News for 9-28-2023 Mount Vernon Road Bridge Closed UPDATEGDOT says the bridge will not reopen as it is not structurally sound. The earlier replacement timeline is Summer 2024. In Georgia this means around 2050.
The bridge over 285 on Mount Vernon Road is closed for the long term. A truck carrying a large piece of equipment struck the bridge on 285. GDOT has said the bridge will remain closed for the forseeable future. This is a popular cycling route through Sandy Springs. Trish’s Note: In the long run I guess it’s ok. They are replacing the whole bridge anyway. It will be quite an inconvenience for those in the area.
News for 9-26-2023 Mackenzie Myatt New Book Georgia Cyclocross’s own Mackenzie Myatt has written a new book. She says: “I wrote In Defense of Big Dreams because I wanted to share what makes me tick and how to harness it. I want to inspire not just girls and women through sport, but everyone to act on their potential. It’s amazing what can happen when you consistently show up for yourself and take risks. This book came at a time in my life when I decided to stop taking the path of least resistance and trust myself. Something had to change and in that, I tried to change as many things as possible. I didn’t want to tweak the rules, I wanted to chuck them out the window. I hope this book inspires readers to do the same.”
About Mackenzie: I am an elite cyclist from Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia. I write about the idiosyncrasies of chasing excellence in sport and in life. For as long as I can remember, I have been writing poetry to process the world around me. I was a pretty shy, anxious kid and writing was the best way I knew to express myself. In my teenage years, poetry became a lifeline for all of the things I couldn’t say out loud. Now, it is the best way I know how to share all of the things that inspire me.
I have been active and competitive for as long as I can remember. I was a gymnast for 10 years before I decided to commit to cycling. My U23 years saw several invitations to National Team projects, World Cup projects, World Championships, Top-20 performances in Europe and National Championship podiums in Canada and the US. Collegiate racing gave me the perfect environment to practice racing to win, an education and many cherished memories. I currently race whatever events excite me, no matter the discipline.
I have a BFA in Writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design – Atlanta and currently split my time between Nova Scotia and Georgia.
Pre-orders are being taken now for delivery around the first of November. It will also eventually be availalbe on Amazon For now, for pre-order people can PayPal or Venmo editor Molly Hurford $25USD. Venmo: mjhurford@gmail.com or Paypal: mollyjhurford@gmail.com
News for 9-22-2023 Silver Comet Closure
Today the Silver Comet was closed at Anderson FARM Road. Unconfirmed rumor has repairs to the gas line taking up to FOUR WEEKS. Do NOT attempt to go around the closures. Natural gas can be very dangerous! It goes “BOOM!” That means you probably won’t be around to ride your bike again. Don’t chance it.
Detour going WEST on the Silver Comet. Left onto Anderson Farm Road, Right onto Flint Hill, Left onto Anderson Mill Rd. Pass the Comet. At the next stop sign, make a very careful left onto Ewing. Cars coming from Ewing onto Anderson Mill DO NOT LIKE TO STOP at their stop sign! **Use extreme caution!!!** Right back onto the SCT going west. Reverse for going East. Use at your own risk. Only you are responsible for you and your equipment. Trish Albert/Southeastern Cycling are not responsible if you get hurt/injured!
Atlanta Streets Alive From PropelATLJoin Atlanta on Peachtree Street this Sunday, September 24th, at Atlanta Streets Alive, a monthly open streets initiative presented by ATLDOT with support from Propel ATL and the Atlanta community!
Where/When: Peachtree Street between 15th Street and Mitchell Street from 1-5 p.m.
Find the Propel ATL tents in front of Peachtree Center near Portman Blvd!
Can’t make it? No worries! After a groundswell of demand, Streets Alive will take place monthly this fall. The next dates are Sunday, October 22nd and Sunday, November 12th. Or, check out Westside Stride on Sunday, October 29th from 12-6 p.m. Bike, walk, scoot, or stroll down Howell Mill Road!
Today the Silver Comet was closed at Anderson FARM Road. Unconfirmed rumor has repairs to the gas line taking up to FOUR WEEKS. Do NOT attempt to go around the closures. Natural gas can be very dangerous! It goes “BOOM!” That means you probably won’t be around to ride your bike again. Don’t chance it.
Detour going WEST on the Silver Comet. Left onto Anderson Farm Road, Right onto Flint Hill, Left onto Anderson Mill Rd. Pass the Comet. At the next stop sign, make a very careful left onto Ewing. Cars coming from Ewing onto Anderson Mill DO NOT LIKE TO STOP at their stop sign! **Use extreme caution!!!** Right back onto the SCT going west. Reverse for going East. Use at your own risk. Only you are responsible for you and your equipment. Trish Albert/Southeastern Cycling are not responsible if you get hurt/injured!
