8-29-2016 DLV The Velodrome Cup Photos Photos from the DLV – The Velodrome Cup are ready at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com.
The Men’s A field during the points race at the Velodrome Cup at the Dick Lane Velodrome.
8-27-2016 CX Clinic The annual CX clinic is THIS Monday at Jim R. Miller Park at 6:15! All are welcome! Ride what you brung, but helmets are required!
8-25-2016 Masters National Track Championships I went to the Masters National Track Championships two weeks ago and wrote a guest blog for the East Point Track Club about it. I came home with 4 medals in the Points Race, Scratch Race, 500m TT, and Sprints.
Spot on TT The Spot On Time Trial is this Sunday in Cumming, GA. Same Great course with new name (and a larger parking area)! The Spot on Time Trial will take you through the beautiful scenic roads of Forsyth County. All TT Categories with Age groups plus Merckx division added for 2016. Juniors will have a slightly shorter TT course. This is a Challenging TT route with 2 small climbs and 8 turns. Not your typical out and back. A portion of all registration will go to the Smith Gall Humane Society. Lets help our fury little friends.
8-24-2016 Stand and Hammer Giveaway Congratulations to Steve Z.! He is the winner of the Stand and Hammer tshirt giveaway!
Wilson 100 From the promoter: After all of the summer rides and training, it’s time to get ready for the Wilson 100! The Wilson 100 is September 10th starting and finishing in the beautiful and quaint town of Senoia at 8am. Join us for either a 40, 62 or 100 mile ride. Register now by clicking here. This year, we will be doing packet pick-up and registration on ride day at Marimac Park, next to the library. Please make a note of that, as it is different from the past two years!
Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty Press Release: Coming on September 25, 2016 and taking place in Georgia’s Premier Cycling Venue, the Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty boasts many of the same roads and mountain climbs as the elite Tour de Georgia. Come ride the Ride of the Pros! The Six Gap Century’s ultra challenging route takes you up and down six of the steepest climbs in the North Georgia Mountains. Test your stamina with more than 11,200 feet of vertical climbing over the 104 mile course. Elevations for the six gaps in this ride range from 1,400 feet to 3,460 feet. The toughest climb, Hogpen Gap, will test even the strongest riders, averaging a 7% grade for seven miles, with sections as steep as 15%. The Three Gap Fifty’s alternative route offers half the gaps and half the distance, but is nevertheless a demanding and challenging course at 58 miles. Elevations range from 1,400 feet to 3,364 feet. We are also pleased to announce the 7th Annual “Valley Route” Bike Ride. This 35-mile valley option is a great introduction to the infamous Six Gap Century and boasts some of the most scenic mountainside in the Southeast. This new route will cast a special spotlight onto Yahoola Valley, Turner’s Corner, and R-Ranch in the Mountains. Call 706-864-3711 with any questions.
8-23-2016 Georgia CX Clinic Join Trish for her annual Cyclocross Clinic Monday, Aug. 29th at 6:15 at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. We will be starting PROMPTLY at 6:15! Please be ready to ride then. Park in the big field across from the Fairgrounds (look for cyclocross racers). As always, it’s free & everyone will be welcome! Ride what you brung—although I highly recommend a CX bike or mountain bike. Bar ends & bottle cages need to be removed from all bikes. A HELMET IS REQUIRED! If you do not wear a helmet, you will not be allowed to ride or participate in the clinic. Baggy clothes like baggy mtb shorts, cycling skirts, and running shorts will get caught on the saddle—Lycra is your friend for this clinic and CX in general! We will go over basic CX skills like shouldering the bike, dismounting, remounting, and going over barriers as well as basic CX & USAC information. Junior racers are welcome! The clinic will last approximately an hour to an hour and 15 minutes. Contact Trish if you want to attend or RSVP on Facebook.
Stand and Hammer Giveaway Looking for the Stand and Hammer Tshirt Giveaway? Scroll down just a bit to enter! 🙂 There is still time!
Greenville CX-Cup p/b Cycle Haus Pedal, Run… Jump! Save the date for the first CX race in Greenville SC, the Greenville CX-Cup presented by Cycle Haus. Races begin at 10 AM – Full schedule of Youth, Amateur and Professional races. Course will have two dismount sections, a challenging hill (or two) and many long straightaway sections for riders to pick up speed. FREE Kids races, under 9 yrs of age. Enjoy the Travelers Rest Farmers Market and beautiful start to Fall weather in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. We look forward to seeing you at Trailblazer Park on September 10th. Registration, courses and category information at www.startsmartcycling.com.
