News for 6-27-2024
Kennesaw Mountain User Meeting NEXT WEEK
From Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Facebook post
Public Comment Open House – Monday, July 1st, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Park Visitor Center. Parking and entrance fees for this meeting are not required.

The Park is seeking feedback on the time of day, days of the week, and seasonality of bicycle use for Kennesaw Mountain Drive. Bicycle access is proposed to be permitted from 8:00AM to 9:00AM and 4:30PM-5:30PM.

This Open House Meeting is being hosted to provide an opportunity for public feedback in lieu of the virtual public meeting.Comments can still be submitted until July 12, 2024, at: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsOpenForReview.cfm…

Address for Open House meeting: 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, NW Kennesaw, GA. 30152 We value and encourage visitor participation in shaping this project and we are looking forward to hearing from you!

News for 6-26-2024
TN State Crit Championship
From Music City Crits
This coming Sunday June 30th we are thrilled to host the 2024 TN State Championship Crit on our weekly race course. We get to showcase our venue to many out of town folks for the first time.
We will be running our normal kidney bean course. Since we have all day we will have many more categories and lots of races. We hope that everyone can make it out and come enjoy a full day of racing at the track.
Below is the single day Stage Championship Crit flyer it is also attached to the registration page at the bottom.
We can’t wait to see the great hard racing and fight for all these State Championship Jerseys and medals.
Reminder we will have a little kids race at 2pm which will be one lap around the course and we have an option for a shorter lap than that for the really little ones that aren’t ready for a full lap.
As we have gotten questions. The men’s Cat 3 championship race is in the 3/4 race at 1:10pm, The men’s Cat 4 championships race will be in the 4/5 race at 3:35pm. The men’s Cat 5 championship race will be in the separate Cat 5 race at 2:30pm. Anyone can come out and race and we encourage that and want as many folks out racing as we can get. Special note that to be eligible for TN State Championship Crit jerseys and state medals you must have a valid USA Cycling annual license as well as be a TN resident. Any questions please let us know. https://www.bikereg.com/65838

Trish’s Note: I’m still here. I was on vacation last week, so no updates for a few days. Newa has also been a bit slow. Contact me if you have something you want posted!

News for 6-18-2024
Covington Century Coming Up!
From the promoter:
We are happy to continue with this legendary event! It’s not to early to register for our annual Covington Century bike ride and remember, if you feel you haven’t properly trained, you can still be a part of the ride by volunteering!! The ride is set for July 27, 2024! Early packet pick up will be available at C-Town Bikes from 11am-4pm, located at 9190 US-278, Covington, GA 30014 Ride morning packet pick-up and registration is from 6:30am to 8:00am onsite at Legion Field, 3173 Mill Street NE, Covington 30014 We are reviewing the routes to make sure there will be no construction on ride day. Stay hydrated! TRISH’S TIP: Register with code SEC24 for 15% off!

News for 6-12-2024
Atlanta Streets Alive
From PropelATL
Atlanta Streets Alive: Back this Sunday 1PM-5PM ☀️
Trish’s Note: I have been to these many times! Take a bike you don’t mind leaning up against something + lock. Bring a card and a few dollars cash for food & drinks. Most of all, have fun!
​SUNDAY, JUNE 16 | 1PM-5PM | PEACHTREE ST A monthly Open Street presented by the Atlanta Department of Transportation with support by Propel ATL & the Atlanta community. Bring your bicycle or just your feet and get ready to explore your community streets in a safer, healthier, more livable way.

Underground Activities:
🎶 Rock the Disco Sound system playing smooth jams to dance to with some of ATL’s favorite DJs
🚚🍕A diverse group of Food Trucks
🛼 Roller Slay will be set up getting all of our skating friends moving for ASA
-Summer ground Indie Craft Market will feature local artisans and entrepreneurs

🎉 All activities are family friendly and guests are welcome to lock up their bicycles/wheel in designated areas to take part in the fun
Midtown Activites
🛍️ Artisan market curated by GVG Events at the 12th Street Lot
🍔 Punk Foodie pop-up chefs at 10th Street Park: Gourmet Street Food, Smokey Mango, YOM Ice Cream
🍺 Beverages for sale at 10th Street Park

But wait, there’s more!
🎧 Tune into ASA Radio and stream the station (listen for remarks at 3pm or watch them live at the E-Bike Expo!)📻
🎨 View the Rolling Down Peachtree Murals from May ASA 🖌️
🎤 Join Atlanta Downtown’s Community Karaoke on the Peachtree Street Bridge 🎶

News for 6-11-2024
Toona Thursday Trail Love
From MTB Atlanta
Come out to Allatoona Creek Park on Thursday, June 13 to help get the trails ready for the All-A-Toona races. 5-7 pm See the flyer to register.

