May 2007 Archive

2007 Archive

5-1-2007 GSC Ft. Yargo Photos Carl Mesta took some great photos at the Ft. Yargo GSC mountain bike race this weekend. Visit his website at www.mestaphotos.us to purchase photos!

Sandy Springs Omnium The Sandy Springs Omnium information is now up. Support this Atlanta area race! The crit is back along with new TT and RR courses.

DLV Grand Prix and Swap Meet Held in conjunction with the Pro Festival of Speed Velodrome Bike Race at the Dick Lane Velodrome. Pro racing starts at 5:00pm.

Bicycle Flea Market /Swap Meet - May 12th 4:00pm to 9:00pm

Bring your frames, components, wheels, tires, tubes, seats, bars, stems, pedals, accessories, tools, bags, shoes and whatever else you have laying around. Thrill your spouse by turning that old bike stuff into cash. The event is open to the public. Don't have anything to sell? Come down and pick
up a bargain on the parts and accessories you need.
Advance Registration Only - No seller fees. No table fees. - FREE, FREE, FREE

General Admission will be the admission for race event: $5.00

Bicycle Flea Market and Swap Meet flyer:
http://www.savedlv.org/pdf_flyers/DLV_FleaMarketSpring07.pdf

5-2-2007 Thefts There have been some wallet thefts at local mountain bike trails including Ft. Yargo and Chicopee. Please remember to HIDE your wallet or carry it with you when you ride. Also, remember to lock your doors.

First Tuesday Track Races I went to the Melissa's First Tuesday Track Races for Women and Masters at the Dick Lane Velodrome Tuesday night. I had not been on a track bike in nearly 4 years. It was great! I LOVED racing with the ladies only. Bravo to Melissa and the DLV for stepping up and having women's only racing! I also enjoyed watching the masters race. I definitely plan to go back to all of the First Tuesday races that I can make. Don't forget the Grand Prix and Swap Meet on May 12th at the velodrome!

Sunny King Crit News Sunny King Criterium--Anniston, AL Saturday, May 5:

Thanks to local TV station TV24 in Anniston, cameras will be stationed at various points on the crit course and at the Start/Finish line to provide live video feeds all day to a 9 foot by 12 foot JumboTron stationed at the Start/Finish in the main festival area. Race action for all USCF and Pro fields and all podiums will be on the big screen, as well as rider interviews with Chad Andrews, veteran announcer from Charlotte, NC. Amateur races start at 11am Central Time with Juniors, and last all afternoon. The NRC Pro Women's race is at 3:20 and the NRC Pro Men's race is at 7:30pm under the streetlights. The Sunny King Criterium and surrounding Noble Street Festival (www.noblestreetfestival.com) attracted more than 5,000 spectators in 2006 and more are expected this Saturday. Many riders stay over for hill training in the Cheaha Challenge on Sunday morning, May 6. 2007 is the 15th year for the Cheaha Challenge, which attracts cyclists from more than 22 states. While the Cheaha Challenge is NOT a race, ride finish times are provided and posted on the event's web site at www.cheahachallenge.com. The course record is still held by Chandler Weeks of Greenville, SC at 4:40:32. The route has almost 8,000 feet of climbing, traversing Alabama's highest mountain, Cheaha, twice---from the front and back side of the mountain.

Special note: The Sunny King Criterium (Saturday, May 5) will have wheel-in/wheel-out in the pit. A certified mechanic will man the pit for every race (big thanks to Bob's Bikes in Birmingham and Wig's Wheels in Anniston). This is contrary to Neutral Support that had been on our web site until recently. www.sunnykingcriterium.com

5-3-2007

Pedalpalooza Pedalpalooza is a festival at Blanket's Creek put on by SORBA Woodstock and will be this Satuday. From SORBA-Woodstock: Pedalpalooza is FREE. This is a day to meet your Local Bike Shops, learn more about SORBA, and RIDE the trails.
There will be food (Free with a donation to the Cherokee High School Mountain Bike Club).
There will be cold drinks - Free.
Organized Kid rides - Free.
Bike Maintence Clinics - Free.
Bike Demos (see LBS) - Free.
LBS - Free-Flite OutSpokin' Cycleworks MTBTandems
There will also be other organizations represented.
Newspaper-Realtor-Auto Dealer-Bike Clubs-Health Drinks.
Bring a lawn chair and hang out for the day - Free.
10 AM ~ 3 PM

See You at 10 AM Sat. May 5th.Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trail Sixes Rd. Woodstock , GA

5-4-2007 Memorial Day Ride From Cartecay Bikes: Camping Lodge www.mulberrygap.com
Time: 10:00 AM May 28, 2007 Type of ride. Mountain Bicycles. Trails we will ride. The Pinhoti and
Bear Creek. The ride is to benefit the Ellijay MTB Club. Three Groups! A,B,C.
A ten mile loop for the C group. Twenty six mile loop for the B group. Thirty plus miles for the A group.

