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7-1-2005 CELEBRATE THE 2005 TOUR DE FRANCE WITH TEAM MEEHAN’S / CYCLEWORKS
Saturday, July 2 – Sunday, July 24
Commemorate the biggest race of the year at Meehan’s Public House!!

7-28-2005 Share the Road Century The Atlanta Bicycle Campaign will once again host the Share the Road Century on Labor Day, Sept. 5, 2005. From what I've read, monies collected will go towards safe cycling initiatives in the Atlanta area. The route goes over the famous "Beyond Six Flags" route our to Silk Sheets.

7-29-2005 DLV News I stole this off the DLV website: FRIDAY NIGHT SPRINTS
Do you think you have a little speed in the legs? Do you find the last minutes of a flat tour stage much more exciting than any slow moving mountain stage? Then we have the answer to your quick twitch muscle short comings. Steve Hill once again has organized a bi-monthy sprint sprint tournament for all riders who have passed the beginner class. Riders will be seeded by 200 meter times and ability.
Starts: August 5th and is every other Friday.
Time: 7:30 Cost: $10:00 Prizes: The Steve Hill Challenge - If you can beat is 200 meter time your entry is free.
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VOLUNTEERS AND OFFICIATING
When: Wednesday Races
Want to learn how to officiate at the track? We are looking for people to help officiate and possibly learn to officiate by themselves. It can be rewarding and is fun, not to mention would allow Wayne to start racing again. We also desperately need helpers during the Wednesday races. Riders if you bring a volunteer for the entire night or if you volunteer a night you can race the following week for free. If we don't start to get volunteers to help we can't race and we may force you all to help a day during the rest of the season regardless with no reward. For more information email wayne

Credit Agricole Auction Dalton native Saul Raisin, who races in Europe for the Credit Agricole Team, is having an auction to benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation. See Saul's website for details.

Bellyache Troubles Trish's Note: I talked to this guy after the Bellyache on Thursday. He was clearly hit with something although I can't way what. His story was corroborated by another rider. "Hello to all my fellow Cyclists, Last night during the Belly ache 3 of us were assaulted/shot with a pellet gun 2-3 times a piece. Pete flatted out on Nancy Creek, as a result the rest of us waited for him which separated us from the group. At approximately 7:50pm we passed Canoe and crossed over the Chattahoochee on Paces Ferry Rd, our pack of 6 was on the right side of the road 6-10 inches from the white line right where we belong. At this point a group of slow cars began to pass on our left, as the lead vehicle (Black on grey 01 or 02 4 runner Limited) passed our group I felt something tag my left arm and leg twice and could hear a flutter or series of cartridge releases, in looking around I noticed what appeared to be clear/white pellets flying thru the air and as I focused on the 4runner realized the passenger rear window was down and that the pellets in question where being fired at us from this vehicle. By the time we realized what was happening the car behind the 4 runner was blocking the license plate so we could not see the tag number, I attempted to catch this pellet yielding (yelling. sic)*** to no avail.

Vehicle in Question;
2001 or 2002 Toyota 4Runner Limited (old body style), Black in color with Grey fender flares, rear privacy glass, factory roof rack, Georgia plates, **** for a driver. Gary

SATURDAY, JULY 2
To kick-off the month-long festivities, the Meehan’s Cycling team will depart from Meehan’s Brookhaven at 7:30 a.m. To participate, just come out or contact CycleWorks at 770-476-4949. A viewing party will follow, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
SUNDAY, JULY 24
A viewing party in celebration of the year’s winning cyclist begins at 9 a.m.
TDF THURSDAYS
Every Thursday during the Tour de France, all three Meehan’s Public House locations will offer a $3 beer special to celebrate the week’s yellow-jersey cyclist.
DAILY RAFFLE
Meehan’s Brookhaven will host a nightly raffle to win $20 toward their tab for the evening.

North Georgia Outdoors and Fitness A new magazine has been launched that will cover outdoor and fitness activities in North Georgia. Appropriately, it is called North Georgia Outdoors and Fitness. The authors are avid mountain bikers and outdoor enthusiasts. Southeasterncycling.com is featured in the inaugaral issue.

7-2-2005 Bike Poetry Thanks to Mitch Askew (Nalley/Roswell Velo) for the poetry.