June Blanket’s Creek Work Party
From SORBA Woodstock
The June Work Party will be at Blanket’s Creek June 15 9 am-1 pm. Among the activities planned, we will be doing finishing and maintenance on VMT and tackling a host of other problem spots at Blankets. Bring water and appropriate clothing. Lunch will be served at 1.

News for 6-7-2024
Save the Date for BBQ & Brew on Sept. 26!🍻
From Bearings Bike Works

Save the Date! Our 9th annual BBQ & Brew will be Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 6 – 9 p.m.! Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Georgia Natural Gas, and our annual sponsors, Jackson Healthcare and Southtree Commercial. Join us on September 26 to celebrate and support the incredible growth our students are achieving this year. Enjoy live music, an assortment of light bites, slow-cooked southern barbecue, and a selection of craft beer, wine and cocktails. Plus, hear inspirational stories of impact happening at Bearings Bike Works and help raise critical funds for programming in the year ahead. Purchase your tickets before July 1st to receive a free T-shirt!

Fools Gold News
From Mountain Goat Adventures
FINISHER MEDALS AND SHIRT DESIGN RELEASED!! 2024 Fool’s Gold 38 and 54 Mile Mountain Bike Race presented by Maxxis Tires – September 14, 2024! The 2024 Maxxis Tires Fools Gold will be held on September 14, 2024 at the beautiful Montaluce Winery, in Dahlonega, GA. The Fool’s Gold Mountain Bike Races will offer riders a 38 mile or 54 mile course. Free primitive camping is available at Montaluce Winery for Friday and Saturday nights. It helps us plan for the event immensely if you sign up early, so we are offerig BLOCK PRICING FOR 2024. THE FIRST 200 RIDERS TO SIGN UP WILL RECEIVE THE LOWEST REGISTRATION PRICE! After the first 200 register, the price goes up $10 for each additional 100 riders. Full pricing details are on the EVENT WEBSITE.

Both courses begin at Montaluce Winery and will have approximately 3 miles on pavement, then transition to gravel roads. The 54 mile course begins with a stout 3 mile gravel road climb. The long course will remain on the ridgeline gravel road for 6 miles all the way to Winding Stair Gap and Aid 1. A fast gravel descent then takes riders onto the singletrack of the Turner Creek Trail. From here, riders will descend back to FS 28-1, and join the 38 mile course for the remainder of the race, which includes the Jones Creek Dam Trail, Bull Mountain Trail and Loop, Jake Mountain Trail and Black Branch Trail. The 38 mile course heads directly to the Jones Creek Dam Trail along gravel roads, giving riders the opportunity to space out. Essentially, the shorter course just cuts off the first section of gravel road climbing and ridge riding, and heads directly to the singletrack loop.
Finisher Medals for all 38 and 54 Mile Finishers!!
TONS of good stuff included:
▪ Challenging course that features hard climbs, fast descents and sweet flowy singletrack that you will feel good about finishing.
▪ Cash payout for the Open Men/Open Women’s classes in both the 38 and 54 mile race.
▪ Cash prizes for all first place finishers in the non-open categories in the 54 mile race. Full details on payouts/prizes can be found HERE.
▪ Podium shirt for all first place finishers in both races
▪ Mesh race logo gear bag for all participants
▪ Free Primitive Camping at Montaluce Winery Friday and Saturday night!
▪ Terrapin Beer and Moe’s for post-race calorie replenishment!
▪ Finisher Medals for all finishers in both races
▪ Custom awards and prizes for all podium finishers in both races
▪ Soft and comfy race shirt – size guaranteed if you register by the size deadline of August 16th.
▪ Highly visible Course Markings and Course Marshals
▪ Aid stations with plenty of calories, fluids, mechanical support and first aid supplies.
8 Miles to Tacos
BONUS SWAG FOR OUR JUNIOR RIDERS!

As coaches for the Georgia Cycling Association, we are excited that this year’s race is on a “Non-GCA” weekend and hope to have a strong showing of junior riders. All riders 18 and under will receive a bonus swag item! Juniors can register in the Open or age group divisions. If we have at least 10 juniors in a gender/distance category, we will create separate junior categories.

