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News for 4-19-2024 City of ATL Silver Comet Connector From Rough Draft Atlanta Trish’s Note: Cobb County’s portion of the Silver Comet connector will be open by the end of 2025 when the final segment from Plant Atkinson Road to the Hooch is complete. “Plans for a one-mile trail to connect Downtown Atlanta to the Chattahoochee River got a $6.5 million boost this week. The trail also has a deadline — to be completed before the 2026 World Cup comes to the city. Subscribe to Rough Draft Atlanta, a free, morning newsletter. Mon.-Fri. at 7 a.m.
The funding, approved by the Atlanta City Council at its April 15 meeting, will be used by the PATH Foundation to build the linear river park trail beginning at Standing Peachtree Park in Buckhead and ending at Marietta Road NW.”
New Bike Park in SC From Singletracks.com “Bike parks continue to pop up in the southeast portion of the United States. Unlike the chair lift-access bike parks we see all over the western portion of the nation, these parks offer shuttles, pedal-up, or both. In 2020, Ride Kanuga opened just outside of Hendersonville, North Carolina, then in 2022 Jarrod’s Place popped up in northwest Georgia and Ride BHM debuted in Alabama.
Many of these parks have the unique distinction of being operational year-round and took inspiration from Windrock Bike Park, which Sean Leader, a recent guest on the Singletracks Podcast, founded. Leader now has a company, Southern Gravity, that builds bike park shuttle vehicles and trailers.
2024 will see a new shuttle-access bike park, this time in South Carolina, located between Charlotte and Columbia. And, coincidentally, Leader will be involved in a way. “Southern Gravity will be making our shuttle vehicles,” Jason Murphy, a development partner of Rattlesnake Bike Park, told us.” Read the full article.
News for 4-18-2024 Allatoona Work Party From MTB Atlanta This Saturday is the 3rd Saturday of the month. That means it’s time for our monthly work party at Allatoona Creek Park. Join us at 9am in the main lot on Old Stilesboro. We’ll be working on Driftwood. Bring some gloves and a friend.
News for 4-16-2024 Ft. Yargo Work Party From Dirty Spokes As Most of You Know, Brandon Mitchell and the Yargo Trail Crew do an Amazing Job Building and Maintaining the Trrails at Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, Ga! The Yargo Trail Crew is Having a Trail Maintenance Day, April 20th, 2024! If you are in a Position to Help/Give Back that would be Awesome! The Yargo Trail Crew will be there to Instruct and Provide Tools. Participants will Need to Bring Gloves, and Water! Please Use the Sign Up Form, so they know the number of volunteers attending!
Tour of Coweta Registration From Newnan Rotary Club The deadline to register for the Tour of Coweta is April 18. Day of registration is available for $75/rider. Early packet pickup for the Tour of Coweta will be at Line Creek Brewing in downtown Newnan from 2-5pm on 4-19-24. Line Creek Brewing 18 Savannah St, Newnan, GA 30263. The Tour of Coweta Century will start/end from the Coweta Justice Center in downtown Newnan at 72 Greenville St S, Newnan, GA 30264. Routes include 28, 50, 66, and a century. There are 4 sag stops including Grantville’s Historic Train Depot, Moss Oak’s Plantation, and Chattahoochee Bend State Park. participants will be entertained to a post ride after party at Line Creek and the Rock & Road Cycling Festival. Participants will be provided with a commemorative medal and T-Shirt.
Trish’s Note: There is a lot going on at the Rock and Road Festival on Saturday and Sunday in Newnan. Tour of Coweta, a big Crit, mtb races, kids mtb races, and more! https://bikecoweta.com/rockandroadfestival/ for more information and the schedule of events. It has something for the whole family!
News for 4-12-2024 Sunny King and USA Crits Live Broadcast From Cyclingnews “The six-race USA Crits series launches Saturday at the Sunny King Criterium in Alabama and will provide free live broadcasts for both pro races and the majority of the amateur events.
Now in its 22nd edition for criterium racing in downtown Anniston, the Sunny King Crit pro women will compete on the four-corner circuit for 60 minutes, followed by the pro men for 75 minutes, with live streaming scheduled from 5:10 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. CDT.
Streaming for amateur racing begins at 12:00 p.m. CDT, marking the first time a live broadcast will be provided for USA Cycling’s category A races in the South Eastern Collegiat Cycling Conference (SECCC) Championships. High-speed internet service provider Sparklight provides all broadcasts free on the race website, annistoncycling.com, and USACRITS.com.
