4-25-2017 Dirty Spokes 6/3 Hour Mountain Bike Race From the Promoter: The Dirty Spokes 6/3 Hour Mountain Bike Race Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, Ga. Presented by MAXXIS Tires and Brought to you by Roswell Bicycles and Scott, May 13th, 2017 is 3 WEEKS AWAY (ALL 6 HOUR CATEGORIES 1st Place, 2nd Place and 3rd Place will be receiving either a SCOTT Helmet or MAXXIS Tires) This is race number 3 of the Chainbuster Mountain Bike Race Series! Race Day Raffle to Support the Yargo Trail Crew! LittleFire Cycles (Custom Wheel Builders) is proud to give back to both Dirty Spokes and the Yargo Trail Crew! LittleFire Cycles will be donating a Wheel Set (Carbon Rims, Bitex Hubs and DT Spokes)! Race Day Raffle Tickets are $10 each and ALL Proceeds will be donated to the Yargo Trail Crew!
Fools Gold 60 mile MTB Race Registration for the 2017 Maxxis Tires Fools Gold 60 Mile Mountain Bike Race is underway! The Maxxis Tires Fools Gold is scheduled for September 16, 2017 at the beautiful Anderson Creek Retreat, in Ellijay, GA. We have a few changes for 2017 that we feel will ultimately lead to a better and more sustainable event. The 2017 Maxxis Tires Fool’s Gold will offer only a 60 Mile option. The decision to drop the 90 mile course was made after seeing a steady drop in numbers so that we could allocate those resources to making the 60 mile event better, as historically the shorter couse has comprised over 75% of event participants. Those who normally race the longer distance will still be challenged by our 60 mile course, and you will arrive at the beer and fajitas several hours sooner! We also made the tough decision to withdraw from the NUE Series so that we could partner with Maxxis Tires for this year’s event, which will allow us to offer better payouts and more swag for our 60 mile riders. Rest assured, the quality of the race will not be compromised and we plan to improve upon what we are currently offering. 400 rider field limit for the 60 mile race – please register early so you do not miss out.
Mt. Tabor Spring Cleaning Trail Party From SORBA West Georgia: Mt. Tabor Park Mountain Bike Trails, 1550 East Paulding Drive Dallas, GA 30157, Dallas, Georgia 30157, It’s time for a little spring cleaning at Mt Tabor Park! Sat., April 29 8 am-noon, We’ll work on the briars in the meadow, some of the nastier roots and trimming back the overgrowth throughout the trail. If you have a gas powered trimmer and/or hand pruning shears, please bring them. Bring your bike! We’ll try to sneak in a little ride time! Bring gloves and wear closed toe shoes, long pants recommended.
4-24-2017 Are you missing a bike that fell off of your car on I-20? A friend of mine found a nice Women’s Road Bike on I-20 near the Lake Oconne/Rutledge/Social Circle area this weekend. It appeared to have fallen off of a bike rack. He is reporting it to the local police. Email thomasbward at hotmail dot com to identify the bike. Thomas is a cyclist himself and wants to return this bike to the rightful owner. (Update 4-25-2017 Thomas has located the owner of the bike thanks to the shop that sold it to her!)
4-23-2017 Roswell Cycling Festival The Roswell Cycling Festival is this week! The full schedule is here. Here are a few of the events (Trish’s Note: There are entry fees for a few events including the Quick Six Enduro, Crit, Beer Festival, and Mayor’s Ride. Some like the Monday and Tuesday night rides are free as they are every week.): Monday, April 24, 2017 Roswell Bicycles Monday Night Group Ride Start time: 6:30 PM No-drop ride through beautiful horse country with ride leader and ride sweeper.
