at 10
AM. Details, News updates, and point standings will be posted at
www.uwbl.net. All UWBL cancellations due to
unfavorable weather will be posted on this
website so Be sure and take a look on Friday evenings if the weather is bad! The
Spartanburg Spring Training Rides will again be hosted by the Great Escape
Bicycle Shop in 2007. Dates for this year's rides have been scheduled along with
The UWBL to make sure we have no overlap. The dates for the Spartanburg Series:
Saturday, January 27, Saturday, February 24, Saturday, March 17, Saturday, April
21, Flyers for the Spartanburg series can be downloaded from www.cyclecarolina.
com.
THE WBL! THE WBL will start on Dec. 2nd with the Raisin Hell in the WBL. Saul Raisin will be at the ride! Visit www.saulraisin.com to see how you can purchase Raisin Hell bracelets to support the Shephard Spinal Center.
More Ride to the Capitol News From the SBL: Mark your calendar for
Tuesday, March 6... and plan on participating.
The Georgia-Rides-To-The-Capitol event in March was a resounding success with
almost 1,000 enthusiastic participants. In 2007, police-escorted rides will
head to the Capitol from both Roswell and Decatur, led respectively by their
Mayors, Jere Wood and Bill Floyd. A third police-escorted ride may come to
fruition too; from Marietta. Other mayors are expected to join at the
starts or along the way since the 62-city strong Metropolitan Atlanta Mayors
Association has endorsed the ride in conjunction with a pledge of support for
development of a regionally connected bicycle and pedestrian system (the ARC and
its consultants are in the process of developing a new plan).
Event details, including the opening of registration (hopefully it will be free
again if sponsorships work out) and start times are anticipated with the
activation of the event's website in January.
11-28-2006 I
pulled this from the SBL forums: Chief Ladiga Trail nears completion
By Matt Kasper
Star Staff Writer
11-15-2006
The long-delayed Cleburne County section of the Chief Ladiga Trail is set for
completion by mid-February.
The Cleburne County Commission accepted a $460,000 bid Tuesday night from
Woodland-based Strain Construction for the remaining 4.2-mile western section of
the trail.
The section was put back out for bids Oct. 12 after earlier bids were rejected
as too high.
In early September, the commission decided to bid the two portions of the
roughly 9-mile trail segment together and to accept bids at Tuesday’s meeting.
Concerns about access across some private property rendered the bid for the
western section too high at $503,134, said Cleburne County Commission Chairman
Ryan Robertson.
The property owner had asked contractors for as much as $10,000 for the
necessary access. Those prices were rescinded after the county assured owners
their property would be restored, said Cleburne County Engineer Shannon Robbins.
“It’s good to get this rollin’,” Robbins said.
He said work on a 4.5-mile section, also by Strain Construction, is scheduled to
begin soon after
Thanksgiving.
“This will be the last of our baby steps that we will be taking.”
The county awarded a $110,045 contract in August to Trussville-based Bob Smith
Construction Inc., for work on a 212-foot trail bridge.
Robbins said most of the framework has been completed, and a concrete pour is
scheduled for Monday.
Cleburne County has received more than $600,000 from the Alabama Department of
Transportation for its portion of the trail construction project. It received
$250,000 to surface four miles along the west end of the trail, and $386,400 to
complete the trail’s eastern section, including the dilapidated bridge.
In the past six to eight years, escalating materials costs have forced the
county to budget more money than originally expected to finish the project.
For Pete Conroy, director of the Environmental Policy and Information Center at
Jacksonville State
University, the bid announcement is about joining two major trails. “I’m
thrilled and excited that, finally, we’re at the stage of connecting Georgia to
Alabama,” he said.
“This will allow trail users to go on long trips without the inconvenience of an
8-mile gap.”
“Once it’s completed I think it will be the premier trail in the southeast,”
said Jack Holder, volunteer
coordinator at the Eubanks Welcome Center in Piedmont. He said visitors for
years have been asking him when the trail would be completed. “If they could
have it done by February, that would be
great,” he said.
11-29-2006 Demo
Bikes I found out that Free Flite is now offering demo Trek and Fisher full
suspension mountain bikes for $45 a day.
Does your shop have something unique to offer and want to put it on Southeastern
Cycling as a short blurb? (unique...spin classes? pilates classes? a women's
only night? does the shop have a weeknight ride or mtb ride?) Email me!
Advertising is also available.
THE WBL Starts on Sat.!! For Immediate Release: First Official Event: Saturday, 2 December 2006: Raisin Hell in the WBL. 4 hours, like it or not. Last Week: We can't find Tom. Daily updates and sightings will be posted everyday at the WBL site this week. New News: Ring in the New Year with a 12 or 6 hour mountain bike event. Link at www.winterbikeleague.com. Sunday news: T. Bass's Sunday Ride--All systems Go! 10 a.m. Jittery Joes at 5 Points (Athens). 2 or 3 hours depending on weather and T Bass's mood. Sag Wagon Jeremy: Tip that boy big! Unlessened you like walkin. Jerseys, arm warmers, booties: Available in limited numbers. Don't get dropped, or left behind. See you soon, Briggs
Sunday Rides in Athens From Tommy Bass: Winter training opportunities
abound in Athens. First and foremost the "World Famous" WBL takes place every
Saturday from now until mid-February.