NOTE: Food will be served. A ten dollar charge for home cooked food after the ride. RSVP so we can plan the meal. Contact Diane at Mulberry Gap 866-635-1740. Directions to Mulberry Gap! Ga Hwy 52 West to Conasauga turn onto Conasauga road. The road will turn to gravel, stay straight go over the hill and
down. Mulberry Gap is on your left.

Webb Bridge Ride The Webb Bridge ride will start their 7:30 summer start time this Saturday.

Patience, Please Please remember to give me up to 24 hours or a bit more on the weekends I'm racing to answer emails. I do not have access to my personal email during the business day when I'm at my "corporate" job. Darn corporate firewall blocks it! Also, it can take me up to 48 hours to get photos to you after you ask for them and pay for them (see busy life, full time job, and my training & racing references I put up here at least once a month). Remember, SE Cycling is my hobby and service to the cycling community, NOT my full time job.

5-4-2007 The Crit From the Spin Cycle: Turner Sports will be filming the next Tuesday’s practice crit in Marietta. There will be a lead vehicle filming the front and a sweeper. There will also be another 3 cameras for the corners and the start /finish. Please spread the word….. This will be an excellent opportunity to get sponsors and riders on film… You might want to bring tents and banners – it’s up to you. This is a BIG TIME event and we are very fortunate to have Turner come out in full force. Lets make a BIG showing for them!!!!!

We are looking for 10 ‘team’ captain’s or team leaders to be interviewed during the practice ride – if you or someone you know would be interested in being interviewed please email me asap. Questions like; what does it take to be an elite cyclist? Why do you race? What is a Crit? Describe your first bike. Why are sponsors so important to your team and to cycling in general? What would you change about racing in the southeast? What is team racing all about….. Not an individual race? How does your team help you win? What is …….. etc etc…

This is so important to help promote cycling please spread the word!!!!

Greenwood Crit Here are two articles on the Greenwood crit that is part of the USA Crits series this week. Article 1, Article 2

5-7-2007 24 Solo Moving Showing 7:00 Tues night at CB South in Dunwoody-

Come check out the new movie 24 solo that details last years amazing race between Craig Gordon and Chris Eatough. Come out and see an amazing movie with the worlds best endurance athletes and some of your friends also. Address: 5500 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd Ste 3, Dunwoody, GA, 30338, Phone: (770) 828-0335

Sunny King Photos Thank you to Mike Poe and the NE Alabama Bicycle Club for putting on two great events this weekend--the Sunny King Criterium and the Cheaha Challenge Century. Chris and I did both and had a great time! I also took a ton of photos of the races on Saturday. The Amateur Races are here, and click here for the Professional Races.

Cyclingnews and Velonews You can also see some of my Sunny King photos on Cyclingnews and Velonews. Yes! I finally got a photo published on Velonews (just the women's photo. The men's photo is w wrongly credited to me)!

5-8-2007 Chicopee Work Party From SORBA Gainesville: May 12th 2007, Chicopee Work Party
9:00 am-1:00 pm

Trail work parties typically last about 4-6 hours. Plan to hike in unless otherwise posted (or check with coordinator if in doubt), so wear comfortable but sturdy boots. Also bring work gloves, plenty of water, and a snack or lunch. Sometimes we will ride afterwards, so bring your bike as well, just be sure you can secure it in or on your vehicle while working.
Other Information: We need to get started on the beginner cut-through and finish it up. We'll be meeting at the Chicopee Trail Head @9am Saturday (May 12th) for a work party. We'll work until 1p and break for lunch. We may come back and work a little afterwards for those who can. Thanks!

