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January 2011

1-1-2010 Happy New Year!

SBL New Year's Ride From the SBL: "Some of us road in the rain on January 1 at the annual SBL New Year's Day Ride; however, for folks that would like a "do over" ride to start the new year off on your bike, here's the perfect opportunity. The best ride you've had all year!! We've designed a shorter option to keep out of afternoon traffic. The fast option rockets down Ponce through Down Town and up Peachtree - all the roads we can't use 363 days of the year. Maps will be available at the start of the ride. Bicycle South is at the corner of N. Decatur Rd & Clairmont Rd. in Decatur, GA. For more information, email metalrings@mailcan.com or call Mike at 770-309-1992."

1-2-2010 Lifetime Bikes Winter Ride  Lifetime Bikes has a 50 or 32 mile ride on Sundays in January and February. Two to five miles will be added each week to the 50 mile ride. Average speed is a steady 18-20 mph with a couple of sprints with regroups afterwards. One rest stop on the 50+ mile ride. 

1-3-2010 Group Ride Sat, Jan 8th will be the 3rd of 5 organized group rides with vehicle SAG support in Braselton, GA. This winter riding series continues with KOM/Sprint, Attendance and massage winners, continuing Feb 12th and Mar 12th. Incredible 38 & 55 mile routes extremely well marked!!! Bike shop open before ride for last minute mechanical and miscellaneous purchases. Indoor bathroom before/after ride.
Time: 9am start
Date: Jan 8th
Place: Addictive Cycles
Please consider tipping SAG drivers; it goes a long way...
Contact: info@jacksonbrevet.com or Robert 770-634-4451.
 

1-4-2010 Rome CX The first Rome CX Winter Series race is Sunday! Preregistration ends for the 3 race pass on Wednesday, and registration for the first race ends on Thursday. There is even a 30% chance of rain or snow. See you there!

send me a sense and the ADO are behind the incident over as many as eight

1-9-2010 All's Quiet All is quiet on the cycling front right now. Rome Cross is today. The first GA Cup TT was Saturday. Does anyone know how it went? Snake Creek TT was Saturday. I heard preliminary reports that it was a lot of fun. I'll be working on the calendars next week to get them all updated. I'd hoped to finish it by today, but "real life" interfered last week.

1-10-2010 Donations To Fulton Flyers If you have any donations of equipment, clothing, trainers, shoes, wheels, etc for the Fulton Flyers Development Team please bring to one of the races. We can use most anything cycling related. Most of you saw the number of young riders we had at the races - especially the final event. All donations are used for our Juniors and U23 women. We can provide 501c3 receipt for your donation, so if you itemize your taxes it is a benefit resulting in lower taxes. If you had the intention of donating in 2010, receipts can be provided to reflect that. Lamar Mauney, ffccjuniors@comcast.net

WBL News Due to frigid forecast, the following tweakage is announced for this coming Saturday:
What: The Reality Bikes Hoschton Hardman's Classic (RIDE START: 11 a.m.)
When: Saturday (15 January)
Where: Sunshine Cycles in downtown Athens
Time: 11 a.m. (window open) RIDE START DELAYED TO 11 a.m.
Interactive map: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3024938 open
Directions: coming
Length: 63 miles / 3 hours (add optional Pink Chruch Circuit Loop = 70 miles / 3.5 hours)
Exit Route: Prince Ave > Access Road > Whitehead Road > Roberts Road > Tallassee Road
Store Stop: Hoschton (NO STORE STOP: BE PREPARED! )
Pee Break: approx. 1 hour in (Mile 20)
Points / Prizes: 2 points for signing in (1st: $100 cash + da box + 10 pts/ 2nd: 8 pts. / 3rd: 6 pts. / 4th: 4 pts. / 5th: 2 pts.
-Ladies Finish: 1st: 5 pts / 2nd: 3 pts / 3rd: 1 pt.
-Non Pro 1, 2 Finish: 1st: 5 pts / 2nd: 3 pts. / 3rd: 1 pt
Intermediate Sprints:

* Hochston City Limits / Non Pro, 1, 2 (just before store stop): 1 k sprint zone:1st: $25 + 3 pts / 2nd: 2 pts. / 3rd: 1 pt
* Pros Eligible! First time across Pink Church line (Inside Final Attack Zone): 1st: $25 + 3 pts. / 2nd: 2pts. / 3rd: 1 pt

Final Attack Zone (8 miles): Pros eligible! The Infamous Pink Church Circuit Loop. Attack Zone open at right hand turn at Alligator Pond. Sprint across Pink Church line first time and keep going. 3 right hand turns, look for arrows. Come back around to Pink Church line and sprint for win!
Final Sprint Line: Pink Church Line!