Join the Fool’s Gold Crew and earn a race entry! We are looking for folks who’d like to volunteer for this year’s Fool’s Gold Mountain Bike Race! We take good care of our crew and offer a Fool’s Gold or Southern Cross entry for adults who commit to a 6 hour shift (for yourself or you can earn an entry for a spouse/friend). We need helpers for registration, aid stations, course marshals, as well as at the start/finish to keep an eye on the beer. We also have a limited number of positions available for Friday night/Saturday morning registration and post-race help, for folks who want to volunteer AND still race. If you are interested in helping out, please contact lisa@mountaingoatadventures.com and let me know your shirt size, availability and any task preference. Course Marshals and Aid Station helpers will need to have transportation out to their location. Thanks in advance!

News for 6-5-2024 Updated
Bump N Grind Registration Closes TONIGHT
Registration closes for Bump N Grind XXX TONIGHT! The southeast’s oldest continuous MTB race at beautiful Oak Mt State Park. 2 days of XC and gravity racing — short track, enduro, xc and omnium categories. Details here: https://www.bikereg.com/bumpngrindraces There is no day of registration!

News for 6-5-2024
Silver Comet Bridge Closure
The Silver Comet Bridge over Cooper Lake Rd. about .6-7 miles from Mavell Rd. will be closed June 24-28 according to a sign I saw today out there. You can park at Fontaine, Concord, or Floyd. Fontaine is just off the East-West Connector and closest to Smyrna & Atlanta.

Slow News
News has been slow, which is why I haven’t been posting much. I’m still here. Contact me with your latest ride, event, race, news!

News for 5-31-2024
Covington Century Discount!
Exclusive Discount for Southeastern Cycling friends for the Covington Century! Register with code SEC24 for 15% off! https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Covington/CovingtonCentury

News for 5-29-2024
Georgia State Championships Postponed
From Topview Sports
We regret to inform you that due to lack of registrations, Georgia State Championships has been postponed. There were 34 registrations over all 3 events (roughly 10 registrations per event). Keep in mind, this was a Georgia Bicycle Racing Association event and NOT TopView Sports so the board will determine a rescheduled date or plan going forward. In the meantime, we will refund all registrations via bikereg. This will take a few days before you see your refund. We do apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to seeing you at the upcoming races!
Georgia Bicycle Racing Association, TopView Sports, SWAGGER, & The East Point Track Club

Jackson County Brevet Cancelled for 2024
From Robert Wilhite
As in life, we all experience growing pains, and the Jackson Brevet has been no different. There was no ride during Covid and changes personally, it looked inevitable that we would have to permanently cancel. That changed when we were able to identify new leadership to step in and take the reins. However, not hosting our ride for a couple years now, has presented significant challenges in re-establishing critical connections that are fundamental to hosting our ride. Though we were hopeful in this leadership transition that we could pick up where we left off from our last event, has turned out to not be the case.

We don’t want to take shortcuts just for the sake of hosting a ride because that would directly affect your experience, as well as the reputation of being the best organized ride in our area. Though it’s an extremely tough decision to make, the best (and right) decision is to postpone the Brevet till 2025. This will provide adequate time to forge new connections with Jackson County that will allow the Brevet to continue at the same level of organizational prowess that we’ve been know for over that last 15 years.

If you know my story of creating this event, you know it’s incredibly personal to me…and my bride Kelly. That makes it even better when good things happen with the Brevet, but it also makes it exponentially more difficult when tough decisions need to be made. I want to personally thank you for supporting the Brevet by registering and my hope is in the absence of the ride this year, that will only motivate you to continue to support us. I look forward to seeing and riding with you at the 2025 Jackson County Brevet….

News for 5-28-2024
Van Purser My First Century-My First Century
From Van Purser Foundation
Are you ready to conquer the challenge of your first 100-mile ride? Or, perhaps you’ve done this before, but time and fitness have passed you by, and now you’re ready to climb this mountain again. The My First Century (MFC) event in this year’s ALL FOR ONE 100 charity ride on October 5th is the perfect opportunity.