Neutral Zone Through Vinings Sounds like a good idea to me! From Todd Fryburger, sorta coordinator of the Weeknight World Cup Rides. (slightly edited) "Over the weekend I received a call from a business leader in the Vinings area that I have known for some time. He approached me as he knew I have “partaken” in the in-town rides for many years. He told me that the rides which pass thru Vinings, specifically the Sandy Springs
(Tuesday), Peachtree Battle (Wednesday), and the Church (Thursday) rides, have gotten a lot of attention recently by other business proprietors in Vinings, as well as local law enforcement.

Of issue is what is perceived as a disregard by cyclists for traffic laws and safety on large group rides, particularly on Paces Ferry Road, along the descent into the central Vinings village from the Cobb
Connector, through the turn past the fire house where Paces Ferry then exits the village.

I construed this to be a friendly warning, and am not making judgement as to whether or not any "violations" have occured. However, in light of recent development in that area over the past few years, I must say, I do think Vinings does now present a significant safety issue for large rides. With the advent of Home Depot and other retailers, coupled with new construction at the bottom the hill on the right before the railroad track, there is a lot of traffic, and little room for error.

Hence, after much discussion amongst the tribal elders, we have decided to issue the following decree, effective immediately for the Sandy Springs and Peachtree Battle rides:

VININGS IS NOW "NEUTRAL" FROM HOME DEPOT TO THE LIBRARY

What this means is simple. After the stoplight at Home Depot, do not use the traffic on Paces Ferry Road to advance your position. Regroup, descend towards Vinings, cross the railroad tracks, and turn right with
the flow of traffic. Do not pass cars. Do not go through red lights. Yield to Westbound drivers on Paces Mill turning left (South) onto Paces Ferry Road. If someone has a legitimate "break" at Home Depot, more
power to you, but you still must neutralize, and no one should use Paces Ferry Road to your advantage to create a gap.

I think this basic, common sense - oh, by the way, it is also the law. Would rather we make an appropriate change now, rather than incur the wrath of the business community in Vinings, or even the Cobb County
Commission ala Columns Drive. These things are best enacted when they are self-policed, so would appreciate your willful compliance. Best Regards, Todd

Chris Hurst (OTR Cycling) in the Cat. 3 race at the Sunny King Crit

5-9-2007 Crit Yes, the crit was insane tonight with all of the cameras and people there. Please, please take off your aerobars before coming. Also, make sure your bike is in good mechanical, working order. Also, do NOT jump in at the front of the group, do not block the intersections, let the cars go through the intersections, and if you cannot handle your bike and ride in a straight line--DO NOT COME OUT!

Having said that, the interviews and filming went well. The crit looked like a race with banners, tents, cars, and spectators.

Tyler Grahovec (Pacesetter Steel) knows that having a Woodstock beer is the best way to survive the Tuesday Night Crit. (Shameless plug for their sponsor)

5-11-2007 SORBA's 120 Minutes of Beer kicks off the 24 Hours of Conyers!

SORBA is hosting a social on Friday evening between 7 and 9 pm at The Hawthorne Inn, across the road from the start/finish area for the 24 Hours of Conyers. A $5 donation gets you a styling SORBA/Sweetwater pint glass that you may then fill with your favorite beverage, compliments of Sweetwater Brewing Co.

Everyone is welcome and there will also be a door-prize raffle for all SORBA members. These pint glasses are nice! They have a red SORBA logo and a red Sweetwater logo. They work really well, too! Very Happy

So, come hang out with us and share a pint!

That's 7-9pm Friday, May 18th
Hawthorne Suites Inn
1659 Centennial Olympic Parkway
Conyers GA
$5 gets you in the door with a brand-spanking new SORBA/Sweetwater pint glass!

5-14-2007 Women's Track Clinic Once again, Velo Bella will be putting on a Women's Track Clinic June 9-10. See the flyer for all of the details. Cathy Boland teaches a great track class!

Up the Creek Without a Pedal Century What a great ride! Anyone that didn't do it missed a wonderful century. IMO, the route is one of the best in the area--low traffic, rolling hills with one small climb, and well supported with friendly volunteers. The CVCA does a great job. I've been doing the ride for a few years, and I set a personal best on the metric route today. Thanks to the Cycleworks guys for a few pushes and making sure I stayed tucked in the pack.

Bike To Work Month Did you know that May is Bike To Work Month? Check out the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign calendar for happenings. May 18th is Bike to Work Day, and The ABC will have several bike trains. I wish I could ride my bike to work, but alas, I have to drive during the day to see clients. :(

Ride of Silence From ABC: Ride of Silence - a special annual ride, May 16, 2007

The Ride of Silence is a memoriam to cyclist killed or injured while riding. It is observed nation-wide. This is a funeral procession, not a typical club ride. The speed should not exceed 12 miles per hour. There should be NO talking - we use hand signals to point out obstacles. Distance - 4 miles.

