9-2-2014 Atlanta Cycling Labor Day Ride Several hundred riders turned out to support the Campbellton United Methodist Church at the Atlanta Cycling Labor Day ride. Riders enjoyed an old fashioned picnic after the ride. I can attest to the amazing home baked desserts! Monies donated will be used for various church projects.
Riders prepare to start the Atlanta Cycling Labor Day Ride
8-29-2014 From Swagger: Latest DLV News From the DLV:
MACC One Love Century Saturday August 30th, 2014 This Saturday of Labor Day weekend has been an important time for us the last few years. Our colleagues at the Metro Atlanta Cycling Club have chosen us as a recipient of the funds garnered from their One Love Century bicycle ride in the past, and in 2014. We encourage you to get out and do the One Love yourself – both creating a fun experience and helping out the East Atlanta Kids Club project. The OLC traverses the roads of what local cyclists call “Silk Sheets” – the rolling roads, horse farms, and rural landscape of South Fulton county. You can expect great rest stops, with tasty snack foods like sliced tomatoes, PBJ sandwiches, cookies, fresh fruit, and cold drinks MACC has also partnered with REI to make sure we have mechanical assistance at the start and at the rest stops. And at the finish you will be greeted with Jamaican patties, watermelon, and more cold drinks. All of this with 600 of your best friends. Options of anywhere from 16 – 100 miles. We hope you can be there. Visit www.maccattack.com and click on the One Love link for details.
Saucebox Velodrome Cup Saturday September 6th, 2014 Back for round 2 in 2014, the Velodrome Cup will be closely related to the the “International Omnium” event held at the 2012 Olympic Games. The most consistent riders throughout the days racing will be rewarded with the overall victory. It’s a speed the whole family will enjoy, eat from our great concession stand and enjoy the home of track cycling in Atlanta. The only time where cycling with NO BRAKES is considered fun! Racing starts at 3pm for racers, Main Events kick off from 6pm for spectators. $5 Spectator Entry $10 for Families
Friday September 5th, 7pm – Loose Nuts Cycles Need for speed Sprints, Free for spectators
Swap til You Drop and Super Fun Day Saturday October 25th, 2014 We’re bringing swapping back to the Dick Lane Velodrome!! It’s been a number of years since we’ve swapped it up at the velodrome, but coming up soon we’ll be bringing it back for Swap Till You Drop!! Swapping will be the main theme of the day, but we’ll also be having some super fun events to help keep folks entertained.
Celebrate Anderson! Omnium Celebratee Anderson! Omnium August 30-31 It’s back, folks! The Tour de La Cure/Tour de La France & Labor Day Omnium returns this weekend, and we are gearing up for it! The event will be held over a 2-day period–Saturday, August 30 & Sunday, August 31. Saturday, August 30 is the 1st Annual Tour de La Cure 7-mile & 6th Annual Tour de La France Family Fun Rides (29 & 66-mile rides). The start is at the Anderson County Civic Center (3027 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Anderson, SC 29625).
The criterium course on Saturday is 1.1-km and six turns around the Anderson County Civic Center and Amphitheater with a slight uphill after turn 1. Sunday’s course is a 2.81-mile rolling clockwise circuit around the Civic Center and Amphitheater fairgrounds. Races begin at 9:00am on both days and will include rider hospitality for all Celebrate Anderson! participants. Sunday after the races, there will be an outdoor family-friendly concert at the amphitheater featuring National Award Winning TL Hanna Jazz Band, Miss Bonita Young, Adkins & Loudermilk and Darryl Worley, culminating with a fireworks extravaganza! Bring your chairs, blankets, food and beverages and enjoy the special evening!
8-28-2014 Atlanta Cycling Ride Times All Atlanta Cycling weekday rides move to 6:15 in Sept. and 6:00 in October. The Saturday Six Flags ride will move to 10:00 am in October. The Winter Rides begin the first week of Nov. on Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30.
Eastside Ride Time Changes Alas, the time of DST draws nigh. From Mark Linenberg: Daylight Saving Time (DST) will end Sunday November 2. DST will return again in the Spring on Sunday March 8.