Visit http://www.winterbikeleague.com
for all the information in totally unembellished detail. Also watch the listserv
for impromptu outings, in addition to fairly regular 3:30 weekday rides.
As for Sundays, I have been leading rides for the last couple years out of
Jittery Joe's in 5-Points during the winter. Here is the program we hope to
develop and follow, even if I cannot make it (and life dictates that I will miss
several).
When: Sundays of WBL weekends (or as additionally advertised via e-mail)
When, part 2: 10:00 am, approximate 15 minute grace period (not guaranteed)
Where: Jittery Joe's 5-Points (do not park at JJ's or Hodgson's, save these
spots for paying customers) What: more base miles, a little shorter and
easier than the preceding WBL. Use it for a recovery ride or an alternative long
ride for the weekend.
Who: this ride is meant to be very inclusive, there is no reason to go hard on
these rides, just steady miles for 2-4 hours. Expected averages would be 16-18
mph.
Routes: routes will vary with weather, personality of the group and with how
tired I am after Saturday.
All common cycling courtesy is expected: two abreast or single file when
necessary; point out holes,
obstacles, dogs, porcupines and such; be self sustaining: food, tube, pump,
fluids, cell phone. If you want to officially lead or police one of these rides
let me know otherwise sort it out amongst yourselves at the start, and be good.
11-30-2006
Greenville News The 5th Annual Les Amis Cycling Team Blood Drive is only one
week away! I hope everyone who donated last year will make it to the drive this
year, and those who didn't make it will sign up this year. Donating blood is a
great community service that our cycling organization can help support, and
there is always a greater need for blood during the holiday season. We would
like to get 30 people donating on this year's drive. So far we have 10 signed
up! So pass this e-mail along and tell your family, friends, co-workers,
classmates, etc. to sign up as well.
This year's drive will take place on Tuesday December 5th, from 5:00 to 8:30 at
the BiLo parking lot on Rutheford Rd. and Hwy 291 (just down the street from
Sunshine Cycles for those of you who have missed the last 4 years). Again, I
will be scheduling appointed times for donation for the Blood Connection's
convenience. So e-mail me to schedule a time at mattvanv@bellsouth. net.
If you are unable to attend our blood drive on this date, you can still make a
donation in our name. Just go to the Blood Connection at your convenience, and
tell them you want your donation to be credited to the "Les Amis Cycling Team's"
drive.
IMBA Trail Care Crew From SORBA: Visiting Trail Experts Will
Inspire Local Trailbuilding Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew Coming to Atlanta,
Georgia.
The International Mountain Bicycling Association's (IMBA) Subaru/IMBA Trail Care
Crew will be in ATLANTA, GA, NOVEMBER 30-DECEMBER 3, 2006 to talk trails, teach
people proper trailbuilding technique, and spend quality time digging in the
dirt. The visit is one of 70 stops on the 2006 schedule. Everyone is invited to
attend the weekend's events.
Coming to ATLANTA, GA are Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew members Kristin Butcher
and Ryan Schutz. They hail from Deerfield Beach, Florida, where they created
ClubMud, an IMBA-affiliated "trail maintenance, advocacy and merrymaking"
organization. They helped lead the charge to gain approval for freeride trails
and technical trail features in Broward County parks, oversaw the construction
of two freeride areas, and helped organize a bevy of cycling events. Prior to
joining the Trail Care Crew, Kristin was a successful and multi-patented
software engineer at an international telecommunications company. Ryan has
earned a Masters in Urban Planning, has a passion for trail advocacy, and is
fascinated by Elvis impersonators. He spent the last 5 years working in GIS,
municipal land planning, and his buddy's bike shop.
All are welcome to join the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leaders when they come
to town. Below is a schedule of events that are open to the public:
* THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2006, 6:00-9:00PM
REI Atlanta (1800 Northeast Expy NE), Atlanta, Ga
"IMBA Trailbuilding School classroom session"
* FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2006, 7:00-9:30PM
Residence of Bruce Dickman (200 Lakeview Ridge East), Roswell, Ga
"Around the World with IMBA" Slideshow starts at 7:30PM
* SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2006, 9:00AM-12:00 noon
REI Perimeter (1165 Perimeter Center West, Suite 200), Atlanta, Ga
"IMBA Trailbuilding School classroom session"
* SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2006, 1:30PM-4:30PM
Sope Creek Park at Chattahoochee River NRA (Columns Drive parking lot)
"IMBA Trailbuilding School field session"
* SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2006, 12:00 noon-4:00PM
Olympic mountain bike trail at Georgia International Horse Park (1996 Centennial
Olympic Parkway), Conyers, Ga
"IMBA/SORBA Group ride"
To register for the IMBA Trailbuilding School, visit SORBA's online registration
webpage. The registration is free. For more information, contact Walt Bready
404-423-7257.