Meet at the Charles Allen entrance to Piedmont Park in Atlanta (Corner of Charles Allen and 10th Street). For more information on the national and international effort, see www.rideofsilence.org. Wednesday,
May 16, 7:00 pm

For more info, contact Dennis at atlantabike@mindspring.com

Announcing the ALGABRA Women’s Category 4 Racing Series! (Please note that Trish is not involved with the series, just passing on the information. Please contact the series at algabra.women@gmail.com for more information.)

http://www.algabra.wordpress.com

Races Included
• Sunny King Criterium (Cat3/4), Anniston, AL, May 5th www.sunnykingcriterium.com
• Cycle for Parkinsons Criterium (Cat4), Lawrenceville, GA, May 19th www.fraziercycling.com
• Sandy Springs Classic Time Trial (Cat4), Cherokee County, GA, May 26th
• Sandy Springs Classic Road Race (Cat4), Cherokee County, GA, May 26th
• Sandy Springs Classic Criterium (Cat4), Sandy Springs, GA, May 27th
www.northgeorgiacycling.com
• More race weekends TBD soon (pending approval); see website for updates!

Details
• All Category 4 women are eligible to participate. In races where Category 4 racers are combined with higher categories, Category 4 women will be scored separately for series points.
• What’s a point series? Points will be awarded for all women’s Category 4 racers from 100 points for 1st to 20 points for 16th and below. See website for points distribution. At the end of the series, points are totaled up for overall places and prizes.
• Racers are encouraged to check the results as soon as they are posted and take advantage of the protest period (15 minutes after results are posted), if necessary, to ensure you are scored and placed correctly.
• Standings will be updated on the website after each race.
• Participation in all races is not required for overall series awards, but is highly encouraged. After all, the more points you have, the better chance you have to win super-cool prizes!
• There are NO extra fees or paperwork required. Just show up and race.
• Results and points will be posted at www.algabrawordpresscom
• Questions? Email: algabra.women@gmail.com
• For information on how successful a Women’s Category 4 series can be, check out www.teambicyclesport.com and click on “Cheerwine CAT 4 Series.”
• Sponsorship and prize list to be announced soon! Please check the website for updates. Interested in sponsoring and promoting women’s racing? Email algabra.women@gmail.com.
• Part of a national series sponsored by Cycling Made Real, www.cyclingmadereal.com

5-17-2007 GA State Crit and RR Championships The state crit and road race championships will be June 2-3 at the Union City Mayor's Race.

Trailbuilding Experts Descend on Tsali for National Trails Day From SORBA: Gainesville, GA 05/15/07 - The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) and the International Mountain Bicycling Association's (IMBA) Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew will be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and the Tsali Recreation Area outside of Bryson City, NC 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 2007 schedule. Everyone is invited to attend the weekend's events.

SORBA is the southeast's premiere mountain biking advocacy organization, building hundreds of miles of trails in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. SORBA works to gain access to trails on public lands and incorporates best practices to build sustainable, multi-use trails. SORBA also holds clinics to educate riders about mountain biking. SORBA is bringing in its fantastic volunteers to work on the legendary Tsali trails, along with the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew.

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 Trailbuilding Schools, meeting with government officials and land managers, and working with IMBA-affiliated groups, such as SORBA, 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" trailbuilding, 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.

The Crews travel in 2007 Subaru Outbacks provided by Subaru of America - the company that has been IMBA's leading sponsor since 1997.

The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew program has inspired great volunteer trail work across the U.S. and abroad - a big help to government agencies and land managers who have limited funding for trail construction and upkeep. As a direct result, there are now thousands of new and improved trails in all 50 states, Canada, Mexico and several European countries. That's a pretty impressive record.