Tuesday, April 25, 2017 Olde Blind Dog Cycling Club Tuesday Night Ride Start time: 6:30 PM Join Bike Roswell! and the Olde Blind Dog Cycling Club on this popular ride through Roswell and Alpharetta neighborhoods. Starting at the Olde Blind Dog Pub, the group will have options for many different types of riders on this mostly flat route. Everyone—from the fast and competitive to the beginner and social riders—is welcome! (Trish’s Note: This is true! There are several groups that each have a ride leader. Road bikes, please!) After the ride join this great group of cyclists at the Olde Blind Dog Pub for a celebratory beverage and a chance to socialize with a great group of riders. 12650 Crabapple Rd, Milton GA
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 Big Creek Mountain Bike Ride Rambo MTB organization will be hosting a night ride on the Big Creek Greenway trails. Come enjoy the challenge of the trails after dark! Bike Roswell! Big Creek Greenway Family Ride Ride times: 5:00 Pm to 8:00 PM Talk to a Bike Roswell! member to learn about all of the great places you can ride to via the Big Creek Greenway! Bike Roswell! will also be distributing information on proper path etiquette so we can share this multi-use path and ensure a fun and safe experience for all! Remember if you do NOT have a bike you can rent for free using the ZAGSTER ride share bikes!
Thursday, April 27, 2017 Special Bicycle Story Time Historic Roswell Library, 4:30 PM Join us for a Special Bicycle Story Time at the Historic Roswell Library, 115 Norcross St, Roswell, GA 30075. Bike Roswell! will teach some bike safety tips for kids and have a special bicycle story time! Bike Roswell! Thursday Night Ride Start time: 6:00 PM Regular Thursday Night Ride ending at Gate City.
Friday, April 28, 2017 Bike Roswell! Bike and Beverage Tour on Canton Sample good food, refreshing beverages and enjoy the lively company of fellow cyclists on this casual ride on Canton Street and through the heart of Historic Roswell.
Saturday, April 29, 2017 Bike Roswell! Saturday Ride Start time 8:00 AM Ride along the 25-mile route through beautiful Roswell. 8 AM Start/Finish Roswell Area Park, Roswell, GA. RAMBO Big Creek Quick Six Enduro Join us April 29th for the 4th year of our Big Creek Quick Six Enduro. 100% of all proceeds benefit our trails at Big Creek Park. More information and registration here.
Sunday, April 30, 2017 Bike Roswell! Mayor’s Ride Start/Finish: 7:30 AM – Noon
Fully Supported, recreational ride with options for all fitness levels. Multiple routes are showcasing the very best of Roswell. Travel rolling hills and flat, scenic stretches along the majestic Chattahoochee River and through Historic Roswell. Ride start is deep inside Roswell Area Park. Event page here.
Historic Roswell Criterium 10:00 AM – 7:15 PM A full day of thrilling professional and amateur bicycle racing, good food, and refreshment in the beautiful Historic Roswell Business District. The Historic Roswell Criterium has entertained more than 65,000 spectators since it began in 2002 and is the climactic event of the week-long Roswell Cycling Festival presented by Roswell Bicycles celebrating all things cycling in the first Bicycle Friendly City in the state of Georgia! Race registration here. Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids Bicycle Safety Rodeo 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
While the Roswell Criterium bicycle races are taking place nearby, The Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids’ Bicycle Safety Rodeo presented by Historic Roswell Kiwanis Club and is co-sponsored by the Key Club of Centennial, Milton & Roswell High Schools and the Builders Club of Crabapple & Elkins Middle Schools.
