Merry Christmas! May you have a great holiday season!
12-22-2017 WBL Postponed until Sunday WBL #4 will be on SUNDAY because of Saturday’s forecast.
Smyrna Bicycles is Moving From Smyrna Bicycles: Smyrna Bicycles is excited to announce that we are moving! Before you say “WTH…no way!”, please know that we are going to be only 1.5 miles from our present location. Our new address is 3988 ATLANTA ROAD. (Between Paces Ferry and Cumberland Blvd) We have had 10+ great years where we are, but the opportunity to upgrade our facilities, be in a more convenient location for most of our customers, and move closer to Smyrna/Vinings was too good to pass up. What does this mean for you? Nothing but good things!
We will be open at our present location until Dec.27th, and re-open at our new location on Dec 30th. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call or stop by. We look forward to seeing all of our valued customers/ friends at the new shop!
Chainbuster Racing News Press Release: It is with mixed emotions that we announce a change in leadership/ownership of Chain Buster Racing effective on January 1, 2018. Over the past few years, I’ve enjoyed getting to know many of you at our events throughout the southeast. As often happens in life, changes take us in different directions. My family and I have made the decision to move to Idaho, where I have taken on the role of League Director for the Idaho NICA league. While this is an exciting new chapter in our lives, we are going to miss our extended Chain Buster family.
Thankfully we have found a great team to pass the Chain Buster torch to. I am excited to introduce you to the Chandler and Rothermel families. They are passionate mountain biking families and very active in the Georgia NICA league with their kids. They have raced with Chain Buster over the years and bring a very high level of enthusiasm, professionalism and new ideas to the table. Under their leadership, I expect the races and events will only get better. I will be involved extensively with the transition throughout the spring racing season, and I hope to see you at our events to personally say thank you for your support over the past few years.
Please feel free to reach out to the new CBR team with any questions or comments: Jason Chandler – Scott Rothermel – Dawn Chandler – Leila Rothermel
chain.buster.racing.2018@gmail.com, 706-309-0104
12-21-2017 Hincapie Spring Series The dates have been announced for the for the 2018 Hincapie Spring Series! Registration will open in late January.
Sat., Feb. 17 Road Race (Donaldson)
Sun., Feb. 18 Criterium (Conestee Park)
Sat., Feb. 24 Road Race (Fork Shoals)
Sun., Feb. 25 Road Race (Donaldson)
Sat., Mar. 10 Road Race (Donaldson)
Sun., Mar. 11 Criterium (Downtown Hendersonville)
WBL #4 WBL # 4: Cruise to Colbert, When: December 23, Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens), Time: 10 AM (window open),
Length: 63 miles / 3 hours, Points: 3 pts (1 per hour), Interactive map
12-20-2017 South Rockdale Work Party From SORBA Atlanta South Rockdale Park- First Work Party, New Trails! Saturday, Dec. 30 9 am-Noon, Join us for our first ever work party at our new trail project at South Rockdale Community Park. We will be clearing the corridor for a new Beginner Trail, a portion of Phase One of the project. Meet at the main parking lot at 3909 East Fairview Road, Stockbridge, GA 30281 at 9. Wear weather appropriate clothes, long pants, closed toed shoes sturdy enough for hiking, bring gloves, water, snacks. We will be cutting back brush and removing deadfall to get ready for construction. We will see you there!
Sustainable Trails Workshop- Sykes Park Monthly Workday From SORBA Atlanta: Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 9 am-Noo We will be hosting a Sustainable Trails Workshop to cover the basics of trail design, construction and maintenance. This workshop will be taught by Walt Bready and will run about two hours. After the clinic, we will use our new skills and work on the trails at Sykes Park! SORBA Atlanta and the City of East Point have partnered to develop what we hope will eventually become a series of connecting trails throughout the ATL Airport District by starting with beautiful Skyes Park in East Point. SORBA Atlanta is proud and excited to partner with the City of East Point to bring these trails to you next spring with the help of volunteers like you.
