Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Weekly Group Rides

This week's Wednesday Group Road Ride will leave from S Macon Elementary School on Addington Bridge Road.  We'll be doing the Coweeta Lab Loop. 
 
Thursday is Urban Assault Ride from Macon County Library at 5:30pm.  All level of riders encouraged to attend.  Ride led by Scott Baste.
 
Also, Thursday is beginner rides on the Greenway at 5:30pm from the bike shop.  Mountain bike or comfort bike recommended... we have bicycles available for use, if you are trying to get family and friends introduced into cycling.  All level of riders encouraged to attend.
 
RACE REPORT - Winder, GA Ft Yargo State Park SERC #4 Race
 
Charlie once again took an early lead on the race on Sunday.  The course was in very good shape.  We were told previous to pre-riding the course that it was flat and only one hill.... so not true!  YABA Club recently put in the "monster mile" with quite a few whoop tee do's which will launch you 10ft in the air.  Charlie finished 2 laps with a 4 minute lead over 2nd place.  Next week, we will travel to Ducktown, TN for SERC #5.  GO CHARLIE!
 
 

Friday, April 24, 2009

Saturday Group Road Ride

 
Group road ride this Saturday morning departing at 10 am sharp in Dillard.  Take the Dillard House Restaurant main entrance to the church parking lot on your left at the top of the hill.  Route will include the Wolffork Valley loop.  Moderate to short climbing.  Ride sponsored by the Lebanese Hummus Association.   Signed - The Blur (Gerry)   

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Macon County Relay for Life Duathlon

On Saturday, May 16th at 10am, beginning from Little Tennessee Greenway at Tassee Park.. will be the the Relay for Life Duathlon.  4 mile run, 11.6 mile bike, and 2 mile run.  Proceeds benefit Relay for Life.  You can register online at www.active.com
 
 
Pam & Dave
Smoky Mountain Bicycles
179 Highlands Road
Franklin, NC  28734
828-369-2881
 
 

Monday, April 20, 2009

Weekly Group Rides

This week's Wednesday Group Road Ride will leave from Smoky Mtn Bicycles at 5:30pm.  We'll be doing the Ellijay Loop....
 
Thursday is Urban Assault Ride from Macon County Library at 5:30pm.  All level of riders encouraged to attend.  Ride led by Scott Baste.
 
Also, Thursday is beginner rides on the Greenway at 5:30pm from the bike shop.  Mountain bike or comfort bike recommended... we have bicycles available for use, if you are trying to get family and friends introduced into cycling.  All level of riders encouraged to attend.
 
On Sunday, Charlie Ledford will defend is 3 race winning streak in Winder, GA at Ft Yargo State Park, the 4th race in the Gone Riding SERC Series.   Saturday Night is the Athens Twilight Criterium in Athens, GA and Charlie and gang will go watch the pros compete in the evening races.  More photos and race report will be on www.smokymtnbikes.com under Group Rides link, or www.maconcountycycling.blogspot.com after the weekend race.  GO CHARLIE!! 
 
Also, Lenny Jordan says "Thank You" to everyone who has been sending get well wishes and he hopes to see everyone soon! 

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Weekly Group Ride

This week's ride will begin at S Macon Elementary School on Addington Bridge Rd at 5:30pm.  We will be doing Patton Valley Loop BACKWARDS!  (Special request from Gerry Soud).
 
Thursday is the urban assault ride at S Macon Library at 5:30pm.  Mountain bikes recommended.
 
Beginner rides are resuming on Thursday at 5:30 pm from Smoky Mtn Bicycles on the Little Tennessee Greenway.  We have bicycles available, if you have some friends and family you would like to introduce to biking.
 
Pam & Dave
Smoky Mountain Bicycles
179 Highlands Road
Franklin, NC  28734
828-369-2881
 
 

Saturday, April 11, 2009

The Ruby Ride - Saturday, May 30th

Franklin Daybreak Rotary is proud to present the 1st Annual Ruby Ride on Saturday, May 30th starting from Franklin High School at 9am.  There are 3 routes to choose from:  24 mile, 63 mile and 100 mile option.  Cost of ride is $30.00 if registered before 5/15/09, $40.00 thereafter.  Registration/Packet Pickup will begin at 8am at Franklin High School.
 
Ride proceeds benefit the Children of Macon County through the Child Service Coordination Program.  CSC is a voluntary program helping families with children 5 years and under link with community resources e.g. medical care, transportation, and childcare and/or financial aid resources.  The goals of the program are: To connect children and families with services; to support your children in reaching their developmental potential; and, to help ensure that children are raised in healthy, safe, nurturing homes.
 
Franklin Daybreak Rotary is looking for sponsors, volunteers, and most of all - RIDERS!!  Come out and enjoy a great day in the mountains of WNC.  Post ride meal is being catered by Vlass House Grill.  Free T-shirt for first 75 registrations.
 
There is more information listed on the website at - www.therubyride.com .  I have also attached a registration form for you to complete and mail in.
 
Please let us know if you have any questions or need further information. 
 
Pam & Dave
Smoky Mountain Bicycles
179 Highlands Road
Franklin, NC  28734
828-369-2881
 
 

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Weekly Group Rides

Wednesday Group Road Ride will begin at Smoky Mountain Bicycles at 5:30pm.  We will do the Burningtown Loop.
 
Thursday Urban Assault Ride will begin at 5:30 at Macon County Library.  All level of riders encouraged to attend.
 