AFO My First Century MFC reflects the mission of the Van Purser Foundation and its sister organization, Domestique Leadership, which is to support cyclists. This fully-supported event is designed to help participants like you achieve the amazing milestone of a 100-mile ride. With experienced ride leaders from the area’s largest cycling groups to guide you through the journey and a support vehicle to help with any mechanical issues or other challenges, you can feel confident that you’ll be in great hands.

Training Rides You’re not diving into the deep end without a life jacket! In the coming weeks, on the schedule below, ride leaders will conduct a series of four training rides designed to help build fitness and riding skills. These rides will begin at 40 miles and increase in distance across the series. While not mandatory, the training rides are highly encouraged for anyone who plans to participate in MFC on October 5th. They’re not just a way to prepare for the big day, but also a fantastic opportunity to bond with fellow cyclists and have a blast!

Training Ride Schedule-All training rides will begin at Halcyon as part of Cycle Alpharetta’s weekly ride schedule.
Saturday, June 15th – 8:00 AM
Saturday, July 13th – 8:00 AM
Saturday, August 17th – 8:00 AM
Saturday, September 14th – 8:00 AM

News for 5-23-2024
Georgia Free Ride Gravel Rally!
Press Release

In advance of World Cycling Day, come join us for the Georgia Free Ride gravel rally, a fun fun, free event! Celebrate the cycling community, meet new people and enjoy a beautiful ride.  Starting from the quaint Fitzgerald Fruit Farm in Woodbury, GA, we’ll embark on a 37 mile gravel route equipped with an aid station near the halfway point. Gravel Riders of all abilities are welcome! After the ride we’ll have some “eats and treats” and plenty of time to hang out. We also have lots of awesome raffle prizes.  Fitzgerald Fruit Farm has pick your own fruit and a lovely farm stand, too!

News for 5-23-2024
Georgia Free Ride Gravel Rally!
Press Release

In advance of World Cycling Day, come join us for the Georgia Free Ride gravel rally, a fun fun, free event! Celebrate the cycling community, meet new people and enjoy a beautiful ride.  Starting from the quaint Fitzgerald Fruit Farm in Woodbury, GA, we’ll embark on a 37 mile gravel route equipped with an aid station near the halfway point. Gravel Riders of all abilities are welcome! After the ride we’ll have some “eats and treats” and plenty of time to hang out. We also have lots of awesome raffle prizes.  Fitzgerald Fruit Farm has pick your own fruit and a lovely farm stand, too!

News for 5-16-2024
TONGA – Tour of North Georgia
From Topview Sports
We are ramping up for TONGA – Tour of North Georgia and know that you come from all over the USA for this event. We are excited and ready to see YOU! TONGA is a 3 day event including 2 road races, time trial and criterium! TONGA is part of the USAC Masters CUP and USAC Juniors CUP. Make sure and pre-register by Thursday at noon before the event. If you miss it, you may register on-site each day.

We do have the Georgia Championship Cycling Weekend, Georgia Games and Dalton Gran Prix coming soon. Check out all of the details and save the dates!

News for 5-10-2024
Atlanta Cycling Festival
The Atlanta Cycling Festival is back this weekend! Explore Atlanta on 2 wheels! Rides are often for all levels. There are rides for lawyers, history buffs, Black cyclists, and even speed dating! Check out the full calendar of events.

News for 5-8-2024
Cyclingnews Article on Michael Garrison
Michael Garrison has put together his own program for 2024. Cyclingnews.com has a great article on his Speedweek adventures and plans for the rest of the year.

News for 5-7-2024
Mulberry Gap is for Sale
If you’ve mountain biked for any amount of time in Georgia, chances are you’ve been to Mulberry Gap above Ellijay. They are about a mile from the Pinhoti trail and convenient to Bear Creek, Potato Patch, and Mountaintown. Details are on their website. I may need to go up for one final ride this summer.

News for 5-4-2024
Hapeville Criteriums Photos
My photos from the Spin the District & Speedweek race in Hapeville on Friday are ready! http://sadlebred.smugmug.com

News for 5-3-2023
Garretts Ferry Bridge Update
From Laurie Searle – the cyclist that paints the gorgeous barn quilts
From her Facebook Post

CHATT HILLS DIRTY SHEETS – GARRETTS FERRY BRIDGE UPDATE (5/2/24) I stopped by Garretts Ferry Rd today and got an update on the new bridge construction. The short version is the timeline on this project has been extended to four months. However, GDOT is optimistic work may be completed sooner – possibly in three months. In the meanwhile, GDOT has asked that bicycle riders DO NOT use this section of Garretts Ferry Rd (near South Fulton Parkway), as this phase of construction is critical and attempting to cross the stream in this area may be dangerous.

