WBL Home Opener Join Ryan Ryno Barnett and Drewdini Johnston this Saturday, 6 December, for the WBL home opener, the Old Monroe Highway Yammer session, a 72 mile sortie through Oconee, Walton, and Barrow Counties. All the details, including both text directions and an interactive map, are now available at www.winterbikeleague.com

Special guests of honor Ryno Barnett will lead the Zealots out of town smack down Milledge Avenue, and by doing so, will become the first ever hand cyclist to take part in a WBL fiasco. Cancer survivor extraordinaire Drew Johnston will also be on hand to autograph his DVD titled Living is Winning. Pick up yo copy of the DVD for $25 at the WBL home opener or order it directly from www.livingiswinning.com

Read the “Ride Guidelines” link on the website.
Also, sign in and the first 50 Zealots will receive a copy of WBL 2008 The Stories.
Because this is the first event of the year, we did want to remind everyone of a few of Carney’s nefarious guidelines:
* Sign in or you don’t exist. 2 points to all.
* In case of inclement weather we may shorten or cancel a ride. Check the website. The general rule is that if the forecasted high is 45 degrees or above and it’s dry, game on—we ride!
* Ride 2 abreast at all times. This is especially true when leaving town. Safety demands that you/we adhere to this simple principle. Don’t ride 3 abreast because you want to chat with someone in front of you, especially Crowe, because he don’t like talkin to yo sorry arse anyway. He’s been ordered to go to the front and pull, not chitter-chatter. It is also important to garner the respect of the communities we ride in and through. Whenever the group is not 2 abreast the tempo will rise in order to stretch out the flock.
*·We stop at stop signs and red lights. We obey the traffic laws.
* We try and ride smooth and steady. If you are on the front, never, ever, no not never coast, especially down a hill—everyone behind will be squeezing their breaks and wearing out their brake pads. We don’t go real fast and we don’t go real slow; we go tempO, and yes, sometimes it’s Up-tempO. Don’t go to sleep and stay close on the wheel in front of you. If you’ve never ridden in a pack, this ain’t the place to learn.
* We have a sag wagon. If you flat, the sag will pick you up, change your flat in the sag, and it will drop you back off with the group. The sag is not for dropped riders. That’s what the maps are for, so print ye one. Tip that sag guy or gal too
* We do have a store stop and a pee break at the 1 hour mark approximately
You can shed clothes and throw them in the van/sag as it warms. Pick them up afterwards.
* We have a couple of spare wheels for anyone’s use in case of a wheel blowup.
* We are in need of a toolbox.
* Please be safe and look out for yo brother and sister. We have had too many serious accidents and injuries over the past year. Don’t take any chances.
Call me Carney, or simply The Magnificent One.

Bama Cross Photos Looks like Bama had it as bad as we did in Conyers on Sunday.

Conyers A Race Videos Here are a few videos from the A Race in Conyers. And here are more from Hillbilly.

Chicopee Night Ride From SORBA Gainesville: Night ride at Chicopee this Thursday, 12/4 at 6:30. Meet in the MTB parking lot and bring a few dollars to help cover the cost of the security guard. Next night ride is scheduled for 12/18/08. Check http://www.gainesvilleSORBA.org  for the full schedule. Remember, night riding at Chicopee is only allowed during SORBA sanctioned group rides. Anyone caught riding after dark is subject to ticketing by the Gainesville City Police and may jeopardize the future of night riding at Chicopee.
 

EMBA Fundraiser Ellijay Mountain Bike Association is hosting a fundraiser this New Years for the bike club. We have planned a nice party to be held at Mulberry Gap, with a live band (Stonefly) and possible midnight ride to the top of the overlook. Please feel free to distribute the flyer to your friends and family. We would love to have you at our “New Years Rockin’ Eve” at Mulberry Gap. There are still cabins and campsites available to folks who don’t want to drive home after the party.

CRNRA Work Party From SORBA Atlanta  Just a reminder that we will be working with the NPS again this Saturday, 06DEC, on the boat access trail at the Visitor's Center located in Dunwoody. We will meet at 0800 and work for about 4 hours. The other folks in attendance will be part of a hiking group so this is a good opportunity to build relationships. Bring your bike and we can catch a ride at Sope Creek or Big Creek (since we'll be nearby) after we work. Also, please try to wear something that shows your a mtn biker. SORBA shirt, race t-shirt, jersey, helmet (good safety practice), riding gloves (also good safety practice), etc. We want to show that we are interested in helping others and not just wrapped up in ourselves as mtn bikers.