4-22-2017 Pedalpalooza SORBA Woodstock is having a fun day of biking, food, music, demos, and demonstrations. Pedalpalooza 2017 will be held on May 13th beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trail on Sixes Road. Local bike shops will be there with demos and giveaways—bring your own helmet and ID to test out the latest bike models. There will be a social ride for all levels and ages beginning at 10:00 with prizes will be awarded to those who get the most stamps on their rides. To entertain the crowd, Wet Jeans will begin performing at 11:00. Hungry participants are in luck–Dominic’s New York Pizza food truck will be there with food and drinks for sale. Carriage Kia will have the latest Kia models at the park. We are lucky to have their support in putting together this year’s event. One of the most popular spectator events is the Sixes Pit Jump Jam at 2:00. Local riders wow the crowd with their skills on our jump line. Don’t miss this exciting day! Whether you are a seasoned rider or have always wanted to check out what mountain biking is all about, this is the perfect opportunity. For more information, visit our website sorbawoodstock.org, our Facebook pages—SORBA Woodstock Social and SORBA Woodstock, or email vicepres@sorbawoodstock.org.
4-21-2017 DLV News The Keirin The 1st Saturday in May is almost here which means it’s time for that big race! But instead of singing sentimental Stephen Foster ballads we’ll be amping up the energy with our Keirin Field from around the country. Gates Open at 2p.m. Racing Starts at 3p.m. Keirin Events Start at 6p.m. We’ll be serving up our world famous DLV Chicken Nachos as well as other standard concession fare like chips and hot dogs, desserts from Cake Hag, and fresh fruit bowls and vegetarian burritos. Spectators purchase a season pass good for all three of our events for just $25.00. Includes entry and a meal ticket for one person to each of our 3 Pro Race Series events during 2017. Don’t forget about the Need for Speed Sprints presented by Saucebox Friday Night May 5th starting at 7p.m.
We Need Volunteers! It takes a village right? We need about 12 volunteers to help with making sure our PRS events go off without a hitch. From setting up to selling merch, to bike valet, to working the gate and monitoring people crossing the track we couldnt do it by ourselves. We need 3 additional people to help with set-up Saturday Morning from 9 until Noon, we need 1 person at gate and one person at merch from 2-5:30 and then two people at the gate as well as 1 person at merch from 5:30 to 9. We also need 1 person to be track gate marshall from 6:00-9p.m. to make sure no one unsafely crosses the track during racing and one person from 5 to 9 to work our bicycle valet and watch the bikes. Email rob at dicklanevelodrome if you can help. A free entry and concession meal will be offered to all volunteers.
1st Annual Hal Mueller Lap-A-Thon to benefit the Dick Lane Velodrome Youth Cycling League. This year, to honor and remember Hal and continue to keep his spirit alive and thriving the DLV is going to throw a party, a bike ride and a fundraiser all rolled into one. We’re calling it the Hal Mueller Lap-A-Thon. Riders from our velodrome community, as well as special honored guests will be raising money for the velodrome’s programs by doing what they already do; riding laps around the track. Supporters will be able to donate a fixed amount or pledge money for each lap a rider completes. At the end of the evening we will honor the male and female who rides the most laps and the single largest fundraiser for the Lap-A-Thon. More info head to: https://www.halmuellerlapathon.com/ or
sign up at: http://anython.com/halmuellerlapathon
Tuesday Night Mentored Races If you took the Beginner’s Class in the distant past, recent past, or it’s just been a while since you’ve been out to the the DLV…. Come out to our Master’s and Beginner’s racing every other Tuesday night each month. We’ll have some of our fastest and most knowledgeable guys at the DLV riding on the track with you during the races and then discussing what you and the group can do better after each race. Remember to show up no late than 6:30 to get registered, especially if you need a rental bike. Beginner’s Class Dates for 2017! Weekday Class Days have Changed to Monday!
Only two more classes before summer! Mondays in May and the June Weekend: 3rd and 4th. For more details on how to sign up!
4-17-2017 Big Creek Quick Six Enduro From the Promoter: Big Creek Quick Six Enduro Be a part of the action and register now. Registration Closes Friday, Apr 28, 2017 at 5:00 PM ET Once again we have some amazing giveaways and prizes for winners, participants and volunteers. You don’t want to miss out this year! The event is in partnership with Roswell Bike Week, is attended by hundreds of fans and spectators, and serves as the unofficial kick off to the spring and summer riding seasons. 150 Riders from across the southeast make the trip to attend – the event has sold out every year. The Quick Six Enduro is the largest fundraiser for RAMBO and 100% of the proceeds go back into the trail system.