The good news is the bridge is in place and it looks great! The bad news is one of the small tributaries of the stream has created an underground mess that has weakened the soil. A GDOT (Georgia Dept of Transportation) project worker said this problem could not go untreated as it has the potential to weaken the road. As a result, GDOT has taken the necessary steps to request additional resources and time to address the problem. Workers are in the process of “scooping out” the wet soil, and placing large boulders which will divert the small underground tributary.
After this underground work is finished, the road will be made ready to repave it from the first home past the Garretts Ferry Bridge to South Fulton Parkway (the section that was already paved before construction started). The three homes in the immediate vicinity of the bridge will also receive new concrete driveways.

The GDOT project worker said the paving will be “full-depth reclamation” which in my words is the “Full Monty” of road paving. This will result in one of the nicest sections of road in Chatt Hills and one of the nicest small bridges – all at an estimated cost of $3 million, courtesy of the GDOT Low Impact Bridge Project.

Detour In the meanwhile, when you’re riding the Dirty Sheets Route and cross SF Parkway, instead of turning left to go to Garretts Ferry, turn right and go a short distance to where the power line crosses the road. There you can take a really short path through the woods that brings you to Whiteside Rd (my white house is on the right.) Follow Whiteside about 1/2 mile and turn right on Garretts Ferry. It will bring you back out to Campbellton Redwine Rd.

News for 5-2-2024
2024 Fool’s Gold 38 and 54 Mile Mountain Bike Race
From Mountain Goat Adventures
The 2024 Maxxis Tires Fools Gold will be held on September 14, 2024 at the beautiful Montaluce Winery, in Dahlonega, GA. The Fool’s Gold Mountain Bike Races will offer riders a 38 mile or 54 mile course. Free primitive camping is available at Montaluce Winery for Friday and Saturday nights. It helps us plan for the event immensely if you sign up early, so we are offerig BLOCK PRICING FOR 2024. THE FIRST 200 RIDERS TO SIGN UP WILL RECEIVE THE LOWEST REGISTRATION PRICE! After the first 200 register, the price goes up $10 for each additional 100 riders. Full pricing details are on the EVENT WEBSITE.

Both courses begin at Montaluce Winery and will have approximately 3 miles on pavement, then transition to gravel roads. The 54 mile course begins with a stout 3 mile gravel road climb. The long course will remain on the ridgeline gravel road for 6 miles all the way to Winding Stair Gap and Aid 1. A fast gravel descent then takes riders onto the singletrack of the Turner Creek Trail. From here, riders will descend back to FS 28-1, and join the 38 mile course for the remainder of the race, which includes the Jones Creek Dam Trail, Bull Mountain Trail and Loop, Jake Mountain Trail and Black Branch Trail. The 38 mile course heads directly to the Jones Creek Dam Trail along gravel roads, giving riders the opportunity to space out. Essentially, the shorter course just cuts off the first section of gravel road climbing and ridge riding, and heads directly to the singletrack loop.

TONS of good stuff included: ▪Challenging course that features hard climbs, fast descents and sweet flowy singletrack that you will feel good about finishing. ▪Cash payout for the Open Men/Open Women’s classes in both the 38 and 54 mile race. ▪Cash prizes for all first place finishers in the non-open categories in the 54 mile race. Full details on payouts/prizes can be found HERE. ▪Podium shirt for all first place finishers in both races ▪Mesh race logo gear bag for all participants ▪Free Primitive Camping at Montaluce Winery Friday and Saturday night! ▪Terrapin Beer and Moe’s for post-race calorie replenishment! ▪Finisher Medals for all finishers in both races
▪Custom awards and prizes for all podium finishers in both races ▪Soft and comfy race shirt – size guaranteed if you register by the size deadline of August 16th. ▪Highly visible Course Markings and Course Marshals ▪Aid stations with plenty of calories, fluids, mechanical support and first aid supplies. BONUS SWAG FOR OUR JUNIOR RIDERS! As coaches for the Georgia Cycling Association, we are excited that this year’s race is on a “Non-GCA” weekend and hope to have a strong showing of junior riders. All riders 18 and under will receive a bonus swag item! Juniors can register in the Open or age group divisions. If we have at least 10 juniors in a gender/distance category, we will create separate junior categories.