They are also working on Friday and I will be heading out there after work at about 1230. If you can be out there at all on Friday, let me know and I'll get you the details. Thanks for your help! Address for Visitor's Center: 1978 Island Ford Pkwy Atlanta, GA 30350

Benefit Bake Sale at Cross Race From the Sunshine-Loose Nuts team: If you were at conyers, you may have seen one of our sunshine-loose nuts kids, chris tavel, hobbling around in a sling taking some shots that you see on the flickr site. he broke his collarbone riding in town last week. seemed okay, but he then managed to slip while walking to that first off-camber section. so what was an easy recovery now looks like he needs surgery and you know those just graduated early 20 uninsured types? yeah, he's one of them.

so, we of sunshine-loose nuts are going to throw a small bake sale & some other randomness. the proceeds are going straight to chris's surgery. and not to sound like it's all going to be a somber experience, it's not. we'll bring the athens' tifosi to come cheer all you on, especially for the final race of the year. i expect at least a thousand or two to come out. but, if we don't have that many, we'll take up the slack and be that much more rambunctious.

so come over, hang out, say hi. scream with us. whatever.

Tundra TT Announcement From Surge Sports: Greetings! We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the 7th Annual Lillie Glassblowers Tundra Time Trial! The race will cover the classic 9.5 mile course (~4.5 out and back). Come battle the elements and see who can best the course and take home the best trophies in cycling!!

Start Time: 8:30 a.m. First rider off at 8:31 a.m.
Date: Sat. Feb. 14, 2009
Location: Hiram, Georgia
Distance: Approximately 9.5 miles
Registration fee: You can register early through February 6th, 2009 for $20. After that, regular registration rate of $28 applies. Online registration will close February 12th at noon.

Day of Registration Fee: $40.00, available from 6:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. Day of registration closes 8 a.m.

Insurance fee applies to all riders per event (+$2 insurance).
Register Online at Active.com!

-- Start: Hiram/ Silver Comet Trailhead. (Behind the Home Depot)
-- Travel west towards Rockmart on the Silver Comet Trail. (When your back is to Hwy 278 go right)
-- Go out 4.7 miles and turn around at Paulding Chamber of Commerce sign. The exact turn around point will be marked with an orange cone the day of the event.

*Rider launch times: Earlier registered = later start time.
Please train, practice, and ride the course often as possible, prior to the Time Trial.
Hope to see you there!
Mitch and Jim

12-3-2008 Upstate Winter Bike League  Get ready to start the fourth season of the Upstate Winter Bike League this Saturday! This year is going to be even better than the previous three years! Thanks to one of our
sponsors, Hincapie Sports we'll have sprint leader's vest and an overall leader's vest. So you'll
have more ways to win a yellow or green vest. Check out www.UWBL.net for a preview of
the vest and the scoring system. This year we'll have (2) groups, the A group will average 20 to
21 mph for the whole ride and have sprint zones for the vest competition. The B group, led by
Victor Gonzalez will average about 18 mph and maintain a steady pace. Both groups will have
a follow vehicle for mechanical mishaps. To make sure that we've got enough green to cover vehicle
gas and compensation for our college drivers, we're requesting a 5 dollar donation when you sign in.
If you've ever had a flat in the middle of a ride, you'll agree it's well worth five dollars to have someone
ready to pick you up and then drop you back off after the flat is fixed!

The first UWBL ride takes off Saturday, December 6th from the Downtown Greenville Carolina Triathlon
Bicycle Shop shortly after 10 AM. Ride announcements will be made at 10 AM along with route details,
rules, etc, and then we'll roll away a few minutes later. The bike shop will open early for any last minute items that you
might need before we blast off. Be sure to check the the web-page on Friday evenings for any last minute news or ride cancellation based on weather conditions. www.UWBL.net  Questions: Call 201-9768 or email stevesperry1@ charter.net

Chilly Dawg Ride From Cartecay Bikes: Saturday, December 6th, 2008 Chilly Dawg Alert! Calling all dawgs! Ride with us this weekend. 2 Routes a 30 mile route including Noontootla/Springer Mtn, and a 45 mile route including Winding Stair and Cooper's Gap. We will meet at the Big Creek Firehouse at 10am. Ready to Rock! We will serve chili after the ride. Come out and have some fun Any Questions Call Cartecay Bikes 706-635-2453 Thanks, Kevin
 

FFCC Cross Update The Futlon Flyers sent out their latest cyclocross update.