Debbie Milne leads the Women’s 1/2/3 field at Grant Park.
8-22-2016 Grant Park Crit Photos Photos from the Grant Park Criterium are up at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com! I got most of the afternoon races.
East Side Rides – Fall 2016 Daylight Saving Time (DST) will end Sunday, November 6.
Week of 9/4 – 10/1 Start times for Northlake (Tuesday) and Pizza (Thursday) will be 6:15 PM. The Northlake ride will be normal summer- 2 loops- Belgium Finish. The Pizza loop will be will be normal summer- 2 loops. Northlake Ride Start- meet at the back of the parking lot of the Restaurants located at: 3900 Lavista Road, Tucker, GA. If you look at a map- meeting location is between Montreal Rd and Harobi Drive, East of Wendy’s across the street from Chevron Gas Station / McDonald’s. Distance- Approximately 30 miles round trip in Summer- then moves to 23 miles as ride gets shorter (shorter options available in the park). Week of 10/02 until time change- Start times for Northlake (Tuesday) and Pizza (Thursday) will be 6:00 PM. The Northlake ride- we will do one small counterclockwise inner loop, followed by the typical Tuesday intermediate loop- with Belgium Finish. The Pizza loop will be one large clockwise 8.75 mile loop.
Winter Pizza Week of 11/6 through 3/09- Every Thursday Winter Pizza Starts- 6:00PM- winter pace to the park, two small counterclockwise loops (approx 9.75 miles in the park) at approximately 22-23.5 mph in the park (winter pace to/from the park- in the park- no attacking, steady paceline, but final sprint allowed.) Pizza Ride Start- meet in the old location (which is now closed and a deserted building) Avondale Pizza Cafe parking lot: 70 North Avondale Road, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 Distance- Approximately 33 miles round trip in Summer- then moves to 26 miles as ride gets shorter (shorter options available in the park).
Airport Ride- rolls out 10AM Sunday, 11/06 – through the last Sunday in March. Airport Ride Start- meet at Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, just west of Forsyth St SW. Approximate address- Trinity Lofts- 249 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
“Big” Tucker Ride- rolls out 10AM Saturday, 11/12, until it goes back to 9AM- the first Saturday in April. Tucker Ride Start- meet at the intersection Lynburn Drive and Main St, Tucker, GA- right by Snyder Cycles, Approximately 46 miles (shortcut options available).
“Baby” Tucker Ride- rolls out 9:30AM Saturday, 11/12, until it goes back to 8:30AM the first Saturday in April.
8-20-2016 Rosskopf Wins Tour De Limousin Atlanta Joey Rosskopf (BMC) has won the European Stage Race Tour de Limousin. He took the yellow jersey on the first lap and did not relinquish it. Read some of his post race interview. Congratulations, Joey!!
8-18-2016 August Trail Party at Blankets Creek From SORBA Woodstock: August Blanket’s Creek Trail Party, Saturday at 9 AM – 1 PM (Aug. 20) Blankets Creek Mtn Bike Trail, 2261 Sixes Road, Canton, Georgia 30114 Join us Saturday August 20th at Blankets Creek for the monthly trail party. We need to put the final touches on the recent VMT improvements. The fun starts at 9:00 followed by lunch around 1:00. Bring water, gloves and wear closed toe shoes. We will provide everything else. Our volunteers make our trails great! See you Saturday.
8-17-2016 Stand and Hammer Cycling Company is a new cycling t-shirt company out of Cumming, GA. S&H offers over a dozen designs including Georgia and Tennessee specific shirts. S&H reached out to me to review their casual cycling wear. After hearing a lot of great things, I eagerly accepted! I browsed their website and chose the Cycling V-neck Women’s t-shirt in XL.
The t-shirt arrived quickly. When I first took it out of the package, I noticed how soft it was. The Cycling V-neck Women’s t-shirt is 60/40 poly/cotton. I prefer a blend, so I was happy to see that. The design is a road bike in light blue on the medium grey material. Fit wise, it seems to run half a size small. The XL is a perfect body hugging fit on me. If you like your t-shirts loose, order a size up. I washed the t-shirt and put it on low in the dryer several times. There was no shrinkage, and it still looks brand new. I have enjoyed wearing it. I like the understated design and coloring as I think it makes the t-shirt more versatile than a race or ride t-shirt in fluorescent colors.
