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Sorellas Podium at US Masters Nationals
Kim Nelson National Champ and Jennifer Klein 2nd
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Race Report by Jennifer Klein
Excited that the 2016 USA Cycling Masters National Championship was an easy drive to Winston-Salem rather than to Ogden, Utah, or Bend, Oregon, where it had been in recent years, 4 members of the Sorella race team, Kim Nelson, Jennifer Klein, Jeannie Ericson, and Trish Albert, took off to seek their fortune on a national stage.
At the start line, the first reaction was amazement...when have you ever seen 22 sixty to seventy year old women, super fit with defined calf muscles, on the line for a big bicycle race? Here were World and National Champions, all seasoned racers, from CA, AZ, PA, NC, AL, NY, CO, MA, RI, GA and TN. The jitters were in order. The 60-70 year olds raced together, two laps of the 18.5 mile course. It was rolling but we’d actually have preferred more climbs to separate the field -- there were several attacks but nothing stuck.
At 5K to go, 15 were still in the peloton, so something had to be done. Trying to avoid a field sprint, at 1K to go Jennifer accelerated from the middle, fully expecting someone to zoom around (as happens racing 30 year olds...). Suddenly the finish line was in view, and Kim and Jennifer were sprinting for the National Championship, with Kim by an inch at the line, giving Sorella Cycling both a Gold and a Silver medal. Big smiles on the podium.
Jeannie, racing in 50-59 category, had a fast, tough field and finished in the hunt, 12th in the final sprint. We had to drive back to ATL that day, but wished we could have stayed on for the crit and TT. Trish Albert, in Winston to photograph the races and USPro events, grabbed the chance to race in the Masters Time Trial in her age 40-44, coming in 11th.
It’s worth noting that in the team competition, Sorella came in 33rd out of 284 teams, even with the 4 of us only competing in one event. We’re so proud of our team!!
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Featured Sorella
Sharon Martin Andersson
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About Me: I live in Woodstock and have been in this general area for about 20 years. I have two teenage daughters and a lovely brown lab who is the apple of our eye. I work for a very large management company and do special projects, account retention and social media.
Road, Mountain or Cyclocross: I ride all three!! My favorite to race is Cyclocross. My road bike gets way less love than the other bikes I own.
Type of Bike I ride: All but one of my bikes are Cannondale. I guess I am a Cannondale girl!
Favorite Place to Ride: I have some gravel road rides up outside Murphy, NC that are awesome!! I also like to go ride Tsali when I can get away.
Dream Ride: I think the dream ride is more about the companions I am with and less about location. That said, I would like to do some riding somewhere like Kuli'ou'ou Ridge in Honolulu.
Biggest Accomplishment on My Bike: I have had so many...I guess the few times I have been on the podium were pretty fun! Doing Ididaride is always an awesome accomplishment.
Why I Love Being a Sorella: The women in Sorella make me love the group!! We have a diverse group of ladies that bring so much to the club. I always enjoy my time with my Sorella sisters. Not only that, but it is fun to watch girls discover what they can do on the bike, try a new discipline or try out racing. I have had the honor of seeing so many group in the sport of cycling.
Note: Sharon is the Sorella Cycling Club President! She spends a lot of time behind the scenes helping to promote women's cycling in Georgia. Contact her at sharoncycles@gmail.com.
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Membership Update
Club Roster is 157 members strong
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With 157 members, Sorella Cycling is the largest women's cycling club in the southeast and one of the largest in the country!
The club welcomed these new and renewing members in May.
New: Sarah Hoots, Melinda Verdesca & Alison Mantel
Renew: Pilar Hernandez & Liz King
We look forward to seeing you on the roads and the trails!
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Women's Mountain Biking Summit
Club President leads panel discussion
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Sorella was in the house for the 2016 Southern Mountain Bike Summit March 18 - 19 in Bryson City, NC. Club president Sharon Martin Andersson joined SORBA's volunteers, land managers, advocates and members for this fun filled weekend of education, skill sharpening, and trail riding.
Sharon was part of a panel discussion on "Women in Mountain Biking." IMBA hopes to connect more women to the awesome sport of mountain biking. The panel offered up ideas to get more women engaged and better meet the needs of beginner women riders.
Beyond trail knowledge, the summit educational sessions included a presentation on "The Significance of the Women's Market" by Robin Bylenga, owner of two female focused bike shops operating under the Pedal Chic banner, followed by the panel discussion. In addition to Sharon, other moderators included Angela Chambers, Lynda Green and Carrie Johnston. SORBA's attention to gender diversity seems to be working as the session classroom included at least 25 female participants - with an equal number participating in a concurrent women's-only skills clinic, led by MTB instructor Sue Haywood. Club member Stefanie Wilmert also participated, leading a kid-skills clinic.