12-5-2008  Kennesaw/Beyond Allatoona, From Team Cycleworks Rolls at 9 am. 55 miles-Training- Definite A (18-19 mph) and B (16-17 mph) groups after restroom break. Not for casual riders. Rolling terrain from Kennesaw towards Cartersville. Course is well marked with white "CW"s. One restroom break and one store stop. Take I-75 to exit 271-Chastain Rd. Go west on Chastain Rd approximately 1/4 mile and take a left onto Town Point Dr. Bear right at first intersection and park in Pacesetter Steel parking lot-3300 Townpoint Dr. Watch out for the the low-clearance bar! From I-75 and 285 expect about a 15 minute drive to the start of the ride. A and Killer B groups are working quite well. B is generally conversational pace, A is slightly higher with a few sprints thrown in to keep things quiet. 75 mile option soon. Stay tuned!

CX Finale at Paulding Meadows on Sunday! Paulding Meadows is Back and the Series Finale! After a three year hiatus, Paulding Meadows is back and it is the final race in the GA Cross Series. Racers can expect a fast and twisty course even if the weather gods turn on us again this weekend. (weather looks perfect right now!) The course is a good mix of asphalt, grass and dirt. As in past years, the famous downhill section, minus the barriers, is included. Saris, makers of the CycleOps Trainer, will be onsite with trainers and a tent for the racers to warm up under. In addition, Café:ne will be onsite brewing up hot coffee and chocolate for those that need some warming up. After the race, stay around for the GA Cross Series award ceremonies and giveaways. more info: www.georgia-cross.com


Note: must be present to claim series prizes or raffle prizes.

Free Cross Racing For Juniors!!!
All racers under 18 will be allowed to race for free in the 2008 Georgia Cross races. Bring your kids, tell the neighbors, when you’re out training and see the kid on the BMX bike sprinting against you, chase him down and tell him to try racing! All kids need to race is a helmet, two working breaks, and someone to sign their release form. The free racing is made possible by the efforts of Georgia Cross series promoters, the Georgia Bicycle Racing Association, and a grant from Dahlonega Wheelworks.

Demo Bikes
Demo Bikes from Cannondale, Blue, and Trek are also available for Georgia Cross Races. Email Shey Lindner @ everett11@bellsouth.net to reserve yours. First come, first serve.

Online Registration available at sportsbaseonline.com. This gives you free entry into the frame raffle. Sportsbaseonline.com is giving away a frame to a Georgia racer and will enter each racer who registers through them into the raffle. Click the link or go to: https://www.sportsbaseonline.com/Series.aspx?id=410

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.

12-9-2008 Chicopee Work Party From SORBA Gainesville Join us for a work party on Saturday, December 13th at 9:00 AM at the Chicopee Woods MTB parking lot. We'll be working on the new Copperhead Gap (Zig Zag) reroutes. If we have enough help show up we may be able to get the last bit of work done so we can open up Copperhead Gap! Please dress appropriate for the weather and wear closed toe shoes (Hiking/work boots recommended). Bring gloves, water and snacks for 4 hours of work. All tools will be provided as well as lunch. Bring your bike, we may ride what we work on after lunch! Thanks for your support!

Daryl Sawyer (RBM) and Bob Kuhn (Hup United) battle for 1st in the Masters 35+ race in Paudling Meadows.
 

US MTB Cup Looks like some established Southeastern races such as Bump, Ducktown, and the Cowbell Challenge will be part of a new national mountain bike series that is replacing the NMBS. Details are on Velonews. The US Cup website is here.

Oscar Clark (FFCC) and Tim Barrett (Myogenesis) on the run up.

Cyclocross Thank Yous! Thank you to all of the promoters, racers, volunteers, and cowbell ringers at the cyclocrosss races this year. A HUGE Thank You to Shey and Adam for all of your hard work on the series.....and to Nancy and Kari, too. Without you, the Georgia Cross series would not be what it is today! Thank you to the promoters for the great venues and fun races! Thank you to the volunteers that spent hours putting up courses, doing registration, and everything else to make the races successful. Thank you to the racers and spectators for making cross what it is--a crazy sport that we all love! See you next fall!