Inner Thoughts
By Mitchell Askew

Lactate threshold, red zone blur
Gasping for air, hours on end
Sitting in, hoping the pack won’t stir
Needle has been buried since I don’t know when
Air, food, or water
Decision time
Indigestion, so why bother
Gasping, cramping, hurting, I thought this race was mine
Neck and back like a twig about to snap
Got to hang on
Something’s got to give or I’m not making another lap
Several pulls and another tow
Only a couple of matches left to burn
Got to conserve with forty to go
Surging on impulse, surging for the turn
Are they going to pop?
Legs are on fire, tired, losing control, wanting to quit
Am I going to drop?
I think I’ve got this, but it hurts so bad
5 to go and I think I’m gonna blow
I’ve got to get mad; I’ve got to get mad
Look around at the pack ready to go
Back to the front, got to keep them at bay
Is it going to be a sprint or a break away?
1 K to go and it is time to play

NARC-BWM News This past weekend Track Regional's were held in East Point Georgia. Congratulations go out to the BMW/ Free-Flite/ NARC Team members who competed. State and Regional Titles were up for grabs. NARC won more medals than any other team. A total of 16 medals (6 Gold, 6 Silver and 4 Bronze). These folks raced their hearts out. All of our Club is proud of you!

Bill Thomsen: State and Regional Champion: 2000m Mens 50+ Pursuit. Silver State and Region: 500m TT
Jessica Smith: State and Regional Champion: 500m Junior Womens TT and 2000m Pursuit.
Kyle Cochran: Silver for State and Region- Junior Mens Kilo and 3000m
Pursuit.
Quint Smith: Bronze for State and Region- Junior Mens Kilo and 3000m Pursuit.: This past weekend

7-6-2005 SORBA Meeting From the SORBA Atlanta Chapter" On Saturday, July 9, the Atlanta SORBA Chapter will combine its next membership meeting with a special two-hour trail design class and on-site flagging at Utoy Creek. This is open to all who are interested in opening a new phase of bicycle trail development in Atlanta. 9:00 a.m. Chapter meeting, 10:00 Trails Mini-class, 12:00 p.m. Flag the initial phase of Utoy Creek Trail, If you plan to participate in flagging the trail, please bring work gloves, sturdy footwear and a water bottle. Location: Cafeteria, Beecher Hills Elementary School, 2257 Bolling Brook Drive, S.W. Atlanta, GA 30311

Women's Track Clinic There will be a Beginner Women's track class on July 10th. See the DLV website for information. The class will be taught by Cathy Boland. 

Beginner Women's Race Clinic Cathy will also be teaching a beginner women's race clinic on August 7th at the Cartecay Bike Shop in Ellijay. All women are welcome! 

Jeff Wheeler (OTR Cycling) ins the Cat. 4 crit at Perry-Roubaix.
 

7-7-2005 Big Creek Work Party From SORBA-RAMBO: "July 9th 2005 Title: Big Creek Work Party tart Time: 08:00 AM Duration: 04 hours Location: Big Creek Category: Trail Construction Other Information: Join us for the morning to create and improve the Big Creek trail system. Remember to bring work gloves, work clothes and water. Be prepared to get messy! :) Check Rambo-mtb.org for directions. Lunch will be sponsored by RAMBO and don't worry...it won't be pizza!

TNT Cancelled SORBA has cancelled the Thursday Night Time Trial Scheduled for July 7th because of the heavy rains that are predicted.

Blanket's Creek Work Party From SORBA-Gainesville: "July 10th 2005 Title: Chicopee Work Party Start Time: 1:00 PM Duration: 04 hours Location: Chicopee Woods MTB Park
Category: Trail Construction Other Information: Please wear good work shoes and bring something to drink throughout the work day.

7-8-2005 Rumors about Erick Koep  Rumor has it Erick Koep (L5 Flyers) won the Cat. 3 GC at the Fitchburg Longsjo Classic stage race in Massachusetts last week. The rumor also states that  his teammates Erick Pierce and Robbie Kollar were his super domestiques as well as Patrick Sheehan. Congratulations Erick!

7-11-2005 Georgia's Rated Climbs Did you know that Georgia has several UCI rated climbs? Climbs are rated based on their length, pitch (steepness), and where they occur in the stage of a race. 

7-12-2005 Tacks in White The tacks on the White, GA loops are back! I've had separate reports from a few people that picked them up in their tires this weekend. There were also several flats at the Georgia Games RR near White because of the tacks. Be careful and be courteous to the drivers!

Rain, Rain, Go Away! I am going to grow gills and take up swimming in the puddles in my backyard in order to stay in shape. Looks like a few more days on the trainer. Go away Hurricane Dennis!

7-13-2005 Tour De Donut Special to Southeastern Cycling! North Carolina racer Cara McCauley (BMW-Bianchi) recently went to Illinois to visit family in the area and to participate in the Tour De Donut. The person with the lowest time wins. Eating one donut will take 5 minutes off of your time. Read Caras report and be prepared to laugh! :)

Erik Koep Wins Fitchburg! The rumors are true! Erik Koep (L5 Flyers) won the Cat. 3 GC at Fitchburg! His report is worth the read! Congratulations!