Quiet Tent Camping along the Etowah River! Free Camping for Racers at Montaluce Winery Friday/Saturday Night! We will have a dedicated tent/van camping area along the Etowah River as well as separate areas for RVs and travel trailers. Join us for the race and hang out in Dahlonga, GA for the weekend. Please email lisa@mountaingoatadventures.com with your camp unit type (Tent, RV, Sprinter, etc) if you plan to camp so we can ensure we have enough space for everyone. If you are looking for an elegant dinner or date night on Friday or Saturday night while at the race, check out The Restaurant at Montaluce. The entrees and desserts are amazing – you will not be disappointed! Reservations are required as it is a small restaurant. Please let them know you are in town for the race if you make a dinner reservation. If you are looking for more casual lunch or dinner fare, Montaluce has a new restaurant called Trattoria di Montaluce which offers Italian Cuisine served family style as well as specialty pizzas. The wood fired pizzas are our personal favorite! If you have friends and family joining you for the race, Montaluce also offers several experiences such as Wine Tastings, Wine Hikes and Fly Fishing to keep your guests entertained while you race.

Join the Fool’s Gold Crew and earn a race entry! We are looking for folks who’d like to volunteer for this year’s Fool’s Gold Mountain Bike Race! We take good care of our crew and offer a Fool’s Gold or Southern Cross entry for adults who commit to a 6 hour shift (for yourself or you can earn an entry for a spouse/friend). We need helpers for registration, aid stations, course marshals, as well as at the start/finish to keep an eye on the beer. We also have a limited number of positions available for Friday night/Saturday morning registration and post-race help, for folks who want to volunteer AND still race. If you are interested in helping out, please contact lisa@mountaingoatadventures.com and let me know your shirt size, availability and any task preference. Course Marshals and Aid Station helpers will need to have transportation out to their location. Thanks in advance!

https://mountaingoatadventures.com/foolsgold

News for 4-30-2024
Speedweek!
If you haven’t guessed by social media, we are in the middle of Speedweek-about 10 days of crits in SC and GA! Big stuff, too! Some are parts of the USA Crits series. Unfortunately I’ve been unable to attend any but hope to make one of the Spin the District races this weekend. I heard Twilight was insane and saw that Coryn Labecki (Education First) won the Curiosity Lab Crit in Peachtree Corners on Sunday. Good luck to all of the racers tonight at Union City. The weather looks great!!

April 30 Union City Speedweek Crit
May 3 Hapeville Speedweek Crit
May 4 LaGrange Speedweek Crit (USA Crits)
May 5 College Park Speedweek Crit

News for 4-29-2024
Ride of Silence and Bike Law Georgia Party
From Bike Law Georgia
Join us on Wednesday May 15, 2024 for the worldwide Ride of Silence and our annual Bike Law lawn party!!
Ride of Silence: We will honor our fellow cyclists who have been injured or killed while cycling in GA. Co-hosted by BikeFriendly ATL and Bike Law GA.
6:30 pm – Meet at Decatur Square (at the gazebo)
7:00 pm – Before the ride starts we will read the Ride of Silence poem and share a few words and minute of silence
7:15 pm – Ride begins with police escort to Paul Taylor’s ghost bike
The Ride of Silence is approximately 6 miles long within City of Decatur limits at a casual pace. The ride will end at Bike Law’s headquarters at 119 N McDonough St, Decatur GA 30030.
Stay after the ride for pizza and beverages!! Let’s celebrate each other and the joy of riding bikes in ATL!
And did we mention that this is also part of the Atlanta Cycling Festival 2024???
We hope to see you on May 15th and don’t forget to check out all the other ACF events happening that week! Let’s ride!!

No Marietta Tuesday Night Crit April 30
From MTNC
Breaking News! Due to the @spinthedistrict #unioncitycrit, we’ve decided to close shop on Tuesday, April 30! Regular scheduled progamming will return May 7. Rest up, Ride safe!

