12-29-2016 Atlanta WBL  Atlanta WBL  for Saturday Date: Saturday, Dec 31st, 2016, Time:  9:30AM  (Ride Mtg 9:15am), 300 Peters St, Atlanta, GA 30317 (U-Haul location), Ride Time:  2-hr 20-min,  OVERALL AVERAGE FOR RIDE #4: This Series is based on ride time, not distance.  The overall average is controlled by our Ride Leaders.  For Ride #4, the averages will be: A group:  16.5 mph avg, B group:  14.5 mph avg, C group:  12.5 mph avg lease leave cleaner than you found them; we don’t want to wear out our welcome.  Indoor (warm) bathrooms are a huge plus!!! IMPORTANT:  Which group do you ride in?  All Groups are based on what your typical overall average speed is on any given ride in Atlanta: Group A: 19 mph avg and higher, Group B1: 17-18 mph avg,  Group B2: 15-16 mph avg, Group C:  12.5-14 mph avg

12-28-2016 Two WBL Rides There are two WBL rides for your pleasure/torture this weekend.  WBL # 5: THE ANGELA BEWLEY DENTAL PRACTICE COACHING ROOT CANAL CLASSIC When: 31 December / Saturday, Time: 10 a.m (Window Open) Where: The Hub (5 Points-Athens),  Length: 80 miles / 4 hours, Pee break: Mile 20, Store Stop: Paoli Junction ( Mile 40), Points: 4 ( 1 per hour) Intermezzo Sprints: None:  Final Attack Zone (NON PRO SPRINT): Gene Dixon Attack Zone / Hargrove Lake (9 miles): Attack Zone will open when pack turns right on Hargrove Lake Road. Ride 6 miles and turn right on Beaverdam. Ride 1 mile and turn left on Smithonia (must yield to cars). Ride 1 mile and turn right on Billy Melton Road. Sprint line is 1.5 miles away / line in road (Madison County sign). *You are eligible to sprint if you are: (1) 35 or above regardless of category, OR (2) 19 or below regardless of category, OR (3) not at Male Cat 1 or 2 racer. *NEW: THIS YEAR, THE PROS, 1s and 2s SHOULD NOT HELP CHASE OR GIVE LEADOUTS IN FINAL ATTACK ZONE. INSTEAD, STAY IN PACK AND HOOT AND HOLLER.  Interactive map

WBL # 6: THE The Independent Baking Company Ladies Day Classic When: 1 January / Sunday, Time: 10 a.m (Window Open), Where: The Hub (5 Points-Athens), Length: 65 miles / 3 hours, 15 minutes, Pee break: Mile 22, Store Stop: Hoschton ( Mile 31), Points: 4 ( 1 per hour plus 1 New Year’s Day Point!),
Intermezzo Sprints: None:  Final Attack Zone (LADIES ONLY SPRINT): Final Attack Zone will open when the pack turns right at Alligator Pond (Mile 57). Ride 1 mile uphill to Pink Church line. Interactive map

12-26-2016 Small Calendar Updates I made a few small updates to the 2017 Race Calendar. Last week I was in contact with Stuart Lamp, the regional USAC rep. (Stuart is great if you ever need anything or have questions about USAC!!) He said that GBRA is working to nail down a few dates before releasing the full calendar. I already have a some dates up. I know & have confirmed that the East Atlanta/Litespeed-BMW crit is not returning. Grant Park will be coming back. Twilight and Roswell have moved back to their regular race weekend where they should be. TBRA should have their calendars ready in a couple of weeks. Alabama’s races are updated with the known dates. I expect NC/SC to have their race calendar ready in Feb. They are usually a bit behind the rest of them because of the extensive calendar. I updated mtb races last week. A lot of the smaller promoters–mostly mtb and gravel–have not made updates to their race websites. I check about every other week for those.If you know of any dates, please email me at sttarlite at hotmail.com or use the contact page.

Happy Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, & Happy Holidays for whatever you celebrate this time of year!