12-19-2017 Smyrna Bike Park Public Meeting From the City of Smyrna: The City of Smyrna Parks and Recreation Department is holding another public input meeting on the proposal for a mountain bike park at North Cooper Lake Park. We will present the conceptual plan and some of the City’s hopes for the park’s future. The design company Progressive Bike Ramps utilized community input from the previous meeting to create a conceptual plan and the city will be submitting its grant pre-application to the Department of Natural Resources by the start of January. The plan is thorough but remains conceptual so we would like to use this opportunity to receive further feedback from the community. The meeting will be held in the Dogwood Room again in the Smyrna Community Center on Thursday, January 25th at 6PM.
Silver Comet Update From what I have heard the Silver Comet is clear enough to ride until after the RAMBO trailhead. Small debris remains, but there are not trees. It is not passable west of RAMBO.
12-15-2017 Silver Comet Update From PATH The Silver Comet Trail through Paulding County is impassable due to trees down and damage to the trail. Work is underway to repair. Until further notice, the trail is not usable west of Hiram.
I can confirm that Cobb is passable from my own experience and a couple of friends. The trail is mostly free of debris thanks to Cobb Parks & Rec’s work today (see photo). Be careful on the bridges as there is still some ice. You may need to walk them.
Cobb County clearing the Silver Comet on Thursday. Photo courtesy of Angela Barros (Sorella Cycling).
USA Cycling National Team USA Cycling announced the launch of the USA Cycling National Team at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Fifty-one athletes across BMX, cyclocross, mountain bike, road, and track cycling were initially named to the 2018 USA Cycling National Team and identified as the top performing athletes in each discipline based on objective performance-based criteria. “USA Cycling has always developed America’s best cyclists and aided them in international success, but we have not had a formal National Team in nearly two decades,” stated CEO Derek Bouchard-Hall. “We are introducing the USA Cycling National Team now to help our Olympic and World Championship contenders achieve their absolute best, clarify for all elite athletes how to attain USA Cycling’s top level of support, and create a clear path and goals for developing athletes that aspire to Olympic and international success.”
Congratulations to our Southeastern riders who made the road team! There must be something in the water in Decatur….
Ian Garrison, Decatur GA
Joey Rosskopf, Decatur GA Elite National Champion 2017
Track-Endurance
Adrian Hegyvary Asheville NC
12-12-2017 Mt. Tabor Workday From SORBA West Georgia Mt. Tabor Workday, Sat. Dec. 16 at 8 am. Help us get the trail cleared! If you have a hand saw or chainsaw, please bring them. SORBA will provide loppers. Most of the stuff I’ve seen is small and can be moved by hand. The trail is saturated with a mix of water, snow and ice so I haven’t ventured out to Booger. We’ll split up police the entire trail.
Please wear full length pants, closed toe shoes and gloves. Please bring safety glasses if using a saw.
December Blankets Creek Trail Party From SORBA Woodstock Our December trail party will be this Saturday at Blankets Creek 9 am-Noon. The Dwelling updates are progressing nicely and we need to install sign post and temporary signs as well as a few other maintenance items. This trail party will end earlier than usual so we can attend the Christmas Party. Bring gloves, water and your hiking boots. We will supply all the tools. Since we are hosting a Christmas Party at 1:00, we will not be having lunch after the trail work. See you Saturday.
12-10-2017 Atlanta Area Trails Many Atlanta area mountain bike trails received SEVERE damage during the storm. For example, SORBA West Georgia reports hundreds of trees down at Allatoona Creek as does SORBA Woodstock for both Rope Mill and Blanket’s Creek. Needless to say, most metro trails are CLOSED. Please check with the local SORBA Chapter’s Facebook page and website before riding. It may take several weeks to clean up. I’ve seen notices of informal trail cleans ups–see the SORBA Chapters Facebook pages for the latest. There are reports of some trail damage in Alabama as well. I’ve heard the Silver Comet is a mess as well with trees down, ice, snow, and black ice.