News for 4-24-2024
2024 ROPE MILL FAST + FURIOUS 15 MILE MTB RACE – MAY 25th!
From Mountain Goat Adventures
Rope Mill Fast+Furious 15 Mile Mountain Bike Race presented by Northside Hospital – Cherokee – May 25, 2024 at Rope Mill Park in Woodstock, GA!
Make plans to join us for our newest event! This Fast+Furious 15 course features nearly all the trails at Rope Mill Park and will begin along the concrete path to allow riders to space out before entering the singletrack portion of the course. Riders will turn right at the bridge and complete Moore’s Pass, Power House, Raceway and Turbine all in a clockwise direction. These trails are farily wide and allow for passing. Riders will then return across the bridge and complete Explorer Loops 1, 2, and 3 counter-clockwise. The course returns to the start/finish via singletrack trail that links Explorer to the parking lot, crosses the parking lot, then heads onto the Avalanche Trail where riders will proceed counter-clockwise on the Avalance Trail Loops 1, 2, and 3 and then head back to the start/finish to complete the course. The categories for 2024 are age based and the same as we used for the Blankets Creek Dirty 15 Mile Race. All riders who register before May 8 will receive one of our super soft and comfy tri-blend event shirts and THE FIRST 100 TO REGISTER WILL RECEIVE A CAMPFIRE MUG! We also have certificates for a free full size Ka’Chava shake mix for all participants! Medals and sponsor prizes 3 deep in all categories, podium shirts for all first place finishers. CAMPFIRE MUGS TO THE FIRST 100 WHO REGISTER! HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO RUN? We are also offering a separate 10k or half marathon trail run on a similar course in the morning before the bike race!

Volunteer Opportunities and Trail Work Parties! We are partnering with SORBA Woodstock to bring you this event. SORBA Woodstock has built and maintains the trails at both Blankets Creek and Rope Mill Park. These events serve as major fundraisersfor the Chapter – please come out and show your support by either racing or volunteering! Want to volunteer at these events for SORBA Woodstock? We need you! Please send an email directly to lisa@mountaingoatadventures.com with your shirt size and availability. Volunteers are needed for registration, parking, course marshaling and bike patrol.

News for 4-22-2027
All for One Century
From the Van Purser Foundation
Registration for the 6th annual AFO 100 Ride is now OPEN. Get ready to ride on October 5th! What’s in Store for You: New Routes, New Adventures: Prepare to be awe-struck by our revamped 47-, 62-, and 100-mile routes, showcasing breathtaking vistas and North Fulton’s enchanting charm. Cheers to New Beginnings: Our 2024 event is proudly hosted by our newest sponsor, Jekyll Brewing, where your well-deserved celebratory beer awaits, making every mile you pedal worth it! Feast Fit for Champions: Recharge and refuel with a mouthwatering BBQ lunch, courtesy of our friends at DAS BBQ, as you swap stories with fellow riders. Exclusive Promotions Await: Be an Early Bird: Register before July 20th for a shot at snagging some sweet prizes from our sponsors – because who doesn’t love a raffle? First-Time Thrill-seekers: The first 25 newcomers to the AFO family will score a pair of top-of-the-line Tifosi sunglasses, ensuring you ride in style! Training Made Easy: Gain access to Wahoo’s 90-day free training program upon registration, giving you the edge to conquer any challenge! Support for First-Timers: If this marks your maiden century ride, fear not! Get ready for a fully supported ride, access to three pre-event training rides, and a commemorative t-shirt to mark your achievement! Make It an Epic Ride: Ride alongside Andrew Knight, U.S. Amateur National Road Race Champion, for an unforgettable, adrenaline-fueled adventure, and add another impressive feat to your cycling accomplishments.

Join Our Mission: This ride is not just about the miles; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the memory of Van Purser – a beacon of strength, a cycling enthusiast, and a cherished member of our community. Join us as we pedal with purpose and support the Van Purser Foundation’s mission to assist cyclists and their families during times of unexpected need. Seize the Moment: Don’t let this opportunity for adventure and camaraderie pass you by! Register now and be a part of something extraordinary. Let’s make some memories and celebrate the spirit of cycling together!
Register Now

Bearings News
From Bearings Bike Works
The life cycle of a bicycle 🌎 Recycling bikes and reducing waste This Earth Day, we’re reflecting on the life cycle of a bike and how Bearings’ programs and retail offerings can contribute to sustainability and a circular economy in the cycling industry. Did you know that every year, an estimated 15 million bikes end up in landfills around the world? In Atlanta, Bearings plays a small but important role in reducing bike waste by accepting bike donations, repairing and refurbishing those bikes, and either selling them in our retail shop or utilizing them in our youth programs where they are earned by kids. Essentially, we give old bikes new lives! We divert over 800 bikes annually from the landfill. Since our inception, we’ve repurposed or recycled over 12,000 bikes! With your help, we can save even more bikes and parts from landfills! There are many ways to contribute: donate your gently used bikes, parts & gear to Bearings; host a bike drive in your workplace or community; purchase a refurbished bike from our shop; spread the word about Bearings’ sales & service offerings to your friends & family; shop our online inventory of used parts & gear; and more! Through the small actions we all take, we can help foster sustainability in the world of cycling. Donate gear!