12-21-2016 WBL WBL # 4: The Johnny Mercury Series Christmas Eve Day Celebration! When: 24 December / Saturday  Time: 10 a.m (Window Open), Where: The Hub (5 Points, Athens, GA):. Length: 47 miles / 2 hours, 20 minutes, Exit Route: Milledge > University > College Station > Barnett Shoals, Pee break: Mile 21, Store Stop: None, Points: 3 ( 1 per hour plus 1 Christmas Bonus Point), Attack Zone: Soon!, Interactive map

12-20-2016 Macon CX Photos Macon CX photos are up at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com. There are plenty from each race and the overall series awards.

This is what the CX spirit is all about! Sorellas Chloe Murock & Brittany Montgomery and the Spindle’s Molly Russell finish Macon’s single speed race with big smiles.

Masters racer or Gazelle at Macon CX?

12-19-2016 Holiday Airport Rides Airport Ride bonanza A year end ! Monday, December 26th- Airport- 10AM., Monday, January 2 – Airport- 10AM The above Airport rides are in addition to those folks that want to / are able to / ride on Sunday December 25th  (probably a smaller turn out)and Sunday January 1 (most likely a solid turnout #workoutthehangover).  As always, short and long options will be available. Some people have suggested that a later Airport ride start on Dec 25 might allow more people to ride.  The suggestion has been for a 1pm start time. Check the Airport Ride Facebook page later this week to see if anything has been posted.

12-16-2016 Charlotte Motor Speedway TT Series News  From the Carolina Cycling Time Trial Association (CCTTA), organizer of the Charlotte Motor Speedway Cycling Time Trial Series: We (the CCTTA) have been in discussions with Start2Finish and they have agreed to put on events for 2017. Look for future communications from Neal Boyd and the S2F team on the events for next year. Neal has done a tremendous job with the Timing and Registration of the Time Trial Series the past few years and is very familiar with what is required. We feel sure the TT events will more than meet rider expectations with the S2F team handling the events. End of the CCTTA: Unfortunately the CCTTA cannot continue to put on the events in the future mainly due to ongoing financial challenges. For the past several years the CCTTA has been subsidizing the cost of the events from funds that were set aside to keep the Series going. Consequently, the CCTTA Board members have decided to disband the organization.

Series History: The Time Trial Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway has a long history that dates back well over 20 years. From what we know, it is the only Cycling series of its kind where cyclists can participate in ongoing events like a Series at a Major Speedway. The Series was started by local cyclists with the assistance of Humpy Wheeler in the early 90s and was later formalized by the Tar Heel Cyclists in Charlotte. In 2004 the Carolina Cycling Time Trial Association (CCTTA) was formed to organize and operate the events. The CCTTA is a 501c4 Not for Profit organization and its membership is made up primarily of representatives from Area Bicycle Clubs (ABCs). The CCTTA has been putting on the events since 2004. One of the main principles of the events is they have been open to riders of all abilities above a minimum age. If you’ve ever ridden or attended an event you saw a great diversity of cyclists and equipment. The CCTTA is very thankful for the success we enjoyed for twelve years of putting on the events. We were able to give back over $100,000 to the local community with a lot of those dollars going back to our supporting Area Bicycle Clubs. We would also like to thank the many volunteers and organizations that made the events possible. The Charlotte Motor Speedway has been extremely cooperative and hospitable throughout the 20+ years of hosting the events. We were able to partner with the Mecklenburg Amateur Radio Society that played a vital role in monitoring the safety of the entire Speedway and provided instant communications if there was an incident. Lastly, the support and the involvement of the Area Bicycle Club (ABCs) and hours of volunteering was tremendous. While there were individual unaffiliated volunteers and bicycle clubs that would participate from time to time, in 2016, the active ABCs were the Cannonballs Cycling Team, Spirited Cyclist Cycling Club, Race City Cycling and Gaston County Cyclists. Farewell from the CCTTA: Thanks to those of you who attended or participated in one of the past events. It was our pleasure to have served you and we look forward to seeing you out on the road.

12-14-2016 Blanket’s Creek Trail Party From SORBA Woodstock: Come join us this Saturday for our last trail party in 2016. Bring gloves, water and all your friends, we will provide the rest. Lunch will follow. 9 am-1 pm at Blanket’s Creek.