Check out the SERC #3 Race Report on www.maconcountycycling.blogspot.com and more photos are posted on www.smokymtnbikes.com .  We are proud to announce that Charlie has won his 3rd race out of 10 races in the SERC series.  Next race is in Winder, GA on April 26th. 
 
Pam & Dave
Smoky Mountain Bicycles
179 Highlands Road
Franklin, NC  28734
828-369-2881
 
 

SERC #3 Knobscorcher April 5, 2009

As we do before every race, we went out Saturday and pre-rode the course.  Conditions were not bad considering the amount of rain that Tsali has been receiving in the last couple of weeks.  We set up the event tent and got ready for a beautiful day on Sunday.  Sunday morning started out cool (around 32 degrees) but soon we were stripping off the layers, as temps got into the 70's.  We had a big group with us at this race, since it was the "home turf".  We appreciate the help and support of all our friends and family.  Smoky Mountain Bicycles was the "round sponsor" for the Knobscorcher and was honored to award the prizes to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.  Beginners got off nice and early at 9:30 am and we were ready for the Pro, Expert and Sport class to race at 11:30 am.  Sam and Willow Koerber were racing so that was some nice excitement for the day.  Charlie got his best start to date... he pulled off the line in 1st place and maintained the lead the entire race, once again passing the single speed class in front of him.  Right after the start, Charlie realized his shoe was untied and knew at some point he would have to tie his shoe.  John Hood, Charlie's coach and elite racer, was wondering why Charlie had laces to begin with.  Racers don't have laces, John said.  Charlie finished 1st with 6 minute lead over 2nd place.  Charlie was thrilled! This is by far one of the biggest races in the South East and there were more racers in Charlie's age group than any other race.  Charlie's family had come out to cheer him on and there was no added pressure by having your coach watch you race.  It was a great day and Charlie has won 3 of the 10 races.  Next race is in Winder, GA on Sunday, April 26th.  It was great to have OJ Simpson (VeloSports) and Lindsay Simpson there and we cheered on OJ in the expert class.
 
You can check out more photos from the race on www.smokymtnbikes.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, April 2, 2009

SERC #2 Columbia, TN

The 2nd race of the SERC series was in Columbia, TN.  Since the race in Gainesville, FL Charlie has a new 2009 Trek 8500 to race on.  After arriving on Saturday, we went to pre-ride the course.  There had been heavy rains prior to arriving at Columbia, TN and local bike shop informed that Chickasaw can be muddy, so we were prepared, we thought.  It was peanut butter mud, just like you find at Tsali.  Most of the climbs were slick and made it difficult to climb.  After pre-ride, it was off to the car wash to wash all the mud off the bikes and later we were under tornado watch.  Sunday, race day, was windy and cold with temperature of 40 degrees.  Charlie's class had to do 2 - 9 mile laps for 18 miles total.  Charlie was in the lead after the first turn and continued to lead the entire race.  Charlie passed every rider in the Single Speed class who started 2 minutes before Charlie's class.  Charlie finished 1st with 3 minute lead, 3rd place was 6 minutes behind.  CONGRATULATIONS!!!  Awesome Job!
 
 
 
 
 

FW: SERC #1 - Gainesville, FL

Smoky Mountain Bicycles is proud to announce the sponsorship of Charlie Ledford for the 2008 South Eastern Regional Championship Series (SERC) which is put on by Gone Riding (Terri & Dave Berger).  The first race of the series was in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, March 8th at Haile's Trails.  Charlie was ready to start his first year of mountain bike racing.  His motivation and desire to race is easily seen by his dedication to training with the help of John Hood. 
 
It was very warm day and the trail was in great shape.  During test ride on Saturday, Charlie's bike was acting up and not working properly.  At the last minute, Charlie and Dave decided to let him race on Dave's Fisher X-Caliber 29er... a bike Charlie never rode before.  Charlie was 3rd coming around the first corner, by the end of the 1st mile, Charlie was in the lead.  He continued to lead for 3 laps passing riders in the expert class.  Charlie finished 1st by 4 1/2 minutes. 
 
GREAT JOB CHARLIE!!!
 

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Group Rides

Wednesday Group Road Ride will start from S Macon Elementary School on Addington Bridge Rd.  We will meet at 5:30pm and do the Patton Valley Loop.  It looks like the rainy weather will clear out by this afternoon.. yippee!
 
You can only access the school parking lot via the traffic light at Prentiss Bridge and Addington Bridge Rd.  You can NOT access from Coweeta Church Rd due to construction on the one way bridge.
 
Thursday Urban Assault Ride will start at Macon County Library at 5:30pm.  Mountain bikes required.  All level of riders are encouraged to attend.  Ride is lead by Scott Baste.
 
We would to invite everyone to come out to the Knobscorcher which is the 3rd race of the SERC (South Eastern Regional Championships) Race Series.  The Knobscorcher is at Tsali on Sunday, April 5th beginning at 9:30 for beginners, and 11:30 for sport class and expert class.  Smoky Mountain Bicycles is sponsoring Charlie Ledford in the sport class this year.  This is Charlie's first year competing and he has finished 1st in the first race in Gainesville, FL and 2nd race in Columbia, TN.  Come out and watch the race and cheer Charlie on!!  Smoky Mountain Bicycles is also the round sponsor of the SERC Knobscorcher race and will be presenting the awards to all the winners!!  GO CHARLIE!
 
Pam & Dave
Smoky Mountain Bicycles
179 Highlands Road
Franklin, NC  28734
828-369-2881