Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! May the joy of the season be with you and yours no matter what you celebrate!
12-24-2019 Winter Bike Leage Next Ride: WBL # 4 (Saturday)
What: The Ken Bike Law Monroe Classic
When: 28 December (Saturday)
Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens)
Time: 10 AM (window open)
Length: 80 miles / 4 hours
Points: 4 points (1 per hour)
Interactive map
12-21-2019 Gran Fondo National Championship Press Release USA Cycling today announced a 5-year partnership with Gran Fondo National Series (GFNS) to bring the existing GFNS Gran Fondo National Series and the one-day Gran Fondo National Championship into the portfolio of official USA Cycling National Championship events. This partnership provides gran fondo riders the opportunity to compete for a coveted USA Cycling stars-and stripes jersey, and provides all USA Cycling members with value-added benefits at select series events nationwide.
Both USA Cycling and GFNS believe the future of cycling in the US must prioritize inclusivity, to bring the varied disciplines of competitive and participatory cycling together. Reuben Kline, Event Director for GFNS, founded the series in 2012 to offer cyclists a social and competitive experience outside of traditional road racing. As USA Cycling looks forward to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, the organization is embarking on a new strategic initiative to strengthen its support of all cyclists, including non-racers and enthusiasts. “USA Cycling is excited to partner with the Gran Fondo National Series to further our commitment to make good rides great and great riders champions, said Rob DeMartini, CEO of USA Cycling. “Adding the Gran Fondo National Championship to our calendar is an important step forward in USA Cycling’s new vision of supporting different entry points and opportunities for people to participate in the cycling lifestyle.”
The Gran Fondo National Championship Series is a season-long competition based on overall, age group, and team results at participating gran fondos. Originally limited to 9 GFNS events, with the support of USA Cycling the series will expand so riders can earn points at designated gran fondos throughout the United States. To elevate the gran fondo experience, participating events will create benefit packages for USA Cycling members, which could include early access to registration, entry incentives, priority check in, preferred start corral position, and more. Results and rankings in the Gran Fondo National Series will be used to qualify riders to enter the annual USA Cycling Gran Fondo National Championship event, which in 2020 will be held on July 19 at Gran Fondo Asheville in Asheville, North Carolina. Qualification criteria and event dates are being finalized and will be released in January.
The need to qualify only applies to the Gran (longest) Route which will count as the one-day National Championship event, using the timed-segment competition format GFNS made popular in the US. As in the past, the shorter Medio and Piccolo Routes will be open to all riders and do not require qualification. Cyclists will not need a USA Cycling membership to participate in GFNS events or to qualify for the 2020 Gran Fondo National Championship; however, a USA Cycling membership will be required to participate in the Gran Fondo National Championship. Official USA Cycling stars-and-stripes National Champion jerseys will be awarded to winners in each age group. Trish’s Note There are several GFNS events in the Southeast. Check out the road race page for the dates!
12-20-2019 Florida CX State Championships Press Release Open Road Bicycles and Velobrew Racing will present the Florida Cyclocross State Championship, taking place at Willowbranch Park on January 19, 2020, and featuring an industry expo, stellar spectators and a fun & fast race course filled with twisty turns yet areas to stretch your legs, mud, obstacles & a few surprises. Open Road Bicycles and Velobrew Racing are proud to bring the State Championship Race to Jacksonville, Florida for the first time. The Florida Cyclocross State Championship has race categories for everyone! This race is permitted by USA Cycling therefore a license is needed, one day licenses are permitted for State Championships but do NOT qualify to win the State Jersey. An annual license is needed in order to qualify for the State Championship jersey. State Championship Jerseys will be awarded to 1st place for Florida residents in the following categories: Master 35+, Master 45+, Master 55+, Women 4/5, Women 3, Women ½, Men 4/5, Men 3, Men ½, Jr Boy 9-12 yo, Jr Boy 13-15 yo, Jr Boy 16-18 yo, Jr Girl 9-12 yo, Jr Girl 13-15 yo, Jr Girl 16-18 yo.
12-19-2019 Southside Park Trail Build Day From MTB Atlanta New Trail Build Day-Southside Park Every Saturday, until Jan 25, 2020 10:00 am We are knee deep in our new build at Southside Park and lots of folks are asking, “can we help?!” Meet up this Saturday at 10 at the main parking lot at Southside Park at 3460 Jonesboro Rd. We will work until 1 on root clipping, tread raking, and rock work. Wear long pants, closed toed shoes. bring water, snax, and gloves and be prapared for a good hike inn and out to the work site. Spread the word and see you there. This new trail is going to be dope!