Sope Creek Work Party From SORBA Atlanta: Saturday at 9 AM-Noon We will be working on the upper loop (Sope Creek Loop) doing tread work on the section just above the Sope Creek Gorge. We will also be doing some closures. Please wear closed toed shoes, long pants, bring gloves, water and snacks. Bring your epi pen if you are allergice to bees. Be perpared to hike in and wear some warm clothes, it’s gonna be cold. We will see you there!

Atlanta WBL: **CANCELLED** WEATHER REPORT:  Forecast shows rain Friday night and Saturday morning.  NO RIDE if raining.  Final Call if Ride is a ‘Go’ or ‘No-Go” will be Friday night, 10 pm.  It will be posted Atlanta WBL’s page. Date:  Saturday, Dec 17th, 2016, 9:30AM (Ride Mtg 9:15am), 300 Peters St, Atlanta, GA 30317 (U-Haul location), RIDE TIME:  2-hr OVERALL AVERAGE FOR RIDE #3: This Series is based on ride time, not distance.  The overall average is controlled by our Ride Leaders.  For Ride #1, the averages will be: A group:  16.0 mph avg, B group:  14.0 mph avg, C group:  11.0 mph avg IMPORTANT:  Which group do you ride in?  All Groups are based on what your typical overall average speed is on any given ride in Atlanta:~  Group A:  19 mph avg and higher, ~  Group B1:  17-18 mph avg, ~  Group B2:  15-16 mph avg, ~  Group C:  12.5-14 mph avg

12-13-2016 Fools Gold News From Mountain Goat Adventures: The 2017 Fools Gold 60 Mile Mountain Bike Race is scheduled for Sept 16, 2017. We have decided to only offer a 60 mile course since 75% of past race participants have chosen the shorter distance and we have been seeing fewer and fewer takers on the long course. Rest assured that if you rode the 90 or 100 mile before, the 60 is still hard…just ask someone who rode it last year. The Fool’s Gold race is a stand-alone event for 2017 and is not part of the NUE Series due to some exciting title sponsor news that we will announce soon. These changes, in my opinion, will only help us improve the race and focus all of our resources on the 60 mile course which will allow us to keep making it better. I hope you all will join us at the beautiful Anderson Creek Retreat for 2017!

WBL #3  THE LEN SLOTE MEMORIAL DANIELSVILLE DOO-WHOP DROP,  A ride in honor of our fallen compatriot, Leonard Slote, When: 17 December / Saturday, Time: 10 a.m (Window Open), Where: The Hub (5 Points): (http://hubbikes.com/, Length: 77 miles/4 hours, Pee break: Mile 21, tore Stop: Danielsville (Mile 42), Points: 4 (1 per hour), Attack Zone: Not yet, Interactive map  Trish’s Notes: THE WBL is the real deal! If you can’t average 21-22+ mph for 4 hours, this ride is not for you! World Tour Riders have been known to show up (I’m looking at you Joey Rosskopf and John Murphy!) as well as national level pros and all of the regional fast guys and gals. They are serious about riding 2 abreast, taking your pull, maintaining a steady pace, and not riding like an idiot (and obeying traffic laws). Can’t hang? You will be dropped! This is NOT a ride for recreational riders!! You have been warned. Even if you can hang, it is in your best interest to have the map loaded on your Garmin!

Biking Bleckley Metric The Biking Bleckley Metric 100 is an annual family-oriented easy/moderate bicycle ride through the Southern Country Roads of Bleckley and surrounding counties. The Metric 100 is a big loop, with other routes branching off and returning to the start. The Ride begins at 8:30am at Third and Dykes Streets with check-in beginning at 7:30am, behind the Chamber of Commerce and Cochran Police Department. 7:30 a.m. Check in, Ride begins at 8:30 a.m. Choose from (4) routes: 15 Mile ~ 30 Mile ~ 50 Mile ~ 62.5 Mile Metric Ride

12-9-2016 AHG Picks Up Garrison Atlanta Ian Garrison (formerly NCGA-Mission Source) will join professional development team Aexon Hagens Berman for 2017. AHG is managed by Axel Merckx. Congratulations, Ian!