Coming to Bryson City are Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew members Anna Laxague and Jason Wells. Laxague and Wells hail from the Pacific Northwest. They bring a unique combination of professional experience to the program - both taught environmental education, and have worked at bike shops and as
mountain bike guides. They're also committed volunteers who have logged hundreds of hours building trails and performing outreach work with a host of public agencies. They worked as kayak river guides in Hood River for several years and will hopefully find some time to paddle a few rivers on their way around the country, in addition to riding as many trails as possible. 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:

Saturday, June 2, 8:30AM-12:00 Noon, IMBA Trailbuilding School classroom
session at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, Kleinrath Hall
Saturday, June 2, 12:00PM-1:00PM, Volunteer Lunch at the Nantahala Outdoor
Center, Slow Joe's Cafe
Saturday, June 2, 1:30PM-5:30PM, IMBA Trailbuilding School field session at
Tsali Recreation Area
Saturday, June 2, 6:30PM-9:30PM, Volunteer Rewards Dinner and "Around the
World with IMBA" at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (slideshow starts at 8:30)
Sunday, June 3, 9:00AM-12:00 Noon, IMBA Trailbuilding School field session
Sunday, June 3, 12:00PM-1:00PM, Volunteer Lunch at Tsali
Sunday, June 3, 1:30PM-4:00PM, IMBA-SORBA Group rides at Tsali

SORBA will provide volunteers with free camping on Friday and Saturday nights at Tsali Campground, to those who pre-register for the event. Volunteer lunches will be provided Saturday & Sunday, and there will be a free dinner for all volunteers on Saturday evening at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. You must use the online registration webpage to receive free food and camping. To pre-register, use the following web link:
go.imba.com/tsali.

For more information about the SORBA Trail Weekend, contact Walt Bready,
SORBA Events and Programs Director at sorba.events@sorba.org or 404-423-7257.

For a complete list of visit dates, photos and additional information on the Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew visit www.imba.com.

Paulding SORBA Workday From Paulding SORBA: May 19th, 2007, 4:00-7:00 pm Locationn: SSCST / Hiram Work to be conducted on Silver Comet Side Trail just beyond Hiram Trailhead. Meet at the Hiram Trailhead. Depending on the turnout we will be splitting into two groups. Buster is hosting bridge building party at the Hiram trailhead opposite the caboose. Dinner will be provided so please RSVP if you intend on attending so we can plan accordingly.

5-18-2007 Reflectors! How Fred! Yes, I rode a bike with reflectors at the track! I raced the First Tuesday Women's and Masters races at the Dick Lane Velodrome a few weeks ago. As I sold my track bike a number of years ago, they were kind enough to loan me one of the track's new Fuji track bikes. I'll definitely be back for more of the First Tuesday races! Are you interested in racing on the track? Sign up for one of the Beginner Track classes and get certified!

Reminder about Cat. 4 Women's Race on Sat.! Consider coming out to race with your fellow Cat 4 women this Saturday (5/19) at the Cycle for Parkinson's Crit at the Georgia Gwinnett College. The proceeds will go toward Parkinsons research. The Cat 4 women's race begins at 10am.

The race is the second in the ALGBRA Cat 4 series. You did not have to do the first race in order to participate in this one! Check out the current standings too. http://algabra.wordpress.com/faq/

Frazier Cycling, the race promoter, is helping to help have seperate races for newer racers including women & juniors. A big women's Cat 4 field would be awesome! http://www.fraziercycling.com/. There are very few race promoters who offer a separate Cat 4 class. In most cases, Cat 4s must either race with the men or with the Pro/1/2/3 women, which is a tough way to get started. The Parkinson's Crit is a a unique event - please consider supporting it!

NATE Performance NATE Endurance Training Systems Nine time Australian Champion and USA based professional cyclist, Nathan O’Neill of NATE Endurance aims to provide affordable technical services for cyclists of all levels. Located in Braselton GA, NATE Endurance is pleased to offer the following services by appointment; COMPREHENSIVE BIKE FIT analysis including shoe and cleat setup: Looking for extra power, or are you just not comfortable on your bike? A comprehensive analysis can help solve these issues!

PHYSIOLOGICAL TESTING:
Determine and monitor over time your blood lactate and heart rate zones and train the smart way. This will improve your time trialing and climbing ability. Make your precious training time really count! More services are coming later in 2007! In addition NATE Endurance is also an official distributor of SRM power systems and the latest in Intermittent Hypoxic training (IHT) devices from Altipower and GO2 Altitude.

For more product information or an appointment, please contact Nathan at info@nathanoneill.comNew Bike Shop in Smyrna??? Does anyone know who is opening the new bike shop in Smyrna in the Publix Shopping Center at the East-West Connector and S. Cobb Dr.? Just curious b/c it's somewhat on the way home from work for me (still love Randy and Hamlet at Boneshakers....shameless plug for my sponsor).