Southeast Gravel Series Former teammates Boyd Johnson and Ben Renkema are expanding on the successful Southeast Gravel series that featured three events in the inaugural 2019 season. The two former professional road-racing teammates are taking their shared love of solo exploration as well as the community aspect of gravel riding to create additional opportunities for adventure in the Carolinas on the 2020 calendar. The five-event gravel series will be held throughout upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina showcasing, according to Boyd Johnson, “the best gravel riding you can find anywhere.” The Southeast Gravel series is open to all riders, regardless of ability or experience. “In organizing these events, we wanted to provide an opportunity for all cyclists. Our first organized event saw 30% of our participants doing their first ever gravel event where they had the experience of lining up next to some of the best pro cyclists in the country. The competition and energy from the start forced new gravel riders to push themselves harder and further than they might otherwise. Everyone came away feeling tested, tired – and thirsting for more,” commented Ben Renkema.
The 5 events of the Southwest Gravel series are:
The Gravel Battle of Sumter Forest – Saturday February 15th – Clinton, SC
Greenwood Gravel Grinder – Saturday March 28th – Abbeville, SC
Falling Creek Pinnacle Punisher – Saturday May 2nd – Zirconia, NC
Hot Springs Gravel Gauntlet – Saturday June 6th – Hot Springs, NC
Tryon Gravel Gallop – Saturday October 3rd – Tryon, NC
The five ride courses range from rolling terrain for the first two events to mountainous terrain for the final three events. Course routes were chosen to take cyclists away from traffic to allow competition in a safe environment. Each event will feature two distances with multiple age categories providing riders with plenty of options to be competitive. Each event will include a catered southern style BBQ lunch for all participants and beer will be provided by Charlotte North Carolina’s Unknown Brewing. Courses have been scouted for a challenging yet safe ride. Vision Screen Printing based in Greenville, SC will provide course markers to allow cyclists to maximize their suffering without expending energy on navigation.
12-18-2019 Smyrna Bicycles Offering Bicycle Tune Up Service with Pickup and Delivery-Unique Service for Smyrna-Vinings Area
SMYRNA, GA, Smyrna Bicycles announces a new tune up service for bicycles with pickup and delivery.
Smyrna Bicycles has begun offering a complete Bicycle Tune Up service with pickup and delivery on the customer’s schedule. They will work with customers to pick up the bicycle and drop it off when completed. The service is offered in Smyrna zip codes 30080 and 30082 as well as select areas of Vinings. Tune Ups start at $69. Smyrna Bicycles offers other mobile mechanic services including flat repair starting at $30.00.
Locally owned Smyrna Bicycles has been serving Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, and Cobb County since 2007. They carry all types of bikes from road bikes to mountain bikes, hybrids, cruisers, and everything in between from Giant, Litespeed, and Electra. They also carry Liv, which offers a full line of women’s bicycles. Full mechanic services for all varieties of bikes will keep riders on the road or trail. Rental bikes are available on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis. Hybrid rentals are great for riding on the Silver Comet Trail, which is an easy quarter mile ride from the shop’s front door. Road bike rentals are available for riding on the Trail, in a triathlon, or for a century or charity ride.
Call the shop at 770-436-3252 with questions about the Tune Up pickup and delivery service. Information can also be found on their website http://www.smyrnabicycles.com/
WBL From the WBL Next Ride: WBL # 3 (Saturday – watch the forecast)
What: The First American Bank Paoli Junction Classic
When: 21 December (Saturday)
Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens)
Time: 10 AM (window open)
Length: 85 miles / 4 hours, 15 minutes
Points: 4 points (1 per hour)
Interactive map
12-17-2019 Holiday Lights Rides There are a couple of Holiday Lights Rides around Atlanta if you want to see the pretty lights!
Atlanta Cycling Lights Ride From Atlanta Cycling Wed., Dec. 19 at 6:30 pm Meet at the Vinings store for a 12-mile ride at 10-12 mph pace to see neighborhood lights. Please mount lights front (white) and rear (red) so that we may see each other and be seen by motorists. No ride if raining or if super wet streets. Dinner following at Mellow Mushroom, Vinings, 2950 New Paces Ferry Rd.
Olde Blind Dog Cycling Club From OBDCC: Who’s in for the Christmas and Holiday light rides this week? It’s awesome riding through all the neighborhoods with all the lights! Note: At the end of Thursday’s ride we will stop at Larry Schroeder’s house for the third annual “Bike and Brews”. Larry makes great homemade beer and has invited us all to stop by.
