July 2017 News

7-25-2017 Silk Sheets Time Trial is Saturday!! Press Release On Saturday the July 29th, Equipe Sports Productions will host the Silk Sheets Summer Time Trail in beautiful Chattahoochee Hills. If you’re unfamiliar with time trailing, the format is an easy one. Each rider receives a start time and the riders start at one minute intervals. This Time Trail is 15.4 miles long and there are no major climbs. Drafting is against the rules should you catch a rider or are passed by one. It’s a timed event and the fastest time in each category is the winner. You may race a road bike or a Tri/TT bike in any of the age classes as well as the categories 1-5. Disc wheels and full aero equipment are permitted. The “Merckx” class is for road bikes only. No Disc wheels, Aero bars or carbon wheels over 60mm (Zipp 404 or equivalent) are allowed in the Merckx class. This is a USA Cycling event, so a license is required. One day licenses can be purchased ($10) on the registration page here. Medals will be awarded to the top 3 finishers in each class. If you are a triathlete, this is a great opportunity to hone you pacing skills in a competitive environment. Registration closes at midnight EST on Thursday July 27th and there is no day of registration. Start times will be posted on our Facebook page on Friday. Make plans to come out and test yourself in the event often referred to as “the race of truth”. Please “Like” our Face book page (Equipe Sports Productions) to get updates on this race and future events. We hope to see you Saturday and best of luck!

7-20-2017 Work Party at Yellow River From GATR Yellow River Work Party, Sat., July 22 9 am-Noon Join us to show some trail love to Yellow River! We will be addressing some drainage issues, corridor clearing and de-berming as needed. Remember to wear appropriate attire – Long pants, closed-toed shoes (no flip-flops), work gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Food and drinks will be provided. Everyone is welcome, hope to see you there!

7-19-2017 CX Schedule Updates I’ve had some inquiries about the upcoming CX race season and calendars. As of July 18 most series including NCCX, TBRA, and AL have not released any dates. Georgia Cross has released October dates with others coming shortly. I am keeping an eye out every week or so and will update the Cross Calendar as I find release dates.

Covington Century! It’s time to register for the Covington Century. It’s fast, it’s hot and it has one of the best after ride buffets in the south!! Register now for the Covington 32, 67 or 100 miler to be held on July 29th at Oxford College! Enjoy riding through the historical towns of Oxford, Covington, Jersey, Rutledge, Social Circle, Newborn and Mansfield. Lots of beautiful countryside, meet new friends and have fun at the rest stops visiting with our wonderful volunteers.
Please note the cue sheets and GPS will be updated shortly for re-routing after the Newborn rest stop due to the repair of a bridge and closed roads. Please scroll up or down on the cue sheet page for all three distances. Registration includes a super soft t’shirt, the same 5 rest stops, supported course by Aztec Cycles and Velofix as well as awesome SAG drivers and an option to purchase an official Covington Ride Jersey. After your ride, enjoy one of the best buffets for your post ride at the new Dining Hall, 801 Wesley St., on campus.

Asheville Mellowdrome to be Resurfaced The “Mellowdrome” at Carrier Park in Asheville will be resurfaced beginning this month. Work will include Re-grading and resurfacing of the track surface; Installation of new lighting for the track; Installation of new fencing; Clean-up of the outer wall and guardrail;
Re-grading and shaping the interior edges of the track to blend with the other existing recreation activities and improve drainage; and Interpretive and informational signs

7-18-2017 Gran Fondo Asheville Press Release Friends of the Smokies this Sunday, July 23rd at New Belgium Brewing for the fourth annual Gran Fondo Asheville! Part ride, part race, and all party, the Gran Fondo Asheville begins in river arts district and quickly transitions to winding roads in pastoral countryside and up to mountain ridge vistas. The ride is designed for cyclists at varying skill levels with courses covering 30-, 60- and 100-mile routes. Gran Fondo Asheville features four timed sections, mechanic support, fully-stocked aid stations along the route, food and beverage at the finish, a cash purse, and prizes for overall and age-group winners.