Greg "Farmer G" Schisla (GTC) goes over the barriers at Winter Rome CX #1.

1-12-2011 Bored Yet? Does anyone have cabin fever yet? My husband and I were able to get out tonight for dinner with some friends, which was great. We both have a bit of cabin fever. The roads were freezing over again on our way back from dinner. I rode the trainer today but will try to take the mtb or cyclocross bike out tomorrow and explore around my area of town since I have another day off of work. Do you have a good pic of you and your bike or your bike in the snow? I'd love to put it up. Email it to me, sttarlite@hotmail.com.

GA Cup TT Cancelled The Georgia Cup TT for this weekend is CANCELLED because of road conditions. They will continue next weekend.

GIHP Work Party From SORBA: Horse Park work Party Feb 19th  We will be working on the 2nd section of the New Beginner Trail, trying to get it done for the Chain Buster Race in March.We will meet in the parking lot & begin at 9AM, bring a snack & water will work till 1PM, or later for those who want to stay. Lets have a Good crowd! "Many Hands Make Work Light"

Welcome New Advertisers! I'm sure everyone has seen the new advertisers at the top of Southeastern Cycling! Welcome to the Atlanta Trek Stores and Lifetime Bikes in Loganville.

The Atlanta Trek stores are located in McDonough and Peachtree City. They offer the full line of Trek Bikes as well as Redline BMX Bikes. Their current special is a full tune up for $150 that includes new cables and bearing overhauls. That is $100 off of the regular price!

Lifetime Bikes in Loganville offers Felt Bicycles, Orbea, Cannondale, and several other top brands. Lifetime Bikes has a 50 or 32 mile ride on Sundays in January and February. Two to five miles will be added each week to the 50 mile ride. Average speed is a steady 18-20 mph with a couple of sprints with regroups afterwards. One rest stop on the 50+ mile ride. Maps. 32 Mile Map.

Team in Training offers a way for riders to give back to the community and raise money for a wonderful cause, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Team In Training Georgia Chapter is now recruiting teams for the 2011 Summer season in Metro Atlanta with locations in City of Atlanta, Cobb County, Gwinnett County and North Fulton County. TNT is also recruiting teams in Augusta and Savannah for marathon/half-marathon and triathlon sport offerings only. You can see their full schedule at http://www.teamintraining.org/ga/. Get involved!

Please welcome and support our new advertisers! Watch throughout the year for specials and events from our advertisers! No matter what part of town you are in, there is a Southeastern Cycling advertising bike shop near YOU!

As always, Southeastern Cycling is supported by these wonderful advertisers, Atlanta Cycling with two locations at Ansley and Vinings, Outback Bikes in Little 5 Points and Hamilton Mill, Ken Bike Law--Atlanta's Cycling Attorney.

1-13-2011 Allatoona Work Party From SORBA: Allatoona Creek Park Work Party - Saturday, January 22
We will be doing finish work on the trail. There are about two miles left to finish, then the trail can be opened!
Please bring:
1. water & snacks -- lunch provided after
2. gloves
3. closed-toe shoes or boots
4. Tools provided
2450 Pitner Road Acworth, GA
 

1-14-2011 SERC News The Kenda Cup is teaming up with Gone Riding and the SERC Series to offer Kenda Cup races in the Southeast.

Bagpipes and Breakfast From the Rome Cross Series Promoter; he also guarantees there will be mud and maybe some snow on Sunday's course.: Fuddruckers will have a trailer at Sunday’s starting at 9am with breakfast and lunch. We will also have a bagpiper who will play at the races starting around noon. Folks, we have a bagpiper, get yourselves on up here.