Week of 9/1 Start times for Northlake (Tuesday) and Pizza (Thursday) will be 6:15 PM. The Northlake ride will be normal summer- 2 loops- Belgium Finish. The Pizza loop will be will be normal summer- 2 loops.
Week of 09/15 Start times for Northlake (Tuesday) and Pizza (Thursday) will move to 6:00 PM. The Northlake ride- we will do one intermediate loop and one small counterclockwise 4.75 mile loop. The Pizza loop will be two large clockwise 8.75 mile loops.
Week of 10/06 until time change- Start times for Northlake (Tuesday) and Pizza (Thursday) will be 6:00 PM. The Northlake ride- we will do one counterclockwise intermediate loop- Belgium Finish. The Pizza loop will be one large clockwise 8.75 mile loop.
Week of 11/6 through 3/5/15- Every Thursday Winter Pizza Starts- 6:00PM- winter pace to the park, two small counterclockwise loops (approx 9.75 miles) at approximately 22-23.5 mph (winter pace to/from the park- in the park- no attacking, steady paceline, but final sprint allowed.)
Airport Ride– rolls out 10AM Sunday, 11/02 – through the last Sunday in March
“Big” Tucker Ride– rolls out 10AM Saturday, 11/08, until it goes back to 9AM- the first Saturday in April.
“Baby” Tucker Ride– rolls out 9:30AM Saturday, 11/08, until it goes back to 8:30AM the first Saturday in April.
Gold Shield Ride From the promoter: “We are proud to support the Gold Shield Foundation’s Light Up the Night Family Bike Ride on Saturday, September 13. This is a family bicycle ride on a 5 1/2 mile loop, where you’ll be escorted by Atlanta Police and Atlanta Fire and Rescue. 100% of the proceeds go to the Gold Shield Foundation, providing financial assistance to fire fighters and police officers injured in the line of duty.” Trish’s Note: This ride is in Buckhead. You can make donation or register here.
8-27-2014 2014 Paracycling World Championships Check it out if you are near Greenville, SC over Labor Day Weekend! Press Release: Para-cycling is cycling competition for athletes with physical disabilities, governed by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), with competitions every four years at the Paralympic Games, and run in parallel with the Olympic Games. Para-cycling races are currently organized on the road and on the track, and World Championships for both are held annually with the exception of the Paralympic years. The 2014 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships will take place Aug. 28 – Sept. 1. The five-day event will include hundreds of athletes from more than 40 countries, and will feature individual time trial and road race disciplines for men, women and teams. All athletes compete in categorized events using bicycles that are adapted to his/her abilities: traditional or adapted bicycle, tandem, tricycle or handcycle, and in categories related to his/her abilities, such as amputation/limb loss, blindness/visual impairment, spinal cord injury/wheelchair-users and cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke.
The championships will officially begin with an Opening Ceremony and Parade of Nations on Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. on the TD Stage at the Peace Center, followed by a free concert by RetroVertigo. The Handcycling Relay will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the BMW Performance Center Track. The handcycling relay is a team discipline that has become a showcase event for spectators. Next, the competition moves to Millennium Campus as the event weekend kicks off with the Time Trials on Friday, Aug. 29 and Saturday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. In para-cycling time trials, athletes start individually in staggered intervals and race against the clock. The Time Trial course is 8.3 km (5.2 mi). The Road Races will be held on Sunday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 1 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The road race course is 11 km (6.8 mi). In para-cycling road races, athletes have mass starts for each category and distances vary.