Southern Highlands Traverse BikePacking Route Press Release: The Southern Highlands Traverse joins three existing routes and the new Trans WNC (Western North Carolina) to create the first long-distance bikepacking route (1,000+ miles) on the East Coast. The Southern Highlands Traverse will serve as a singletrack-heavy alternate to the forthcoming Eastern Divide Trail. The Southern Highlands Traverse is the culmination and evolution of the southeastern United States’ most challenging bikepacking routes into one long-distance route spanning the Southern Appalachians. Starting in Front Royal, Virginia and finishing at Flagg Mountain, Alabama, at the southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail, the route traverses a mix of over 1,200 miles of gravel roads, forest doubletrack and plenty of the South’s most challenging singletrack. The Southern Highlands Traverse combines the Virginia Mountain Bike Trail, the Trans WNC (Western North Carolina), the Trans North Georgia (TNGA), and the Alabama Skyway (formerly the Talladega Traverse, based on the classic Skyway Epic), all of which are bucket list rides in their own right. The Southern Highlands Traverse will also serve as a southern singletrack alternate to the Eastern Divide Trail, a 4,500+ mile bikepacking route from Newfoundland to Key West, Florida. More information can be found on the Bikepacking website.  (Trish’s Note: I know this isn’t something I normally cover, but I found it very cool!)

Crossroads Classic From the Promoter: Local leaders in Statesville, NC have pulled together the funds to host three-days of racing at the 2017 Crossroads Classic. There will be a Friday evening criterium, a second criterium on Saturday evening and the CCA Road Race Championships on Sunday. These three races will comprise the 2017 Crossroads Classic omnium. Registration for each event will be available online and on location at each venue. Day of registration opens at 5:00 PM on Friday, 2:00 PM on Saturday, and closes 30 minutes prior to each event. Registration will open at 6:30 AM on Sunday. ALL registration prices increase on Monday, July 24.

7-15-2017 Labor Day Metric Century Registration Open – Labor Day Metric Century, September 4th. We expect this ride to sellout as usual so please save your spot by registering early. Rider limit 300…..Atlanta Cycling and Cycle Works are proud to sponsor this fundraising event for Campbellton United Methodist, the historic community church that has been so supportive of cycling over the years. This is our chance to repay their friendship as our contributions serve to preserve their historic building.Join us for a delightful day of cycling on smooth rural roads and finish with an ‘ole fashioned summer picnic for you and your riding friends. Ride options are 25, 40, 50, or 62 miles with sag support. Follow an easy to ride, painted route with few turns and almost no traffic. Maps and Garmin routes will be sent to pre-registered riders. Trish’s Notes: This is a great ride to pair with the One Love on that Saturday. You will ride most of Silk Sheets! I can attest that the picnic after the ride is delicious! All of the food is homemade, and there is plenty of it! 40% of the riders on the Labor Day Metric are women…let’s keep this up!

7-14-2017 Silk Sheets Reminder Campbellton United Methodist Church allows cyclists riding Silk Sheets to park in their lot; they are good people. Please remember your manners. Don’t use language you wouldn’t want your great-grandma to hear. Be discreet when changing-use a towel or change in your car. Go across the street to the store to use the bathroom. On Sundays park across the street or on the far side of the lot; let congregation members have the spots closest to the church. Put a a dollar or two (or more!) in the donation bin. They use the money to help keep up the building and grounds.

7-12-2014 Sope Creek Work Party From SORBA Atlanta Sope Creek Monthly Work Party, Saturday, July 15 9 am-Noon, Columns Dr SE, Marietta, GA 30067, We will be meeting at the Columns Drive Parking Lot of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area at 9 AM. Wear long pants, closed toed shoes, bring gloves, water, snacks and your epi pen if you are allergic to bees.