Now for the fun stuff! Stand and Hammer Cycling and Southeastern Cycling are hosting a giveaway for a FREE S&H t-shirt of your choice! Enter using the Rafflecopter below. The contest ends on 8-23-2016 at Midnight. US Residents only. No fee to enter.
Labor Day Metric Monday, September 5, 2016 – Labor Day Start 9:00 a.m. – Campbellton United Methodist Church Join us on Labor Day for rides of 25, 40, 50 or 62 miles, fully supported, on smooth, traffic-free roads. Atlanta Cycling is proud to sponsor the event in support of this historic community church which has always been so supportive of cycling. So, bring a friend and enjoy an exceptional ride followed by a superb summer picnic under the Church’s pavilion. Entry spots are limited to a few hundred to insure a quality experience for all. Please register early as we expect another sellout. Donation $30 in advance or $35 day of if spots remain. Ample parking is available at the start. Riders will pick up wrist bands, maps and rider information at registration, which opens at 8:00. Ride begins at 9:00 sharp.
8-16-2016 Track Nationals I spent last week in Indianapolis, IN for the Masters National Track Championships. I’ve been struggling with back problems since last fall (and really for years). Mountain bike racing this spring was killing me, so I had to stop to give my back time to heal. Since I love racing, I thought about what I could do to substitute my beloved XC MTB. In April I went to the Dick Lane Velodrome (DLV) in East Point, GA to photograph one of the Pro Races as I do every summer. That was it! Track racing! It had been 10 years since I’d raced at the velodrome, but why not? My first night racing it was like I was never gone. The DLV family scooped me up & brought me in. Everyone asked if I was going to “Masters Nats” in August. Nope, I said. I’m doing this for fun. Plus, I don’t own a track bike. Enter: Peer pressure. Two weeks later I had a new track bike, plans to go to Masters Nats, and a coach. Coach C got me into track shape in less than 10 weeks. I’ve learned so much from her in a short time! I dropped 12 pounds. Oh yes, I also needed carbon wheels for the pursuit. Enter: new HED Jets….and an aero helmet (thank goodness cycling stuff sells quickly on ebay to help pay for the new equipment!). Luckily, I already had several Hincapie Sportswear Sorella Skinsuits for CX. I had such a great time in Indy at Masters Nats! Thanks to Coach C & the EPTC Masters for all of their help throughout the week! I was able to put tactics I’ve been practicing to work in the Points Race and Scratch Race. I got 4th in both. My 500 meter time trial was not the best, but I still got on the podium with 5th. We had an odd number of Women for the sprint tournament, so we did a round robin. Instead of the best 2 of 3 races against each person in the quarter-, semi-, and finals, it was one ride against each opponent. It is harder since you do not get a second chance. I wound up with the Bronze! A rainy weather system moved in late Friday night forcing the cancellation of the 2K pursuit & team events on the weekend. After consistent performances in four events I got 2nd in the Best All Around Rider (BAG) competition in my division. I was thrilled! Next up for me is CX!
Trish in the Points race at the Masters National Track Championships. Photo by J. Hileman
Velodrome Cup Enjoy a great night out with the family as you get up close and personal with cycling’s top athletes! The Velodrome Cup is Saturday, Aug. 29th at the Dick Lane Veldodrome! Main Events start at 6pm, Preview Races begin at 3pm. Main program typically finishes around 9pm. Rider introductions for the Main Events happens 6pm. But, get here early to catch all of the day’s action. Again in 2016 we will have food truck concessions serving up great food, drinks and desserts. The DLV will continue to serve it’s famous chicken nachos and other light foods with proceeds going to support DLV programs like the Youth Cycling League. Single spectator entry fee $5, Family entry $10
8-13-2016 Red Clay Ramble From the Promoter: Red Clay Ramble This year, we’re partnering with the Bicycling Club of Milledgeville, the City of Milledgeville, and Central Georgia Autism for a gravel grinder that explores the red clay back roads of middle Georgia. The course is on a mix of dirt, gravel and paved county roads. While this course is super-fast with only 2,300 feet of climb, the Mid-August Georgia heat will test even the best racers’ endurance and the gravel, sand and red clay roads will put their bike handling skills to the test as well. Distance: 56 miles Elevation: 2,300 feet Friday night before the Red Clay Ramble the Bicycling Club of Milledgeville and the Old Capital Racing Youth Cycling Team will host the most epic MTB time trial in the state. Selma Erwin Nature Preserve trails are a hidden gem in Middle Georgia. These are some of the toughest, primitive trails south of the Pinhoti. Selma features roots, rocks, technical creek crossings and steep climbs that will challenge the best of riders. The Time Trial course is approximately 5 miles long and highlight the best that Selma has to offer. All proceeds from the event will go toward scholarship and equipment for the newly created Old Capital Racing Youth Cycling Team, a NICA and Georgia Cycling League youth team. Results from the Friday evening time trial will be used for call ups/staging at the Red Clay Ramble on Saturday morning.