 

1-15-2011 Stone Mountain Update From a mailing list: "From a fellow rider that drove out to Stone Mountain Park this morning... They apparently don't own a plow either. The route to the park has plenty of ice with some impassable spots for a bike. The conditions are worse inside the park. The outer loop is closed and the inner loop is full of ice patches with a few impassable sections. We need major melting."

Silver Comet The Silver Comet is a sheet of ice the first several miles. I took this photo in Smyrna this morning as I walked it. Although it looks like snow, it's solid ice. 

Silver Comet in Smyrna.

Rides Saturday Be aware that MANY of Saturday's group rides have been cancelled. I have confirmed the Vinings ride from Atlanta Cycling is cancelled. They will be hiking from the shop at 10:00 am instead. (My guess is back along the river trails.). The NGCA Kennesaw/Allatoona Ride is cancelled. Road conditions are still treacherous for skinny road tires. There is still a lot of ice out there, and some roads are impassable. Please use caution if you "have" to ride on Saturday in the metro Atlanta area. A spin class at your favorite gym or a trainer ride might be the best option. Better yet, come to Rome and race Cross on Sunday!

Report from someone that scouted the Tucker Route: "From a fellow rider that traversed the course with his 4wheel drive vehicle Friday Afternoon:
Just to give a quick road update. The following are impassable to bicycle's. Hugh Howell just before Rosser. The turn to Rosser from Hugh Howell. Rosser and the turn to Old Tucker rd. Old Tucker road really bad in several sections. Bermuda Rd. next to the golf course of Stone Mountain. Rockbridge Rd after the turn from Stuart Mill. Norris Lake actually pretty good. But Humphreys (what Norris Lake turns into) has several sections that I needed 4 wheel drive. Farmers Road has several sections with "Ice" across the road. Many of these road have heavy ice sections with some across the road. Cars having a real hard time in these sections. Our bicycles with skinny tires and road shoes no match for the icy gaunlet that awaits."

The Smyrna/Mableton and Buckhead area roads are still pretty icy. West Paces Ferry in Fulton County is impassable for bikes. I drove through those areas Friday afternoon. 

Last Minute WBL News:  All Sprints are cancelled for tomorrow’s ride due to safety considerations, but we will still ride the full 70 miles. Saturday’s mantra is to ride carefully and cautiously, and to bring everyone home without anyone slipping down. Most roads are clear, but there are still icy patches at far end of Access Road. All Zealots to be awarded 3 points.

Greenville Training Series The flyer Greenville Spring Training Series is up. http://blog.hincapie.com/post/2011-Greenville-Spring-Training-Series-Schedule.aspx

Trails Closed Most metro Atlanta trail systems are closed including Big Creek, Blanket's Creek, Ft. Yargo (closed til further notice), Chicopee, Gainesville College, Yellow River, etc. I have reports that Sope Creek is very icy. Dauset is reported to be icy and muddy. Based on reports from Cartecay Bikes and Mulberry Gap, many of the trails in the Ellijay area are under ice and snow. I've also heard the Silver Comet is nothing but a sheet of ice in the Paulding and Polk County areas.  Let's give the trails time to dry. Trust me, I already miss my mountain bike!

Charlotte News
2011 Winter Short Track Mountain Bike Series Renaissance Park Short Track Charlotte, NC Sundays, January 16, 23 and 30, February 6 and 13
Online SERIES REGISTRATION will stay open until Saturday afternoon. Do you hate filling out the participant release form every time you come to the race? I know many people do as the complain but we must as its required by our insurance. Pre-register for the series online at BikeReg.com and we will print your form for each event. All you will do is sign the form at each event and you are ready to go. Registering for the series online will also save you money.
Online registration is now open until the day before the event starts. http://www.BikeReg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=12161
Individual event registration is onsite only and open one hour before the race.  NO pre-reg needed and NO LATE FEES.
Cookin it up at the series East Blvd Bar and Grill is cooking their famous Chili and I'll be fixing the always tasty veggie soup.
http://www.charlottemtnbike.com/short-trackhome.htm

2010-2011 North Carolina Cyclo-Cross Series.