The 2009 A Women relax at the Georgia Cross Year End Awards Ceremony: Betsy Austin (Kenda), Mari DeMarco (Sorella), Tiffany Ballew (Sorella), Holly Barrett (Sorella), Jenn Horn (Sorella), Kim Sawyer and the Twins, Trish Albert (Team Medplan). Thanks for a wonderful year ladies!
 

12-10-2008  Barnsley Gardens CX We have confirmed a date for a mini-series using the 3300 acre Barnsley Gardens Resort in Adairsville, GA. Here is a tentative list from the proposal.

-January 17 and 18 (Jan. 19th MLK)
-3 races for one fee, points going toward a series prize list
-race primes are a possibility and not just for the leader
-1 time trial and 1 mass start race on Sat, 1 mass start race Sunday
-Two different courses, one for each day
-Non US-Cycling event, entries based on photo ID/birth date
-different categories such clydesdale (190lb+), juniors 16 and under, more details to follow
-the courses will contain single track, but we will remain true to cross

Barnsley Gardens-amenities
-3300 acres
-13 miles of single track, several miles of dirt road
-Reduced room rates for riders/families
-Beer garden (get drunk on imported beer, spend the night, race the next day--priceless)
-2 resturants
-golf
-spa (available by appointment), fitness room
-excellent rural roads for roadies also

Barnsley would like to entice families to come and stay the weekend. I will be receiving rate information by the end of the week. They have no problem with room sharing either, as long as it is "limited" room sharing. We hope you will mark your calendars for this event. I will be posting more information as it comes together and as always we will take any suggestions and comments to improve the event. We want this to promote cross and hold a fun event just like the GA Cross Series with some extra things (categories, etc) thrown in that we can not do under US Cycling Bylaws. A flyer will follow soon.
www.barnsleyresort.com
_________________
Stephen Stewart
Rome, GA

First Annual Athens Bike Pentahlon  Mark you calendars for the First Annual Athens Bike Pentathlon, Friday, January 23rd to Sunday, January 25, 2009.

This is an omnium styled event with 5 (count 'em *5*) of the most leg breaking bike challenges in Athens, Georgia. Events scheduled start Friday evening with the 200meter match sprints and include a messenger race, a log pulling competition, Jan 24th's Winter Bike League (winterbikeleague.com), and finishes Sunday with 3-vs-3 bike polo!

Prizes/medals/trophies will be awarded to the Overall Male, Overall Female, Overall 3-person Team and Overall 3-person Co-Ed Team. Individual races will have prizes for top finishers. As a bonus, every bicycle shop in the athens area have agreed to field a 3-person team in this year's pentathlon to decide which shop is The Best Shop in Athens. More information to follow. -k
k@gobike1.com

Paulding Cross and Year End Award Photos My Paulding Cyclocross and Year End Award photos are up at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com.

12-11-2008 Chicopee Work Party From SORBA Gainesville: Join us for a work party on Saturday, December 13th at 9:00 AM at the Chicopee Woods MTB parking lot. We'll be working on the new Copperhead Gap (Zig Zag) reroutes. If we have enough help show up we may be able to get the last bit of work done so we can open up Copperhead Gap!

Please dress appropriate for the weather and wear closed toe shoes (Hiking/work boots recommended). Bring gloves, water and snacks for 4 hours of work. All tools will be provided as well as lunch. Bring your bike, we may ride what we work on after lunch! Thanks for your support!

Chilly Dawg Ride We Froze the Toes last week! Nothing quite like the final descent by the side of a FRIGID Noontootla Creek. Great ride with some cool people! Thanks for coming out. We will do it again this weekend! Different Route, we will have a 28 miler and 44 miler using Big Creek Road, Old Dial Rd., FS Rd. 35, Skeenah Gap Rd. and plenty more!
As usual you can look forward to some smokin' hot chili for after the ride. Meet us at the Big Creek Fire Station at 10am for another fun ride. For more details call Cartecay Bikes 706-635-2453 Thanks, Kevin kevin@cartecaybikes.com

Big Creek Work Party From RAMBO: RAMBO will have a workparty at Big Creek this Sat 9-1. Lunch will be provided afterwards. We will be building several new berms, and re-installing the teeter. Tools will be provided, but we can use any wheelbarrows and/or shovels you may have. Please bring water, closed toe shoes or boots, and appropriate clothing for outdoor work this time of year.

