News for 5-24-2023
Rope Mill Fast + Furious
From Mountain Goat Adventures
This new course includes ALL the trails at Rope Mill Park! Make plans to join us on May 27th for our newest event! This Fast+Furious 15 course features 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.b Riders will then return across the bridge and complete Explorer Loops 1, 2, and 3 counter-clockwise. The course returns via the 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 Avalance Trail Loops 1, 2, and 3 and then head back to the start/finish to complete the course.

The categories for 2023 are age based and the same as we have used for the Blankets Creek Dirty 15 Mile Race. You can see full details and a list of categories on the ROPE MILL 2023 Race Super soft and comfy tri-blend event shirt for all participants who register before May 5th! (Limited sizes/different style available after May 5th) Mountain Goat Race Gear Tote and FREE race photo downloads courtesy of our swag sponsor, Dalton Automotive! ▪ Medals and sponsor prizes 3 deep in all categories ▪ Podium shirts for all first place finishers. ▪ Staggered starts by category for rider/volunteer safety. ▪ Post race snacks and fluids
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! This event is a major fundraiser for SORBA Woodstock, so please come out and support your local trails!

News for 5-23-2023
Bike Garage in Atlanta
From Urbanize Atlanta
“Out for a morning walk this week, a reader stumbled upon a unique addition of bicycling infrastructure in Midtown, snapped a photo, and wondered if the theft-deterrent system shouldn’t be copied across Atlanta.

The structure can best be described as a bicycle garage, tucked at the base of renovated Promenade Central offices off Atlanta’s signature street, Peachtree.

“This is a form of infrastructure that encourages and facilitates bicycle commuting—[and it’s] also a nifty bit of architecture,” wrote the morning walker in an email. “MARTA should install these at its stations, and other firms should put them at their offices.” Read the whole article.

News for 5-22-2023
TONGA is coming up!
From Topview Sports
Enjoy 4 races in an awesome weekend featuring likely the most challenging and beautiful road races in the country! This event has been selected by both the USA Juniors and USA Masters Cup, and USA Cycling is considering it as a national selection event for 2024. Just about every best rider and team will be here! The Tour of North Georgia will take place during Memorial Day Weekend, May 26, 27 & 28, around Clarkesville, GA. This 4 races event offers 2 very amazing road races, a time trial, and a criterium. This omnium style event is the 3rd event of the USA Masters CUP, the 4th event of the USA Juniors Cup, and it is hosted by Topview Sports. We hope to see you there!

Lake Russell Work Party
From Keith Owen
Lake Russell WMA Sourwood Trail, Sat., June 3 8:45 am-1:00 pm Come celebrate National Trails Day as we complete our current project, the Sourwood Trail reroute. We will be working to complete a new reroute on the Sourwood Trail from Nancytown Road down to the new bridge just completed by the Forest Service. The reroute will improve the trail sustainability and should create an improved user experience. We will be scheduling more work days in the future as we take on new projects or work on maintenance of existing trails. Hopefully some of these dates will fit your schedule. My hope is that everyone that sees this could come to at least one work day. If that happens, we can accomplish a lot. Please share this with your friends and other Lake Russell Trail users. All tools will be provided. We will be providing lunch at this work day, so let me know if you are coming. If you’re joining us please bring the following: Long pants, Sturdy shoes or boots ( no open toe footwear), Eye protection, Work gloves, Hard hat (some will be provided, bike helmets will do),Sunscreen, Bug spray, Water
Please put this on your calendar. If you need more information PM me or send me an e-mail at keithowen223@gmail.com . My cell is 706-499-3893. If you plan on coming, let me know here or via e-mail so we can have an adequate headcount.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3309647022630244/

News for 5-18-2023
Wahoo Founder Buys Company Back
From DC Rainmaker:
“And thus, three months ago, Wahoo Fitness was taken over by the banks. Specifically, 15 different banks had called the debt, and took over the business. Making matters worse, their private equity ‘partner’ and owner, Rhone Group, wouldn’t put any money into the business, since that’d only benefit the banks. As a result, Wahoo ceased all marketing activities, ceased most sponsorships and other non-critical business functions, and curtailed product development on various products – all trying to save money.However, as of yesterday, that “nightmare is over”, according to Wahoo Founder Chip Hawkins.

Chip himself, alongside three “equal strategic partners”, have bought back the business. There is no longer any debt remaining, and Chip says they now have a “super healthy balance sheet” with “plenty of cash runway”. He said that this finally gives Wahoo the breathing room to run their company in a normal way again. That includes “smart” investment in advertising, as well as having a longer-term view on product development.”

Read the full article, which is very enlightening and contains a lot of detail about Wahoo’s financial situation.

News for 5-15-2023
SORBA Woodstock Rope Mill Work Party
From SORBA Woodstock
Join SORBA Woodstock for their May Work Party Saturday, May 20, 2023, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Rope Mill Bike Park Olde Rope Mill Park Road Woodstock, GA, 30188.

News for 5-14-2023
Track Certification Class as the DLV
From the DLV
The third 2023 track certification session will take place the weekend of May 20-21 (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.

The class is designed for cyclists interesting in giving track racing a try. Or, for those who are just curious and want to experience the velodrome’s banking on a real track bike.

Riders that have taken the class in the past are welcome to sit in for a refresher. If you’ve previously completed the class and want to join us, email: brian at dicklanevelodrome.com

News for 5-9-2023
Century and Fun Ride Listing!
I am so excited to unveil something that I’ve offered from time to time when I can find the help. A Century/Fun Ride/ Charity Ride listing. Julie Pitts with the Olde Blind Dog Cycling Club (ODBCC-see the Rides Page for their weekly rides) has agreed to let me use her list that gets updated regularly. You’ll find it on the Road Calendar page. Thanks for your help Julie!

SORBA Woodstock Rope Mill Work Party
From SORBA Woodstock
Join SORBA Woodstock for their May Work Party Saturday, May 20, 2023, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Rope Mill Bike Park Olde Rope Mill Park Road Woodstock, GA, 30188

News for 5-5-2023
The Keirin at the DLV
Come out and watch the Keirin Japanese Style racing at the Dick Lane Velodrome on Wed., May 24 7-9:30 pm. There will be $1500 prize money for the A and B Women–$750 each! B and C racing as normal. Spectators are always free on Tuesdays and Wednesdays! Bring a blanket or chairs and dinner! Please no dogs/pets per city of East Point park regulations and for the safety of the racers.

News for 5-2-2023
Fools Gold
From Mountain Goat Adventures
The 2023 Maxxis Tires Fools Gold will be held on September 9, 2023 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. Register by 7/31 to avoid the registration price increase!
Register early, as this event has sold out quickly the past three years.

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. For 2023, 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. ▪Free Primitive Camping at Montaluce Winery Friday and Saturday night! ▪Terrapin Beer and Moe’s for post-race calorie replenishment! ▪Highly visible Course Markings and Course Marshals ▪Finisher awards for all finishers in both races ▪Custom awards for all podium finishers in both races ▪Soft and comfy race shirt – size guaranteed if you register by the size deadline of August 18th. ▪Aid stations with plenty of calories, fluids, mechanical support and first aid supplies.

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 at 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.

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 contactl isa at 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!