4-16-2017 GICL Fun Raiser Press Release Have you been waiting for the chance to ride the Mountain Bike Trails at the famous Evans Family Private Farm and Trails? Here’s your opportunity to ride the single track and help the Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League (Trish’s Note: Georgia League-NICA High/Middle School MTB league) get #morekidsonbikes through their youth development programs for middle and high school students! Families and friends can join the Georgia League at their annual fundraiser, Crankin’ For The Kids, a Mountain Bike FUNdraiser Ride, Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 8:00AM. The ride will be held at Evans Family Private Farm and Trails located at 601 Stamp Creek Road White, GA 30184. All proceeds from the event will help provide rider financial aid opportunities to GA League students and coaches.
Supporters can join the GA League cycling community in a day of fun festivities at the private trails that wind and weave across a beautiful 600 acre farm. This trail is off limits throughout the year as it is on private property. Cyclists can take advantage of the opportunity to ride some of the best single track in Georgia on a trail that was crafted by the same trail builders of FATS trail system in Augusta. The ride entry fee includes a Fun Ride on 6 miles of single track for riders of all skill levels, Climb High Time Trial and Skills Clinic with Prizes, Kids Fun Ride for Elementary Schoolers, Bike Mechanic 101 Class, Music and Food Trucks, Silent Auction, Grill-Off, and a custom race shirt and Georgia League water bottle for registered riders. To register for the ride visit: . Adults with bikes – $85 Kids (1st – 12th grade) with bikes (with parent registration fee) – $10 each child (up to 5 children), Kids (1st – 12th grade) with bikes w/out adult registration fee – $25, All spectators (no bikes) – $7 each, Kids 6 and under – FREE The event will also feature a silent auction including tickets to some of Atlanta’s most entertaining family attractions and best restaurants, to cycling gear, kits, sporting items and more.
4-14-2017 Cochran Mill Work Party From SORBA Atlanta Cochran Mill Monthly Work Party This Saturday 9 am-Noon We switched our work parties up in April for Sweep the Hooch and moved our CMP date to the third Saturday. We will be meeting at the main parking lot at 9 and then parking at the tool storage container to work on armoring the Yellow Trail just behind the container and cleaning drains. Please wear long pants, closed toed shoes, bring gloves, water, snacks and your epi pen if you are allergic to bees.
4-12-2017 Bikes and Blues Ride From the promoter: Join the 12th Annual Warren County Cycle Tour, which has been paired this year with the 24th Annual Blind Willie McTell Blues Festival. The ride is May 6th at 8am mass start at the festival (1021 Stagecoach Rd, Thomson, GA 30824). Same-day registration begins at 7am. Register online. Entry is $60 and includes discounted festival ticket. Route options are the Statesboro Blues 25-mile route or the Broke Down Engine Blues 50-mile route. All routes end at the festival. Free parking.
4-11-2017 Cobb County Survey-Tell them you want bike facilities! If you are a Cobb County (GA) resident, please take the Cobb County Parks and Rec. survey and let them know we need more mountain bike trails, bike paths, and cycling facilities!