2009 Race Calendar is Up! A few notes about the 2009 calendar. ONLY races with as asterick (*) have been confirmed for 2009. All others are 2008 dates that I will change as the schedules are released. So far ONLY MOUNTAIN BIKE EVENTS are confirmed. No road race calendars have been released!!!! No road race calendars have been released!!!!  TBRA will release their schedule in January; they are still trying to finalize a few races. GBRA is waiting on something from USA Cycling. I've seen the previews, and the schedules are similar to years past. Since these organizations support Southeastern Cycling, I am honoring their requests not to publish the schedules before they are ready. You know I will post them as soon as I have them!

Benefit Concert Rachael Spiewak, who founded the SOPO bike coop, was the victim of a home invasion along with Chris Devoe. There is a benefit concert this Thursday. Details are below. I wish I could attend.

Chris Devoe / Rachael Spiewak benefit at Highland Inn. Thurs., Dec. 11th.
December 8th, 2008 by Chad Radford in Music news

By Thomas Wheatley
Local bands and DJs are coming together to raise funds and awareness after a Dec. 3 home invasion in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood rattled both the community and Atlanta music scene.

On Thursday night at 9 p.m. at the Highland Inn Ballroom on North Highland Avenue, the Gaye Blades — which includes members of the Black Lips — and Noot d’ Noot, along with a “special surprise guest,” will headline a night of raffle giveaways to benefit local musician and DJ Chris Devoe and community activist Rachael Spiewak of SoPo Bicycle Co-op. Guest DJs will also spin records throughout the night. Criminal Records, Youngblood Gallery, Sweetgrass Salon, Charis Books & More and other local businesses are contributing items for the raffle. “Our tagline for the event is ‘It’s a neighborhood watch,’” says Suzy Moran, one of the fundraiser organizers. “We want it to be a benefit [for the victims], but also a way for the community to come together.”
Organizers are requesting a $5 donation at the door to help the victims.
 

12-12-2008 First Georgia Podium at CX Nationals! Torre Smitherman (GTC) was 3rd in his Masters age group on Thursday at Cyclocross Nationals! Congratulations, Torre!

WBL Week 2 13 December: Details for this week's adventure, the Bowman Ball Buster, is now posted at www.winterbikeleague.com

Bowman: 80 miles, 4 hours o fun. Text maps with explicit directions are published on the site. Print one and put it in yo pocket. We provide only a limited few iat sign-in in an effort to save one tree. Last week, we were sagless for about 40 miles as our sag drove a rider back to town, a service we will always provide when we can. We were riding naked for awhile without the sag, so remember to always be self-sufficient, just in case. Having maps, tubes, money, cell phones, a pump, and a lucky rabbit's foot are essential items. This week's route out of town is much easier than last week. We shouldn't split up. This week involves only a 3 mile stint through town, then we are free and clear and it is time to roll. For those locals who are familiar with the roads of ingress and egress, we are heading out of town via the Monday Night Ride Loop--out Peter Street, cross the bypass, pass the post office on Olympic Drive on the left, and on into the wild blue yonder.

First week's Smoothness Grade: C+ to B- : Smoothness and steadiness, and riding a tight double-file line is our goal which we constantly work on, and which generally improves from week to week. As first weeks go, last week was not bad, but there is much room for improvement. Our mandate: Smooth, steady, and brisk. Hear ye, hear ye!

We ride 2-abreast for important safety reasons. Please be careful out there, and look out for yo friend. Brigadier General

12-15-2008 Photos for Sale! Don't forget that my cyclocross photos and the rest of the photos I took from all the races this year are still for sale at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com. They would make a great Christmas Present!

New Ads Be on the lookout for some new affiliate ads soon on Southeastern Cycling. While I don't want to clog up the site too much, I am trying to generate a little more revenue to be able to continue to improve the site. I will NOT be placing any ads on here that will compete with the wonderful Local Bike Shops such as Free Flite and Boneshakers that advertise on Southeastern Cycling. Please continue to support your favorite LBS and keep your money local! You might wonder what some of the products have in common. My interests are one (look for a photography link!) as well as some of your favorite sites like Amazon.com!

Georgia National Cross Champion! Congratulations to Carla Steward (Lees-Mcrae College), who won the women's collegiate CX National Championship. Carla lives in Buford.