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, will live stream more than eight hours of coverage of the road race championships on Sunday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 1. Additional on-demand videos will be available of the handcycle relay and time trial events. All videos will be made available to a global audience. The live webcast will feature renowned cycling announcer Richard Fries, along with guest commentators from the Paralympic cycling community. The free, international live streaming of the road race events will be available at USParalympics.org at the following times: Sunday, Aug. 31, 8-11 a.m. and 2:30-3 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 1, 8-11 a.m. and 1:30-4 p.m. EDT
8-26-2014 SRS Series News Press Release: Greenville, S.C. (August 23, 2014) – Hundreds of amateur and elite cyclists are targeting the Upstate of South Carolina from September 13-14 for the culmination of a five-month, five-state racing competition, the 2014 Southeast Regional Series presented by Stan’s NoTubes (SRS). For a second year, Greenville will host the championships for SRS, with a downtown criterium on Saturday, September 13, and a road race on Sunday, September 14. The Downtown Greenville Criterium Championship on Saturday will be held in the popular West End Historic District. A one-kilometer course will begin and end at Main and River streets, incorporating Wardlaw St, Rhett St. and Camperdown Way for the racing circuit. Crowds will be close to local restaurants and shops, as well as the scenic Falls Park on the Reedy River. The Criterium features 11 categorized races, from two junior events to nine races for Masters and professional men and women riders. Racing begins at 8 a.m. and is expected to finish at 4:45 p.m.
On Sunday the Greenville Road Race Championship will utilize a beautiful 10-mile section of rolling roads near the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Parkway between Travelers Rest and Tigerville. The King of the Mountain (for men) and Queen of the Mountain (for women) climb for awarded points will be on Trammel Road, a commonly known attack zone to local Greenville racers and riders alike. This offers a stair-step section of climbing that will make for some selective racing. The Road Race will begin at 8 a.m. with the longest event of the day, a 74-mile Men’s Pro 1 /2 contest. The final race is expected to conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m., followed by awards at Tigerville Elementary School with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a scenic back drop.
Southeast Racing Series presented by Stan’s NoTubes is the only road racing series for amateur and elite cycling teams which offers points and prize money spanning multiple states in one region. SRS has completed eight of 10 days of racing since it began in May in Albany, Georgia. Each host city held two days of racing for men, women and juniors. Several of the venues this summer had as many as 325 registered riders each day, and this number is expected to double for the championship events in Greenville. “It is great to see amateur teams racing together from so many Southern states. SRS is unique in that the series gets a great mix of riders, men and women, from all levels. We not only pride ourselves in delivering great venues for the competitors, but also provide memorable experiences for the racers, their families and friends, and spectators,” said Cullinane, who also owns Start Smart Cycling which is based in Greenville.
Individuals and teams are encouraged to register early before fields close at midnight on Friday, September 12. Registration information, the complete SRS schedule and event updates are available online at www.srs-racing.com.
8-25-2014 Trish’s Annual Cyclocross Clinic Get Your Cyclocross On!
Join Trish Albert of Sorella Cycling for a cyclocross clinic to learn what CX is and develop race skills!
When: Monday, Sept. 8, 2014
Time: 6:15-7:15-ish PM
Where: Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta, GA 30008. Park in the big field across from the Fairground.
Who: Everyone is welcome!
Cost: Free
What To Bring: Cyclocross bike or mountain bike. If you bring a mountain bike, remove your bottle cages and bar ends. Bring water. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY!
Skills to Be Covered: Cyclocross mounts and dismounts, lifting the bike over barriers, race tips and tricks. We’ll do a practice race on the end on one of Georgia’s classic cyclocross courses.
Want to come? Contact Trish. Details about the clinic are at: http://www.southeasterncycling.com
Notes: Loaner bikes and equipment are not available. There is no childcare available. This clinic is geared towards those that want to learn what cyclocross is about and to learn skills for racing. Riders need to be comfortable on their bikes. All riders must sign a waiver. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY. No helmet, no ride. Trish Albert and Sorella Cycling are not responsible if you get injured. You ride at your own risk and assume all responsibility for yourself and your equipment. *The bathrooms may or may not be open.
Happy Retirement, Jens! One of my favorite riders, Jens Voigt, retired today. It has been an honor to meet him on several occasions!
Trish and Jens at the Free Flite Bicycles Party in Oct. 2013.
Jens having a beer atop Brasstown Bald at the 2004 Tour De Georgia. Photo by Trish Albert.
8-24-2014 Ah, Vacation! Sorry for the somewhat sparse updates the last week. Everyone needs a vacation! Here is what I spent my week doing in the Caribbean–Now it’s time to start training for cyclocross! Promoters, peeps, race directors, and all–send me your press releases!
Trish does go on non-cycling vacations sometimes. This year my vacation was spent on a beach in the Caribbean.