The series format has returned to its roots. The series will include all races held October 2010 thru January 2011. The series will include the CX State Championships, UCI North Carolina Grand Prix and Series Finals. Both new and old race venues have been included and locations across the state have been chosen to showcase North Carolina's varied and unique terrain.

Just three races left in the NCCX season:
Sunday 1/16 Race #12 Wilkesboro, NC
Saturday 1/22 Race # 13 Durham, NC
Sunday 1/23 Race #14 Greensboro, NC - flyer next week
For dates, schedules and other info, visit: http://www.nccyclocross.com/index.html
Saturday, January 29 and February 5 Orange County Speedway Races Triangle Velo will host races at Orange County Speedway in Rougemont, NC to kick off the North Carolina 2011 road racing season. Race dates are Saturdays, January 29 and February 5 barring inclement weather (cross your fingers for better conditions than the snow we had both weekends last year!). Please see our website ( http://trianglevelo.org) for details and to download the race flyer. Write to us at trianglevelo@gmail.com with any questions.

Lake Norman State Park Trail Work Days
We have been working on setting up a schedule of work day at Lake Norman State Park. bOb will be out machine cutting trail during the month and volunteers will come behind and groom the machine cut trail. This is relatively easy and very gratifying work. When you look back at the end of the day, you will be excited by the amount of finished trail work.
Work times will be roughly 9AM-1PM on both Saturdays and Sunday. Tools will be provided. Just bring appropriate clothing, work gloves, sturdy shoes, water and snacks. To access the work area, take State Park Road to Wildlife Road. Turn left onto Wildlife (from the Perth Road side) and the gate will be almost immediately on your right. You can park along the fire road or along Wildlife Road. If you park on Wildlife, please make sure all four tires are off the road. Hopefully, we'll be able to line up a couple of volunteer rewards during the year.

Work dates are below. As we get closer to the date, please check the LANO email group or Tarheel Trailblazers forum for last minute updates.
29 - 30 Jan
26 - 27 Feb
26 - 27 Mar
30 Apr - 1 May
21 - 22 May ( hopefully completion of Laurel Ext )
If everything goes to according to plan, the May work day will hopefully finish off the second half of the Laurel Loop which will make it close to 8.5 miles! After work is completed, there will still be inspections
but we hope to have it open summer 2011. bOb is currently working on layout of Phase 5.2 (249 acres between Wildlife Road and Morrison Road) and once the Laurel Loop is finished, we will head over there. We need to have 11.5 miles of trail constructed by fall of 2013. This will make the Itusi Trail system close to 30 miles long!!

1-16-2011 Rome CX #2 Photos My photos from today's race are up at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com. 

Lamar Mauney (FFCC) in the Mastesr 45+ race at Rome Winter Cross #2.

Ronnie Bratcher (Aarons) demonstrates "Broken Clavicle Barrier Technique" (minus the bike b/c of said broken clavicle.)

1-19-2011 Cyclocross State Championships The Georgia State Cyclocross Championships are this weekend in Rome! Registration closes 1-20. From the promoter: We will be raffling off 3 Lazer Genesis helmets on Sunday. It will be $2.00 a raffle ticket and all money taken for the raffle will be used to help the park recover from the races we have put on. This means stuff like grass seed, hay, etc. We will be doing a remediation day in the spring so any volunteers are welcome as well. We want to be able to use Lock and Dam again and the Floyd County Parks and Rec have been wonderful partners. Of course you can buy as many tickets as you want. We will raffle each helmet off periodically through the day.

Real Cyclist Team Launch Team Presentation Event - Feb 11  Purchase your tickets now for a special Team Introduction and meal at one of North Georgia's most beautiful wineries!
Friday, Feb 11 6:30pm to 9pm MONTELUCE WINERY & ESTATES 501 Hightower Church Road, Dahlonega, Ga. 30533  $49 per person - click here to purchase tickets. This special Team Presentation will include light dinner, cash bar, sponsor sample packs and a chance to meet all athletes, D.S. Gord Fraser and team management. Don't miss this chance to meet the team and enjoy the spectacular Monteluce Winery.