12-16-2008 Chilly Dawg Ride  From Cartecay Bikes: Saturday December 20th, Big Creek Firehouse 10am Good turnout last couple of weeks! It helps to keep us all motivated, thank you. 2 Routes this week, both starting from Big Creek Firehouse. 30 miler = Noontootla Creek/Springer Mtn., 40 miler = Doublehead Gap road to the 60 right turn, then another right on FS 42 follow back to Doublehead Gap Rd., Doublehead Gap Back to the Firehouse and some CHILI! Stay fit this holiday season, ride with the DAWGS! Need more info? Give us a call, we'll do our best 706-635-2453 Thanks,
Kevin kevin@cartecaybikes.com

Christmas Day Ride From Cartecay: Thursday, December 25th 10am or those folks out there without family close by or maybe lack of holiday plans, put your bike on the car and come up to Ellijay to spend Christmas Day with Cartecay Bikes. We will meet at the shop (Cartecay Bike Shop) at 10:00am and caravan over to Gates Chapel Rd. to ride Pinhoti 2 & 3. After the ride come back to the shop, hang out and eat some Lasagna with us. I'm not the Big Dawg Chef Mike but I can hold my own! Don't spend the holiday alone! Come out and ride your bike, it'll be a good time. Any Questions contact : kevin@cartecaybikes.com or 706-635-2453 Thanks, Kevin

12-17-2008 Mt. Tabor Work Party From SORBA Paulding: Where: Mt. Tabor Park off 1550 East Paulding Drive Dallas, GA 30157
When: 12/20/2008 0800 - 1300
What: Corridor Clearing on the Beginner Loop (We have about .50 mile)

We'll meet around 0800 and be ready to work at 0830. We'd love to host you and meet everyone that's ready to have more trail in Paulding County. Dave and I have been busy pin flagging and are ready to start digging. We're projecting early March having the 1.5 mile beginner loop complete. This trail is ground breaking for Paulding SORBA and SORBA in general as it will follow the Gateway Trails Model. There will be alot of teaching opportunities for all who enjoy hosting skills clinics. Come on out and check it out, we're looking forward to seeing ya'll!

Mountain Bike Skills Clinic at Contes From Contes: Ladies and Gentlemen, 17 JAN 09 12-4 at Conte's Bikes in Conyers, put it on your calendar. This a free skills clinic for all folks. Additionally Blue Bikes will have a bike demo as well

Time based events
12:00-2:00 Skills Clinic
2:00-2:30 Trials Demo
3:00-Dark Practical Application of newly discovered skills at the Georgia International Horse Park
Skills taught by Me, Jane with help from Eric and others not named yet.

Skills: All Levels
-Track Stand
-Wheelie (sitting and standing)
-Nose Wheelie (straight line and turning)
-Front Wheel Pivot
-Rear Wheel Pivot
-Riding off road with kids
-Slow and Fast riding Techniques
-Tandem skills (if desired)
-Getting over logs
-Balance
-Wheelie Drops
-Braking
-Body English

There is no RSVP in this event, more to follow once Conte's puts all information on their website.
However would be good to know if there are skills you want to learn that is not in the list.
Steve

12-18-2008 Chicopee Night Ride Night ride at Chicopee this Thursday, 12/18 at 6:30, weather permitting. Check back here Thursday afternoon for updated status.

Next night ride is scheduled for 1/8/09. Check http://www.gainesvilleSORBA.org for the full schedule.

Remember, night riding at Chicopee is only allowed during SORBA sanctioned group rides. Anyone caught riding after dark is subject to ticketing by the Gainesville City Police and may jeopardize the future of night riding at Chicopee.

12-19-2008 WBL The ride details for the WBL 3rd Ride, the Jackson Trail Ole Time Jubilee, are now posted at www.winterbikeleague.com, so get yo game on, it's time to fly. For those about to rock, we salud you:

When: Saturday 20 December
Length: 75 miles/3 hours and 45 minutes
Where: Sunshine Cycles Downtown Athens
Time: 10 a.m. (window open)
Store stop: Hale yes
Pee Break: Hale no, ok maybe.
Sprints: Nope
Sag: Yep
Forecast: 99 phookin degrees

Temps will be soaring this Saturday and crowds will be smaller, so come on out and hammer. Last week's smoothness grade was astounding A- as the Zealots steadily continue to set an even tempo. More of the same this week. Also, after the event, John Finn McCool Murphy will lead the Zealots on an additional 20 mile loop jest fer the damn fun of it! Hale it'll be 70 f----- degrees. Join Finn, Scotty Thomasino, and Matt Shackhouse on this 20 mile loop, plus an extra 5, for a sho-nuff 100 mile day. We must be insane! For those of you who need all the help ya gan git, the text directions are attached to this email. Briggs!