*Work Parties Cancelled* Please check with your local bike club/chapter as many work parties for this weekend have been cancelled. The Dick Lane Velodrome Workday #2 has been cancelled. The GoNuts race at Heritage Park tomorrow has been rescheduled to next Saturday.
WBL Sunday It’s a bit late to tell you, but the WBL will be Sunday at 11:00 am.
12-8-2017 WBL NEWS FLASH! The WBL on Saturday is a GO, but the start time has been pushed back to 11 am. No one likes temperatures below 25 degrees and black ice….
*CANCELLED* Cochran Mill Work Party From SORBA Atlanta Cochran Mill Work Party Saturday, Dec. 9 9 am-Noon, Join us for monthly work party at Cochran Mill Park and give back to the trails you love to ride. We meet at the main parking lot at 9. Wear long pants, closed toed shoes, bring gloves, water, snacks and you epi pen if you are allergic to bees. We will see you there!
Allatoona Work Party From SORBA West Georgia Allatoona Work Party, Saturday, Dec. 16 9 am-12:30 pm The trails need your help! Join us for 4 hours of trail building fun! Its a GREAT way to give back to the trails you ride/run/hike and meet new friends. All tools and lunch provided. Just wear long pants, closed toed shoes and bug spray. Bring a freind too!
12-7-2017 Calendar Updates I am updating race calendars as I get information. I currently have NOTHING for 2018 road races save for a few individual dates. I typically don’t get anything until after the first of the year. I have quite a few mountain bike/gravel/enduro races & series updated. The CX season is still going in a few places and that page won’t be updated til Spring/Summer 2018. PROMOTERS: Send me your 2018 Race dates! Please!
WBL #2 From the WBL: AT THIS TIME ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO FOR WBL # 2 THIS SATURDAY (12-9-17) GALLOP TO GOOD HOPE: DRY YOUR TEARS! WBL # 2: The Johnny Mercury Series Gallop to Good Hope, When: Saturday, December 9, Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens), Time: 10 AM (window open), Length: 80 miles / 4 hours, Points: 4 pts (1 per hour), Interactive map
Atlanta Streets Alive Atlanta Streets Alive is back for 2018! There will be a new route on Decatur St. and Dekalb Ave. on April 6. The Westside Route on Howell Mill & Marietta returns on June 10th. Peachtree Street will be open to all non-motorized transportation on September 30. If you have never been to a Streets Alive, I highly encourage you to go! I try to attend one a year and ride my bike at least part of the way down to it. They are so much fun, and it’s a great chance to see friends and meet new ones.
12-6-2017 Roswell Named Bicycle Friendly Community From the Patch “From The City of Roswell: The City of Roswell has once again been recognized by the League of American Bicyclists with a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. With the announcement, the City of Roswell maintains its place as a leader in bicycle-oriented activities and infrastructure.” Continue reading.
12-5-2017 Across the Beeriers Photos My photos from Across the Beeriers Day 1 at the Southern Brewing Company are up at http://sadlebred.smugmug.com.
Global Cycling Network The Global Cycling Network picked up a video from the Georgia Cross Series finale at Terrapin on Sunday. Kevin Grimes (Peachtree Bikes) was celebrating his 10th place in the Cat. 5 race as “Superman.” See the video here.
Chris Bulloch (Bike Law Cycling Club) started enjoying his off season a little early.
DLV Workday #2 *CANCELLED* From the Dick Lane Velodrome: Velodrome Work Day #2, clock Saturday, December 9, 9 am- 3 pm. These items need to be done: Finish Board repair, Leaf bagging, Finish Pressure washing turn 4, Pressure spray wood crossing turn one, Oil change on pressure sprayer, Finish fixing gutters add Gutter Guards, Ant control/killer, Continue Bike repairs, Spray for bugs, Fence repair turn one/two, Tree trimming – does anyone have a pole chainsaw?,
Repair apron, Pizza eating
Sara Babb Work Party *CANCELLED* From SORBA West Georgia Sara Babb Trails Work Party, Saturday, December 9 8 am-Noon, Sara Babb Park 216 Recreation Dr, Dallas, Georgia 30132 Meet in the gravel trailhead lot at the park. Priorities for the day will be: Bench cut the east creek crossing on the Ray Mtn Loop, Rock armor the west creek crossing on the Ray Mtn Loop, Improve the bench cut in a couple spots on the connector. Bring gloves and wear closed toe shoes, long pants. Tools and drinks will be provided.