Streaming coverage is planned for all six races in USA Crits: Sunny King Criterium on April 13, Rock&Road Criterium in Georgia on April 20, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Criterium in South Carolina on April 26, Athens Orthopedic Clinic Twilight Criterium in Georgia on April 27, LaGrange Cycling Classic in Georgia on May 4 and Winston-Salem Cycling Classic in North Carolina on May 25.” Read the full article.
News for 4-10-2024 Joey Rosskopf at Paris Roubaix Joey Rosskopf (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) and Georgia resident was an official finisher at Paris Roubaix on Sunday in France. He came in 109th place at +22:27 from winner and World Champion Matthieu Van Der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck). Way to go Joey!!
News for 4-8-2024 Chainbuster News From Chainbuster Racing That’s (Almost) a Wrap on the 23-24 Southeastern Endurance Series! We have wrapped up the Chainbuster-hosted Southeastern Endurance Series races and have been planning the 24-25 races for the last several months. The finale of this race season will be Dirty Spokes Fort Yargo on May 4, 2024. Plans are also underway for our 24-25 Southeastern Endurance Series. We are waiting on the last few details and then we will share the schedule (or at the very least some save the dates!!!) A special announcement on our Annual Awards Celebration is coming next week! Watch our socials and your email!
We need a little help from our friends….On Saturday, April 20, we will be hosting the Cohutta Races event in Copperhill, TN. This is a big race and folks are coming from all over the country, and even from PANAMA! Once again this year, in exchange for your help at this event, we are offering your choice of entry into next year’s event OR three future Chainbuster-hosted endurance races.
News for 4-4-2024 City of Anniston Chief Ladiga Trail Extension Groundbreaking Press Release The City of Anniston, Alabama, warmly extends an invitation for you to join us in making history on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 5:00 PM CT, as we commemorate the groundbreaking ceremony for the Chief Ladiga Trail Extension at Michael Tucker Park, situated at 6514 Weaver Road in Anniston, Alabama. Anniston’s trail extension will stretch an additional 6.5 miles, bringing the Chief Ladiga Trail’s total length to approximately 39.5 miles. The Chief Ladiga will then seamlessly connect Anniston’s Multimodal Amtrak Station to the state of Georgia’s Silver Comet Trail, forming the longest paved pedestrian pathway in the United States by becoming an expansive 105+/- mile paved trail. This visionary initiative opens up exciting prospects for trail bike enthusiasts and commuters, providing seamless access to convenient train services.
At this time, city leadership would like the public to know that access to the trail will be restricted until the project is completed. It is estimated that the trail extension will take 14 months to complete, with a projected completion date in Summer 2025. Periodic construction updates will be provided to the public as the project progresses.
About the Project: The Chief Ladiga Trail stands as Alabama’s inaugural extended rails-to-trails endeavor, interlinking the cities of Anniston, Weaver, Jacksonville, and Piedmont as it traverses Calhoun and Cleburne Counties. Offering a safe, motor-free avenue for travel, exercise, and leisure amidst the great outdoors, this trail showcases a scenic journey through streams, wetlands, forests, and mountains, catering to families and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Research from Jacksonville State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research anticipates that the trail’s construction will stimulate an economic output of $11.9 million. Upon completion, the center estimates an annual economic impact exceeding $1.3 million, based on the trail’s substantial visitation rate of over 34,000 visitors in 2023.
History of the Chief Ladiga Trail: The Ladiga Trail came into being in 1990 with the approval of a grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). The trail is named after a Creek Indian leader who signed the Cusseta Treaty in 1832. In 1994, additional grants to the cities of Jacksonville and Piedmont, and the Cleburne County Commission, continued the project. In 1997, Jacksonville and Anniston were awarded National Recreational Trails Fund (NRTF) grants to build their connecting trailways. In 1998, the City of Weaver built their 2.5-mile section of the trail through grant funding as well. A decade later, in 2008, the Chief Ladiga Trail and the Silver Comet Trail were connected, with a new gateway marking the connecting point at the Alabama-Georgia state line. In 2022 Anniston purchased the final 1.4 miles needed from Norfolk Southern Railway for the trail’s final extension. On February 20, 2024, the Anniston City Council awarded the construction bid for the Chief Ladiga Trail to B&B Developers in the amount of $7,267,263.39.