5-24-2007 Cross World Cup to US! OH YEAH, BABY! Providence, RI will be hosting the opener of the cyclocross World Cup series Oct. 6, 2007!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I smell a weekend trip to RI!

Trish shows off the reflectors in case she gets lost at the velodrome.

Glenn Bradley of Jittery Joes eats junk food while watching his wife, Kari (Kenda Tire), race at the Sandy Springs Crit

5-26-2007 Sandy Springs Road Race Photos I have my Sandy Springs Road Race photos up here. I have photos from all of the categories. Feel free to buy some! :)

The winning break in the Sandy Springs 1/2/3 Women's race: Leighann Asbury (Aarons), Lee Farabaugh (Cycleworks p/b Lowes Mortgage), Ann Turner (Seimens), and Alison Carter (Kenda Tire)

5-27-2007 Sandy Springs Crit Photos The Sandy Springs Crit photos are here. I have photos of the Cat 3, Pro/1/2/3 Women, and Pro/1/2 Men up. Thanks to Team Cycleworks for putting on a great race! Check out the results. How's that for results up in less than 24 hours?! (and ignore my TT time. I've been really sick all week.)

5-28-2007 Passing at a MTB Race There were some problems with the Beginner and Sport riders passing some of the sport and expert women on the trail on Sunday at Dauset. This is from Bruce Dickman, and it's well stated. "SOAPBOX CONCERNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK Please remember when you race to let the Person know what side you are passing them on and let them know at least 15-20 feet before you pass them PLEASE. The Pro's had some concerns and several where bumped off the trail at Dauset by some Beginner's.

SOAP BOX CONCERNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I had NO problem with the Pro/Experts. They are skilled at passing and always called out when they were back. I always say "On My Left" to indicate where I want them to pass. There were no problems yesterday. The main problem was a sport rider that did not announce that he was behind one of the pro women and pushed her off the trail, resulting in an injury to the pro woman. Thankfully, she may have avoided a near trip to the hospital. Beginners and Sport riders: We are racing for a freaking pair of socks. Just slow down for a second to pass, let the riders in front of you know you need to pass 15-20 feet before you get to them, and do it SAFELY once the rider has made room for you.

Thanks to Cartecay! Thanks to Cartecay Bikes for hosting a great Memorial Day ride on Monday! Nearly 40 riders turned out for one of 3 options--an 11 mile route, a 20 miler, or the Hammerhead 30 mile route. I chose to do the 20 miler with the majority of the riders. Great route, great people, thanks, Mike!

Eric Murphy (AEG-Toshiba-Jet Network), winner of the Men's Pro/1/2 Sandy Springs crit, sits tucked in behind his teammates. Eric and a Myogensis rider lapped the field.

5-29-2007 PAGING ALAN OR SARAH HEATON! Paging Alan or Sarah Heaton. Email me at sttarlite@hotmail.com. I have something for you regarding Dillon the puppy!

Helen Fat Tire Fest From SORBA: Gainesville, GA‹The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) returns to Helen, GA for the 6th Annual Helen Fat Tire Festival, June 15-17, 2007. The
Helen Fat Tire Festival is an annual event staged to promote bicycle safety, and to raise funds for local children's charities, mountain bike trail
development, and SORBA¹s Trips for Kids program. Beautiful Unicoi State Park
will be this year¹s location for the festival.

Kick off your Friday afternoon on June 15th with a downhill shuttle ride,
plus a cookout and bonfire that includes an acoustic jam session. Get the
family and some friends together for a full festival day on Saturday. We
have group rides geared to all levels and ages of mountain bike riders, a
very special Ladies¹ ride, a kids¹ mountain bike rodeo, a trials bike demo
and bike games. That evening meet everyone in the Unicoi Lodge for dinner
and a movie or head out for night ride. On Sunday we will have more fun on
our bikes with a 4-hour Scavenger Hunt Ride on the trails of Unicoi State
Park. There will be great prizes for the bike games and the scavenger hunt.
Come out for a good cause and have some fun in the North Georgia Mountains!

New events are planned for the 2007 Helen Fat Tire Festival. On Friday,
June 15 meet at Woody's Mountain Bikes for an afternoon ride with shuttle
service, after-ride food and music. On Sunday, we will introduce a 4-hour
Scavenger Hunt Ride, based on the popular Nimblewill Mystery Adventure Ride.
In the Scavenger Hunt, riders will have 4 hours to ride the trails and find
locations designated on a map. If you get back in time, you¹re eligible for
the prize drawing.