The Top 3 Teams for the 2017 Georgia Cyclocross Series. 1st: L5Flyer, 2nd: Litespeed-BMW, 3rd: Peachtree Bikes
12-2-2017 Athens Women Sentenced to 31 Years Report from WSB-TV: “ATHENS, Ga. (AP) – A Clarke County Superior Court judge has sentenced a Georgia woman, who while driving drunk last year killed a University of Georgia student, to a 31-year sentence. The Athens Banner-Herald reports Judge Eric Norris on Wednesday ordered 32-year-old Whitney Baker Howard to serve the first 25 years of her sentence in prison and the balance on probation.
Athens-Clarke County police said Howard swerved across the center line Sept. 12, 2016, and plowed into a group of cyclists, killing 25-year-old UGA graduate student Ashley Block. Another cyclist, Mitchell Enfinger, was seriously injured. Prior to that collision, Howard had been twice charged with driving under the influence of drugs following collisions with cars. Athens attorney and cycling safety advocate David Crowe says the sentence is fair and justified by Howard’s actions.”
12-1-2017 Parking Fee at Chicopee Looks like I won’t be going to Chicopee anytime soon. Fees, fees, fees are one reason I don’t ride at several trails anymore. I wonder how many people will not ride Chicopee now? I am thankful that Blanket’s Creek, Rope Mill, Allatoona, Harbins, Tribble Mill, and many more trails are free from fees. I happily put a few dollars into the donation box for the local SORBA chapters at these trails since the monies go directly to supporting the trails. From a Facebook post: Beginning in January 2018, there will be a parking fee charged for vehicles entering Chicopee Woods Area Park. The charges will be $5 daily or $50 annual. You may earn a free annual parking pass after 16 hours volunteering with us at Chicopee workparties, etc. Details for this fee may be found at http://sorba.org/node/606. Please note that NE GA SORBA will not receive any of this fee. You have been generous in the past and we appreciate it. Please continue to donate to us at the trailhead donation box. Your donations fund trail construction, trail maintenance and other activities for use exclusively at Chicopee Woods MTB Trails by NE GA SORBA.
Free Flight Lights Ride From Free Elite: Free Flite Light the Night Ride to Marietta Square Sunday, December 10 at 6:30 pm. We will be riding from our Canton Rd. location up to the Square of Marietta and back to the store with bikes decorated in Christmas lights and such. We are again partnering with Must ministries to get food donations. Please bring food donations to the start of the ride or drop them off at the Stores anytime between now and Christmas. We will begin rolling at 6:30pm. Please feel free to contact travis@freeflite.com if you have any questions. Also please share this with your friends and family who may be interested.
2018 Skyway Epic Mountain Bike Race Southern Fried Rides and COGS are proud to announce the 7th annual Skyway Epic mountain bike race held at the Lake Howard (Sylaward) trail system in Sylacauga, Alabama on April 7th, 2018. The Skyway Epic is a “back-country endurance” style event that will send riders from the Sylaward trail system all the way to Piedmont, Alabama via forest service roads and the infamous “Skyway Motorway”. The riders reaching Piedmont will be competing in the 200+ mile category that spans 2-3 days and requires riders to be self-sufficient with nutrition and mechanical supplies. The 200+ mile category was new in 2017 and is currently the toughest bicycle race to ever grace the great state of Alabama. With a mix of singletrack trail, smooth forest service roads, rough “jeep” roads, asphalt pavement and over 20,000 feet of climbing this will be a race of will, determination and attrition. There are 2 other categories for participants to challenge themselves – 60 miles and 100 miles which will be covered in 1 day. The 60 and 100 mile options are “supported”, meaning that the racers will be supplied with up to 5 aid stations which are stocked with food, water and supplies to use while racing. The Talladega National Forest is one of the most beautiful, scenic, diverse and underrated outdoor destinations in the south and this race uncovers its beauty to participants from around the country. Most competitors do not expect the elevation profile that the Skyway has to offer and many comment on being in awe of the majestic views offed on top of the Skyway. The race starts and finishes at the Lake Howard trailhead in Sylacauga. For more information and for sponsorship inquiries visit www.southernfriedrides.com .