Blanket’s Creek Dirty Thirty From MGA: THIS WEEKEND! If you are looking for something longer than an XC race but not quite ready for a 50 miler, check out the Blankets Creek Dirty Thirty Endurance MTB Race. The course includes all of the trails at Blankets Creek in a counter-clockwise direction for a total distance of 15 miles per lap. Intermediate and advanced riders will complete two laps, for a total of 30 miles. A shorter one lap, 15 mile course will be offered for beginner categories. Each lap has just under 1400′ of elevation gain, so this will be a challenging course. An aid station and access to drop bags will be available at the half way point for riders participating in the 30 mile race. This event is a major fundraiser for SORBA Woodstock, so please come out and support your local trails. COTTON BLEND, LIGHTWEIGHT “COMFY” T-SHIRTS FOR THIS EVENT FEATURING THE LOGO ABOVE – A HANDFUL OF SIZES LEFT. Cotton Blend Mountain Goat Logo Shirts will be given out once we run out of event shirts. Prizes and medals awarded to the top 3 in each category! Podium shirts for all first place category winners! All entries include a shirt, swag bag, chip timing, well-marked courses, and post race fluids and snacks! JUNIOR RACERS! We have added two new Junior Categories in our 15 mile race, for both beginner and advanced junior riders.
4-5-2017 Trail Work Party at Harbins Park From GATR Harbins Trail Party Saturday, April 15 8:30 am-Noon, Where: Harbins Park MTB Parking Lot, What: Bring bug spray, sun screen, camelback or water bottle and comfortable hiking boots. Please arrive between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. to sign the Gwinnett Country Parks and Recreation’s waiver., We will work on the Rim Bender and Berm Bender areas. Lunch will be provided and after lunch plan to ride!
Georgia Gran Fondo Georgia Gran Fondo Press Release Nestled in the Bavarian Alpine village of Helen, GA the ride starts in the heart of the North Georgia Mountains. After rolling out of Helen the route hits the first timed segment at mile 2.5, where any riders with intentions of an overall podium finish and cash payout will need to put their cards on the table from the start. The first time section immediately enters the mountainous area made famous by the 2003-2008 Tour de Georgia. As riders tackle this timed section they cover over 7 miles and climb 1500ft to the top of Unicoi Gap. The climb is very gradual for several miles, before turning into a real alpine ascent. Enjoy the vistas of the Chattahoochee National Forest on the descent before turning left and climbing up and over Jack’s Gap. A left turn on Richard Russell Scenic Hwy will put riders face to face with the 2nd timed section, Hogpen gap. Within 6.5 miles and another 1500ft, riders will reach the highest point on the course at 3469ft with ramps of 12%. The views at the top of the surrounding peaks are breathtaking. Check your speed and be careful on the descent as there are many sharp turns. Enjoy the ride through the forest knowing that the hardest riding is behind you. After tackling the two biggest climbs of the day riders will head east from Helen through Unicoi State Park. The route then hits the 3rd timed section at mile 46, comprised of rolling terrain for a 4 mile section. Riders then get to enjoy a non-timed section of the route for the next 30 miles as the route explore the area round Lake Burton and Seed Lake. Be sure to save a bit of energy for the final time section, it only last just over 2 miles but at over 80 miles in to the day you’ll need to find some go go power. The route finishes back into the landmark town of Helen,
Cochran Mill Trail Status Update From SORBA Atlanta: A now confirmed F-1 tornado hit Cochran Mill Park on Monday creating exstensive tree damage throughout the trail system. Because of this the City has closed the Yellow and Red trails. Members of SORBA Atlanta will be in the park tomorrow to start to assess and clear the damage. We will keep you posted of added work days needed to get the trails clear. Thank you for your support!
4-4-2017 Blanket’s Creek Trail Party From SORBA Woodstock Blanket’s Creek Trail Party Sat., April 8 at 9 am Join us for a day of keeping our trails the best there is. We will meet at Blankets Creek to prepare the trails for the upcoming Dirty 30 race. Bring gloves, water and wear closed toe shoes, we’ll handle the rest including lunch.
Heroes Helping Heroes Ride Press Release The Heroes Helping Heroes Pedal & Jam ride provides cyclists with three options for all skill levels. An easy 25 mile ride through flats and rolling hills as well as 50 and 75 mile options providing cyclists with 3 mountain madness climb options…Hanging Rock, Sauratown Mountain, or Pilot Mountain (NC). King and Queen of the Mountain awards will be presented to those heroic cyclists daring enough to not only climb the 3 mountains, but make it to the apex of each first. Cyclists will feel the love with fully stocked rest stops and support vehicles patrolling the routes with care. A light meal and musical entertainment await the cyclists as they return.