Gwinnett Cycling Group From GCG Come ride with your fellow cyclists to Lake Lanier at 6:30pm this Thursday, 12/19/19 and enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights at Lake Lanier Islands. 6:30 pm, 123 W Main St, Buford, GA 30518-3062, United States
12-16-2019 CX Nationals Georgia Round Up (and GA has some amazing collegiate riders!) Congratulations to everyone from GA that raced at the Cyclocross National Championships in Washington this weekend! The Collegiate Women’s Club National Champion is GACX’s own Emily Cameron! Abby Hobbs was third and Grace Ann Ingram was seventh. These amazing women race for the University of Georgia. In the Varsity Women’s race SCAD took home 2 medals with Mackenzie Myatt (SCAD Atlanta) for 5th and Sammi Runnels in 2nd! Their teammate Judah Sencenbaugh was 9th. SCAD took 3rd in the Varsity 4×4 Relay. UGA won the Club 4×4 Relay. THEN–WE AREN’T DONE–UGA Cycling won the Collegiate Club Omnium! Congratulations guys and gals! We can’t wait to see some Stars and Stripes at Georgia Cross next year!
Full coverage of all the races can be found at http://www.cxmagazine.com
The UGA Cycling Club won the Collegiate Club 4×4 Relay as well as the Omnium. Photo by Jackie Tyson/Peloton Sports
12-14-2019 The GA400 Ride is a go! From the GA400 Ride: We received a call from DOT and Senator Albers that DOT has reversed their position and the ride will continue in 2020 as in the past but in a few years after 2020 we will work together with DOT to give riders a great experience and maintain safety for the riders during construction years. Thank you for all your support. We hope to open registration in early January. Ride Safe with good heart protected by Emory.
12-12-2019 Winter Bike League From the WBL: Saturday’s ride (WBL # 2) is moved to Sunday. There will be an “unofficial” WBL training ride on Saturday (no points / no SAG). More info to follow once we have a clearer picture of the forecast. What: The USA Crit Series Maysville Classic (Ride # 2) When: 15 December (Sunday) Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens)
Time: 10 AM (window open)
Length: 80 miles / 4 hours
Points: 4 points (1 per hour)
Interactive map
Exit Route: Milledge > Prince > Access Road
Store Stop: Maysville (Mile 35)
Pee Break: Mile 24 / @ 1 hour, 15 minutes
12-11-2019 GA 400 Ride Cancellation From the Promoter of the GA 400 Ride Today I received an email from the Mayor of Roswell informing me that GDOT will not be approving the permit to close GA400 for 30 minutes for the ride in 2020.So we are sad to announce that the GA400 Ride has been cancelled for 2020. We have been blessed to support the local community with purchases and the local charities and Emory Heart Center. Any help or suggestions for a replacement event would be greatly appreciated. Trish’s Note: Sign the petition for GDOT to approve the permit!
12-9-2019 GACX Hawkes Creek Farm Photos Photos from the Georgia Cyclocross Finale are ready at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com. Tons of photos from all races! Please support your local photographers!
A Taco (Team Toecutters) is all smiles during the Single Speed at the Georgia Cyclocross Series Finale at Hawkes Creek Farm.
12-10-2019 Silver Comet Trail closure Noses Creek Bridge From Cobb County: The Silver Comet Trail bridge over Noses Creek, located near the Carter Road parking lot and trail mile marker 8.4, will be closed from January 6 to February 20. There will be no access through the construction site during this closure and no detour will be available. The Wild Horse Creek Trail will remain open with the potential for temporary closures and flagging under the Silver Comet Trail bridge. In addition, parts of the Carter Road parking lot will be closed for construction equipment/supplies. We apologize for any inconvenience but Cobb County’s primary concern is the safety of all trail users. Trish’s Detour You can get around the closure, but WARNING there is some really fast traffic on Powder Springs Rd. Use your best judgement riding there! From the Silver Comet going west, take a right onto Industry Rd (intersection before Noses Creek Bridge where the chemical company is). Go left on Flint Hill Rd. Go left onto Powder Springs Rd. Turn left onto Carter Rd., turn right on the Silver Comet going west. Reverse the directions if you are coming east.
DLV Leaf Day From the DLV: DLV leaf Corralling work day Dec 14th 9 to 3 December 14 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Dick Lane Velodrome, East Point, GA, 30344 Trish’s Note: There is usually pizza eating involved afterwards, too.
12-5-2019 WBL THE WBL 2020: THE HUB HOME OPENER, What: Good Hope (Ride # 1), When: 7 December (Saturday), Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens), Time: 10 AM (window open) Length: 75 miles / 4 hours, Points: 4 points (1 per hour) Interactive map, Store Stop: Good Hope (Mile 40), Pee Break: Mile 20 / @ 1 hour
Southside Park Trail Build Day From MTB Atlanta We are knee deep in our new build at Southside Park and lots of folks are asking, “can we help?!” Meet up this Saturday at 10 at the main parking lot at Southside Park at 3460 Jonesboro Rd. We will work until 1 on root clipping, tread raking, and rock work. Wear long pants, closed toed shoes. bring water, snax, and gloves and be prepared for a good hike inn and out to the work site. Spread the word and see you there. This new trail is going to be dope!