11-29-2017 NC Grand Prix Returns December 9-10 From the Hendersonville Lightning: The North Carolina Cyclo-Cross Series, which returns to Jackson Park Dec. 9-10, is expected to draw professional cyclo-cross racers from around the country in pursuit of UCI ranking points. Among the star riders are North Carolina’s Kerry Werner, ranked third in the USA Cycling Pro CX standings, and Brevard-based Tristian Cowie. Both took wins at the 2016 North Carolina Grand Prix. Hundreds of amateur cyclists will round out the Grand Prix, competing for medals and award money.” Continue reading…
Dwelling Trail News From SORBA Woodstock: The time has finally come! Please welcome Ed Sutton and his company Trail Dynamics to complete the long awaited Dwelling Redo Project. Machine work starts tomorrow! The entire project should last 4-6 weeks. Please be on the lookout for “workers ahead” signs. Dwelling could be subject to closures while completing some of the 13 maintenance sections of the trail. We will do our best to alert you accordingly. If you see then out please tell them thanks!
Ride and Fly Trails Work Party From SORBA Atlanta Ride & Fly Trails – Monthly Workday, Saturday, Dec. 2 9 am-Noon SORBA Atlanta and the City of East Point have partnered to develop what we hope will eventually become a series of connecting trails throughout the ATL Airport District by starting with beautiful Skyes Park in East Point. SORBA Atlanta is proud and excited to partner with the City of East Point to bring these trails to you next spring with the help of volunteers like you. SORBA will be providing some coffee and morning snacks (Donuts, bagels, biscuits or similar) 1. Long Sleeve Shirt, Pants, a Hat or Headcover (Don’t come in shorts please.) 2. Work boots or shoes you don’t mind getting dirty 3. Gloves (we will have some to borrow, but yours are better) 4. At least one water bottle, filled with water of course =) 5. Your friends and family. There will be something to do for everyone, as we have a LOT to get done. On the agenda: 1. Continued Trash pickup 2. Continued Privet and English Ivy Removal 3. New Trail Building 4. Cleanup and modification of existing walking trails.
11-27-2017 Atlanta Cycling Lights Ride Mark your calendars for one of the most fun rides of the holiday season! Join Atlanta Cycling-Vinings for the annual 12 mile / 12 mph, stay together, ride to see the Christmas lights by bike. Please mount front and rear lights to be seen. Street lights provide enough light to see. Purely Optional – bring an unwrapped toy of any value to be given to a local children’s home. Riders and non-riders plan to meet after the ride at NY Pizza Exchange in downtown Vinings at the railroad tracks – just before 8:00 PM. Trish’s Note: The ride starts promptly at 6:30.
WBL 2017-2018 Hub Bikes WBL Home Opener Mayhem in Maysville When: Saturday, December 2, Where: The Hub / Independent Baking Company (5 Points / Athens), Time: 10 AM (window open), Length: 80 miles / 4 hours, Points: 4 pts (1 per hour), Interactive map, Store Stop: Maysville (Mile 38) The WBL Home Opener is this Saturday! Racers come in! Great winter training!
11-26-2017 All is Quiet I hope everyone got to eat some turkey/tofurkey and pie as well as got some riding in to work it off! It’s that time of year when all is quiet. I’m still here. Contact me if you have any ride, team, race, etc. press releases that you would like to have me post on Southeastern Cycling!