8-21-2014 Swamp Rabbit Inn From our advertiser, the Swamp Rabbit Inn: The Swamp Rabbit Inn is a bike friendly inn in downtown Greenville two blocks from Main Street and two blocks from the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Cyclists will love the central location to race courses, the trail and downtown amenities. The inn has 6 guest rooms and a community kitchen and outdoor gathering spaces. Bike stands come with each room (Trish’s note: How cool is that??) and there is even a bike mechanic on duty. Reservations can be made at www.swamprabbitinn.com Rooms are still available for the SRS #5 September 13-14 in Greenville.
Trans North Georgia Want to track riders doing the Trans North Georgia mountain bike race this weekend? Click here. The TNGA is a race across north Georgia on singletrack, doubletrack, and a little road. The winner is the one that crosses the finish line (the GA/AL state line) first. Will Lisa Randall (Super Sport) dominate again this year as the lone female participant? She holds the women’s course record.
8-19-2014 Asheville Gran Fondo Welcome to the Newest Advertiser! Support this great new event! Friends of the Smokies is proud to introduce the Gran Fondo Asheville, Sunday, September 7th! Part personal challenge, part serious competition, all with a party atmosphere, the Gran Fondo Asheville takes bicycle racing to the next level. Choose from 25-, 60- and 100-mile routes and compete for the best combined time across 4 timed sections. Start and finish your ride in the heart of downtown Asheville and experience one of the most beautiful race courses in the country.
Gran Fondo Asheville benefits Friends of the Smokies, a local nonprofit organization raising money and support for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Please include Gran Fondo Asheville on your website and events calendar and help us spread the word! Teams of 5 or more riders receive a 25% rebate of registration fees, so I hope will come join the fun too.
Ready to ride? Register online www.gfncs.com
8-18-2014 Dingo Productions Race News From Dingo:
AUGUST 23rd!! Just a few days remain to register for the Georgia State Time Trial Championships & GCS Finale. Juniors, Adults & Masters will compete for the Georgia State: Time Trial Titles, Individual Time Trial, Merckx Time Trial, Tandem Time Trial, AND
2 & 4 person Team Time Trial.
Sept 2nd: The 2014 AMP Cycling Series FINALE!! Don’t miss out on the last 2014 AMP Race, of the only USAC sanctioned, closed course, Tuesday Night Crit RACING in Northeast Georgia! The 2014 SIX GAP CRIT will be Sept. 27th. Come blast around Downtown Dahlonega’s, 1k Course, in front of Huge SIX GAP Crowds on the eve of the 26th Annual Six Gap Century Three Gap 50 Ride.
8-15-2014 Alabama UCI Race?? Could a UCI road race be in store for Alabama in 2015? This article hints at it. My guess is that it would be affiliated with the Sunny King Crit in/around Anniston.
Atlanta Velo Magazine Southeastern Cycling has an article in this month’s Atlanta Velo Magazine! Go check it out!
8-14-2014 Loop Da Ville The Hartsville, SC YMCA will be sponsoring their 2nd annual bike ride, the Loop da Ville on Oct. 11 . There are 3 distances to choose from; 15, 30 and 63 miles with a 5 mile family fun ride also. The ride consists of 2 “loops” around Hartsville, taking you out into the country with flat and hilly terrain. There will also be a downtown marketplace that weekend with vendors, games, and crafts for the family. The ride benefits YMCA youth scholarships and Habitat for Humanity.
8-13-2014 Dupree Park Work Party From SORBA Woodstock: Saturday 9:00am – 1:00pm, Dupree Park City of Woodstock, 513 Neese Rd, Woodstock, Georgia 30188 “You haven’t seen an event like this one. We will be putting the finishing touches on the brand new Family MTB Trails at Dupree Park in Woodstock. Bring your rake and your loppers for some light work beautifying these great new beginner trails. Sixes Pit Bike Shop will be in support with music, food, drinks and demo bikes for all ages! And Sorella Cycling will be there holding rides and clinics! And we’ll even have a few giveaways! Come join us for a fun day of volunteering and riding!!”
