1-22-2020 Decatur/East Side Creeper I have confirmed this as best as I can. This guy has been around off and on for a few years. The Dekalb & Atlanta police are familiar with him. See the photo on the Southeastern Cycling Facebook page. From a post on Facebook: “It appears that this guy is back out of jail. As everyone knows or should know, on the east side anyway, he is a known sexual predator. He has been out of sight for quite some time but apparently has recently surfaced and was seen as recently as this morning in the underpass at Rocky Ford by DeKalb Avenue. He has been known to chase female cyclists and pull them off of their bikes and drag them into the bushes to assault them. I have seen him many times riding the route to Stone Mountain via East Ponce de Leon past my office. He is known to be deceptively fast and strong. From my own observations he does not have a cyclist stance on the bike. He is more athletically hunched over his bike and I have only seen him on a bike with flat bars. Usually with no helmet and he has a very specific head shape that looks a little bit more like ET. usually no helmet and a store bought bottle of water if any. It does not appear that he has a bike yet as he was seen chasing cars on DeKalb Avenue over the last day or so, but it sounds like maybe his behavior has escalated. Be safe!!

WBL From the WBL Next Ride: WBL # 8: The Independent Baking Company Madison World Cup
When: 25 January (Saturday)
Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens)
Time: 10 AM (window open)
Length: 92 miles / 5 hours (89 miles w/o final loop / 12 miles back after sprint)
Points: 5 points (1 per hour)
Interactive Map

Middle Georgia Epic Cancelled From the Promoter “Hey guys and gals, I have some bad news. We’re pulling the plug on the race this year (Middle Georgia Epic). I really hate to cancel it, but with low registration numbers I’m worried about breaking even financially, and we don’t want to put on a crappy race. If you’re already registered for the race this year check your inbox this afternoon for details on either getting your money back or donating your entry fee to the local middle GA NICA middle/high school MTB team, Middle Georgia Composite Team- Mountain Biking.”

1-17-2020 Waucheesi Bike Race Press Release The Waucheesi Bike Race is wickedly sweet and includes two racing distances: the Wily 88 and the Wondrous 63. Make no mistake, this race is just as challenging as it is beautiful. Cherohala Skyway, Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests provide all the goods—long climbs, fast descents, great forest roads, rowdy gravel, and amazing vistas. If you dare to try the 88-mile option, you’re looking at a stout 9,300 feet of climbing, while the 63-mile course is no joke, with 6,400 feet. Both routes include the Basin Gap and North River Road climbs, while the 88-mile course adds a spectacular climb to Farr Gap. For those not interested in racing or biting off the longer distances, the 45-mile course offers a great tour of Cherokee National Forest and Bald River, while climbing 4,100 feet. All routes start in Tellico Plains at Tellico Grains Bakery with a police escort neutral roll-out. End the day at Tellico Grains Bakery with wood-fired pizzas and craft beer. The Waucheesi: Wicked, Wily & Wondrous. Date is Sunday, March 29.

First Ever Price Park Workday From SORBA West Georgia Price Park Work Day Saturday, Feb. 1, 9:00 am. Come join SORBA West Georgia and REI Kennesaw Co-op Employees for a brand new project at Price Park. We need to improve access to the area so that we can begin building trails. The plan is to build a wooden bridge so that our equipment and emergency personnel can access all of the property. We will also build a kiosk and maybe even a couple benches. We’ll even be leading a tour of the property, so that our members can get a feel for the awesome potential. You won’t want to miss it, these trails are gonna be awesome. We’ll supply lunch and tools. You just bring a friend and a smile. See you there.

1-15-2020 Winter Bike League From the WBL Note: This ride is on Sunday! Next Ride: WBL # 7: The Parks Law Danielsville Classic
When: 19 January (**Sunday**)
Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens)
Time: 10 AM (window open)
Length: 80 miles / 4 hours
Points: 4 points (1 per hour)
Interactive map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31704013

1-13-2020 Trail Status Many of the north metro Atlanta trails were hit hard in Saturday’s storms including Blanket’s Creek and Rope Mill. On Sunday volunteer crews got over 70 trees alone at these two trail systems. Dozens more are still down. PLEASE stay off of the trails if the status says closed. It’s not just an inconvenience–you could be hurt. See the SORBA Woodstock Social Facebook page for some incredible photos and video. There are also trees down at Allatoona and other trails.

