4-26-2019 Twilight Weekend! It’s Twilight weekend and the beginning of Speedweek! Twilight turns 40, so be there to help them celebrate! There are a ton of events planned! Commerce is on Sunday; Walterboro the middle of the week. The Spin the District Crits are next weekend to close out Speedweek–Hapeville (GA) Saturday and College Park on Sunday. Most races have other activities planned as well! Check out one or as many of the races as you can! I plan to be at–and race & take photos–Hapeville. Come find me and say hi!
4-24-2019 Resurrect the Historic Roswell Criterium The Georgia Bicycle Racing Association (GBRA) is in the process of resurrecting the Historic Roswell Criterium for Sunday June 2, 2019 as the Georgia State Criterium Championships. For 14 years the race was a mainstay for the Canton St. Roswell community and criterium bicycle racers in the southeast. Unfortunately, the relationship between the city and the criterium stakeholders broke down. GBRA is now trying to resurrect the race in a new format that everyone will enjoy. The City of Roswell department heads have come to the table with many great ideas plus reducing costs from previous races. Bike Roswell has also been a great assistance negotiating how to proceed with an excellent event. After careful budgeting we are in need of a title sponsor or two or three presenting sponsors to make the race happen.
Title Sponsorship $10,000 * Naming rights to the Event * Finish Line Overhead Banner Placement * Podium Backdrop Placement * All day announcer calls
Presenting Sponsorship: $3,000 – $5,000 * Finish Line Overhead Banner Placement \* Podium Backdrop Placement: * All day announcer calls :
Contact Mike Barman GBRA: Secretary (678)575-4684 Barmancoach2013@gmail.com
4-21-2019 Alabama Cycling Classic Press Release The royalty for bicycle racing took center stage at the Sunny King Criterium in downtown Anniston, Ala. for a 17th year on Saturday. Morning showers for junior races quickly changed to sunshine by midday, bringing huge crowds to the adjacent Noble Street Festival and headwinds to the uphill straightaway at the start line. The final two of 21 categorized races finished under the lights and crowned champions for professional men and women. Summer Moak (Scottsdale, Ariz.) of Rally UHC Cycling blasted across the line in a sprint finish for the title in the Women Pro 1/2 race. Veteran Eric Young (Boulder, Colo.) of Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling took the top spot in the Men Pro 1 contest.
The Pro Women’s criterium featured 43 riders in the 60-minute contest. Among the call-ups to start the race were four previous Sunny King Crit champions – Samantha Schneider of ISCorp Pro Cycling (2016), Erica (Allar) Carney of Rally Cycling (2012), Tina Pic of Colavita-Bialetti Racing (2006 and 2008), and Lily Williams of Hagens Berman l Supermint, the 2018 defending champion. For the first half of the race, Williams’ team took a few turns at the front to test the responses from challengers on the four-turn, one-kilometer course. With nine laps to go, the tight pack began to stretch into an aggressive, single file formation, pushed by Hagens Berman l Supermint and CWA Racing at the front. With five to go, Madison Kelly (Naples, Fla.) of CWA Racing made a move. This was followed by a series of attacks – by Moak, then Christina Gorkey-Smith (Denton, Texas) of Colavita Bialetti Racing, then defending champion Williams. With three to go, the lead group had nine riders, led by Janelle Cole (Newaygo, Mich.) of Fast Chance Cycling p/b The Happy Tooth Foundation. With two laps remaining, Jorgensen pushed across the line for a $500 prime. Like the gusty conditions, Jorgensen continued to vault forward in the final lap, but could not maintain that position in the final hundred meters. Moak crossed the line as the new queen of crits in Anniston. Jorgensen finished second and Daniely Garcia (Venezuela) of CWA Racing presented by TREK was third. Williams and Gokey-Smith were fourth and fifth, respectively.