Because sometimes podiums happen more than once/season. I got 4th in the Women’s CX1/2/3 at Old Grey Barn CX and 2nd in the Women’s CX3/4.

2017 Calendars I am updating the 2017 Calendar(s) as I get information. I expect to have GBRA/Georgia Road Races in early January. John Patterson, USAC’s GA Chief Official, was waiting for a few last minute changes. TBRA had their yearly meeting within the last 2 weeks. They tend to get the calendar out first. I have absolutely no clue when the Carolinas Cycling Association will have their road calendar out. Alabama I tend to update as I see races. They typically don’t release a full calendar early in the year. There are quite a few mtb series, gravel events, and off road races updated. Cross–let’s wait til Summer 2017 for that. Many series are just wrapping up for this year.

12-6-2016 WBL # 2 *WBL # 2: THE TEAM MISSION SOURCE JUNIORS MARCH ON MAYSVILLE / http://www.missionsourcejuniors.com/), When: 10 December / Saturday, Time: 10 a.m (Window Open), Where: The Hub (5 Points): (http://hubbikes.com/), Length: 77 miles / 4 hours, Exit Route: Milledge > Prince > Access Road, Pee break: Mile 17, Store Stop: Maysville (Mile 38), Points: 4 ( 1 per hour), Attack Zone: Not yet, Interactive map: (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17185655) *Parking: Please do not park in the Hub parking lot. Park on a side street or ride down. (More info coming.)

Cochran Mill Work Party From SORBA Atlanta Cochran Mill Work Party – This Saturday 9 am-noon,  Cochran Mill Park, 6875 Cochran Mill Rd, Palmetto, Georgia 30268 Come out this Saturday to give back to the trails you love to ride at Cochran Mill Park. This Saturday will be Ride in/Ride out. We will be working on the Yellow Trail widening the bench on the hand built section on the top loop above Henry Mill Falls. Please wear long pants, closed toed shoes, bring a helmet, gloves, water and snacks and an epi pen if you are allergic to bees. Remember if you volunteer 10 hours in the Park you get a free yearly parking pass to the Park.

12-3-2016 Holowesko-Citadel 2017 Roster Several southeastern riders will race for Holowesko-Citadel in 2017. Oscar Clark (Atlanta, GA) will return to the team. John Murphy (Asheville, NC) and Ty Magner (Athens, GA) join the team.

12-2-2016 Atlanta WBL Atlanta WBL This Series is designed to create a vehicle (pun intended) where cyclists can ride all winter in a very controlled environment.  NO surprises.  NO hammerhead surges, sprints, so there’s NO surprises.  If this will be your first time with us, please familiarize yourself with the Ride Rules, as these are what has made us incredibly successful AND cyclists know exactly what to expect…on every ride in every group. DATE:  Saturday, Dec 3rd, 2016 START TIME:  9:30AM (Ride Mtg 9:15am) PLACE:  300 Peters St, Atlanta, GA 30317 (U-Haul location)  RIDE TIME:  1-hr 40-min
OVERALL AVERAGE FOR RIDE #2: This Series is based on ride time, not distance.  The overall average is controlled by our Ride Leaders.  For Ride #1, the averages will be: A group:  15.5 mph avg, B group:  13.5 mph avg, C group:  10.5 mph avg~  Group A:  19 mph avg and higher,  Group B1:  17-18 mph avg, Group B2: 15-16 mph avg, Group C:  12.5-14 mph avg,  These are “NOT” the actual speeds we will be riding for the first few rides; these are to determine which group you need to ride in.  Like the ride time, ride averages will slowly increase over the Series, ending with the averages above.

11-30-2016 Allatoona Creek Work Party From SORBA West Georgia: There will be a trail work party at Allatoona Creek Park on  Saturday, December 17 at 9 AM – 1 Although the park is mostly closed there is a lot to work on! New down hill trails, and trail maintenance will be our focus.

11-29-2016 StuffedCross A photo of me (a rarity that I post one! And yes, that is a smaller me this CX season! 20 pounds gone!):

Trish racing at StuffedCross on Sunday in Chattanooga, TN. I got 2nd in the WCX3/4 race. Photo by Ali Whittier.