Atlanta Streets Alive From PropelATLJoin Atlanta on Peachtree Street this Sunday, September 24th, at Atlanta Streets Alive, a monthly open streets initiative presented by ATLDOT with support from Propel ATL and the Atlanta community!
Where/When: Peachtree Street between 15th Street and Mitchell Street from 1-5 p.m.
Find the Propel ATL tents in front of Peachtree Center near Portman Blvd!
Can’t make it? No worries! After a groundswell of demand, Streets Alive will take place monthly this fall. The next dates are Sunday, October 22nd and Sunday, November 12th. Or, check out Westside Stride on Sunday, October 29th from 12-6 p.m. Bike, walk, scoot, or stroll down Howell Mill Road!
News for 9-21-2023 National Public Lands Day From MTB Atlanta
Join us for National Public Lands Day this Saturday September 23rd from 9-12 with the US Army Corps of Engineers for trail work at the Lakeside Trails at West Point Lake (near Griffen, GA). Meet at the Lakeside Trailhead and be ready to go at 9:15. Wear closed toed shoes, long pants, bring a pack with water and snacks and your epi pen if you are allergic to bees. Lunch will be provided so dm us to RSVP!
Silver Comet Closure The Silver Comet is closed at Anderson Farm Rd/Colonial Pipeline. Cyclists can detour using surface roads. If you are going west, right on Anderson Farm Rd., left on Ewing, right on the Silver Comet. Use at your own risk. Only you are responsible for you and your equipment. Trish Albert/Southeastern Cycling are not responsible if you get hurt/injured!
News for 9-14-2023 Westside Stride Streets Alive Type Event From Axios Atlanta
The last time Atlanta Streets Alive rolled through the Howell Mill Road corridor as part of a massive cross-city route in June 2019, roughly 145,000 people showed up to celebrate a car-free lifestyle in the middle of the street.
That’s almost equal to the city populations of Decatur and Athens, combined.
Hoping to recapture that magic as Atlanta Streets Alive rises from the pandemic-induced dead, the Upper Westside Community Improvement District is staging its own streets-opening fiesta across a wide swath of growing neighborhoods two days before Halloween.
They’re calling this Oct. 29 block(s) party the “Westside Stride.” And it’ll actually be a longer event (from noon to 6 p.m.) than three reincarnated Atlanta Streets Alive dates on the calendar for this year.
News for 9-13-2023 Track 101 at the DLV From the DLV The last scheduled track certification class for 2023 will take place the weekend of Sept. 16-17 (1pm to 4pm each day). This two-day session is designed to certify new riders for track training and racing. We’ll cover all of the basics. No previous track or fixed gear experience is needed. Bikes are provided.
Track 201 Riders that have taken the class in the past are welcome to sit in for a refresher. Or, join us on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8:30 pm for a next-level group session. If you’ve previously completed the class and want to join us, email: brian at dicklanevelodrome.com.
News for 9-12-2023 National Gravel Championships Congratulations to those from the Southeast that placed at the USA Cycling National Gravel Championships last week. Elite Women: 4th-Lauren Decenzo (Cinch Racing), Atlanta, GA Women 35-39: 3rd-Ali Whittier (Motor Mile Racing), Chattanooga, TN Men 45-49: 1st-Andrew Knight (NCGA p/b Tyler Perry Studios), Marietta, GA 4th-Justin Lowe (Velo Roussillon Racing), Dover, TN Women 50-54: 1st-Amy Phillips (Motor Mile Racing), Chattanooga, TN Women 65-69: 2nd-Beth Hoffmeis, Brevard, NC Men 75-79: 5th-Jim Hoffmeis, Brevard, NC Men Para C3: 1st-Justin Mathers (Project Echelon Vangard), Fayetteville, NC Men Para H3: 1st-Joe Pomeroy, Easley, SC
Mountain Goat Adventures News Blankets Creek 3 and 6 Hour MTB Race presented by Free-Flite Bicycles! EVENT IS OVER HALF FULL! SEPTEMBER 30, 2023!! Make plans to join us for the Blankets Creek 3 and 6 Hour Race presented by Free-Flite Bicycles on September 30th! Solo, 2 and 3 person team categories are available in the 6 Hour Race. Get your teams together now! Discounted rate for 3 person Junior Teams! The 3 Hour Option has a TON of categories for those who wish to ride 3 hours solo, as well as a one and two lap option for junior riders who aren’t ready for a full 3 hour event. You can check out the available Categories and All participants receive one of our comfy tri-blend shirts, a campfire mug and the first 100 to check in also receive a mesh laundry bag courtesy of Dalton Automotive! Medals and sponsor prizes 3 deep in all categories, podium shirts for all first place finishers in the 6 Hour Event. The 2023 race course will be ridden CLOCKWISE on both Dwelling and VMT. This is a very fast and flowy course that maximizes the fun factor while still offering enough climbing and technical challenges to separate the pack!