Una Vuelta Con Paco - Feb 12 Bring your bicycle to downtown Dahlonega and Take A Spin With "Paco" Mancebo and the entire RealCyclist.com Pro Team!
9:00am (ride is approx. 2 hours) Hancock Park, Dahlonega, Ga.  Join the entire team for a recreational bicycle ride from the Dahlonega town square through the Yahoola Valley in Lumpkin County. All levels of cyclists are welcome. We ask that you just sign a waiver, and you are welcome to make a donation to the team.
 

 US Pro Championships GREENVILLE (SC): The Greenville Hospital System USA Cycling Professional Championships will return to Greenville for the sixth consecutive year and move to Memorial Day Weekend, May 28-30. The change in schedule will help bring an even stronger, more competitive field and include Greenville resident and three-time U.S. Professional Road Race National Champion, George Hincapie. Licensed by USA Cycling, Inc. (Colorado Springs, CO) and organized by Medalist Sports, the event continues to build in momentum and stature. Supported by the event’s many partners, including Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS), Title Sponsor; TD Bank, Presenting Sponsor of the Road Race Championships; Duke Energy, Presenting Sponsor of the Individual Time Trial Championships; GE Energy; Hincapie Sportswear; Yakima Products; the City of Greenville; Greenville County and in partnership with the Palmetto Peloton Project and the US Handcycling Federation, the Championships are expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators from around the country to Greenville over the course of the event weekend. According to Chris Aronhalt, Managing Partner of Medalist Sports, the USA Cycling Professional Championships have continued to gain popularity with each passing year, and last year, drew nearly 50,000 spectators over the course of the event weekend. Aronhalt attributes the Championships’ popularity to several factors: level of competition and terrain, community and sponsor support and the variety of events and activities that take place over the course of the weekend. “There is no question that this event offers fans an opportunity to see the nation’s best professional cyclists compete at their highest level, and following the Amgen Tour of California the week prior, the riders and teams will be at their peak performance,” said Aronhalt. “Greenville provides an ideal setting to host the Championships. “ The date change to Memorial Day weekend will also allow the return of the three-day format, permitting a vital rest day for the riders. The event weekend will kick off with the Individual Time Trial Championships presented by Duke Energy, Saturday, May 28 at CU-ICAR. Cyclists will compete against the clock on a 6.9 mile course (completed three times). The Road Race Championships presented by TD Bank will be held on Monday, May 30 with the start/finish in downtown Greenville. The 110-mile course will include three short downtown circuits, four long laps over Paris Mountain, and then three finishing downtown circuits.

"We are very pleased and grateful to see that TD Bank has expanded its commitment to sponsoring cycling events with their support for the USA Cycling Professional Road Championships," said USA Cycling Chief Executive Officer Steve Johnson. "Greenville has been an excellent host of this prestigious event for the past five years. We look forward to the move to the Memorial Day holiday weekend that will not only allow the race to better align with the international calendar but will help ensure America's top talent is on hand to contest for the Stars-and-Stripes jersey."
In addition to the dual championships, the Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital U.S. Handcycling National Criterium Championship is once again scheduled. This is the season finale event for the U.S. Handcycling Series, and will return for the third year in a row with a time trial on Saturday and the National Handcycling Criterium Championships on Monday.