https://www.meetup.com/TourDeLanta-Urban-Single-Track/events/266870470/?_xtd=gqFyqTI0NjY5ODU2MaFwpmlwaG9uZQ&from=ref
12-3-2019 Michael Garrison Signs with Hagens Berman Axeon From Cyclingnews: “Hagens Berman Axeon continue to add to their 2020 roster, most recently signing 18-year-old Michael Garrison from Roy Knickman’s LUX Development Cycling Team. Michael Garrison is the younger brother of Ian Garrison, the U23 time trial world championships silver medalist who rode for Axeon for three years and recently signed with Deceuninck-QuickStep for 2020 and 2021. Michael Garrison had a stand-out final year in the junior ranks, which culminated with participation in the US team’s first- and third-place finishes in the junior road race by Quinn Simmons and Angus Sheffield, respectively. Michael Garrison was 12th on the difficult Yorkshire course after helping his teammates.”
12-2-2019 Sope Creek Work Party From MTB Atlanta Sope Creek Work Party Sat., Dec. 21 9 am-Noon. Join us for our monthly Work Party at Sope Creek and give back to the trails that you love to ride. We meet at the Columns Drive parking lot at 9 AM at the gate by the Fitness loop. Wear long pants, closed toed shoes, bring gloves, water, snacks.
CANCELLED! Cochran Mill Work Party From MTB Atlanta Cochran Mill Work Party Sat., Dec. 14 9 am-Noon Join us for our monthly work party at Cochran Mill Park. Meet at the main parking lot at 9 AM. Please wear long pants, closed toed shoes, bring a helmet, gloves, water, snacks. We will see you there!
12-1-2019 USAC Pro Road Tour From USA Cycling The national calendar for the 2020 Pro Road Tour (PRT) will feature 17 events across 15 states, it was announced today by USA Cycling. Spanning April to September, the PRT schedule next year will include 43 days of road cycling competitions. New to the calendar this year is the Maryland Cycling Classic, a UCI 1.Pro event. “As we enter into our fifth year of the Pro Road tour, we are looking forward to another strong year of pro racing in the United States. We believe that the races on our calendar, including a range of events including single-day criterium racing all the way up to UCI Pro Series races at the Tour of Utah and the new Maryland Cycling Classic, exhibit the high caliber of racing that our racers and fans are looking for,” said Tara McCarthy, Director of National Events for USA Cycling, “ As we look towards the 2020 season, we will continue This Week in American Cycling and are excited to bring American racing to fans all over the world.”
Southeastern Cycling races are:
April 18-19 Alabama Cycling Classic Anniston, AL
May 23 Winston-Salem Classic Criterium Winston-Salem, NC
May 25 Winston-Salem Classic Road Race Winston-Salem, NC UCI 1.1
11-29-2019 Silver Comet Trail closure Noses Creek Bridge From Cobb County: The Silver Comet Trail bridge over Noses Creek, located near the Carter Road parking lot and trail mile marker 8.4, will be closed from January 6 to February 20. There will be no access through the construction site during this closure and no detour will be available. The Wild Horse Creek Trail will remain open with the potential for temporary closures and flagging under the Silver Comet Trail bridge. In addition, parts of the Carter Road parking lot will be closed for construction equipment/supplies. We apologize for any inconvenience but Cobb County’s primary concern is the safety of all trail users.
11-25-2019 Thanksgiving Day Rides Burn off that turkey before you eat! The Brookhaven Bike Alliance hosts their annual Thankful Ride in Brookhaven at 9:00 am leaving from Savi Provisions. Chose from a 12 or 26 mile route; all riders welcome. ATLPTN has announced that there will be a special edition of the Airport Ride at 10:00 am on Thanksgiving (for racers/serious riders only-be prepared for a 22mph+ average). There will be a ride from the Buford Publix at 9:00 am to Lake Lanier and back. 18-19 mph average.
11-21-2019 DLV Leaf Day From the DLV: DLV leaf Corralling work day Dec 14th 9 to 3 December 14 @ 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Dick Lane Velodrome, East Point, GA, 30344 Trish’s Note: There is usually pizza eating involved afterwards, too.
Dunwoody Vulnerable Users Law Passed “A new ordinance that adds protections for cyclists and pedestrians beyond what state law requires is now official in Dunwoody. The City Council approved the “vulnerable road user” ordinance at its Nov. 18 meeting and is believed to be the first city in Georgia to have such a law…… The city’s ordinance mirrors much state law, such as ticketing a motorist for not stopping for pedestrians in a crosswalk. It prohibits motorists from throwing objects at cyclists, driving too close to try to intimidate them, and turning right in front of them.” Read the full article at the Reporter Newpapers.