This event is one of four major yearly fundrasisers for SORBA Woodstock. Thanks to generous support we receive from Free-Flite Bicycles, Northside Hospital-Cherokee and YOUR PARTICIPATION, this event raises roughly $4000 for the chapter! Thank you for supporting this event and your local trails!
Rope Mill Dirty Duathlon and Trail Run presented by Northside Hospital – Cherokee– November 11, 2023 at Rope Mill Park in Woodstock, GA! This is everyone’s favorite event where you can race as a solo or on a team. Pair up with your spouse or kids! The opening bike loop will be 5.5 miles on the Mill Trails, followed by a 3.3 mile trail run on Explorer, and finally a 5.5 mile bike on the Avalanche Trails. The course covers all the trails at Rope Mill Park! Solo, 2 and 3 person beginner/family team categories are available in the duathlon. We will be using traditional mountain bike race categories, as we have done in the past, to help alleviate congestion on the opening bike loop. The run is short enough that those who do not typically run still have plenty of time to start training! All participants receive a super comfy t-shirt and those that register by October 20th also receive a commemorative swag item. Prizes and awards presented to the top 3 in each duathlon category. Post race snacks and drinks available. HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ONLY WANT TO RUN? We are also offering a separate 3.3 mile trail run on the Explorer Trails at this event for those who would prefer to just participate in a run.
We are partnering with SORBA Woodstock to bring you these events. 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 9-11-2023 Georgia Gravel Grindro From Topview Sports Save the Date for our biggest gravel event – The Georgia Gravel Grinduro p/b Panaracer – 10/28/23 in Helen, Georgia www.topviewsports.com/ Reasons to Ride Gravel together: ~ NorthEast Georgia is the MOST gorgeous place to ride (we may be partial to our area) ~ It’s FUN to hang out with your fellow Gravelers ~ You get to enjoy a couple easy CREEK crossings -don’t worry you won’t get wet! ~ It’s HARD yet EASY all in one ~ You get a COOL shirt that you can sport around ~ You get delicious food ~ You leave dirty with a big SMILE from your successful ride ~ Segments are TIMED if you choose to compete ~ Grinduro – you can sit along the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Helen
Dirty Sheet Gravel Grinder From MTB Atlanta Atlanta’s best-kept secret isn’t actually in Atlanta, but about half an hour’s drive south, where the white noise of the interstate gives way to the hush of open fields, the chitter of wildlife, and the faint scent of honeysuckle on the breeze. This is Dirty Sheets. And for one glorious day, it’s the Dirty Sheets Gravel Grinder.
Hundreds of gravel bike tires will pulverize the gnarly roads as packs of wild cyclists jockey their way to victory on a loop well-known to gravel riders around the Southeast. A fraternal twin to Silk Sheets (a respected road route that predates the city around it), Dirty Sheets is the miscreant of the family, giving well-meaning riders a hard time and defying any attempt to give it a haircut. But look closer and its beauty is undeniable. For every angry gravel climb and treacherous muddy crossing, you’ll find miles of gorgeous fence-lined pastures, wide-open skies and picturesque hills. For those of us who are into angry climbs, treacherous crossings and rustic panoramas, Dirty Sheets is the Manic Panic dream girl our two wheels have been aching for. The Dirty Sheets Gravel Grinder will offer three routes at 112 miles, 62 miles and 20 miles. (The astute among you may have cottoned that the Dirty Sheets loop itself is only 20 miles long, and to you we say please holster your pitchfork and hold all questions until the end.)
While our 20-mile ride is a non-competitive gravel jaunt, our Metric Century routes (62 and 112 miles) take that pleasant ride and twist it into a grueling challenge, all wrapped up in a 60/40 blend of gravel and road—with a nice amount of single-track mixed in. And on top of that, the 112-mile sweetens the pot with time segments and prizes. That’s right: for one low price, you’re getting all of Dirty Sheets, plus the best gravel and low-traffic roads that Douglas, Carroll, and Heard Counties have to offer. BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! We’ll throw in SAG (just enough), swag (tba), and the satisfaction of sheets well-dirtied.