The men’s 60-lap criterium featured a field of 71 riders. Evident from the start was the team in blue kits leading in overall PRT points, Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling. All six riders made an impact in the race, which was completed by the leaders in 1 hour, 32 minutes and 58 seconds. After a couple failed breakaways, Frank Travieso (Athens, Ga.) of EDA Evolution Cycling Team and Kyle Swanson (Fort Worth, Texas) of Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling led a group of five on a solid attack with 44 laps to go. They were joined by Sean Burger (Philadelphia) of CS Velo Racing presented by Cannondale, Tanner Ward (Little Rock, Ark.) of DNA Racing, and Kyle Perry (Indianapolis) of Texas Roadhouse Cycling Team. In the next eight to 10 laps, Akil Campbell (Trinidad and Tobago) of the NNGCA Elite Team presented by Tyler Perry Studios and Young had joined the group, bringing the gap with solo breakaways. A couple more Elevate-KHS teammates, plus Daniel Holloway (Boulder, Colo.) of Texas Roadhouse, made it an 11-man lead group. With 30 laps to go, they had more than 30 seconds over all chasers. Riders from the Toronto Hustle team made big efforts to bring the gap with 13 laps to go. It looked like the 11 leaders would begin to lose interest. With eight laps to go, riders from Elevate-KHS began to take charge again, with Young tapping out the tempo at the front. Summerhill crashed out in a turn and a few other in the lead group began to fade. It was a drag race in the final lap, with Young and his 21-year-old teammate Alfredo Rodriguez (Mexico) going one-two at the line. Travieso would finish a bike length back for third, edging Thomas Gibbons (Miami Beach, Fla.) of New Jersey Bicycling Association in fourth and George Simpson (Ft. Collins, Colo.) of Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling in fifth.
Chatt Hills Farm Bike Press Release Georgia Farmers Market Association (GFMA), and Civil Bikes are excited to announce the Chattahoochee Hills Farmers Market and Farm Bike Tour which will be held Saturday, May 11th at Chattahoochee Hills Charter School. Taproot drives food-oriented economic development at the nexus of food, health, equity and community. Taproot brings experience, integrity, and results-oriented initiative to building healthy local economies and thriving communities. GFMA continues to work towards providing fresh food to food insecure communities with the launch of their Just Food Markets. These pop-up markets will be hosted in a different Metro Atlanta location every other week and will give communities an opportunity to test the Just Food Market experience. In partnership with Chattahoochee Hills Charter School, the first pop up market of the 2019 season will be held at the school from 9am – 12pm.
Civil Bikes creates authentic tours that express history and place of a community. Civil Bikes will host the Farm Bike Tour which will begin at Chattahoochee Hills Charter School and travel a circuit of approximately 11.5 miles. The route will include stops at Wilkerson Mill Plant Nursery, Worth It Farms, and Hard Way Farm. At each stop, the host will give a brief discussion about its history and information about their current operations. Civil Bikes will also host a kid’s bike rodeo that will begin at 9:30 am for children ages 6-14 years old. Children are required to bring a bicycle and the rodeo will equip participants with basic bicycle safety skills. After the rodeo, children will be able to participate in 6-8 stations of skill building and join the bike parade on a trail that circles the school’s campus. This is a free event, but tickets are required for the ride.
4-19-2019 GA 400 Century Press Release The GA 400 Century is June 30, 2019 at 7 am. All New Routes! Come experience the thrill of riding on GA400. 9, 26, 44, 60 and 100 mile options. 44 Milers only climb middle and little sister this year. Register at http://www.ga400century.com Start/Finish point is located in Sky Zone parking lot in the Kings Market Shopping Center 1425 Market Blvd. Roswell, GA 30076 PLEASE DO NOT PARK AT PUBLIX. Additional parking will also be available across the street at Kimberly Clark. Help us raise money for the Emory Heart and Vascular Center.
11 Days to TT1 Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo! Press Release Time is running out. Sign up today to join us in Helen, GA on April 28 for a great event at the Team Type 1Tour of Georgia Gran Fondo! Experience all that White County, Georgia has to offer, including the stunning scenery in Unicoi State Park. – Four scenic and challenging routes (Scroll down for maps)- Incredible food from North Georgia Barbecue and cold beer at the finish line!- Valuable raffle prizes from our sponsors- 10,000 feet of climbing in the 103-mile HC route- Fully stocked aid stations to keep you going!- Timed segment format: Age group and overall competitions based on best combined time through timed sections.