8-12-2014 2015 GBRA Board Nominations From GBRA: 2015 GBRA Board Nominations are Open! If you would like to join the board for 2015, or would like to submit someone’s nomination for 2015, you can submit your nomination to GRBA on their website. More information is also available here.
8-11-2014 Race to Sunset Photos I went out to the Race to Sunset at Blanket’s Creek on Saturday to hang out with my awesome Sorella Cycling teammates and to play around with my new flash. Photos are on my photography site.
Sorella Cycling’s Sandy Saffold at the Race to Sunset.
Red Clay Ramble From MBC: “Please join the Bicycling Club of Milledgeville and the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Habitat for Humanity for the 2nd Annual Red Clay Ramble. This year’s event will start and finish on the beautiful grounds of Salamander Springs Farm, an organic farm located just outside of Milledgeville on Hitchcock Road.
Red Clay Ramble Recreational Ride The recreational (non-competitive) ride starts at 9:30 AM and will feature 20, 29, 43 and 56 mile options this year with less pavement than last year. The 56 mile option will have 4 rest stops spread throughout the route (the 43 mile option has 3 rest stops and the 20 mile option has 1). Rest stops will provide snacks, water and Gatorade. Our sponsors and volunteers will have SAG vehicles riding the course to assist riders during the event. While any bike is capable of making the ride, cyclocross, gravel grinder, touring or mountain bikes are recommended. There are options of 20, 29, 42,and 56 miles.
Red Clay Ramble Race If you are looking for a more competitive option, we added the Red Clay Ramble Race to the event lineup this year. The race will run the 56 mile route and will start at 9AM with a mass start. Course marshals will be located at each intersection to direct traffic and help ensure rider safety. However, please remember that these are public roads and it is the riders’ responsibility to ensure their safety when riding through intersections. The race will follow the same 56 mile route as the recreational ride”
Atlanta Crits This coming weekend are two of the biggest crits in Atlanta, both ITP! Saturday is the BMW Litespeed Twilight Crit. It is held in the East Atlanta Village. This crit has one of the best party atmosphere’s around besides Athens! There are several good restaurants and bars that you can sit at and watch the action (and eat and drink beverages of your choice at). Sunday is the Grant Park Crit. They offer full women’s categories for 3/4 and 1/2/3! Support a race that loves their ladies! There are also plenty of amateur races and the Elite Men’s crit. Kids can get into the action with the free kid’s race.
8-9-2014 Gran Fondo Supporting Great Smoky Mountains The Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains is hosting a Competitive Gran Fondo on Septmeber 7th, in Asheville, NC. The Fondo has 100, 60 and 30 mile options and the 100 mile option has timed sections that may appeal to the Strava addicts in the region. Additionally, there are cash prizes and jerseys on the line for age groupers completing the 100 miler.
Silver Comet Paving Update From the Cobb DOT: “August 8, 2014 Resurfacing Update: The resurfacing of the Silver Comet Trail has been completed. Striping, shoulder work and cleanup activities will continue through August 15. All sections of the trail are open.”
8-7-2014 Cyclocross Calendars Being sick has allowed me to catch up on the cyclocross calendars this week. Everything is updated!
Labor Day Century From Atlanta Cycling: The Atlanta Cycling Stores-Ansley and Vinings, are proud to sponsor this event. Please join us Labor Day morning for a metric century through the rolling, rural countryside of South Fulton County in support of the church that is so supportive of cycling in the community. Routes of 24, 40, 50 and 62 miles will be painted and supported. An ‘ole fashion summer picnic will greet the riders upon their return. Ride this event to see why these roads are called Silk Sheets.
On-line registration closes at midnight August 30th. Registration is $27. Day of registration opens at 8:00 am. Please register early. Riders may pick up their wrist bands and registration info on the morning of the event. All routes are supported and clearly marked. The terrain is gently rolling using very low traffic roads, and riders are never more than 20 miles from the start. The picnic following the ride uses the church’s covered pavilion. So, please register early; bring your riding friends; and expect to enjoy yourselves.From I-20W exit onto Fulton Ind. Blvd; drive south for 12 miles to the intersection of GA 70 (Fulton Ind) and GA 92. Church on right next to Texaco.