AMP Motorsports Park Races From the Promoter: To any confused Atlanta area bike racers. TopView Sports does NOT have a race scheduled for today at Atlanta Motorsports Park. This was not set up as a weekly race series but only two Wednesday dates plus next Friday as part of the Georgia Cycling Gran Prix. in case anyone is still confused.  If we can arrange any extra dates we will get the word out. Trish’s Note: I was confused, but Southeastern Cycling calendars have been updated. Here is the flyer

7-11-2017 Rumble at Roebling Press Release Hilton Head Cycling and the Robson Forensic race team would like to announce the 5th annual “Rumble @ Roebling” slated for August 5th & 6th at Roebling Road Raceway in Bloomingdale, GA–just minutes from Savannah. Roebling Road Raceway is a 2.02 mile 8 turn (or sweeping curves) world class motor-sports park and a fun, safe course for the beginner racers and Juniors alike. Get the road race experience without being on open roads encountering traffic along the way. No traffic, no ditches, no curbs, no street signs or mail boxes. Best of all, no yellow line rule because there is no yellow line. Full category racing including a Masters 40/50/60+ race, along with the newly created Women’s category 5. Discounted additional same day race entries mean you get the best bang for your buck. Come join us for a fun filled weekend of racing. RV and tent camping will be available Saturday night, with Friday night parking outside the gate if needed (no hookups). Showers and real restrooms available. Gates open each day at 7am. Concession stand will be open so bring the easy up tents and the family. Visit our race page for links to registration, lodging information and highlights from our 2016 race. Look forward to seeing you there.

Blanket’s Creek Trail Party From SORBA Woodstock Blanket’s Creek Trail Party, Saturday, July 15, 9 am-Noon, The recent rains have taken their toil on our trails. This Saturday July 15th we need your help to get them back in shape. Wear long pants, closed toe shoes and bring gloves, we will provide the tools and lunch.

7-6-2017 Cochran Mill Work Party From SORBA Atlanta Cochran Mill Work Party, Saturday July 8 9 am-Noon We will be meeting at the main parking lot at 9 and doing corridor clearing. 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!

Dick Lane Velodrome presented by Ethic, Inc ‘The Omnium’ Saturday July 8th The 1st Saturday in July is almost here which means it’s time for that big race! But instead of fireworks from the 4th of July we’ll be sparking it up with our our fireworks with our bike racers field from around the country. Gates Open at 2 p.m., Racing Starts at 3 p.m., Omnium Main Events Start at 6 p.m. Bonus Exhibition Madison at 8:30 p.m. We’ll be serving up our world famous DLV Chicken Nachos as well as other standard concession fare like chips and hot dogs and desserts from Cake Hag. Don’t forget about the Need for Speed Sprints presented by Bruce Hagen & Ken Rosskopf @ Bikelaw.com Friday Night July 7th starting at 7p.m.

Beginner’s Classes include use of a bike! get started on checking off an item on your bucket list – learn to ride the velodrome
For details on beginner class dates and to sign up click here!

7-4-2017 Masters Track National Championships I raced the Masters National Track Championships last week at the Giordana Velodrome in Rock Hill, SC. I finished the week with 3 medals in the 2km Individual Pursuit, Match Sprints, and Team Sprint with my friend Olga Weeks. I also set PRs in the Individual Pursuit, 500m Time Trial, and the Team Sprint. I couldn’t ask for more! Thank you to everyone that helped me this year with my goals for Track Nats! My coach John Cheetham from Performance Cycle Coaching – Your coaching, guidance, and friendship have been invaluable! Onto 2018 Nats (and Louisville 2018)! My Sorella Cycling sisters! Hincapie Sportswear for all of the support for many years & for the one off clothing requests for track! Tom Butler & crew at Smyrna Bicycles for putting up with every possible issue with my bikes! Pioneer Cycle Sports USA for power meter support that allows me to train to the best of my abilities. Coach C for setting me on this route & giving me a solid foundation. To all of my friends–thanks for being there! Love each and every one of you!