7-18-2005 New SORBA Chapter: Aug. 4:  New/Future Gwinnett Chapter Meeting,
Start Time: 6:30 PM, Location: Old Town Tavern in Lawrenceville, Category: Chapter Meeting
Other Information: We will be meeting to accept nominations/ volunteers for the board positions and fill those positions as well as select a name for the chapter. August 4th 6:30pm Olde Towne Tavern and Grille 835 Lawrenceville Suwanee Road Lawrenceville, GA 770-339-0909 Just off of 316 at hwy 120 http://www.oldett.com/ We have a meeting room reserved under the name of Gwinnett SORBA

Dasani Blue Bikes DASANI "BLUE BIKES" KICKOFF EVENT IN ROCKMART

The DASANI “Blue Bikes” community bicycle program, supported by Trek, will officially kick off in the Atlanta area during the 28th Annual Homespun Festival in Rockmart, Ga. on July 16. The program gives residents the free use of 36 brand-new Trek Cruiser Classic bicycles to explore the 57-mile Silver Comet Trail that runs from Smyrna, Ga. to the Alabama border.

To celebrate the program’s arrival, Rockmart Mayor Curtis Lewis will lead cyclists on an inaugural trail ride using the DASANI “Blue Bikes.” Area residents of all ages are invited to join Lewis and others on the ride, which will leave from Seaborn Jones Memorial Park at 12:30 P.M. on Saturday. In addition, DASANI will present a symbolic check, representing the $63,000 value of DASANI donations, to the Polk County Chamber of Commerce and the Silver Comet Bicycle Club.

DASANI “Blue Bikes” will be housed in specially designed storage lockers located at Richardson Field adjacent to Seaborn Jones Memorial Park, giving residents free access seven days a week. People easily can take part in the program by registering for a DASANI “Blue Bikes” card at the Rockmart Public Library or during the kick-off event. Cyclists simply pass the card through the reader at a “Blue Bikes” locker to remove a bike, and return it at the end of their ride.

DASANI created the “Blue Bikes” program in partnership with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to provide area residents an opportunity to get a “fresh take” on life by getting out and being active. The Silver Comet Trail is one of eight community trails across the country taking part in DASANI’s “Blue Bikes” program. Additional trails are located in Baltimore; Dallas; Orange County, Fla.; Villa Park, Ill.; Pittsburgh; Salt Lake City; and Seattle.

ACTIVITIES: Festivities at the Homespun Festival include:
· An inaugural trail ride using the DASANI “Blue Bikes,” led by Mayor Lewis
· Ribbon cutting ceremony and DASANI check presentation
· Bike safety demonstrations
· Free food and live music by the Sweet Southern Band
· Free samples of DASANI bottled water
LOCATION: Seaborn Jones Memorial Park Located between Elm, Church and Water Streets
Downtown Rockmart

Etape Du Tour Every year, the Tour De France puts on a ride/race called the Etape Du Tour. It covers an entire stage of the Tour De France and is open to amateur riders. Doug Gravino (OTR Cycling) rode in this year's edition and wrote this report.

VENUE CHANGE FOR SUMMER SIZZLER!!! From Walt Bready with GAP: "I wanted to tell you know the new location for the Summer Sizzler. It will be held at Oconee Heritage Park.
Dauset Trails Nature Center was not available, due to water damage and a bridge outage. The choice was to hold the event at Heritage or to cancel. GAP OK'ed the change to keep the event in the series. The GAP website has been updated with the change." The GAP Summer Sizzler will be held at the Oconee Heritage Park.

DLV News The DLV sustained some damage in the recent flooding. They will be looking for volunteers to help replant landscape and fix some of the boards. The next Beginners class will start Aug. 11.

Heritage Work Party From SORBA-Athens "Emergency Work Session 2 Start Time: 11:00 AM
Duration: 03 hour(s) 00 minutes(s)
Location: Oconee Heritage Park, Farmington GA
Other Information: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SORBA ATHENS: With the short notice of the upcoming GAP race to be held at Heritage Park, we need to mobilize a maintenance crew PRONTO -- Heritage is still recovering from the mudbath it received during the Southern Lights 24-7 race in July, and there is still some significant water damage remaining from that event. If you want to prevent this race from becoming like the Macon Madness race at the Pig Trail, we need your help. The existing water damage must be fixed prior to the upcoming race, or it will degenerate exponentially during the race. Two emergency work parties have been called in order to address this issue and give Heritage a fair chance to survive the summer without permanent damage. The first will be on Monday, July 18, at 6:00 PM. The second (if it is deemed necessary) will be on the following Saturday the 23rd. Bring Pulaskis if you have them, shovels if you don't. We will also have some tools available. Please help us avoid another Pig Trail disaster and get Heritage properly prepped so that it can be the FAST race course we all know it can be. If you can't do it for the trail, do it for your bike components. thanks in advance, Charlie

7-20-2005 Travelgirl Scores First 2 NRC Victories! Jennifer Green won the last 2 days of Superweek. These are the first NRC wins for the Travelgirl team. Leigh Valletti finished 11th in the overall Superweek standings and was on the podium one race. Congratulations ladies!