Rope Mill Trail Party From SORBA Woodstock Rope Mill Trail Party, Sat., Jan. 18 9 am-1pm The first trail party of 2020 is planned for Rope Mill, this Saturday, 1/18 at 9am. We will be focusing in general maintenance on The Mill and Avalanche.

1-10-2020 Calendar Updates The Road and Mountain/Gravel race calendars are updated. The Off-Road dates have about 85% of them for the year. Road dates are starting to trickle in and should pick up in the next few weeks.

Carolinas Cycling Association Meeting From CCA: Happy New Year!!! It’s that time of year when we need to elect new Board members, finalize the road racing calendar, and select championship events. To that end, the annual CCA planning meeting will be held on January 25, 2020 at the Marriott Courtyard located in Statesville, NC. The address is 1530 Cinema Drive Statesville, NC 28625 and the phone is 704-768-2400. The meeting will begin at 9:00 am. I encourage all clubs to send a representative to the meeting. Participation is essential, especially given the CCA board elections.

WBL Weekend Update From the WBL The weekend WBL ride is CANCELLED. However, join Jered Gruber and Brendan Cornett Sunday at 10 AM (window open) as they lead an UNOFFICIAL ride (no points / no Sag car).

1-7-2020 USAC Officials Needed! From Scott Patton, the Georgia head official: If you are interested in becoming an official in the Southeast – PLEASE reach out to me! We are setting up plans for training and want to help! (NC, SC, GA, AL) Ready -> Set -> GO!” Training will be set up in the coming months. Please contact Scott at scott at scottpatton dot com if you are interested!

Silver Comet Trail closure Noses Creek Bridge From Cobb County: The Silver Comet Trail bridge over Noses Creek, located near the Carter Road parking lot and trail mile marker 8.4, will be closed from January 6 to February 20. There will be no access through the construction site during this closure and no detour will be available. The Wild Horse Creek Trail will remain open with the potential for temporary closures and flagging under the Silver Comet Trail bridge. In addition, parts of the Carter Road parking lot will be closed for construction equipment/supplies. We apologize for any inconvenience but Cobb County’s primary concern is the safety of all trail users. Trish’s Detour for Noses Creek Bridge You can get around the closure, but WARNING there is some really fast traffic on Powder Springs Rd. Use your best judgement riding there! From the Silver Comet going west, take a right onto Industry Rd (intersection before Noses Creek Bridge where the chemical company is). Go left on Flint Hill Rd. Go left onto Powder Springs Rd. Turn left onto Carter Rd., turn right on the Silver Comet going west. Reverse the directions if you are coming east. Trish’s Detour for bridge at Mile 2ish: Heading west. Take a right into the trailhead parking lot, turn right onto Concord Road. Be careful on the single lane bridge and the covered bridge! Right onto Covered Bridge Rd., Right onto South Hurt Road. Left onto the Silver Comet heading west. Reverse if heading east.

1-6-2020 Ayesha Does It! Known as the Quick Brown Fox, Atlantan Ayesha McGowen has had her sights set on becoming the first African-American women’s pro road cyclist and promoting inclusion and awareness in cycling as she went for it. She reached her goal this week when she resigned with Liv Cycling! She will be doing several races in the Southeast including Tour of the Southern Highlands (Woodstock, GA), Birmingham Hammerfest (Birmingham, AL), and Speedweek. Ayesha is also hoping to do some racing in Europe. If you know of an opportunity, please hook her up! I hope we can talk her into racing Georgia Cross at Grant Park again! Congratulations, Ayesha!!

Ayesha McGowan (Liv Cycling) runs the barriers at the Grant Park CX race in October 2019.

ToSH Volunteers The Tour of the Southern Highlands is looking for volunteers! From the promoter: Hey Awesome Folks! ToSH 2020 is coming up fast & we have lot’s of Crew positions that need filling! Feb 28-Mar 1 Can you give us your: Friday morning in Ball Ground? Friday night in Woodstock? Saturday or Sunday Day in Ball Ground?
You’ll get: A Front row SEAT!! a Super cool CREW T-shirt, FOOD, a BEER! PLUS, undying gratitude from all the rest of the CREW and the Athletes too? Bring a FRIEND & Share the LOVE: Drive a vehicle. Be a Marshal. Give Podium prizes. Blow whistles and wave flags, eat some food and drink a beer (maybe)! Head over to the CREW sign-up and tell us when you can help out.