Four Routes – Something for Everyone! We believe everyone should enjoy a day on the bike, so we have routes to suit all tastes. If you want a short ride, try the 25-mile Piccolo route. If you’re looking for metric century (plus a couple bonus miles), try the 64-mile Medio route. The Gran route is a challenging 86 miles with nearly 8500 feet of climbing, and the HC (Hors Categorie) route adds a prologue lap around Helen to bump the distance up to 103 miles with 9800 feet of climbing.
2019 ACF Ride Calendar The Atlanta Cycling Festival Ride Calendar is live! We’ve already got 25+ amazing biking events from Saturday, May 11 – Friday, May 17, but we’re not done yet! The 2019 ACF Closing Bash! Bigger than ever, we will have Eventide, a Bike Park, amazing vendors, and a live concert. Whatever your bike, whatever your ability, come discover your bike story with us! See you in May!
ATL Airport District Gears Up for 2019 “Spin the District” Press Release ATL Airport District Convention & Visitors Bureau is thrilled to welcome cycling enthusiasts and spectators alike to Spin the District, the area’s second annual, multi-faceted experience that transforms the city streets into a premier cycling destination. In addition to the fast-paced cycling action, event-goers can expect live music, food trucks and more. The high-energy series will kick off with the Hapeville Criterium on Saturday, May 4, followed by a criterium in College Park on Sunday, May 5. The events will then return this fall with the East Point Velodrome Race on Friday, September 20, followed by the highly-anticipated Gran Fondo in Union City on Sunday, September 22.
Hapeville Criterium | Saturday, May 4
Spin the District will kick off during USA Crits Speed Week with the Hapeville Criterium from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The 1.4-kilometer route offers a fast-paced, seven-corner cycling adventure for all participants, including a kid-friendly race in the afternoon and opportunities for professional cyclists to compete. In addition to the criterium, attendees can enjoy Hapeville’s favorite one-day street party, La Fiesta del Cinco, taking place nearby at Jess Lucas Park. With live music courtesy of Mariachi Amigoz de Taylor Fuentes and Conjunto Alazzan, delicious food and drinks provided by Sombreros Mexican Cantina, Don Chon’s and Catalina, with a mechanical bull in the center of it all. This is a Cinco on the Cuatro you won’t want to miss. The event is free for all spectators. Rider registration and details can be found here.
College Park Criterium | Sunday, May 5 Spin the District will roll onto the historic streets of downtown College Park on Sunday to close out the first weekend with the College Park Criterium. From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., guests can enjoy family-friendly fun including live music, mountain bike trial demonstrations and stunt performances featuring mind blowing jumps and tricks. VIP members will enjoy the Bayou Block Party beginning at 1 p.m. The Cajun celebration will feature crawfish, tacos, sangria and beer courtesy of Arches Brewing. Rider registration can be found here. VIP tickets for the Bayou Block Party are $35 and can be purchased here.
East Point Velodrome Race | Friday, September 20 The cycling fun doesn’t stop this spring! Spin the District will gear back up in September at the Dick Lane Velodrome – Georgia’s only concrete cycling track. Attendees are invited to gather and cheer on cyclists as they conquer the high-speed, no-brakes East Point Velodrome Race. Beyond the race, guests can enjoy snacks, local craft beer and wine and live entertainment. More details and registration information will be announced on the Spin the District website soon.
Union City Gran Fondo | Sunday, September 22 ATL Airport District is saving the best for last! Spin the District will come to a close during Gran Fondo (Italian for “big ride”) in Union City. Cyclists can choose from seven routes, ranging from 11 to 150 miles, across asphalt, gravel and everything in between. The scenic ride will be reminiscent of the Gran Fondo’s Italian roots, celebrating the beginning of autumn with views of Georgia’s rolling hills. Attendees will enjoy the best barbecue in the south, live entertainment and more. Rider registration and details can be found here.
4-18-2019 North Cooper Lake Bike Park The North Cooper Lake Bike Park is a go in Smyrna! The City Council voted to approve the contract with the builder on Monday night. Features of the park will include 3.5 miles of XC trails, slope-style trails, and a bike skills area for kids. I’m so excited!