AWARDS There will be dirty awards for the Top 5 Male and Top 5 Female finishing riders of the 112-mile event only. What do we mean by dirty awards? Wouldn’t you like to know! (Actually, wouldn’t we like to know—we’ll be revealing the particulars a little closer to the event date, after we get them figured out ourselves.) For all races and rides, all verified finishers will be awarded a rider completion badge. The 62-mile ride will not be a race, but it will be a timed ride, and listed for on our website for all the glory a web listing provides.
Event put on by MTB Atlanta and the East Point Track Club with help from Ethic Creative Works & Independent Gravel. $65 donation Proceeds go to MTB Atlanta to build and maintain all that we’re working on and will be working on. Post ride food, drinks and entertainment – of course – enough to make you happy and then some.
News for 9-8-2023 Alabama Cyclocross Series From GSMR We will open the 2023 Alabama Cyclocross Series on Oct 8 with a return to Brookside! After a 5 year absence, we will return to this fun and exciting venue. Thank you to Brookside Mayor Mike Bryan for helping us make this happen. But that is not the only treat! On Oct 29 we will be competing for the state Championship at Sloss Furnace which is another favorite for all you old timers! Now for something new. The weekend of November 11-12 we will host a 2 day event in Montevallo. This is an amazing, and challenging, venue. We are working with Coach Jen Nichols of the Univ of Montevallo Cycling Team to host a collegiate event. More details as they become available. November 19 we will once again return to Tuscaloosa for Gobblecross. Those folks down there are cooking up some special treats for you this year, so pay attention for some upcoming announcements. nd finally, we will wrap up the series on December 3 at Bailey Cross. I am sure that Bo will have some surprises for us there. Thanks go out to Dermlab and Handup gloves for sponsoring our junior series once again. Like the last two years, the juniors will once again have the opportunity to race for free! Stay tuned for more information. We will continue in 2023 with the same series categories.
Allatoona Hunting Closures From a Facebook Post Bow hunting season begins at the park this Saturday, September 9th and ends Jan 31st. This means that there will be areas of the park specifically reserved for registered hunters only. Check out the map below and note the restricted areas. None of the singletrack trails will be affected by the closures and will remain open for use (except Fern Gully and Free Candy.) The hunting areas will also have signage to warn users that it is a restricted area. To ensure the safety of everyone, please do not alter signage in any way and respect the boundaries. We wish all of our hunting friends a bountiful season. Trish’s Note: Years ago when the trails were closed til 10 am for huntin I arrived about 9:45 with some friends to start getting ready. We saw a hunter, who was dragging his deer out to his vehicle. It’s bow hunting only, and no motorized vehicles. He said he trained Cross Fit all year to be able to do that. We wished him well and hoped he’d enjoy some good venison.
News for 8-29-2023 Silver Comet Closure The Silver Comet Trail will be closed at Anderson Farm Road, starting September 18th and will be closed 3-5 days as long as weather permits.
Colonial Pipeline Company plans to perform routine maintenance on their underground pipeline that crosses the Silver Comet Trail just east of Anderson Farm Road. The work will involve excavation of approximately 40 feet of their 12-inch diameter pipeline for inspection and repair as necessary.
Beautiful Backroads Century On September 16th, the 23nd Beautiful Backroads Century Bicycle Ride (BBC) returns with an even larger after ride party! Drinks, Food and Entertainment included. For the Clubs and Bike Shops north of Atlanta, “the Budplant” provides free parking 51 weeks of the year to Georgia Cyclists often filling the parking lot. On this one Saturday a year, back to the community by riding the BBC to raise money for Hickory Log — a local, personal care home for men with special needs.
The ride starts and finishes at the Anheuser-Busch plant in Cartersville complete with a food, beverage, and music after party. The weather looks to be beautiful (for now), the roads are (mostly) repaved, the routes clearly marked (fact) and on the BBC website, the beer / drinks will be cold and the food hot.
Thank you for all you do to support safe cycling in Georgia. See you on the roads!