8-11-2016 Bike MS Press Release: The Bike MS: COX Atlanta Peach Ride 2016 is set for Oct. 1-2, and cyclists all over the region are preparing to saddle up, shift gears and crank it down just south of Atlanta for a brand new route. Not only is the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society – Georgia Chapter celebrating the 30th anniversary of its largest fundraising event of the year, but it is also debuting a new starting line at Blalock Lakes in Coweta County, an overnight party in historic, downtown LaGrange and the option of a one- or two-day ride. Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, over 1,000 cyclists of all skill levels will enjoy 30-, 60- and 100-mile route options beginning in Newnan’s Blalock Lakes Sporting Club and community. Beautiful, pastoral roads roll through parts of the “Silk Sheets” area of the Chattahoochee Hills countryside before heading towards the Day One finish line in downtown LaGrange. After the Saturday festivities, one-day participants are returned to Blalock Lakes via shuttle. Day Two on Sunday, Oct. 2 begins with breakfast in LaGrange before heading back to Blalock Lakes with 30- and 60-mile options available. Bike MS is a fully supported ride with well-stocked break points, access to trained medical volunteers, mechanical support and SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles.
Individual cyclists and teams may register at bikemsgeorgia.org. The registration fee is $50 before Sept. 15 and $75 after that. With a fundraising minimum of $350, every dollar raised supports research for a cure and services and programs in Georgia that assist individuals living with MS and their families.
8-8-2016 Marietta Crit By vote of the riders at Tuesday Night’s Marietta Crit, the last TNC of the year will be August 30th. The TNC will resume next Spring as regularly scheduled. Keep up with the Tuesday Night Crit on Facebook. Trish’s Note: The Crit is a pick up ride. There is not a ride leader, or insurance and you ride at your own risk.
8-7-2016 CX Calendars All of the cyclocross schedules I have are updated including NC/SC, NCCX, TBRA, GACX, and Alabama. There are a few schedules I can’t find yet, and I’ll update then as I get the information.
Alatoona Trail Party From SORBA West Georgia: Saturday, Aug. 20, 9 am – 1 pm. Help us continue to build the new trail that will connect the new bridge to Lake Allatoona. All tools and lunch provided. Be sure to wear long pants, sturdy closed toe shoes and bug spray. Meet in the Stilesboro Rd. parking lot. 5690 Old Stilesboro Rd NW, Acworth, Georgia 30101
Harbin Work Party From GATR: GATR is pleased to announce the first work party, scheduled for Saturday August 20th from 9am to 12pm. Lunch will be provided! The trail maintenance will happen at Harbins Park. Please meet us at 8:45am at the bathrooms/main sign area for further instructions! We will divide up the group, and each group will have a group leader that will take you to your assigned section and we will be trimming and deberming. Tools will be provided.
Saturday, August 20 at 8:45 AM – 12 PM, Harbins Park Mountain Bike Trails 2995 Luke Edwards Rd, Dacula, Georgia 30019
8-3-2016 2017 GBRA Board Nominations Want to help influence the future of racing in Georgia? Nominate someone for the GBRA 2017 Board!
Tuesday Night Crit The Marietta Crit on Tuesdays at the West Oak Business Park is still going on! Spread the word! A donation of $5 is suggested to help cover the cost of the Marietta Police Officer the business park requires the crit to have at the stop sign. Come practice on the same course used for the Georgia Games! Coach Gary is available every week to help new riders if they want hints about racing. Keep up with the latest on the Facebook page!