Paris Roubaix Juniors Michael Garrison (US National Team) was 4th last week in the Paris Roubaix Juniors after an incredible 65 km solo effort. There isn’t much coverage online, but I found this great article about Michael’s ride in French. Run it through Google Translate. You can also follow Michael on Twitter. Chapeau!!
Roswell Mayors Ride and Open Streets Event Press Release Register now and plan to attend this fun-filled local event-The Roswell Mayors Ride– that kicks-off the day of activities in downtown Roswell. We are offering the 18, 42 and 64 mile routes you have come to know and love. We will once again have the friendly and helpful support of local sponsors for our fully stocked rest-stops and we will have rolling SAG support as well. Pre-ride mechanical support will be available as it has been in the past and of course there will be T-Shirts for the first 500 pre-registered riders. The Rider Lunch and “Roswell Moves!” open street event will follow with live music, outdoor activities, kids events, food and fun for everyone! See our web site for more information. Online registration is open through Friday, April 26th at midnight! Avoid waiting in line the morning of the ride by registering now! Bike Roswell members will receive a $10 discount on their early registration! If you are not a current member, consider joining us and support the organization that worked to get Roswell the first Bicycle Friendly Community designation in Georgia!
4-17-2019 Professional Bike Racing Returns to Commerce, GA Press Release Commerce, Georgia – Professional bike racing will return to the streets of Commerce for the 2nd Annual Commerce Criterium on Sunday, April 28th, the Sunday portion of the Athens Twilight weekend celebrating its 40th year. Hundreds of cyclists are expected to compete for the win, with over $10,000 in prizes available. Dubbed the “Nascar of bicycle racing,” criteriums are a unique form of cycling that stresses high-speed races contested on the streets of cities nationwide. Crit racing brings a unique set of skills to the sport, run on short laps that are typically 1-mile long, offering spectators the opportunity to watch Olympians, World and National Champions up close – all for free! Combined with the large appeal of downtown arts, food and local vendors, it is easy to understand why they are quickly becoming time-honored traditions drawing thousands of fans around the country! Sponsored by the City of Commerce, Commerce Main Street, and State Street Bicycles, the festivities kick off at 11:00 AM with our amateur cycling races. Food trucks, beer and wine, local restaurants, vendors and a FREE kids race are part of the family fun on tap for race day. The big show with our professionals begins at 4:10 PM with the women’s race, before the pro men wrap up the day.
Yellow River Work Party From MTB Gwinnett Yellow River Work Party, Sunday, April 28 9 am-1 pm We will be working on either side of the trails deberming and trimming. Bring bug spray and gloves. Lunch will be served and ride afterwards to admire all of the hard work. Please give back to the trails you love!!
4-16-2019 Velocity Velocity Atlanta is coming up in a few weeks! Support Grady Hospital. The AJC had a great article the other day with some cyclists’ stories about their experiences with Grady. “Tom Tomaka, 59, a retired IT professional, has been riding bicycles all his life, but his two-wheeling career almost came to an end on a warm September night in 2016. He was heading north on U.S. 29 from East Point, grouped up with the Metro Atlanta Cycling Club on a 50-mile jaunt they call the “Airport Ride.” “I decided to break away from the group with another friend,” said Tomaka. “We were riding very hard toward Castleberry Hill.” Then something went wrong. Tomaka can’t tell you what. But when he woke up some time later, he learned that he had hit a tree, his helmet was smashed and his neck was broken. “Fortunately, this occurred within 2 miles of the Grady trauma center,” Read the rest of the AJC article.
4-15-2019 Mobile Cycling Classic From the Promoter: The Mobile Cycling Classic May 11-12 will comprised of a criterium in downtown Mobile historic district (May 11) starting from 1pm with Juniors then for all categories to the pro men and women between 5-8pm and a circuit known to local cyclist as the “Pain Train loop” at the USA campus on May 12. Cyclists from all over have registered so far including international riders from Trinidad and Tobago, Colombia, South Africa, Canada, Haiti as well as riders from all over the United States. The event gold sponsor is the Mobile Sports Authority (MSA) and the silver sponsor is City of Mobile in an effort to join the city and cycling communities together. Some other sponsors are Infirmary Health systems and Integrated Pain Management of Alabama which has a “Peak Athletic Recovery Systems” and Hayes Painting Mobile.