12-22-2008 GA State RR Championships 2009 From Cycleworks: Please mark your collective calendars, Team Cycleworks p/b HDR has been awarded the right and privilege to produce the State Road Race Championships in 2009. The event will be Saturday May 16th and will take place on the Cherokee County Road Race Course. Tim Smith President-NGCA

New Mountain Bike Museum A new mountain bike museum has opened in NC. The official website is here.

Rock It, Katie! To the sore Euro losers that can't acknowledge that Kati Compton is THE best cyclocross woman in the work right now, get over it! It's always excuses about why Hanka "wasn't recovered.". Americans took 2 of the 3 spots at today's CX World Cup Event. Katie Compton (Spike) was first, and Georgia Gould (Luna) was 3rd. Come on.....we need a World Championship, Katie!! Show the Euros how cross is raced!

Merry Christmas!

12-3-2008  Slow News Week It's Christmas week, so I expect news to be pretty slow. I'll be around and will post anything that comes my way.

Congratulations, Sorella!! Congratulations to Sorella for being the Division 3 USA Cycling Club of the year. http://www.velonews.com/article/86130/usa-cycling-names-clubs-of-the-year

12-26-2008 WBL # 4: We ride! Join the Zealots on 27 December for record breaking warmth and the Jackson Trail Jubilee, a 75 mile affair through the rural back roads of Jackson County. All details, including maps you can print and put in yo pocket, are available on the site. We no longer provide maps at the ride start.

And don't forget the January 1 Mandatory Ride, the 1st sprint rode of the year. The following are eligible for the $100 winner-take-all event (and don't forget da box!): Anyone over age 35 (regardless of category), Cats 3, 4, and 5; Juniors (18 and below). The itinerary will be posted Saturday night.

To be followed next Saturday (4 January) by the Jittery Joes Women's only Sprint: $200 paid out to top 3 gals: $100-$75-$25. Details posted soon. Carnac the Deceiver!

12-28-2008  Save the TdG Petition Sign the Save the Tour De Georgia Petition! Then pass it on! (I have no clue who started it, just passing along the link!)

12-30-2008  WBL New Year's Ride  This weeks ride report, Moments of Grace, is now posted for your viewing pleasure. Details for the mandatory New Year's Day Ride (Thursday), the 1st sprint ride of the year, are now posted. Summary:

* 65-70 miles (Maysville) - maps posted on sight.
* Sprint Line: Nowhere Road (Old Faithful)
* Attack Zone: 7 miles (Seagraves Mill, right turn on Nowhere Road, Go-go-go!).
* Eligible: 35 plus (no matter category), Cats 3, 4, 5, Juniors. (Cats Pro, 1, and 2 may lead-out or chase down, but are not eligible for final sprint.)
* Purse: Winner take all: $100 cash plus da box
* Points: 5-4-3-2-1 (all signing in and riding earn an additional 2)

January 3 (Saturday): Jittery Joes Ladies Only Final Sprint: $200/3 deep: $100-$75-$25 plus da box for 1st, the bag for 2nd, and a bottle for 3rd. Intermediate sprint for Pros: $50. Details posted on sight soon. Sprint at own risk, and be careful.
Brigadier General Briggs

What Did You Get For Christmas? I have to brag on my brother a bit. He's a runner, not a cyclist. He really doesn't have any clue as to what to get a cyclist for Christmas. He usually gets me a gift card to Target (hey, I love Tar-get!). This year he went out of his way to go to his LBS and ask what he should get for his bike crazy sister and brother-in-law. He got us two multitools and CO2 inflators, things a cyclist can't ever have enough of. You always need a spare. Thanks, bro!

12-31-2008 Barnsley Garden Cross Race Jan. 17-18 From the Promoters: We wanted to try to have some fun with the Barnsley format. It will be an Omnium event--points in all races count toward the weekend prize list for each category. We will be staging "special event races." We will run 2 races each day, all 4 races for only $30.00. Riders wishing to not race the ominium will pay a per race fee yet to be named, but it will not be a deal and they will not be eligible for the series prizes.

Primes will be held in each race both for 1st place and for other placings within the race. So you do not have to be in 1st to get a prime, we may call 6th, 11th, etc. If you normally do not get in the prizes, here is your chance at fame and fortune.

Categories will run similar to GaCross with some age changes and the addition of a Clydesdale 180lbs and up. There will be a scale!!!! Does not include bike weight--thought you had us, right! This is a non-licensed event so bring your picture ID for age verification.