Allatoona Trail Festival: From SORBA West Georgia: Don’t forget to put this on your calendar!! Allatoona Trail Festival, August 13th and 14th, Allatoona Creek Trails 5690 Old Stilesboro Rd, Acworth GA 30101, Saturday: 8:00 Dirty Spokes 5K/15K Trail Runs, 9:00-2:00 Bike Demos, 9:00-2:00 Pump Track Rides, 10:00-2:00 Jump Jam on Moflow/Knuckle Sandwich, Sunday: 8:00 Voodoo All-A-Toona 25 Mile Bike Race
8-2-2016 CX Calendars Many of the cyclocross series are starting to release their 2016 schedules. Be sure to check out the Race Calendar for the latest! GACX (most of it) & NCCX are up! I’ll be putting ACA (Alabama), Tennessee, and the rest of the Carolinas up later this week as I get time.
Elite Track Nationals Several Georgia racers traveled to the Elite & Junior National Track Championships at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center aka T-Town last week. Congratulations to the winners! Nick Oestreich took two National titles in the 17-18 Sprints & Keirin. He also got 2nd in the team Sprint. Nick also represented the US at the Junior Track World Championships a few weeks ago. Annalise Ostrich was 5th in the Points race in her age group. The East Point Track Club sent several riders to race the Team Pursuit. These guys have come such a long way in a year! Congratulations, guys on your 4th place and PR! Chad Conley, Christian DiCenso, Kevin Donnell, and David Vargas!
EPTC Elite Men’s Team Pursuit. Photo courtesy of the EPTC.
8-1-2016 CX Clinic Put Monday, Aug. 29 on your calendar. The annual CX clinic at Jim Miller Park is happening that day! As always, it’s free & everyone will be welcome! More details coming in a few weeks.
BamaCross From Stewart Miller, the promoter of BamaCross: “After much thought and consideration and to answer many questions, Bamacross will not put together a series this year. There are several other promoters who are putting together some races around the area. Please look to the ACA (Alabama Cycling Association) for these races and schedules. Bamacross will not have a series points competition, training races, clinics, or races at this time. If you are interested in finding out more information about cx races this fall, please go to the ACA facebook page.”
7-27-2016 Atlanta Practice CX Series The Loose Nuts team will be hosting a free pre-season CX “pick up” race series. No entry fee, no prize money, no insurance, just good old fashioned CX racing! Details are on Facebook.
Boone Gran Fondo The Boone Gran Fondo is coming up! In mid-summer, the High Country of North Carolina enjoys 80-degree temperatures while the surrounding East Coast temperatures hover in the high 90s. Early August is a prime time to be in Boone! The Boone Gran Fondo rolls through Appalachian State University and, after just a few turns, climbs beside picturesque Winklers Creek during the first timed section. Register now before the price increase!
Lula Lake Land Trust 50/25 Racers looking for the ultimate challenge in one of the Southeast’s best outdoor environments should register for the Lula Lake 5 Points 50/25. Registration is now open and space is limited. The race is a once a year opportunity to ride Chattanooga’s renowned 5 Points Trail system, Lula Lake Land Trust trails, the Cloudland Connector Trail and some of the sickest private trails in the Southeast packed into one ultimate adventure. Also new for this year is a 25 Mile option! The race has it all – a grueling course packed with single track, climbs, downhills, rock gardens and smooth flowy trails. The 50 Mile Course is approximately 5,000 feet of elevation gain and the 25 Mile Course is about 2700 feet of elevation gain. Racers can expect an action packed day followed by a good time with camping, music, vendors and food. The race will be held on October 15, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. The 50 Mile Option is $95/$105 and the 25 Mile option is $85/$95. Early bird registration closes September 1, 2016. For more information about the race or to register visit http://www.roostracingllc.com.
7-25-2016 So many fun things this weekend!
Covington Century The Covington Century is on Saturday! The new start is at Oxford College with plenty of parking. New routes!
Shine Pedars Looking for a bit more climbing? The Shine Pedalers Metric is on Saturday as well. It’s a great tune up for Six Gap! The climb up Burnt Mountain is tough–I did it last year.
GA State TT Championships From Dingo Race Productions: Georgia State TT Champ’s Jersey up for grabs! Join us for the 2016 Georgia State Individual & Team Time Trial Championships July 30-31 Day 1: Individual Time Trial (Aero Equipment Allosed) & Merckx TT (if you can race it in a mass start road race, you can race it in a Merckx TT), Day 2 Team Time Trials. NO on-site registration. Register in advance, then get in your FAST & FOCUSED Mode.