4-13-2019 ** Statement ** Sunday Road Races at Alabama Cycling Classic Cancelled Ahead of Predicted Storms Press Release Due to the severe weather forecast for eastern Alabama, all Piedmont Road Race events scheduled for Sunday, April 14, have been cancelled. The decision was made today by Alabama Cycling Classic race organizers, the City of Piedmont Public Safety and Calhoun County Emergency Medical Agency Advisory.
“It is in the best interest of athletes, volunteers and spectators that we make this preemptive decision 24 hours in advance to cancel the road races in Piedmont, Alabama. Safety is our primary concern,” said Alabama Cycling Classic race director Marilyn Hill. “We want people to stay safe and either travel home or stay tucked inside Sunday. Thank you for your understanding and your patience.” Athletes who registered online for the PIedmont Road Race will be eligible for a refund, All inquiries can be sent to info@startsmartcycling.com. Saturday’s Sunny King Criterium, the first day of competitions for the Alabama Cycling Classic, will continue as planned. These races in downtown Anniston are broadcast via a live webcast from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. CT, available at www.annistoncycling.com.
4-11-2019 Chapel Hill Grand Prix RR The UNC Cycle Club is proud to present the second annual Chapel Hill Grand Prix road race on Sunday, April 14, 2019, in conjunction with the Atlantic Collegiate Cycling Conference and USA Cycling. Come join us for a day of collegiate and amateur racing along a paved, 7.4-mile loop in Chatham County, North Carolina with several steep climbs, fast descents, and plenty of opportunities for strategic moves before the climb to the finish line and the chance at a piece of up to $1,700 worth of prize money! The Chapel Hill Grand Prix includes fields for all collegiate categories as well as Pro/1-5, and since the club believes in equal pay(outs) for equal work, the prize money awards for top finishers are the same for both men’s and women’s categories.
4-8-2019 Allatoona Work PartyFrom SORBA West Georgia Allatoona Creek Trail Work Day, Sat., April 20 9 am Join us Saturday April 20th for the first BIG workday of the year. The Great Toona Flood of 2019 is over and we’ve got a lot to do to get ready for the season. We’ll need all hands on deck because we’ll have to have 2 groups for this one:
Group #1 : Calling all you Ol’ School HARD CORE Toona riders! I’m talking about everybody that likes to complain that the trails are too watered down. Time to put your money where your mouth is and help us finish the last section of Hocus Pocus. There’s almost a mile left to be built and it will probably take a good part of the day to do it. So come on, give up one Saturday and make Toona great again. Group #2 : For those of you who want to help but might not be up for an ALL day event, we’ve got a lot to cleanup after the floods out on Driftwood. There will be a contest to see who can pickup the most trash. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3. Bring your friends, family and a good attitude. We’ll provide tools, lunch and good KARMA.
4-5-2019 Joe Davis Crit Series From the Promoter: The Joe Davis Crit series kicks off on June 18th in Huntsville, AL. This 4 race series will take place on Tuesday nights and is geared as a developmental crit series that is great for beginners but challenging enough for the seasoned racers. Dates are June 18th, July 2nd, July 16th, July 30th. Low entry fee and great racing.
AL Wheelman Crit From the Promoter: On June 23rd the Alabama Wheelmen Downtown Classic Crit will once again be in beautiful downtown Huntsville, AL. This crit race will not only be a TBRA series race, but it will also be the Al State Championship Race where residents of Alabama can win the title of State Champion! We have a full schedule of events for this years event that should suit every racer from the beginner to the seasoned pro. We are also excited to add the Masters Women category to this event this year as it is a new category for TBRA. Registration is now open on USAC and will continue through June 22nd at noon! We have arranged a special rate at Homewood Suites Downtown Huntsville, this hotel is within walking distance of the course and puts you right in the heart of town with plenty of eating options around you! We look forward to seeing you at the races.
Yellow River Work Party From MTB Gwinnett Yellow River Work Party Sunday, April 28 9 am-1 pm. We will be working on either side of the trails deberming and trimming. Bring bug spray and gloves.