For more information about the International Mountain Biking Association, visit their website at https://www.imba.com.
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WEEKLY / MONTHLY CLUB RIDES
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HELMETS ARE REQUIRED ON ALL SORELLA RIDES
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Tuesday Night Ladies-Only Ride
Tuesday Evenings 6:30 pm
Open to: Sorellas and Friends
Leaves From: Atlanta Cycling Vinings 4335 Cobb Parkway Atlanta, GA 30339
For us Sorellas, the highlight of this weekly series is the Tuesday Ladies Only road ride which will always have a sweeper to ensure everyone's safe completion of the ride. In the past we have had great Sorella representation on these rides and look forward to everyone joining this weekly ride! The ride rolls out of the AC Vinings store promptly at 6:30PM during April - August for an 18 or 22 mile loop on low traffic roads. The AC full group ride schedule can be found at http://atlantacycling.com/articles/atlanta-cycling-group-rides-pg37.htm
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Wednesday Night Women's Buckhead Ride
Wednesday Evenings 6:30 pm
Open to: Sorellas and Friends
Leaves From: E. Rivers Elementary School 8 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
This ride runs the first Wednesdayin April thru September and is led by Sorella Linda Rathje. Start time is 6:30 and it will leave from E. Rivers Elementary School at the corner of Peachtree and Peachtree Battle. Restroom are available at Starbucks, across the street if you need them. The pace is 14-15 mph which doesn't sound like much but the route is a hilly 21 miles. It is not a beginner ride. You should be comfortable riding with a group in light traffic and in hilly terrain. It is a great opportunity to improve your climbing skills and step outside your comfort zone, with a friendly group of women. There are a few pretty good climbs (4 or 5) and you can take these as hard and fast as you want. We regroup at the top so everyone can continue to socialize to the next climb. The group usually grabs dinner after the ride at La Fonda.
Q? Email Linda Rathje
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Wednesday Co-Ed Mountain Bike Ride
Wednesday Evenings 6:30 pm
Open to: Sorellas, Fellas and Friends
Leaves From: Atlanta Cycling Vinings 4335 Cobb Parkway Atlanta, GA 30339
Ride the Callen Trail to the MTB trails at Cochran Shoals. Then return after a loop or two, at dusk.
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Monthly Eventide Brewing Intown Ride
When: Thursday June 23, 2016
Ready to Ride @ 6PM
Open to: Sorellas, Fellas and Friends
Leaves From: Our Sponsor, Eventide Brewing, 1015 Grant St SE Atlanta, GA 30315
Join Sorella ride leader Brittany Hopson Montgomery (Bhop) for our monthly Eventide Brewing Intown Road ride. The group will leave Eventide to enjoy a 14-16 mile no drop loop all intown on streets that are not busy during rush hour! This will be a very chill social ride, no crazy climbs, very beginner friendly. Brews afterwards at Eventide to quench our thirst!
R.S.V.P. on the Facebook event page
Q? Contact Brittany
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Monthly Silver Comet Trail Ride at the Caboose
When: Sunday June 26, 2016
Ready to Ride @ 2PM
Open to: Sorellas, Fellas and Friends
Leave From: Hiram Caboose 531 Seaboard Ave Hiram, GA 30141 Plan for extra travel time if you have never been to the Caboose. It can be tricky to find.
Join Sorella Cycling as we lead a ride on Silver Comet Trail from the Paulding Caboose trail head in Hiram, GA headed out toward the big tunnel/Rockmart.
Bring a Fella and/or a friend! The ride will split into several different groups for desired distance (20 to 45 miles) and pace so we encourage everyone to join us.
R.S.V.P. on the Facebook Event Page : https://www.facebook.com/events/169633050095879/
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Social Mountain Bike Ride and Skills Clinic
When: June 11, 2016
Ready to Ride @ 10am
Where: Blankets Creek Mountain Bike Trail 2261 Sixes Rd, Canton, Georgia 30114
Join Sorella Mountain Bike Racer Precia Caraway as she hits the trails with the Little Bellas on June 11. Little Bellas is a mountain bike organization whose goal is to help young women realize their potential through cycling. Rebecca Loose leads them in mountain bike skills to increase their safety and speed, skim over roots, rocks and tackling technical challenges along the way.