All proceeds from your participation supports Heroes Helping Heroes, a 501(c)(3) organization providing free mentorship programs and summer camps to children who are adopted, at-risk, or in foster care. In addition, Heroes Helping Heroes provides educational programs and workshops to the parents and guardians of these children with the goal of breaking generational patterns of abuse, neglect, and dependency. As of July 2016, Heroes Helping Heroes has served over 452 individual Stokes, Surry, Forsyth and Yadkin (NC) county children at no cost to them or their families through the Seeds of Hope programs.
4-1-2017 Driver Arrested The driver that allegedly hit a cyclist in Senoia, GA has been arrested. The Newnan Herald reports “Robert Copeland Bishop, 51, is currently charged with aggravated assault, felony hit-and-run, failure to report an accident and failure to keep a safe distance while passing.” Cyclist Phillip Miles* was injured and is on the mend. (*Trish’s Note: I’ve seen the cyclist’s name as both Phillip Miles and Tony Miles on Facebook and in newspaper articles. I am not sure which is correct.)
21st Annual Mountain Ranger Race & Open House Press Release Join us April 22 at Camp Merrill, Dahlonega, GA for the 21st Annual Mountain Ranger Race & Open House. The 21st Annual Mountain Ranger Race offers the most challenging and scenic cross-country/trail course that the North Georgia Mountains can provide and is held in conjunction with the 5th Ranger Training Battalion’s Open House. The Open House highlights US Army Ranger combat techniques, military mountaineering, hand-to-hand combat, and static displays. Choose to race: 5k or 15k Trail Race, 34k MTB Race, or test your inner ranger with a time limited 34k MTB + 5k Trail Run Duathlon. Don’t forget we offer a fun challenge for the kids, with a 1 mile FUN RUN and follow the whole race with the amazing Mountain Ranger Open House. Bring the family, and plan to spend the day, because the Ranger Open House begins right after the races. Don’t miss the action and thrilling live demos! Trish’s Note: If you haven’t been to Camp Merrill it is a really cool place! We had a Georgia Cyclocross race there last year. Gorgeous venue!
Northeast SORBA hosts Spring Fling and Pivot Demo at Chicopee Woods trails Support the folks that maintain the trails in Northeast Georgia by attending their Spring Fling festival! The day will feature a Pivot Cycles Demo, a swap meet, group rides, and a membership drive! -Pivot Cycles Dirt Demo: Bring your ID, Credit Card, and Helmet to test ride. -Swap Meet: Donate $5 to NEGA SORBA and sell your old gear. -Group Rides: Start at 10am and the last group will go at 2pm.
-Membership Drive: Join or renew your NEGA SORBA membership and receive a discount on a brewery tour and samples from Left Nut Brewing Co. located across Atlanta Hwy from the bike trails. Saturday, April 1st, 9AM-3PM
3-31-2017 Live Broadcasting a Crit Sunny King was one of the first crits to have live broadcasting on the web several years ago. I found this great article about the history and how they make it happen.
3-30-2017 Monthly Cochran Mill Work Party From SORBA Atlanta: Monthly Cochran Mill Work Party, Saturday, April 15 at 9 am-Noon, We switched our work parties up in April for Sweep the Hooch and moved our CMP date to the third Saturday. We will be meeting at the main parking lot at 9 and then parking at the tool storage container to work on armoring the Yellow Trail just behind the container and cleaning drains. Please wear long pants, closed toed shoes, bring gloves, water, snacks and your epi pen if you are allergic to bees. We will see you there!