News for 4-2-2024 Ride of Silence-Decatur From Bike Friendly ATL Ride of Silence, Decatur, GA Wed., May 15 7:00 pm This will be about a 8 mile ride at speeds of 8-12 mph, in SILENCE to honor all our injured and fallen cyclists from the past year in Georgia. Announcements will begin at 6:45 pm with the ride starting at 7 pm. The ride will end with a celebration of cycling get together on the lawn of Bikelaw on McDonough St. Map link coming soon. There will be police escort for this ride. Make sure to wear a helmet and have front and rear bike lights! Further event updates will be posted here ASAP!
Columns Drive Parking Lot to Closer; Interstate North Lot to Reopen From The MDJ: “As the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area continues a repaving project, two of the park’s car lots are soon set to close as another reopens.
The parking lot at Columns Drive will close Tuesday, the Powers Island parking lot will close for the day on April 8 and the parking lot at Interstate North will reopen Tuesday.
Visitors can still access the park at the Columns Drive entrance on foot or via bike near the gate, east of the lot, according to a press release from Ann Honious, the park’s superintendent.”
Dirty Spokes 6/3 Hour Mtb Bike Race (5 Weeks Away)! From Dirty Spokes Dirty Spokes 6/3 Hour Mountain Bike Race May 4th, 2024 Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, Ga! The Dirty Spokes 6/3 Hour Mountain Bike Race is Only 5 Weeks Away! This is the Series Finale for the Chainbuster Mountain Bike Race Series (7th Race of the Series)! Giant Thanks to Brandon Mitchell and the Yargo Trail Crew for the Work They’ve Put into the Yargo Trail System! Super Stoked to Showcase One of the Best Trail Systems in the Southeastern US! We are Thrilled to Have Roswell Bicycles, Tifosi Optics and ESI Grips Jump on Board for 2024! They have donated Some Awesome Product to the Race for Our Top Finishers!Please Note: We have a Participant Cap of 325 Racers on this Year’s Race!
Tiger Town Classic From Topview Sports Are you ready for Tiger Town Classic this weekend, April 6-7 in Central, SC? Check out all of the details below: https://www.topviewsports.com/tigertown Downtown Crit, TT and Road Race! The Crit will be one of your favorites! Pre-registration closes at Noon on Thursday. You may register on-site each day if you miss it! See you this weekend!
News for 4-1-2024 NC and SC State RR Championships Press Release Cumberland County to host the 2024 North Carolina and South Carolina Regional Road Cycling Championship Wade, NC (January 1, 2024) The Carolinas Cycling Association (CCA) is proud to announce that the town of Wade, Cumberland County, has been selected as the site for the 2024 North Carolina and South Carolina Road Cycling Championship, April 27-28, 2024. “Hosting the Regional Road Cycling Championship in Cumberland County truly indicates the strong grass roots base that cycling has in southeastern N.C.,” said Mike Thomas, Race Director. “On behalf of the Cross Creek Cycling Club, we are thrilled to host these two exciting days of amateur bike racing.”
The Regional Road Cycling Championship is scheduled to take place April 27-28, 2024 and will feature masters, elite, and juniors, in men’s and women’s race fields. Racers will compete for up to $1,400 in cash prizes, as well as for State Championship Medals. The 17 mile racecourse begins at the Wade Community Fire Depart, at 7130 Powell Street, Wade, NC 28306. “We are so very appreciative of the support from the Wade Fire Department. They have been very generous to provide the race staging area, parking and free camping” said Thomas. Race distances will vary from 34 miles, or two loops, to up to 85 miles, or five loops for the more advanced race fields.
“We are pleased to welcome this premier cycling event to Cumberland County. The Fayetteville area is filled with distinct, exciting activities, businesses, and people, and we encourage participants and spectators to explore the region during their visit,” said Devin Heath, president and CEO of DistiNCtly Fayetteville. “We look forward to collaborating with our community partners to bring similar events to the region in the future.”
The public is invited to attend as either free of charge spectators, or as competitors. There are race fields for the general public, men, and women, on Saturday, April 27, as well as on Sunday, April 28. For more information go to the CCA Regional Road Race Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/CCA-Regional-Road-Race. This event is permitted and sanctioned by USA Cycling (the governing body for national and Olympic Cycling in the USA) as well as permitted by the NC State Department of Transportation. Go to Carolinas Cycling Association Road Race & Time Trial Championships Online Registration (bikereg.com) for online registration details. To learn more about the Creek Cycling Club, go to www.crosscreekcyclingclub.org, Please contact Mike Thomas, Race Director at 910-723-4052 for more info.
