9-12-09
Right then, I know it’s been awhile since I posted and for that I have no real excuses. I could yammer on about how I spent the summer trying to balance work overload, training, a new girlfriend, etc but hey, I know everyone has the same stuff to deal with so I’ll spare (even myself) that boredom. Since my last post, I have done a couple of different races:
24 Hours of Conyers by Granny Gear (www.grannygear.com)
Dog Days Crit at Grant Park sponsored by Aarons’ Cycling (http://www.aaronscycling.com/)
I’ve spent a great deal of time this summer getting back into SORBA (www.sorba.org) and trying to get some things launched with the Atlanta chapter, which has all but fallen off the map over the last several years. It’s sad really when you think about SORBA having found it’s start with a small group of mountain bikers in the city who wanted more places to ride because land owners were quickly shutting out bikers. Now that SORBA has grown to (23) chapters in (6) states, the place where it all began finds itself in dire need of help. There are things that we’re working on – 10 miles of singletrack INSIDE the perimeter just (2) miles from GA Tech – for one example but it’s all long range stuff. The low hanging fruit gets missed so for once, I’m trying to focus on short term stuff instead of long term. I’m trying to get us connected with local neighborhood organizations and Boy Scout troops and build relationships with intown residents who look at cyclists as a bunch of suburban white folk with too much time and money on their hands. There are ways to get our message out to the masses without even talking about dirt trails – bike rodeos, basic maintenance, bike safety, traffic safety, etc – are all things that kids who ride their bikes on overworked city streets need to learn. There are local state parks that offer mountain biking opportunities that I’ve just learned about, actually through another cycling organization. It’s a shame that we’ve missed out on leading efforts at these locations.
Let’s see….this weekend Sarah and I (that’s the girl’s name) are heading out to do the Cox MS 150 Challenge or whatever shameless self promoting thing Cox is wanting it called this year. Bottom line remains, it’s a great fundraiser for awareness and finding a cure for MS (multiple sclerosis). Details are at http://www.ms150atlantachallenge.org/about_tour.html. If you want to donate to the cause, please go to http://bikegaa.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=1893492&pg=personal&fr_id=8885. Donations can be made online through that link and are tax deductible. Oh, I should mention that I’m riding for Team Shepherd / HDS Vans. From the website (www.shepherd.org):
“Shepherd Center specializes in the medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries, acquired brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other neurological conditions.”
Other upcoming events that I’m planning are the Dirty Spokes 12 hours of Conyers in October and possibly the Swank 65 in November. I’d like to get some at least one other 12 hour in but we’ll see.
As part of SORBA Atlanta, I’ve started a weekly ride called the Turtle River Rumble. This ride is every Thursday night at Sope Creek. The intent is to start getting riders together and working together instead of all of us keeping a low profile by not banding together. There is more low hanging fruit for us to latch onto at this park (Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area) and we’re missing it. I love riding and running and otherwise playing in this park and now that I’m in a position where I’m not traveling, I wanted to jump headlong into getting some stuff happening out there. For more info on this ride, stay tuned to www. Sorba.org/forum under the Rides section.
Oh, the last big bit of riding news is that I’ve been asked by SORBA to lead a team as part of the Team IMBA program. This program is basically set up as a fund raiser for local trail efforts. We’re looking to partner with a local race director for the Dirty Spokes series for 2009 and have at least one multi-person team and a solo rider or two involved at these races. If you are interested in being a part of this team for 2009 or want more information, please email me at cmyrickjr@mindspring.com. More information including benefits of being on the team (jersey, training plans from Boulder Peak Performance, etc) can be found at http://go.imba.com/site/PageServer?pagename=TeamIMBA_homepage. If you would like to donate to trail efforts in the metro Atlanta area, please go to http://go.imba.com/site/TR/Volunteerfundraiser/TeamIMBA?team_id=1090&pg=team&fr_id=1050. Again, these donations are tax deductible and do NOT go to me or any member of the team but are handled through IMBA and SORBA.
Since this is getting long (that’s what I get for not posting in awhile right?) I’ll start wrapping up. Earlier in the summer / late May I met a young lady named Sarah who is a cat. 3 roadie and concentrates on crits. She races for Sorella Cycling (ww.sorella.com) which is a team / club focused on promoting cycling for women. They are a great group of gals that ride road, dirt and all disciplines of each. I’ve really been blessed to have her in my life and we are very much enjoying the time we spend with each other, whether it’s riding, paddling a quiet lake, or hanging with family.
I’ve also had the pleasure of getting to know the Dusacks – Chris, Bridgette, and Norah – over the summer. Hopefully we can get together for Fall weekend of camping and riding. Oh yea, thankfully Sarah can ride a mountain bike pretty well and doesn’t mind it either!
Well, I figure that’s about enough to digest in one sitting but should bring you pretty much up to speed. I’m sure we’ll have some good pictures from the MS ride to post up so I’ll get them up Monday.