7-22-2005 BVC Gives to Camp Twin Lakes  From Camp Twin Lakes: On July 18, Camp Twin Lakes, a camp facility for children with serious illnesses and other special needs, was the recipient of four bicycles that are specially equipped for riders with physical disabilities. The bicycles were donated to Camp Twin Lakes by the Taco Mac/Bass Ale Cycling Team, which raised $4,000 through a sponsorship drive to purchase two hand cycles and two three-wheeled bicycles. We are grateful to the Taco Mac/Bass Ale cycling team and their sponsors for their support of Camp Twin Lakes, said Larry Melnick, executive director of Camp Twin Lakes. he bikes will have a special impact at Camp Twin Lakes and are sure to be very popular among our campers, staff and volunteers - several of whom will have their first bike riding experience, thanks to this donation. Each summer, Camp Twin Lakes hosts more than 13 organizations such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association'ss Camp Walk Roll and Extra Special People, Inc.'s Camp ESP, which both have a number of campers with physical disabilities. "This donation is our way of helping to promote cycling to a diverse community", said Greg Fink, captain of the Taco Mac/Bass Ale Cycling Team and a former professional cyclist. Cycling is not just for someone in perfect health. It’s for everyone to enjoy and experience. Members of the Buckhead-based cycling team have full-time careers in a variety of fields including investment banking and sales. During their spare time, they compete in 10 to 15 races throughout the Southeast each year. Sponsors of the cycling team are Taco Mac, Bass Ale, CPD Plastering, Inc., and Peachtree Bicycles.

City of Berkley Lake Is Crazy I got this from the Southern Bicycle League forums. The City of Berkeley Lake, Georgia (in Gwinnett County next to Duluth) is considering enacting an ordinance that would severely restrict bicycling. Among other things, the draft ordinance would require that all cyclists above age 12 on select roads to be "licensed" annually and it would prohibit all cycling in the City's greenspace. An earlier draft would have even required bicycle inspections. Go to the following to read a draft of the ordinance... as well as a post on what appears to be the local law enforcement's position. www.berkeley-lake.com/dcforum/DCForumID5/543.html%20 If you'd like to comment on this proposed ordinance, you can attend the next Berkeley Lake City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 21 "usually held at Lake Berkeley Chapel." The agenda is posted at the
following page. www.berkeley-lake.com/dcforum/DCForumID5/543.html

You could also contact the City Council members via the following page. www.berkeley-lake.com/govt/officials.html

Maybe let them know that this ordinance is overblown and unnecessary. Everything that they hope to do for all types of road users issues can and should be addressed within existing state traffic law and enforcement ofthat law. There are questions whether such an ordinance is even legal and
enforceable on public streets. The proposed ordinance could be considered discriminatory too.
 

Trish's note: See the forums on the SBL website for further discussion.

GA Cup Online registration has been extended til Friday for the Rome GA Cup. I will be out there doing the TTT with my team (and getting dropped promptly, I'm sure). This will be my first road event since the first weekend of May. Maybe I can find some dirt somewhere on the road to make myself feel more at home.

Harbins Park It was announced today that Harbins Park in Gwinnett County will have several miles of mountain bike trails because of efforts of local mountain bikers. This is great news for people on the East side of town since the demise and "paving" of Yellow River. 

7-25-2005 DST Extended! Rejoice Oh Group Rides! Rejoice cyclists! Congress has reached an agreement to extend Daylight Saving time! It isn't law yet but soon should be. Keep an eye on cnn.com.

OTR Wins Competitive Omnium at Rome GA Cup!

Rome GA Cup The Rome Georgia Cup was a success for OTR Cycling! First, the team race in the Team Time Trial in the Competitive division. Ryan "Counsel" Pumpian, Josh "Sponsor" Arwood, Chris "Sand Squirrel" Hurst, Jeff "Meat Biscuit" Wheeler, and Trish "The Chick" Albert rode to a second place. (ok, Trish got dropped but still finished). In the crit, the team took Ryan to the victory-Perfection! The win landed Ryan in the leader's jersey. Josh was second, and Jeff and Chris finished midpack after working for Ryan all evening. The road race was held in blistering temperatures. An ill timed flat for Ryan nearly cost the team the omnium, but showing true teamwork, Chris gave Ryan his rear wheel. Josh paced Ryan back up, and Ryan finished 10th and won the omnium. Chris finished midpack after pulling back to the group. This is one of the most successful weekend ever for OTR Cycling!

-Second in the Competitive TTT
-1st and 2nd in the Competitive Crit
-10th in the Road Race
-1st, 3rd, and 8th in the Competitive Omnium