DLV Beginner Certification Class From the Dick Lane Velodrome Register for our certification class on April 13/14 Riding at the velodrome is not as scary as you probably are thinking. Once you get over your initial fear of feeling like you’re going to slide off the 36° banking – which you won’t – it turns into an immediate rush of pure joy. Many of us have been riding in the same circles for 30+ years and still enjoy every second of being on the track. Whether you plan to race in the future or just want to try it out, there’s no pressure from our experience coach, Brian Sullivan, to push you beyond what you feel comfortable with. Riding the velodrome requires being certified, and this is your early spring opportunity to get it. Visit our website, navigate to ‘Learn ‘, and click on ‘Track Certification’ to sign up. But remember, spots are filling up fast, so take your time. Oh and don’t worry, we supply the bikes and all the fun. You just need to show up with your helmet, shoes and a willingness to have a blast. Trish’s Note: I’ve been riding and racing at the DLV off an on for a couple of decades now. It’s a lot of fun, and Brian is a great instructor! Don’t be intimidated!
News for 3-29-2024 More DLV Racing News From the Dick Lane Velodrome Racing starts Tuesday, April 2 with Masters – Women – Beginners racing. Get your One Pass and race all season without any worries and for less cheese – cheddar – bacon – dough – cake – cabbage – clams – bread – gouda – cream (why is money so delicious sounding?) – anyway, save a lot of bucks – benjamins – stacks – smackers $280 for a season of fun. ($230 if you volunteer – hint a clean-up day this Saturday) Trish’s Note: You can also pay for races one week at a time online.
News for 3-28-2023 Dick Lane Velodrome Youth Program From the DLV The best youth program is back! Starting April 1st. This year, we have a new coach! Sophie Zents, a Youth Cycling League grad and pro cyclist, will take over the reins this season. We are excited to have her, yet we will miss Annalise, who is off to pursue her career. The Youth Cycling League is FREE for all Tri-Cities kids and a simple donation to anyone else. We’ll be teaching them ropes and getting anyone ready and willing to compete in our first pro-event on Wednesday, May 1st. (not with the pros Beginner (ages 8-16): Every Monday and Thursday 5:30 -6:30 pm, Intermediate (ages 12-16): Every Monday and Thursday 6:30 -7:30 pm, Parents/Authorized Guardian must fill out a waiver for their children on the first day.
News for 3-24-2024 Bearings Bike Works News From Bearings Bike Work Win a pair of e-bikes! Picture this: spring in Atlanta has arrived, the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and you’re leisurely rolling down the BeltLine on your new e-bike with a friend. Grab a raffle ticket for this pair of Momentum e-bikes and this could be your future! Tickets are on sale now for $25 each or 6 for $125. One lucky winner will be drawn at our upcoming Speed Week Cycle & Supper event on May 2 – more details below! All proceeds from this raffle will support Bearings’ youth skills development programs for youth in 2024. Thanks to our friends at Outback Bikes for sponsoring this raffle!
Tickets are on sale now for this fun new spring event at Bearings! Join us along with the Paceline Project pro race team for an evening of cycling, socializing, and supper at Bearings’ southwest Atlanta campus. We’re celebrating the excitement of Speed Week and Spin the District’s cycling events while raising funds and awareness for important skills development programming for youth. We hope to see you there! JOIN US
Fox Race Face Trails Openings From Prima Tappa Athletic Club Saturday Fox Race Face Trail Openings – Team Fundraisers Minimum $5.00 Donation per rider. (Suggested Donation $10.00) Students and Coaches registered in the Georgia Cycling Association CCN in 2023 may ride for free. Course Opening Dates: Saturdays, April 13th & 27th and May 11th & 25th. Time: 8AM – 12PM (No entry after 12pm) Full course will be opened = Performance + Turbine + Factory Trails. Helmet required. All riders must stay on trail (No Exploring). Course is counter clockwise. This event takes place from the field out front and not inside the track. Ride within your ability. No riders entering trail after 12 noon. 100% proceeds go to your local middle & high school mountain bike teams! Trish’s Note: These trails are in Braselton, GA and normally closed to the public. Great opportunity to ride them and support Georgia MS and HS MTB teams!
News for 3-20-2024 Sope Creek Parking Lot Closed From the CNRA The entrance to Interstate North is CLOSED until further notice, due to an ongoing paving project moving from Powers Island to Interstate North. There will be NO access at this entrance during the project’s duration. Please visit Cochran Shoals at Sope Creek or Columns Drive as alternatives. Please note that there will be NO pedestrian or bicycle entrance to this unit from Interstate North Parkway or connection to the trail system in Cumberland Community Improvement District.
We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience as we work towards improving our parking lots. Trish’s Note: The workers said it would take about 2 week or longer if there is bad weather. It is closed, closed. You can park at Paper Mill Rd. or Columns Dr. to access the trails at Sope Creek.