7-2-2017 Racing in Huntsville Press Release The Alabama Wheelmen (AW) and Tennessee Valley Family Services (TVFS) are holding the “Race to Stop Human Trafficking” featuring nearly 200 cyclists competing in three separate events. The first event, the Smart GMP Solutions Time Trial, will feature cyclists racing against the clock while riding a circuit near the Huntsville International Airport starting at 8 a.m. on Aug. 12. The second event will be the Huntsville Hospital Criterium, starting at 11 a.m. on Aug. 12. Cyclists will race head-to-head on a one-mile circuit located on the campus of Jemison High School, located on Pulaski Pike in north Huntsville. The third event will be the highlight of the weekend, the Banner Defense Criterium, to be held in downtown Huntsville starting at 8 a.m. on Aug. 13. The downtown course is located near Big Spring Park with the start/finish on Gallatin Street. The six-corner technical course provides excellent spectator viewing and is convenient to numerous amenities available in downtown Huntsville, with racing slated to continue until 4 p.m. In addition, the overall general classification placements will combine the results of all three races for the Yellowhammer Brewery Omnium, rewarding the cyclists with the most consistency and endurance. Top finishers in each event as well as the omnium will be recognized in special podium ceremonies. The races are sanctioned by USA Cycling, the official cycling organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). The proceeds of the races will go to support TVFS in its mission to support victims of human trafficking in Huntsville and Madison County.

The mission of TVFS will be featured throughout the weekend as the plight of victims of Human Trafficking will be emphasized. Donations for TVFS will be accepted throughout the weekend. On Saturday night, Aug. 12, starting at 6 p.m., a social event will be held at Yellowhammer Brewery located at 2600 Clinton Ave West. This event will be open to all those involved in the fight against Human Trafficking as well as the participating cyclists. Top leaders from the state and local governments are expected to participate in the social.

6-30-2017 GA State Parks Eliminate MTB FeeBig News for Biking From the Georgia DNR: ! Break out your bicycle and stain-busting detergent. Beginning in July, we’re offering free membership to our Muddy Spokes Club, which includes a “mud-splattered” t-shirt. (While supplies last.) You’ll tackle 11 of the most scenic trails in the state. We’re also eliminating the trail fee for mountain biking! (Trish’s Note: You will still have to pay the parking fees.)

6-28-2017 July Allatoona Creek Park Trails Work Party From SORBA West Georgia The July Allatoona Trails Work Party will be Saturday, July 15 from 9 am-1 pm. Help us keep our trails open longer through proper trail maintenance. All tools and lunch provided. Just wear long pants, closed toed shoes, gloves and bug spray.

6-27-2017 Shine Pedalers Metric Press Release Unique ride offers tremendous views of Dawson County this summer. The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce and Office of Tourism Development is hosting its 5th Annual Shine Pedalers bicycle ride July 29. The metric and half-metric rides start and finish at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in downtown Dawsonville. The rides begin at 7:30 and 7:45 a.m. Each ride takes cyclists through scenic and rural areas of Dawson County. The metric ride offers a challenging climb up Burnt Mountain. “Each year we strive to make the ride better than the year before. This year, the route has been adapted to make it even more enjoyable for the riders by keeping the ride off main roads as much as possible” Haynes said.

The ride features plenty of SAG stops to keep riders energized and hydrated throughout the ride. New to the ride this year is a competition between themed SAG stops. Cyclists will vote for their favorite stop at the end of the ride. King and Queen of the Mountain will be awarded to the first male and female to reach the top of Burnt Mountain. After the ride, cyclists will be treated to a BBQ lunch, refreshments and an opportunity to tour the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame as well as the Dawsonville Moonshine Distillery. Trish’s Note: I did this ride 2 years ago and enjoyed it overall. I’m glad to hear they have changed some of the course. It is a great training ride for Six Gap, especially if you have never climbed Burnt Mountain.

Georgia Bikes is hiring a new Complete Streets Coordinator! Great position for a Georgia-based advocate (or someone willing to move to Georgia very quickly!) interested in bike/ped friendly communities that have safety and equity at the center new infrastructure. Applications due in two weeks on Monday July 10th.

6-26-2017 Pizza Ride Decree From Mark Linenberg: “Given the recent and frequent rain, I’ve received requests to keep 3 loops on Northlake and Pizza Rides for a bit longer, so we actually get a chance to ride 3 loops several times….

Therefore: 3 loops in St. Mountain Park for rides through, Thursday, July 6. Bring lights, accordingly. The Belgium loop is NOW OPEN and will be ridden on the final loop of Northlake. July 3rd: Special Edition Northlake Ride- MONDAY July 3 @ 6:30PM start. No Northlake Ride on Tuesday July 4, due to St. Mountain Park Fireworks display/car traffic.”