Another significant and positive change this year is that the Stars and Stripes Challenge will become a stand-alone event on Sunday, May 29th and become a multi-distance (including century) fundraising ride. Hosted in Greenville County, the Stars and stripes Challenge is expected to host amateur and celebrity riders, including retired pros, from across the country and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for its primary charitable partner, the Cancer Center of Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center. The Stars and Stripes Challenge is organized by the Palmetto Peloton Project (P3), which promotes the advancement of cancer research through fundraising fitness events. Approximately 800 riders from across the United States participated in last year’s Stars and Stripes Challenge, and to date, the event has raised more than $500,000 for cancer research. “GHS is pleased to serve as title sponsor of the USA Cycling Professional Championships for a sixth year and to be a recipient of funds from the Palmetto Peloton Project,” said Mike Riordan, GHS president and CEO. “We are grateful to P3’s gift to cancer research because it not only impacts the people in our community but people across the country and around the world. In addition, P3 events offer our community the opportunity to get fit and be active, which reinforces our commitment to total health.”
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A new addition this year, cycling enthusiasts will have the opportunity to meet some of their favorite riders at a free Saturday evening event sponsored by Presenting Sponsor TD Bank. The Main Street event, benefiting GHS’ Cancer Center, will feature live entertainment, and several of the top teams and riders will display their team cars and be available for autographs and photo sessions.
“TD Bank is proud to partner with Greenville Hospital System to support this premier event and secure its return to the Upstate for its sixth year,” said Lynn Harton, head of regional commercial banking south, TD Bank. “Supporting the communities where we live and work has long been one of TD Bank's core values, in addition to supporting programs that promote and celebrate both diversity and a better environment. The USA Cycling National Championships is a perfect example of this philosophy, and we are thrilled to be a part of this great event that puts our city in the spotlight of the world of cycling." With the championships only a few months away, the excitement is already building and organizers expect this year’s event to be the largest ever. Route maps and  race details can be found on the event website, which also offers online registration for volunteers. Fans are encouraged to visit www.usacyclingchampionships.com  to stay up-to-date on race news and events and can also follow the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usacyclingchampionships  and Twitter at twitter.com/USAProCycling.  A schedule of events is provided on the following page.

1-20-2011 Carla Swart Former Georgian Carla Swart  was killed while training in South Africa on Wednesday. She was to ride for HTC-Highroad this year. Carla was touted as South Africa's best hope for a gold medal in cycling at the 2012 Olympics. Southeastern Cycling sends its condolences to Carla's friends and family. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
http://sport.iafrica.com/news/699634.html
http://www.highroadsports.com/

1-21-2011 Kennesaw/Allatoona Ride Saturday Due to Frigid Temps predicted Saturday Morning the Ksaw/Beyond Allatoona Ride is being moved to a 1 pm Start!

1-22-2011 Ride to the Capitol Metro Atlanta City Officials to Ride Again for Improved Bicycle Conditions ATLANTA—On March 22, 2011 the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA) will co-sponsor the Sixth Annual “Georgia Rides to the Capitol” event to raise support for the development of a regional-scale bicycle network of both on-road facilities and multi-use-trails, and cycling connections focused around major transit facilities, activity centers and schools.

Metro-area mayors and council members are encouraged to participate in the bike ride, which will have routes departing from the cities of Decatur and Roswell. There will also be a three-block ceremonial ride from Hurt Park in the city of Atlanta to the Capitol. Last year, more than 30 metro-area mayors and council members participated in the bike ride. “The ride to the Capitol is my favorite bicycle ride of the year,” said Roswell Mayor Jere Wood, who will lead the bicycle ride from Roswell. “It’s not only fun, it’s a great way to demonstrate to the state that there is strong support for bicycling in Georgia.” “Transportation is not just moving cars, it’s about moving people,” said Decatur City Commissioner Fred Boykin, owner of Bicycle South and one of the event organizers. “The majority of vehicle trips are less than two miles which is an easy distance to bicycle. If we can keep improving our local infrastructure to make it safe and appealing to cycle instead of drive, then we can help reduce congestion, improve our air quality and encourage a healthy way to travel.” During the current legislative session, the bike ride’s top sponsor Georgia Bikes! is again pushing for passage of a "Three Foot Safe Passing" bill, similar to last year's HB 988, according to the organization’s new Executive Director Brent Buice.

“A "Three Foot Safe Passing" law would improve the safety of Georgia’s roadways by educating motorists on the minimum safe distance for passing bicyclists,” Buice said. “When promoted, publicized and enforced, this law will greatly lessen the risk of cyclists being hit by passing cars in Georgia. We will be joining fifteen other states, including Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi, which have already adopted a similar law.” More than 1,000 bike enthusiasts are expected to join the ride that will culminate in a press conference on the Capitol steps with metro mayors and council members, state legislators and other state officials highlighting the importance of funding for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and other alternative forms of transportation.