Barnsley is giving a discount rate of $140 for a double room (it is a 4 star resort). They do not mind multiple riders staying in these rooms so that's only about $35 a piece to stay on property and have guest privilages like the Fitness Center and Steam Suana and coed whirlpool at the Spa. Appointments may also be made for services at the Spa in advance. Riders recieve a 20% discount on all Spa services. Make appointments for the Spa when you call about your room.
Barnsley has two restuarants and a BEER Garden which will open just for the races. There is no reason to go off property this weekend.

Sponsors:
www.barnsleyresort.com 770-773-7480
www.cycletherapy.us 706-235-4866
Email questions: stewarts94@comcast.net

Race Format
Saturday, January 17
Race 1: Individual Time Trials--Mostly flat w/ small hill--riders start when you are ready--not by cats. 1.5 mile max. 10am to 12pm on the line at 11:45 or you are not in the omnium.

Race 2: Cat Races--Classic Cross Course short hills, barriers, etc. Beginning 1pm.

Sunday, January 18
Race 3: Hillclimb--That's right, hillclimb--Individual Time Trial--0.5 mile course--run by category with leaders starting last. 9am to 11pm

Race 4: Long Course Cross
Longer than normal course with single track, fields, barriers, short climb and longer than normal race duration. Beginnning at 12pm by cats to get you home earlier., Stephen Stewart, Rome, GA

Base Ride-C4 The Covington-Conyers Cycling Club (C4) Winter Base Mileage ride starts this Saturday, Jan 3, at 9 am. As in year's past, we'll be doing these rides every Saturday through the end of February. The distance starts at around 50 miles on week 1, and we add about 10% each week to cap it off with a ride of 100-125 miles by the final week. This ride is all about a steady aerobic effort level to build base fitness, so expect a pace of around 15-16 mph. The one change this year will be the start location, which has moved to Conte's Bicycles and Fitness (1927 Highway 138 NE, Conyers). For more details, check out the SBL Ride Calendar, or visit the C4 group site at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CCCycling/
 

Snake Creek Gap TT  From NWGA SORBA:  NWGA SORBA's 5th Annual Snake Time Trials is only 4 days away!

Keep on training, this is a tough course. Don't let the mileage fool you, 34 miler and the 17miler are both brutal. The Snake is a unique and challenging point to point event. Race dates are Jan 3, Feb 7, and Mar 7. Are you ready for the rocks, roots and rattlers? If you register before Dec. 31st, non-money class registration is $75 for all three races. After Dec. 31st, registration for non-money class goes up to $90. Please register early to help us in our event planning.

Start the new year with the 'Snake'!
Here's the link to register on-line: http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1642896
Accommodations: http://www.nwgasorba.org/accomodations.htm
See registered riders for Snake 2009 -> http://www.nwgasorba.org/Snake2009/the_snake.html
At the Grand Finale on March 7th, we will have two frames to give away to two lucky riders. Only registered riders will have their name entered into the drawing for one of these frames. One frame is from our main race sponsor Trailhead Bicycle Company - Haro Mary XC 29er frame, size 18, Humbolt green color. The other frame is from Carver Bikes - frame details will be available shortly. Thanks and have a great weekend! Conrad NWGA SORBA

New Year's Day Ride at Ft. Yargo From SORBA Gainesville: I haven't heard too much about any New Year's Day rides planned- so I wanted to throw this one out there for those who don't have plans for that day:

Gainesville SORBA and Bike Town USA will be hosting the Second Annual New Year’s Day ride at Ft. Yargo State Park in Winder, GA. Come ring in the New Year the right way by getting those tires dirty on the first day of the year! The ride will be Thursday, January 1st, and we will meet at the bike parking lot in the main entrance to the park. We will meet at 12:30pm and the ride will start promptly at 1pm.

All levels of riding ability are invited! We'll split into as many groups as needed.

Though the weather looks fine for Thursday, although a bit chilly, the ride will be cancelled if it is wet, rain is forecasted, or daytime high temperature is below 25 F. Check the Gainesville SORBA website (http://www.gainesvillesorba.org) for up-to-the-minute details. Also, you can check YABA’s website for trail closure: http://www.yaba.homestead.com. However, any changes to this ride will be posted on the Gainesville SORBA website.

Updated Race Calendar I updated the 2009 race calendar with the Carolinas events.