Rebecca Loose was chosen by the Little Bellas organization to bring their program to North Georgia. By creating a community that empowers girls through the sport, Little Bellas emphasizes the importance of goal-setting, promoting healthy life styles and recognizing the positive effects of strong female bonds. While this program is centered around creating camaraderie for girls on bikes, it is most importantly about having fun in a constructive environment. Little Bellas brings together girls, ages 7 to 16, and female mentors in our programs across the country.
Learn more about Little Bellas on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/littlebellasmtb/
Event Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1733690733565387/
Q? Email Precia Caraway
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4 Gaps Training Ride
When: Saturday, June 18, 2016
Ready to Ride @ 9 am
Open To: Sorellas, Fellas and Friends
Where: Start at rock pile – north of Dahlonega (see: http://roadsidegeorgia.com/site/stonepile.html) at the intersection of U. S. 19 and S. R. 60
Join ride leader Suzanne Sutton Brockway for a day of moderate to advanced climbing during a 63 mile loop with an estimated 6300 foot of climb. Average speed anticipated to be 14-15 mph average with regouping at the top of climbs.
Directions: Take Highway 19 north from Dahlonega to the junction of State Road 60. The stone pile is in a triangle at the intersection.
R.S.V.P. on the Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/1075135219268745/
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June Group Road Ride - Ladies Pizza Ride
When: Saturday, June 25, 2016
Ready to Ride @ 9 am
Open To: Sorellas and other ladies
Where: Decatur High School 310 McDonough St.
Decatur, GA 30030
Join Sorella Cycling's Natalie Naylor as she leads the Club Lady's Road Ride the 4th Saturday of each month @ 9AM. The route will be the Thursday night Pizza Ride route but we will leave from Decatur High School - 30-35 miles. Meet in the parking lot near the corner of W. Howard (Dekalb Ave. becomes W. Howard) and McDonough St. - parking for Decatur High School: 310 McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030. Contact Natalie Naylor for more information.
R.S.V.P. on the Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/1015130388536023/
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Hincapie Gran Fondo
When: October 22, 2016
Where: Traveler's Rest, SC
Join fellow Sorellas for their annual trek to the beautiful mountains of Greenville SC. Choose from 15, 50 or 80 mile options. Receive a 50% discount for volunteering at packet pick up the day before (use the code SORELLA16 when registering). And if you need a place to stay, Jennifer Klein rented a cool mountain house with 4 more slots just 5 miles from the start! Contact her at jrayklein@gmail.com if interested.
Register at: http://granfondohincapie.com/
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EVENTS AROUND THE SOUTHEAST
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Atlanta Cycling Festival
When: June 11 - June 16, 2016
Where: Varies
Be part of the third annual Atlanta Cycling Festival this June. Take the whole week off: You'll need it. This is a week of bike related activities includes events for MTB, road & tandem. You'll sample art, tech, volunteering, advocacy, culture, doughnuts, beer and a whole lot more!
For more information, visit the event webpage
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Atlanta Bike Expo
When: July 16, 2016
Time: 9 am - 7 pm
Where: Georgia International Convention Center
2000 Convention Center Concourse College Park, Georgia 30337
This event is Georgia's Largest bicycle consumer exhibition, with a mission of bringing together all things cycling. Meet professional road cyclists. See all the hottest new road, mountain, electric, commuter and indoor cycling spin bikes. Get great deals on cycling apparel, bike accessories and much more. There will be bike competitions, and outdoor test track, a kid zone and various contests.
For more information, visit www.atlantabikeexpo.com
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Looking for a Ride or Event Near You?
Visit Southeastern Cycling's Website to learn about rides and events throughout the southeast. The site was founded (and is maintained by) club member Trish Albert.
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Featured Sponsor:
LW Coaching
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Lynda Wallenfels is proud to serve as the Sorella Cycling Mountain Bike Coach. Lynda's coaching philosophy is a mix of scientific principles, athlete joy and schedule reality. Each of these facets is a crucial part of a successful training program and race performance. She specializes in remote coaching, serving athletes from all over the USA. Her expertise lies in long distance mountain bike, cycling strength development, optimizing training time, performance and results.
Visit Lynda's website at http://lwcoaching.com
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Help Spread the Word. Our mission is to foster a supportive, open environment for women to ride for fitness, recreation and racing. Do you have a friend or acquaintance who may be interested in joining our club? We accept new members year round. Forward this email to a cycling friend. And click here to join!
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Did you know that the club has a members-only Facebook group? Be part of the lively discussions. Make new ride buddies and find rides in your area. Contact Kim Nelson to be added to the group.
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