Dick Lane Velodrome Workday From the DLV Hello DLV enthusiasts! We have our first DLV work day scheduled for Sat March 30th at 10am to 4pm. We have 3 projects to undertake:1)Concession and Bathroom Cleanout 2)Concrete track repair Two workdays equals $50 off a DLV season pass! Please feel free to join us any part of the day! We can use the help! Also we are looking for 2 crew leaders! Please email barmancoach2013 at œgmail if you have an area of expertise in these assignments and feel comfortable leading a group of volunteers. https://www.dicklanevelodrome.com/2024/03/18/work-day-saturday-march-30th-10am
News for 3-19-2024 Georgia Cycling Association Adds Elementary School MTB Program Press Release
BLUE RIDGE, GA – March 8, 2024 – The Georgia Cycling Association announced today the creation of the ‘Trail Rangers’, a youth mountain bike program for students in grades 3 through 5. This program will be open to all public, private, and home school students and will be activated by community volunteers across the state. “We changed the face of youth mountain biking in Georgia over ten years ago when we announced the creation of our mountain bike league. Today, we do it again as we introduce the Trail Rangers program. Through this program, we aim to introduce kids to the thrills of mountain biking in an environment tailored specifically to elementary-aged children. The result will be a community of young riders who will carry their love for cycling forward in life,” stated Kenny Griffin, Executive Director of the Georgia Cycling Association.
The new elementary school program is designed to provide a mindful and fun environment for children to learn, play, and connect with others through the joys of mountain biking. With a focus on skill development through gameplay, making new friends, and fostering a love of the outdoors, the Trail Rangers emphasizes “play and connect” as its core theme.
The Trail Rangers launch is being made possible through grants from the Chestnut Family Foundation and Atlanta Falcons Youth Fund (AFYF), an associate-led fund of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Griffin added, “Without the support of these two amazing community-minded organizations, we would not be able to launch this program next year. Georgia is fortunate to have these two foundations that lead with compassion and are dedicated to improving the lives of families across our state.” Ben Chestnut, Trustee of the Chestnut Family Foundation said, “We believe that all children should have access to resources that enable them to be healthy, build self-confidence, and enjoy life. The Trail Rangers program will become exactly that resource in communities throughout Georgia. We are thrilled to support this statewide program which aims to help children develop healthy habits at a young age that can last a lifetime.”
“I had the pleasure of attending a Georgia Cycling Association event and was struck by the remarkable dedication displayed by both youth and parents, despite the promise of little to no lucrative rewards. This dedication speaks volumes about the importance of such events to those involved. The high-energy level activities required at these events align perfectly with AFYF’s guiding theme, ensuring that children remain active for the betterment of their future. Organizations like Georgia Cycling not only promote physical health but also instill invaluable character qualities from an early age,” said Atlanta Falcons Youth Fund Committee Member, Obi Cheyney.
Additional details including the locations of Trail Rangers programs and registration information are expected to be released in the second half of 2024. The inaugural Trail Rangers season is scheduled to begin March 3, 2025. Those who are interested in receiving updates regarding the Trail Rangers launch can sign up at trailrangers.georgiacycling.org
About Georgia Cycling Association The Georgia Cycling Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people across the state of Georgia through the active and healthy lifestyle of cycling. With a mission to inspire Georgians to get outside and ride a mountain bike, the Georgia Cycling Association activates inclusive programs that champion the interests of everyone who rides or wants to ride a bicycle in Georgia. A “no tryout” philosophy ensures programs are open to all Georgia students. For more information, visit georgiacycling.org.
Bull Mountain Work Party From Northeast Georgia SORBA Bull Mountain MTB trails, Sat., March 30 9:30 am-1:30 pm Meet at the parking area on Winding Stair Road (FS77) just north of FS 28-1. This is the old Gamecheck location. Here are the coordinates for the meeting parking lot(34.5860330, -84.1247250) We will carpool over to Lance Creek area. Sign-in at 9:30. We will bring the tools. Lunch will be provided to those that RSVP. Send email to negasorba@gmail.com no later than March 27 if you want lunch. Stick around for social time afterwards. We are planning to work on Bare Hare trail. Check back here for updates/changes due to weather. USFS requires you wear a hard hat or bike helmet. Bring gloves, wear long pants, closed toed shoes, personal items (water, snacks, etc). We really need some help to fix some problem spots here. No experience necessary. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please RSVP so we can have enough tools on hand for the work day.