Race To Sunset Saturday is the Race to Sunset 6 Hour at Blanket’s Creek! If only I could race this year. I had such a great time last year!! (Been sick for a week, still dealing with back problems and some sinus problems. Ugh.)
11:00 – Blankets open for Pit Row setup
12 noon – 2:00 pm – Racer Check-in (including day-of registration)
2:40 pm – Pre-Race Meeting
3:00 pm – Race Start
9:00 pm – Race End
9:30 pm – Awards Ceremony
Race day registration will be available from 12 noon to 2:30 pm on Saturday, August 9th.
8-6-2014 Grant Park Crit Women’s Racing From the Promoter: The Grant Park Criterium is proud to support Women’s racing! Starting at 12:15pm with the Women’s Cat 3/4 race and followed by the Pro Women 1/2/3 race at 2:30pm. They will compete for a combined $1200 cash purse along with cash and product primes from our sponsors Agave Restaurant Doc Chey’s Grant Park The Marlay House and Ronnie Bratcher Recruiting. Event details: http://grantparkcriterium.com/
Take Back the Trail
Sorella Cycling hosted a part of the Take Back the Trail Ride on the Silver Comet Tuesday night. About 25 riders showed up for a slow paced ride From Smyrna to Florence Rd. and back. Earlier in the day, a group of hardy riders rode from Smyrna to the Alabama State Line and back.
Harbins Park Work Parties From GATR: Harbins WorkP arties Sunday, August 17th at 9 a.m & Saturday, August 23rd at 9 a.m. “Come out and show the trails you all love some TLC. We will be clearing MB3. Lunch will be available. Please arrive before 9 to sign in and get instructions. Trail work days count for community service hours.” Lunch will be provided.
Mt. Tabor Work Party From SORBA-West Georgia “Mt. Tabor Work Party, Aug. 16 at 9:00 am. Meet at the upper parking lot. They will work on some turns, drainage, kids loop. Water, tools, snacks, and lunch will be provided.”
8-5-2014 DLV News From the DLV:
“Womens Training Program We’ve got dates set-up for our next session of women’s training, which will be getting started next Monday evening 8/11 at 7:30pm till 9pm. This go-round of the program will last 3 weeks, from 8/11 till 8/25. This class will be for women of all ability levels, new riders will be able to use the class to become track certified, and experienced riders will be able to use the class as training for both their skills and fitness levels. All details can be seen over on the women’s training page.
New Youth Racing Program
As part of our work to grow and expand our programs at the velodrome we are adding an expansion to our Youth Cycling League program with Youth Race nights to be held on the first Monday of each month. Racing will begin at 7pm on those Monday nights (after 30 minutes of U16 youth cycling session) and conclude around 8pm. Racing will be open for all Youth Cycling League eligible riders, we will categorize all of our youth into one of 3 categories, A, B or C, and we will score and track results in our website results system. We are excited for this addition to our programming and are hoping that we will be able to feature some great racing amongst all of our youth. The first race night will be this coming Monday evening, August 4.”
8-3-2014 Race to Sunset From Mountain Goat Adventures: 6 Hour Race to Sunset at Blankets Creek – August 9th, Just a reminder to join us this Saturday August 9th for the 6 Hour Race to Sunset at Blankets Creek! is is our largest bike event of the year with last year’s race seeing over 300 riders! Tackle the event solo or bring your riding buddies and form a team.
Online Registration will remain open until Wednesday August 6th at 10 pm. In-Person Registration is available at OutSpokin’ Bicycles on Thursday August 7th from 4 pm until 7 pm. You will save $5 per rider over race day price if you sign up by Thursday. Race day registration will be available from 12 to 2:30 pm at Blankets Creek on Saturday August 9th.
ell me about the good stuff!
-All riders receive a wicking tech tee, perfect for these hot summer days!
-First 300 to register will receive a commemorative Belgian beverage glass, which will soon become your favorite! (Right now, still plenty left!)
-100% cash payback to Solo Expert Classes!
-Sponsor prizes a minimum of 3 deep in all other categories, with large categories going up to 10 deep!
-Podium shirts for all 1st place finishers!