“The Georgia Rides to the Capitol event will once again clearly demonstrate to Georgia's legislators that improved safety on public roadways demands passage of this bill. More broadly, this event underscores the need for a comprehensive effort to improve bicycling conditions throughout the state,” Buice said. “Better biking facilities, plus the safer environment fostered by a "Three Foot Safe Passing" law, will lead to higher rates of bicycling. More people bicycling, more often, is good for Georgia's economy, its health, and its quality of life!" The bike ride is free and open to the public. Bicyclists are estimated to arrive at the Capitol at 11:40 a.m. The estimated departure times for originating cities are: Decatur at 10:45 a.m. and Roswell at 9:45 a.m.

Municipal officials who wish to join the ride should contact Aileen Harris via email at Aharris@gmanet.com and indicate which route he or she wishes to join. Loaner bicycles are available for the Decatur and ceremonial rides; contact Aileen for details. For more information and to register, visit www.GeorgiaRidesToTheCapitol.org.

1-24-2011 Georgia State Cyclocross Championship Photos My photos from the State CX Championships are up at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com. Thanks to Bob, Trey, and all of the volunteers for a great race! Congratulations to the new State Champions!

Thomas Turner (Jamis) takes a beer hand up on his way to winning the Georgia State Men 1/2 Cyclocross Championship. (It was PBR.)

A bagpipe player entertained the racers at the GA State Cyclocross Championships in Rome.

1-25-2011 GA CX Video The Rome News-Tribune has a great video of the Georgia State CX Championships including race coverage and rider interviews. They also have an article with photos and coverage. Thanks to the Rome News-Tribune for being out there! 

Alto is Here!! From the WBL: What:: The Porterfield Tire Alto World Cup (5.5 hours) With the Sunshine Cycles Alto City Limit Sprint and Crackback Hill Jam
When: Saturday (29 January)
Where: Sunshine Cycles in Downtown Athens
Time: 10 a.m.
Interactive map:http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1563313
Directions: coming
Length: 110 miles / 5.5 hours
Exit Route: North Avenue > Nowhere Road > Alto!
Store Stop: (Alto: Mile 50. There is no 2nd store stop, only brief regroupment after Crackback)
Pee Break: approx. 1 hour in (Mile 20, mile 72 - after Crackback)
Points / Prizes: 4 points for signing in (1st: $200 cash! + da berry big box + 15 pts/ 2nd: 12 pts. / 3rd: 9 pts. / 4th: 6 pts. / 5th: 3 pts.
-Ladies Finish: 1st: 7 pts. / 2nd: 5 pts / 3rd: 3 pt. / 4th: 1
-Non Pro 1, 2 Finish: 1st: 7 pts / 2nd: 5 pts. / 3rd: 3 pt / 4th: 1 pt
Intermediate Sprints: Sunshine Cycles Alto City Limit Sprint and Crackback Hill Jam:
* Alto City Limit Sign: $100 bucks! (Mile 50 / 8 mile Sprint Zone) PROs ELIGIBLE! - go 4 miles up Alto Triple Stairstep, turn right and go 4 miles to line / 1st: $100 + 5 pts / 2nd: 3 pts. / 3rd: 1 pt
* Alto Triple Stairstep: First 3 Non-Pros: 3-2-1; First 3 ladies: 3-2-1
* Crackback Hill Jam: $50 (Mile 70) Pros eligible!: 1st: $50 + 3 pts. / 2nd: 2pts. / 3rd: 1 pt
* Crackback Hill Jam: First 2 Non-Pros:2-1; First 2 ladies:2-1

Final Attack Zone - The Infamous Alto Attack Zone (9 miles / Opens at Mile 95): Pros eligible! Go 1.5 mile down A.C. Smith Road climbing Steep Dog Hill along the way, take right at stop sign and go 1 mile to dead end/stop sign and turn left on Seagraves Mill Road, go 4 miles to stop sign and turn right on Nowhere Road, go 3 miles to the finis.
Final Sprint Line: Nowhere Road -Jackson County sign (WBL line in road)

1-27-2010 Team in Training From TNT: Charity fundraising through marathoning, competing in triathlons and cycling is a trend that keeps on growing, and the program leading the charge is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training® (TNT). For those looking for a way to get fit and accomplish a personal goal, while also doing something to help others in need, TNT, the world’s largest endurance sports training program, may be the answer.