4-4-2019 Dirty Spokes 6/3 Hour Mountain Bike Race Press Release The 2019 Dirty Spokes 6/3 Hour Mountain Bike Race will Start / Finish at the Nature Center Pavillion at Ft. Yargo State Park in Winder, GA. (the park has finished construction and we are moving it back across from the Old Tennis Courts at the Main Mountain Bike Parking Lot). We will be giving away thousands of Dollars in Product for the Dirty Spokes Fort Yargo Mountain Bike Race Presented by Roswell Bicycles and Scott! Roswell Bicycles, Scott, have come up HUGE and will be providing all 1st, and 2nd Place 6 Hour Finishers with some SWEET Product… MAXXIS, Tifosi Optics and ESI Grips have also brought their “A Game” and will be covering 3rd Place 6 Hour Finishers with some SWEET Product! The Fort Yargo State Park Trail System is Primed and Ready to Roll (we’ve got it dialed in right at 9.75 miles per loop)! Huge Props to the Yargo Trail Crew for the time and energy they have invested into making the Yargo Trail System one of the Best in the Southeastern US (Yep… A Portion of your Race Proceeds will be Donated back to the YTC)! The Dirty Spokes 6/3 Hour Mountain Bike Race, Fort Yargo State Park, May 11th, 2019 is Race Number 3 of the Chainbuster Mountain Bike Race Series!
4-2-2019 Big Creek Work Party From RAMBO: Lots of hands needed Saturday 4/13 and Sunday 4/14 at 9:30 am to help prepare the trails for the Quick Six Enduro. Come join us for a Big Creek Enduro Work Party! Saturday meet in the lower parking lot. Sunday meet in the Freeride area. Please wear closed-toe shoes. Long sleeves and long pants are helpful. Lunch will be served by RAMBO.
Sope Creek Work Party From MTB Atlanta Sope Creek Work Party Sat., April 20, 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.
Cochran Mill Work Party From MTB Atlanta Cochran Mill Work Party Sat., April 13, 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!
3-30-2019 Lesson of the Day Remember to stop at the stop signs in Stone Mountain Village and the Park. The Pizza Ride got pulled over this week and received a gentle reminder to do so.
3-29-2019 Farm to Fork Fondo – Asheville Press Release For the first time Wrenegade Sports will be producing the Farm to Fork Fondo – Asheville at Hickory Nut Gap Farm on June 30th. The mission of Wrenegade Sports is to bring together the cycling community and the farming community to help support local farming communities in a healthy and active setting. Cyclists ride from farm to farm sampling locally sourced treats featuring ingredients from the farm. We offer four distance options(90, 60, 30 and 10 miles) at all of our events and we are open to all skill levels.
3-20-2019 Velocity Ride Grady Health Foundation’s second annual VeloCity cycling fundraiser will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2019. The ride begins at Mercedes-Benz stadium and ends at The Home Depot Backyard in downtown Atlanta. VeloCity supports the overall mission of the Grady Health System. VeloCity Atlanta features four well-marked cycling routes (100-mile, 62-mile, 25-mile, and 6-mile rides) with safety marshals, safety vehicles, and fully stocked rest stops. Bike riders of all ages and abilities who register for this ride (not race) are invited to stay for the VeloCity Finish Line Festival which includes a shower trailer, massage tent, live music, food, drinks, a mountain pump track, and more. Registration starts at $25 depending on the course. Participants can organize teams or raise funds in a variety of ways. All operational costs are underwritten by sponsors so that 100% of donations are used to save lives at Grady Hospital. Participants who cannot join the event on May 4th have an option to register as a Virtual Rider. Who: Grady Health Foundation What: Velocity Atlanta 2019 When: 6 a.m., Saturday, May 4, 2019 Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium and The Home Depot Backyard, downtown, Atlanta, GA More Information visit www.velocityatlanta.com; www.facebook.com/VeloCityAtlanta (Trish’s Note: Fundraising after you pay the registration fee is optional. Add funds raised will go to Grady! I did the ride last year and had fun. I recommend stopping at the rest stop at Woodward Academy for some ice cold Coke and King of Pops!)