-Instant lap times and standings viewable on your smartphone – You don’t even need to leave your pit to check results! (Trish’s note: These are instant, REAL time results!)
-Special prizes for fastest laps, best pit area, best crash, and best heckler costumes!
-No special racing license or membership is required to participate in this event.
Fouche Gap RR Cancelled From Rome Velo: “Unfortunately we will be unable to host this year’s Fouche Gap Race. After some scheduling difficulties with local municipalities this past Spring, we had been working on a September date. Regretfully, that has also encountered a host of issues. Sadly we have to throw in the towel, on this year, and focus our efforts on bringing this awesome event back in the Spring of 2015! We wish everyone the best of luck for the rest of the 2014 race season, we hope to see you at a few races!”
Elite Track Nationals in Rock Hill, SC Elite Track Nationals is taking place this year at the Giordana Velodrome in Rock Hill, SC. If you are in the area, I encourage you to watch a session. Track racing is so much fun! From the Elite Track Nationals Webpage: “For fast, furious, and exciting action, mark your calendars to attend the USA Cycling Elite Track National Championships being held August 12th – 17th at the Giordana Velodrome – 1000 Riverwalk Parkway, Rock Hill, SC. This event is USA Cycling’s premier track event of the year. The country’s top men and women track cyclists will take to the track on August 12th – 17th 2014, competing for national titles in all track cycling disciplines. These cyclists exceed speeds of 45mph on the track, racing wheel-to-wheel and shoulder-to-shoulder. Admission is FREE! Seating is available on a first come first serve basis. All spectators are encouraged to visit the Race Expo on Friday and Saturday, with free giveaways. Food and drink, including the NEW for this year Beer Garden, will be available for purchase.” Full details are here including the schedule of racing.
8-2-2014 Powder Springs Police Bike Patrol It looks like the attack on Tara Waddel has prompted Powder Springs to start their bike patrol back up.
8-1-2014 Update on Greg Germani Case Decaturish has an update on the case against the alleged perpetrator in the Greg Germani case. He fled to Vegas after he “allegedly” hit Greg. You have to read it to believe it.
Ride for Tara There will be a ride to honor Tara Waddell, the SCT attack victim, on Tuesday, Aug. 5th. Join Robert Wilhite on a ride of the Comet to Alabama and back (or however far you want to go). Leave from the Publix at the East-West Connector and South Cobb Dr. in Smyrna at 6:00 am. Check out Robert’s blog for more details as they become available.
Sandy S. of Sorella Cycling will be leading a shorter ride of 20 miles at 6 pm from the same location on Tuesday if you cannot make the 6 am ride.
Duluth Crit Press Release: “August 2, 2014, 600 cyclists and 10,000+ spectators will descend upon the streets of DOWNTOWN DULUTH for a distinctly American brand of bike racing. The Criterium race is not a meandering country wide tour. It is a cycling’s short‐fast‐adrenaline filled answer to Nascar‐ a 45 minute circuit race around a ¾ mile course that makes fans as much a part of the action as the riders. This is not cycling you watch – its cycling you feel, and we want you to be a part of it! The Georgia Cup Duluth Twilight Pro Criterium is more than a professional cycling race. It is a festival of fitness, health, and wellness to promote preventative health. During the races, families will benefit from entertainment and fun, free family programming that will help combat the health issues like diabetes and heart disease that affect a disproportionately high percentage of residents in Metro-Atlanta.”
7-31-2014 Attack on the Silver Comet A pedestrian was attacked Tuesday on the Silver Comet in Paulding County. The attack was near the Tara Drummond Trailhead and Academy Rd. If you saw anything suspicious yesterday afternoon, call the Paulding County Sheriff’s office at 770-443-3015.