Tour de Blue Press Release The Tour de Blue will be held April 29, 2017. Now in its 10th year, the Tour de Blue offers cyclists a well-supported springtime riding experience through the scenic countryside of St. Clair and nearby counties in Alabama. It is the third century in the Alabama Backroads Century Series. The ride starts and finishes at the Moody High School – Middle School Complex in Moody, Alabama, just outside Birmingham. There are several exciting cycling routes, including a 101, 76 & 50 mile option. All routes offer rolling SAG support and well-stocked rest stops. Cost is $65 and includes a post-ride meal (Jim ‘N Nick’s) and an event t-shirt. A cool-looking Tour de Blue jersey is also available for purchase. Early bird registration discounts are available on Active.com. Ride benefits the Urology Health Foundation’s prostate cancer screening and awareness efforts across Alabama.
3-28-2017 Blanket’s Creek Dirty 15/30 From Mountain Goat Adventures Are you looking for something longer than an XC race but not quite ready for a 50 miler? Then check out the Blankets Creek Dirty Thirty Endurance MTB Race. The course includes all of the trails at Blankets Creek in a counter-clockwise direction for a total distance of 15 miles per lap. Intermediate and advanced riders will complete two laps, for a total of 30 miles. A shorter one lap, 15 mile course will be offered for beginner categories. Each lap has just under 1400′ of elevation gain, so this will be a challenging course. An aid station and access to drop bags will be available at the half way point for riders participating in the 30 mile race. This event is a major fundraiser for SORBA Woodstock, so please come out and support your local trails. Important Dates: April 1st – Guaranteed Shirt Size Deadline Prizes and medals awarded to the top 3 in each category! Podium shirts for all first place category winners! All entries include a shirt, event pint glass, chip timing, well-marked courses, and post race fluids and snacks! We have added two new Junior Categories in our 15 mile race, for both beginner and advanced junior riders.
Columbiana Road Race Columbiana Road Race – April 9th, Columbiana, ALThere is a new road race for the amateurs just south of Birmingham in Shelby County on April 9! This race provides a valuable opportunity for racers to get a second day of racing after the NRC Crit in Anniston. Located just over an hour from Anniston, Columbiana provides a safe and challenging venue for all skill levels. Registration is open!!
3-27-2017 Ian Garrison 2nd at U23 Gent Wevelgem I’ll just let Velonews tell it: Racing for USA Cycling, Ian Garrison, left, was runner-up to Great Britain’s Jacob Hennesy Sunday at the U23 edition of Gent-Wevelgem. Rasmus Tiller of Norway was third. Photo: Nate Wilson Young American Ian Garrison’s star shined brightly with a solid second-place outing in his under-23 debut at Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday. The 18-year-old Georgia native, who signed on with UCI Continental team Axeon-Hagens Berman for 2017, finished a bike length behind race winner and former JLT Condor rider Jacob Hennesy of Great Britain….Ian said “Honestly, it hasn’t quite hit me yet,” said Garrison. “The caliber of it all and this being my first time to race U23. I am just really excited and taking it all in.”
GO IAN!!!!!!!!! We are so proud of you!
3-26-2017 Roswell Cycling Festival Press Release The Roswell Cycling Festival presented by Roswell Bicycles returns for a 16th year, April 22-30, with a series of family-friendly events in Historic Roswell and several area parks. Many of the events are free for participants or spectators. The two anchor events of the festival, Bike Roswell! Mayor’s Ride and the Hennessy Historic Roswell Criterium benefiting Bike Roswell!, take place on Sunday, April 30. “Over 16 years, the Roswell Cycling Festival has solidified itself as a springtime tradition in Historic Roswell. It brings together people of all ages, on tricycles and bicycles, and provides a platform to introduce our great businesses and restaurants in Roswell to many visitors. Bike Roswell! members have done a great job in not only promoting our city, but promoting safe cycling and family fun,” said Roswell Mayor Jere Wood, who inspired a local bicycle club in 2002 to host the inaugural event. Roswell Bicycles, which has supported the event every year since 2002, will serve as the presenting sponsor for the weeklong festival. Bike Roswell!, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization promoting safe cycling, manages all events for the festival. It is also the beneficiary of the Mayor’s Ride, which has become the largest fundraiser of the year for Bike Roswell!.
