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.