1-4-2020 Hincapie Spring Series From the Promoter: The Off Season Is Officially Over For more than 20 years, Rich Hincapie has kicked off the cycling season with the Hincapie Spring Series. The weekend races provide benchmark training for competitive riders through road races, time trials, and criteriums.
Weekend 1: February 22, 23 SCTAC (Donaldson)
Weekend 2: March 7 Fork Shoals Elementary & March 8 SCTAC (Donaldson)
Weekend 3: March 14-15 Rock Hill Criterium

1-3-2020 First Ever Price Park Workday From SORBA West Georgia Price Park Work Day Saturday, January 11, 9:00 am. Come join SORBA West Georgia and REI Kennesaw Co-op Employees for a brand new project at Price Park. We need to improve access to the area so that we can begin building trails. The plan is to build a wooden bridge so that our equipment and emergency personnel can access all of the property. We will also build a kiosk and maybe even a couple benches. We’ll even be leading a tour of the property, so that our members can get a feel for the awesome potential. You won’t want to miss it, these trails are gonna be awesome. We’ll supply lunch and tools. You just bring a friend and a smile. See you there.

Pisgah Mountain Bike Stage Race From the promoter Pisgah Mountain Stage Race 76% singletrack, 19% dirt road, 5% tarmac, April 13-18, 2020 Brevard, NC Pisgah has earned a growing reputation for having some of the best trails in the country, and this five-day, fully supported endurance event delivers an unmatched sampler platter of some of the best singletrack in the country. The course includes the East’s most rugged trails. Come sample spring riding in Pisgah National Forest with rhododendron tunnels, picturesque creek crossings, incredible leaf colors, and rooty, rocky singletrack. After spending a week getting to know and appreciate the bounty of Pisgah National Forest, you won’t want to leave. The weeks’ events include 5 days of racing, a recovery zone with snacks and recovery drinks at the race finish, Leaders’ Awards Ceremony and Happy Hour following each evening with adult beverages, exquisite local catered dinner 6 nights, and a Closing Ceremony Celebration Party including a vendor expo, kids race, silent auction and live music.

1-1-2020 Blankets Creek Dirty 15/30 Mile MTB Race presented by Free-Flite Bicycles – April 18, 2020 at Blankets Creek Trails in Canton, GA! 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 most of the trails at Blankets Creek in a 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 juniors, beginner categories, and two new open categories for Sport/Expert racers who prefer to only race 15 miles. Each lap has 1400′ of elevation gain, so this will be a challenging course.
FAST COUNTER-CLOCKWISE COURSE FOR 2020! The Mountain Bike Race loop will be approximately 14.5 miles and include most of the trails at Blankets Creek. The trails will be ridden in a Counter – Clockwise direction this year, beginning with all of the Van Michael Trail, then Dwelling, then finally all of the South Loop Trail. The course will utilize the Rock and Roll Flow Trail, and will retain the more advanced lines on the other sections of Dwelling.

Stuff You Get!
*All riders receive a super comfy and lightweight tri-blend tee *First 200 to register will also receive a commemorative event pint glass! *Medals and Sponsor prizes 3 deep in all Categories *Podium shirts for all 1st place finishers *Stocked Aid Station out on course MORE CATEGORIES FOR OUR NICA RACERS! We have added several new Junior Categories in our 15 mile race, for beginner through advanced junior riders. Come race on your home trails!

12-31-2019 Roswell Head’s Up I am on a mailing list for rides in North Fulton. There was a note this week about the Roswell Police Dept. giving warnings to cyclists and drivers for any driving infractions like running stop sign, red light, etc. You may wish to be extra cautious in Roswell.

12-30-2019 Upcoming Winter Bike League Rides From the WBL:
Next Ride: WBL # 5
What: The Cappy’s Custom Cabinets Ladies Day Commerce Classic
When: 1 January (Wednesday)
Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens)
Time: 10 AM (window open)
Length: 65 miles / 3 hours, 15 minutes
Points: 3 points (1 per hour)
Interactive map

Next Ride: WBL # 6 (Saturday)
What: The Classic City Bakeries Madison Classic
When: 4 January (Saturday)
Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens)Time: 10 AM (window open)
Length: 87 miles / 4 hours, 15 minutes
Points: 4 points (1 per hour)
Interactive Map