This year's event will be staged inside Unicoi State Park, near the Lodge.
This area is called the Bottoms, and it¹s the park¹s main mountain bike
trailhead location. This is a change in venue from previous years, which
were headquartered in Helen¹s Festhalle. There will not be a cross country
race this year, so don¹t look for us at the Festhalle.

The Unicoi State Park and Lodge provides several options for overnight
accommodations and a restaurant in the lodge. SORBA has reserved several
lodge rooms, walk-in campsites and the entire Squirrel's Nest area for
festival admission packages. The Squirrel's Nest will be used as the basic
package accommodations, with upgrades to walk-in tent sites or rooms at
Unicoi Lodge. Also available at the park are pedal boat and canoe rentals,
hiking and (of course) mountain biking trails. Check www.sorba.org. Events for sign up information.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday, June 15
3:00pm-9:00pm > Registration at Woody's Mountain Bikes
4:00pm-6:00pm > Group Rides with shuttle from Woody's Mountain Bikes
7:00pm-9:00pm > Social Cookout with Bonfire at Woody's Mountain Bikes

Saturday, June 16
8:00am-10:00am > Registration & Breakfast
9:00am-10:30am > Group Rides (Epic, Advanced, Intermediate, Social, Beginner
& Women's Ride)
10:30am > Kid's MTB Skills Clinic and Ride
Noon-2:00pm > Lunch & Siesta
2:00pm > Bike games (Bunny Hop, Bike Limbo, Bike Toss & Water Relay)
5:30pm-6:30pm > Festival Dinner at Unicoi Lodge
7:00pm-9:00pm > Movie & Slide Show
8:30pm-10:00pm > Night Ride (Lights required)

Sunday, June 17
8:00am-9:30am > Registration & Breakfast
9:15am > Scavenger Hunt Ride briefing
9:30am-1:30pm > Scavenger Hunt Ride (4-hour time limit)
12:30pm- 2:30pm > Lunch
2:00pm > Scavenger Hunt Ride Prizes!
4:00pm > Festival Ends

Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association Announces Two New Chapters in Georgia

Gainesville, GA The Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) announces the addition of two new chapters to further mountain biking advocacy, education and recreation in Georgia. The Southern Crescent and Paulding County groups were granted chapter status at the March board of directors meeting in March, 2007. The Southern Crescent chapter will serve the counties south of Atlanta, including Clayton, Fayette, and Henry. Paulding SORBA will serve members in Paulding County, Georgia. These chapters formed
so that they can increase the opportunities for mountain biking in their communities. SORBA Southern Crescent (SSC) currently maintains 8 miles of trails at the Clayton County International Park, "The Beach," and they intend to add more miles at the park. Paulding SORBA currently maintains the Super Silver Comet Sidetrail which runs parallel to the Silver Comet trail. Both chapters intend to branch out and add trails as they forge relationships with area public land managers.

Jim Varner, President of the SSC chapter, says, "People in this area wanted to be able to ride their bikes in their community, without traveling to Atlanta or the mountains. We have had trails at The Beach for some time, but they had been disrupted by construction projects and fallen into disrepair. We have brought those trails back, and we will add to them, offering residents of this community a fun, local riding opportunity."

Paulding SORBA, headed by President David Senecal, was formed for the same reasons. "We had a network of trails paralleling the Silver Comet Trail, and we wanted to expand those trails, as well as explore other opportunities in our community. Greenspace is important, and mountain bike trails are a great recreational greenspace use. We want to ride close to our homes, with our families, so we are going to work to make these opportunities become realities."

5-30-2007 Union City Information From Spin Cycle: This Saturday, June 2nd and Sunday, June 3rd. Don’t forget to register for the GEORGIA State Championships in Union City (just 15 minutes South of Atlanta) at www.bikereg.com or log on to www.georgiacup.com and click on up coming events. Registration is online ONLY and will close at midnight this Thursday, May 31st. The Championships are for the Criterium and the Road Race ONLY. The Time Trial State Championships will be held at another date.

Friday night registration will be held at the Union City Comfort Inn from 7pm – 9pm, 6800 Shannon Way , Union City, GA, US, 30291, Phone: (770) 306-2677 Fax: (770) 306-8141

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Updated Race Schedule ALGABRA has sent me the latest AL/GA Race Schedule.