7-29-2014 Southeast Regional Series Cycling Event Heads to Knoxville Press Release: Greenville, S.C. (July 28, 2014) – Amateur and elite cyclists have their sights set on Knoxville, Tenn. for the weekend of August 9-10. This will be the fourth stop of the five-state competition for the Southeast Regional Series presented by Stan’s NoTubes (SRS). More than 450 cyclists, including members from local team KnoxVelo-Harper Auto, are expected to participate in the Knoxville Criterium and Road Race, a two-day event that offers prize money and points competitions. Currently, Dustin Antrican of Knoxvelo-Harper Auto leads the sprint competition in the Men’s Cat 5 division after three months of racing. The Knoxville Criterium begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, featuring a one-mile circuit through downtown Knoxville. There are 11 categorized races, from two junior events to races for Masters and professional men and women riders.
Sunday features nine categorized events among the beautiful terrain of Corryton, Tenn. for the Knoxville Road Race. Racers will navigate an 11-mile loop starting at Corryton School Road near House Mountain State Park. The route includes an uphill climb on Hogskin Road for The King of the Mountain/Queen of the Mountain points competition, a prize for the best climbers in the peloton. “We’re excited to return to Knoxville,” said SRS Director Marilyn Cullinane, who also owns Start Smart Cycling in Greenville, S.C. “The city has a lot of rich history and charm. Its natural beauty and scenic roads make it the perfect landscape for this competition. Spectators can see adrenaline-fueled racing from some of the best cyclists across the Southeast.”
Admission is free for spectators both days. The start/finish for Saturday events for the Knoxville Criterium is located on Howard Baker Jr. Boulevard, adjacent to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum. Racing starts at 8 a.m. and events are expected to finish at 4:45 p.m., with the awards ceremony to follow. The Knoxville Road Race on Sunday will begin at 8 a.m. with the 80-mile Men’s Pro 1 /2 event. The final race is expected to conclude at approximately 3 p.m. Local natural foods supermarket Earth Fare will provide lunches both days for all staff and volunteers, as well as snacks for racers and spectators to sample on Saturday.
The Southeast Regional Series presented by Stan’s NoTubes is the only road racing series for amateur and elite cycling teams which offers points competitions spanning multiple states in one region. The series offers over $50,000 in cash and prizes this summer, across five weekends of racing in five states. SRS is managed by Start Smart Cycling and offers points and prizes at each weekend series. The series concludes in September in Greenville, S.C. when the top men and women will be presented with the overall award jerseys, based on points earned at all five races: SRS Overall Champion’s jersey, the green- and- white-striped PEZ Cycling News Sprinter’s Jersey, and the Stan’s NoTubes King of the Mountain/Queen of the Mountain jersey. Additional sponsors include Knoxville-based auto dealership Harper Auto Square and bicycle shop Cedar Bluff Cycles, Earth Fare, Hincapie Sportswear and Mountain Khakis®. As the official jersey sponsor, Hincapie Sportswear will provide custom jerseys for the category leaders. Mountain-inspired lifestyle apparel brand Mountain Khakis® will provide more than $5,000 in merchandise and prizes as the official apparel sponsor for the race.
7-27-2014 General Reminder-Lock Your Cars! There have been several break ins lately at places where cyclists park to ride. Always remember-Take, Hide, and Lock! Take you wallet or anything that is of value with you or out of your car. Hide everything else. Lock your car! If you leave your purse, wallet, or laptop bag on the front seat of your car, it’s like asking a crook to break into your car! “Oh, hai, Mr. Crook! I’m here on the front seat, just waitin’ fur you!” If your car does get broken into, report it to the local police.
Greenville, SC News From the Greenville Spinners: “MAJOR REPAVING STARTS ON PERIMETER ROAD ON OR BEFORE JULY 27. IT WILL TAKE 3 MONTHS TO COMPLETE. IF IT RAINS AT ALL, IT WILL TAKE LONGER. The paving will be on 4.2 miles of the total 7.2 miles. The remaining last 3 miles owned by SCDOT has not yet been scheduled. Racing and riding on Perimeter Road will be SUSPENDED until further notice from the Greenville Spinners board. This will be in effect for at least the next three months. The country C rides will continue as planned.IF you have questions, please post them here on the FB page for all to see. Be happy because after its completion, we will have a WIDER, SAFER AND SMOOTHER RIDE THAN EVER BEFORE!” Trish’s note: This is great news if you have raced at Donaldson Center as part of the Greenville Spring Training Series. The roads have gotten really bad over the last few years.