Shop our Sidewalk Sale May 18th
Come shop Bearings’ amazing inventory of bikes, parts, gear, clothing and more on May 18th! You’ll find all of your spring cycling needs at incredible prices and all purchases support Bearings’ skills development programs for kids in Atlanta – all centered around the bike! Stay tuned for more details, including hours, next month.

ATL Airport District Announces Return of Sixth Annual Spin the District 
Press Release
Georgia’s Second-Largest Cycling Event Will Take Place in Union City, Hapeville and College Park, Georgia 

ATLANTA – (April 22, 2024) – The ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau, the destination marketing organization for the cities of College Park, Hapeville and Union City, Ga., today announced the return of one of the community’s most anticipated events – the sixth annual cycling race series, Spin the District. The series is the second-largest cycling event in Georgia and attracts cyclists of all levels from around the world. Last year, 37 states and 17 countries were represented. 

The family-friendly event promises to be bigger than ever this year, providing an immersive experience for both cyclists and spectators as the area’s streets transform into a premier cycling destination. Tuesday, April 30 marks the official start of Spin the District with a twilight criterium (crit) and disco party in Union City. The series will continue Friday, May 3 with the Hapeville Crit, followed by the College Park Crit on Sunday, May 5, which is also the USA Crits Speed Week Finals. 

“We are thrilled to celebrate another year of Spin the District with friends, family and spectators as we cheer on the elite cyclists whipping by and enjoy lively festivities throughout the week,” said Cookie Smoak, president of the ATL Airport District. “Every year, Spin the District delivers an action-packed, family-friendly line-up of events and we are excited to welcome riders along with their cheering squads back to our incredible cities!” 

Union City Crit | Tuesday, April 30 Kicking off at 4 p.m., Spin the District launches during USA Crits Speed Week at the Union City Crit – the twilight criterium featuring a fast-paced course with a crazy tight corner. Races will take place under the streetlights alongside a family-friendly disco-themed street festival with music, food trucks, beverages and activities for all ages. Cyclist registration and details can be accessed online. 

Hapeville Crit | Friday, May 3 The Hapeville Crit will be an evening race with accompanying street party starting at 4 p.m. Guests can enjoy food trucks, beer, wine and cocktail vendors, a live old-school DJ and other festivities until 10 p.m. The evening will include racing for all ages and levels including the One-Lap Blast for children on two wheels and the Straightaway Sprint for children on trikes, training wheels and balance bikes. The kids’ race will begin at 5:50 p.m. and will be followed by the pro men’s and women’s races, which feature some of the best cyclists in the world taking on the fastest cycling adventure for participants with a 1.4-kilometer route, seven-corner, pancake-flat course through the heart of the city and a 150-meter straight finish. Rider registration and details are available online. 

College Park Crit | Sunday, May 5 USA Crits Speed Week Finals will take place at the College Park Crit, featuring a five-corner course with tight turns, a screaming fast back straight and an uphill finish. The competition will include some of the world’s fastest cyclists racing for the crown through the historic streets of downtown College Park, as well as two kid races, the Hill Sprint and the Straightaway Sprint. The Cinco de Mayo Block Party begins at noon where spectators can indulge in local food trucks alongside an artist market, family-friendly games, music and more. Cyclist registration and details can be accessed online. 

For this year’s series, the District has teamed up with Outback Bikes, a cycling retail shop located in Hapeville, to give away a Batch Fitness 21 Gear City Hybrid bike valued at $520. To enter, simply attend one (or all 3) of the epic, fun and free criteriums taking place during Spin the District. Once on-site, scan the QR code on display at the merch tent, food trucks, and beverage vendors and fill out the entry form. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on the ATL Airport District’s Instagram and Facebook channels, @ATLDistrict, on May 7. 

Spectator attendance is free for all three criteriums. For more information on how to be a part of this experience as a participant, volunteer or artist, visit SpinTheDistrict.com and follow @spinthedistrict on Instagram, Facebook and X.