Mayor Wood will lead hundreds of recreational cyclists from Roswell Area Park for the 14th annual Bike Roswell! Mayor’s Ride this year. This fully-supported event offers ride routes of six miles to 64 miles for people of all ages and abilities. Early registration is available through March 31 and ranges from $10 to $35. The standard registration fee for 18, 42 and 64-mile routes will be $45 through April 29, and $55 day-of rides. Besides a fun experience riding on quiet streets in Roswell with family and friends, the Bike Roswell! Mayor’s Ride offers perks for registered riders. T-shirts will be provided to the first 500 pre-registered riders for the 18, 42 and 64-mile routes. All Mayor’s Ride Participants will receive new “Wheel of a Deal” coupons in ride packets, which provides discounts at 10 local restaurants. This is a fully-supported event with multiple rest stops stocked with drinks and snacks. Rambling Rose Tours will be providing the main SAG for the Mayor’s Ride, and will make a final sweep of all rest stops to make sure all participants complete the ride.
Hennessy Jaguar – Land Rover North Point will return as the presenting sponsor for the criterium. There are 21 categorized bicycle races for amateurs and professionals, which will use 1085 Canton Street for the start/finish area of the one-mile course. Pro races for women and men Sunday evening will be the
grand finale of the USA CRITS Speed Week, a regional series of six criterium events in nine days sanctioned by USA Cycling. The total prize purse for the week is $100,000 and the overall champion’s jerseys for Speed Week will be presented in Roswell.
Before the pros hit the course, Historic Roswell Kiwanis will conduct its 16th annual Kids’ Bicycle Safety Rodeo. The event is free with a signed waiver for children six to 12 years of age. All children who complete the rodeo then get to race on part of the criterium course. The Historic Roswell Kiwanis Kids’
Bicycle Safety Rodeo is co-sponsored by the Key Clubs of Centennial High School, Milton High School, and Roswell High School, and by the Builders Clubs of Crabapple Middle and Elkins Pointe Middle Schools. Throughout the week, a variety of bicycle rides will be hosted by the Giovanni’s Tile Design cycling team
and the Roswell-Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization (RAMBO). The festival gets underway Saturday, April 22 when cyclists are invited to join the Giovanni’s Tile Design cycling team from 8:30 to 11 a.m. for a 25-mile recreational bicycle ride from Roswell Area Park. All cyclists are then invited to fill the bike
racks on Canton Street in Historic Roswell for a ribbon cutting of the 2017 Art Around Roswell Sculpture Tour. There is no registration required, and details will be posted at bikeroswell.com. Details on the Roswell Bicycles-Specialized Big Creek Mtn Bike Ride (April 26), Bike Roswell! membership party (April
27), RAMBO Big Creek Quick Six Enduro (April 29) and all activities can be found at roswellcyclingfestival.com.
3-23-2017 USAC Announces American Road Calendar From a Press Release USA Cycling announced its 2017 American Road Calendar (ARC) which recognizes strong domestic road cycling events and provides these events a clear pathway to future Pro Road Tour inclusion. In its first year, the 12-event calendar spans 11 states from March through September. Racing kicks off this month with the three-day San Dimas Stage Race in California and concludes in September with the Subway Pensacola Cycling Classic in Florida. “The purpose of the American Road Calendar is to provide strong domestic road events with the opportunity to achieve UCI recognition,” said Tara McCarthy, National Events Manager. “Domestic races that are part of the ARC for at least one year will be well positioned for future UCI inscription and inclusion on the Pro Road Tour (PRT).” Two events in the South are included the River Gorge Omnium in Chattanooga, TN August 26-27 and the Subway Pensacola Cycling Classic Sept. 16-17.