News for 8-23-2023 Dirty Sheets Gravel Grinder From MTB Atlanta Dirty Sheets Gravel Grinder Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023 Note: We’re still waiting on a few things to flush out, but we want to get the date out and in your head. Registration will be open early September via bikereg.com. Dirty Sheets Gravel Grinder is coming back! Atlanta’s best-kept secret isn’t actually in Atlanta, but about half an hour’s drive south, where the white noise of the interstate gives way to the hush of open fields, the chitter of wildlife, and the faint scent of honeysuckle on the breeze. This is Dirty Sheets. And for one glorious day, it’s the Dirty Sheets Gravel Grinder. The Dirty Sheets Gravel Grinder will offer three routes at 112 miles, 62 miles and 20 miles. (The astute among you may have cottoned that the Dirty Sheets loop itself is only 20 miles long, and to you we say please holster your pitchfork and hold all questions until the end.) While our 20-mile ride is a non-competitive gravel jaunt, our Metric Century routes (62 and 112 miles) take that pleasant ride and twist it into a grueling challenge, all wrapped up in a 60/40 blend of gravel and road—with a nice amount of single-track mixed in. And on top of that, the 112-mile sweetens the pot with time segments and prizes. That’s right: for one low price, you’re getting all of Dirty Sheets, plus the best gravel and low-traffic roads that Douglas, Carroll, and Heard Counties have to offer. BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! We’ll throw in SAG (just enough), swag (tba), and the satisfaction of sheets well-dirtied. [Editor’s note: take this out, it’s disgusting.][Author’s note: no.]
Start times: 7:00am: 112-Mile – Double Metric (Yikes!) 9:00am: 62-Mile – Metric (Civilized) 10:00am: 20-Mile – Full Dirty Sheets (Party) Field Limits: 100 per category. Cost: $65 donation proceeds go to MTB Atlanta to build and maintain all that we’re working on and will be working on. Post ride food, drinks and entertainment – of course – enough to make you happy and then some.
Awards: There will be dirty awards for the Top 5 Male and Top 5 Female finishing riders of the 112-mile event only. What do we mean by dirty awards? Wouldn’t you like to know! (Actually, wouldn’t we like to know—we’ll be revealing the particulars a little closer to the event date, after we get them figured out ourselves.) For all races and rides, all verified finishers will be awarded a rider completion badge. The 62-mile ride will not be a race, but it will be a timed ride, and listed for on our website for all the glory a web listing provides. Event put on by MTB Atlanta and the East Point Track Club with help from Ethic Creative Works & Independent Gravel.
News for 8-22-2023 NCCX Skills Clinic NCCX Skills Clinic – Bent Creek Community Park, Asheville, NC Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023–Join NCCX and friends for not only one, but two pre-season clinics! 9:30am-12:30pm: Women’s Only Clinic (limited to 30 spots) 2:00pm-5:30pm: Open CX Skills Clinic Our women’s clinic will be lead by female instructors and focus on beginner and new racers. The open clinic is open to all levels of experience, abilities, and genders. Both clinics are open to ages 9 and up, but riders 14 and Under must be accompanied by a registered and participating parent and/or guardian. Fee: $10 per person per clinic Register starting Monday, August 14: https://www.bikereg.com/nccx-pre-season-skills-clinic Registration closes September 9. Things to bring: Bike with knobby tires (cx, gravel, mtb), Water, Snacks
News for 8-21-2023 Silver Comet Closure I found this on Facebook. I don’t have an original source, but I believe this to be accurate. (Update 8-21 late evening: I saw the signs myself today. This is confirmed.)
–On August 23, 2023 a portion of the Silver Comet Trail in Cobb County, Georgia will be closed for those traveling in both east and west directions. The closure will be between Mile 3 and mile 3.9. There is a tunnel at mile 3 and Hicks Rd is at mile 3.9. — Cobb county, Georgia portion of Silver Comet trail. On August 28, 2023 and continuing for 3-5 days, weather not interfering, the trail at mile 7.1 will be closed. This is a location very close to the trail where it crossed Anderson Farm Rd. A golf course is on one side of the trail and the large Colonial Pipeline facility with huge gasoline tanks is on the other side. Construction by Colonial. Trish’s note: I noticed a lot of utility markings out there last week. It looked like they were going to probably tear up some of the Comet for gas line work.
Tour de Georgia Beyond the Trestle has a really good article on the history of the Tour De Georgia. For those that didn’t live here then, we had a UCI Men’s Road Stage Race here for several years. It was incredible! I had so many good times-riding in the Mavic car with my friend Scott, riding in a team car, getting my start as a photographer and even writing a couple of things for cyclingnews.com as well as having my photos featured in their TdG stories every day. It was a magical time!
Still the best photo I took at the Tour de Georgia. Jens Voigt (as in SHUT UP LEGS fame) drinking a cold beer at the top of Brasstown Bald. It was hot, and he came across the finish line saying “I need a beer! I need a cold beer!” (paraphrasing). A spectator with a cooler offered him one.