TNT provides personalized coaching, group training and support, and the chance to meet new people, while the participants raise funds for blood cancer research. Participants have the option of running or walking a full or half marathon, completing a triathlon or a cycling century. First time athletes and seasoned veterans alike are welcome to the program. In addition to weekly training sessions under the guidance of a certified coach, TNT offers clinics on nutrition, equipment, injury prevention and safety. Participants are also given tools to help them fundraise. TNT also arranges airfare and lodging to send participants to the event of their choice.
“Team In Training gives participants the opportunity to take on the most challenging of athletic events while raising money to conquer blood diseases,” said Dick Brown, Executive Director. “Team In Training gives you everything you need to reach your fitness goals while helping make a difference in the lives of thousands of people battling cancer.”

The Georgia Chapter of Team In Training is now recruiting cycling teams in Atlanta for the America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe, NV and the Fletcher Flyer Century in Fletcher, NC, both on June 5th weekend.

Since Team In Training began in 1988, more than 440,000 participants have raised more than $1 billion through TNT to help LLS fund research to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and provide critical education and support services to patients and their families. For additional TNT information and details about the cycling event destinations, call the TNT Georgia Chapter at (404) 720-7842; or visit: www.teamintraining.org/ga.

Lake Tahoe TNT Event
 

Arrowhead Work Party From SORBA-OMBA (Trish's Note: Arrowhead is near Macon. The trails were destroyed a few years ago when tornados ripped through the area.) "We'll have the first Arrowhead work day of 2011 this Sunday 1/30. We'll be working out there all day. If you can only do half a day, plan on being there at either 9 AM or 1 PM so we can organize groups. Bring the usual: work clothes, sturdy shoes, water, snacks, sunscreen. We may provide lunch if enough people plan on being there all day. All volunteer hours are now counting towards the portion of money that we have to match for the RTP grant."

Separately, the request for bid has been released for the major portion of trail to be built professionally. That is really exciting news.

1-28-2011 Ellijay MTB Club Southeastern Cycling has learned that the Ellijay (GA) Mountain Bike Association Club was named business of the year by the Ellijay Chamber of Commerce! Congratulations!

1-29-2011 Kennesaw/Allatoona Ride The Saturday Kennesaw/Allatoona ride moves back to a 9:00 am start this week.

Southern Mountain Bike Summit IMBA-SORBA and its chapters Pisgah Area SORBA and Upstate SORBA are so very proud to announce the very first Southern Mountain Bike Summit in Brevard, NC, March 25th-27th, 2011. It’s a celebration, it’s education, it’s advocacy, and we invite YOU to attend! Our theme for the event is Great Riding in the South (GRITS, yes!), and without you there wouldn’t be GRITS! Without YOU GRITS won’t get better! So, come on over for the greatest mountain biking advocacy event ever held in the Southeast! Keynote address: The Summit kicks off with Keynote Speaker Krista Rettig of Trek Bicycles. Krista is a pistol, a wonderful speaker who is totally committed to getting riders on the trail, particularly women and families. Come listen and learn from this industry leader! Sessions—Friday and Saturday are full of informational sessions led by experts from governmental agencies, advocates, and industry leaders. Learn how to partner with the US Forest Service, how other areas have successfully created trail communities (not just great trails), how to be an effective Mountain Bike Patroller, how to be a more effective leader, and much more!
Rides—Pisgah National Forest. DuPont State Park. Trek demos. Need we say more?
Silent Auction—Support PAS, Upstate SORBA, and the local Bracken Mountain Trail project by bidding on fantastic merchandise and services.
Socials—Hang out with friends, old and new, and talk about, what else? All things mountain biking!
Visit www.southernmtbsummit.net  for details and to register today!

Tt. Tabor Work Party From SORBA Paulding:

Who: All are invited and welcome to attend!
What: The plan is to deberm and "smooth" out all the ruts on the meadow section from behind the tennis courts all the way to the area the trail enters the woods. This would also be a good time for Cres to break outthe "Golden Loppers" and cut the corridor for the meadow back as well.
We should be able to knock this out relatively easily!
When: Saturday, February 19 · 10:00am - 2:00pm
Where: Mt. Tabor Moutain Bike Trails