Up the Creek 2017 Press Release: Harbin Clinic and TRED present the 27th Annual Up the Creek Without a Pedal Bike Ride, one of Northwest Georgia’s favorite cycling events. on Saturday, April 29, 2017. New this year, a family trail ride along Rome’s scenic Heritage Trails sponsored by Harbin Clinic and back by popular demand, the ride start and finish will be at the Forum in Downtown Rome.  Online registration will open Thursday, December 15 with early bird pricing. Ride distances: Trail Ride (any distance you like) 32, 53, 71, 104, 109 miles.

Tour of the Southern Highlands Press Release:  Woodstock, Georgia (November 28, 2016) – Tour of the Southern Highlands Stage Race, the only Pro/Am stage race in the Southeast since the Tour de Georgia, announces new host cities for 2017!

Over the past five years, former professional cyclist, Nathan O’Neill and his partner, Betty Hodges, have grown the Tour of the Southern Highlands into a major stage race on the cycling calendar for the Southeast. The multi-day, Pro/Am race outgrew its previous 5-year location in 2016, and as the last wheel crossed the finish line in March 2016 the search was on. It took nearly 7 months to locate the ideal partnerships and locations to move forward and continue to grow. Woodstock & Ball Ground, GA expressed an interest in the partnership, capitalizing on existing road rider terrain, as well as the potential for event growth and regional economic impact for years to come. “We have an active built-in cycling community in Woodstock and surrounding areas, and bringing a National cycling race to our community is a natural fit for locals and visitors,” stated Jeff Moon, Woodstock City Manager. “The City of Ball Ground is known for superior road cycling by many advocates and we look forward to being part of this exciting event in 2017 along with Woodstock and Cherokee County,” added Eric Wilmarth, Ball Ground City Manager.

The event begins on Friday, March 3, 2017 with an exciting Professional Criterium for both Men & Women, in downtown Woodstock. Frequently described as “NASCAR on bicycles,” the criterium will feature vendors, live music, kid’s bicycle races, a fat tire criterium and more!   Saturday, March 4, 2017, the amateurs join the action alongside the pros for a Merckx Time Trial and a Circuit Race. Then, an epic road race, with over 1600 feet of climbing for each 16 mile lap, around the Ball Ground Community concludes the racing on Sunday, March 5. The three-day event is already attracting attention from many top race teams and has been circled on the U.S. Junior National Team calendar as a “Selection Race”. “We are excited to have new partners in Woodstock & Ball Ground, to continue to build a legendary stage race in Georgia, offering challenging courses and amazing fields, while continuing our tradition of promoting growth in racing, especially junior’s and women’s racing. These two cities are active and progressive cities, and they absolutely exhibit the qualities we know are important to the growth and accessibility of cycling,” said race director, Nathan

11-28-2016 Winter Bike League Southeastern Cycling is once again proud to sponsor a Sprint at the Winter Bike League-_where the Big Boys and Girls to for winter training*! Rides start this Saturday, Dec. 3!! (*Not Me! CX isn’t over for another month….)

WINTER BIKE LEAGUE
*THE 2016-17 WBL HOME OPENER: THE HUB BIKES GOOD HOPE GAMBOL*
When: 3 December / Saturday, Time: 10 a.m (Window Open) , Where: The Hub-Athens, GA (5 Points), Length: 80 miles / 4 hours, Exit Route: South Milledge > Whitehall / Simonton Bridge, Pee break: Mile 22, Store Stop: Good Hope (Mile 44), Points: 4 ( 1 per hour), Attack Zone: Not yet
Interactive map  Parking: Please do not park in the Hub parking lot. Park on a side street or ride down. (More info coming.)

11-25-2016 The 2017 Race Calendar is updated as of 11-24-2016. I’ll keep checking and updating as things come in, I don’t anticipate having many more updates until the major road calendars (NC/SC, GA, AL, TN) start coming out in late Jan. 2017. 2017 races are either marked with an asterisk (*) or the heading says “2017.”