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Tour De France and Climbing
A Dream Trip
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By Jennifer Klein
Cycling in Europe had always been a dream of mine, and I figured it was bucket list time! I joined the Atlanta Cycling Tour de France trip along with fellow Sorellas Karen Hoffmann and Suzanne Brockway and 25 other friends new and old. Very different from a Butterfield easy riding tour, we had adventure after adventure! We were battered by wind and hail, riding 7000 foot climbs in Andorra, climbing the iconic Mt. Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez in France, and were rewarded with beautiful vistas and time to drink our wine and swap stories over dinner. Central also was the up close and personal interaction with the Tour de France — riding the stage route before the riders in Andorra and Mt. Ventoux; watching the pre-game and Depart of Stage 11; and seeing an the individual time trial in Bourg-Saint-Andeol.
In Andorra, a Principality in the Pyrenees between Spain and France, we rode the Tour route uphill from our hotel -- 7000+ feet of climbing. Unbelievable scenery and carnival atmosphere with all the fans lining the route, tailgating at their RVs catcalling 'Chica!' or ‘Allez! allez! allez!’ as we climbed. Some Colombian riders even yelled "Hincapie! Hincapie!" after Karen, seeing her club jersey. After summiting, we joined a tailgate to wait for the racers, compete with the Tour on live TV, grilled meat, and fans from numerous countries. With 15k to go in the stage the sunny skies clouded and a HUGE hailstorm broke out for the finish. I fantasized a SAG van would pick us up, but when even the Tour finishers started descending in the hail and rain, reality hit. We descended the 15k climb with the masses with basically no brakes, with rain streaming from above and in rivulets and fishtales in front of us. My light jacket was quickly soaked and I was shaking... the story thankfully ends well with a hot shower and story filled dinner time.
Read More...
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Featured Sorella
Bianca Martin
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About Me: I am a recent transplant to Atlanta about a year and a half ago. I began cycling back in September after battling many running injuries and ultimately deciding to make the transition over. I currently work for Mizuno USA in Brand Marketing for Running. Outside of cycling I love to cooking/baking and travel! I am single with no children and no pets - we'll just say this gives me extra time to train! ;)
Road, Mountain or Cyclocross: Road
Type of Bike I ride: Cervelo 3T (Marcello the Cervelo) but I started on a steel frame Raleigh from 1985 (Theodore)! Had to earn my stripes.
Favorite Place to Ride: Silk Sheets with the old guys! So strong, encouraging, and amazing bike handlers.
Dream Ride: Out in the Central Park with my Dad. Would be beautiful to see where it all began for him.
Biggest Accomplishment on My Bike: Winning my very first race despite everything going wrong including falling while RUNNING in my cleats to the start line of the time trial. I have a gnarly scar on my knee to remind me to make sure I'm never late again;)
Why I Love Being a Sorella: Being a Sorella is girl power at its finest. There's something magical about a group of women striving for common goals and encouraging each other along the way. Huge thanks to Kim Nelson for getting me started!
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Race Report
Leadville 100
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By Jenna Downey
It all began a year ago after the Leadville 100 when I paced/crewed my boyfriend Stephan through the 100 mile run in beautiful Colorado. The atmosphere at Leadville is incredible and he said, “let’s do the mountain bike next year.” We put our names in the pot, along with our friends Michael and Max – and I actually was positive we wouldn’t get selected since we didn’t have a mountain bike resume, at all. After a long season of racing Cyclocross, I was standing on the hill after CX Nationals in Asheville, when I got the notification that we had been selected for Leadville 100 Mountain Bike. WHAT?! So…the training began! The journey to the start line was fun, exhausting, full of new adventures and lots of time in the saddle.
Read more about Jenna’s incredible race and her key learnings
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Membership Update
Club Roster is 169 members strong
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The club welcomed these new members in August. We now have almost 170 members. Reach out on our member's only Facebook page if you want to find someone to ride with.
New Members: Caitlin Smith, Megan Hannon and Kathleen Eaton.
We look forward to seeing you on the roads and the trails!
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Nutrition Clinic Recap
Event at Eventide Well Attended
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Sorellas recently gathered at our sponsor, Eventide Brewery, for an informative talk by Sorella Sylvia Poulis, Phd, on the importance of nutrition for cyclists and endurance athletes. Sylvia addressed common myths about every day nutrition, and explained how to fuel before, during and after riding. If you missed the event, you can view Sylvia's presentation here
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Volunteers Needed
Fools Gold Race on September 17
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The Sorella Cycling race team supports a few amazing race directors by volunteering at their races. This will be our second year supporting Lisa Randall (of Mountain Goat Adventures) during the Fools Gold Mountain Bike Race on Sept 17. We have a lot of her spots covered, but in particular, she needs someone with a truck or vehicle that can make it to a remote aid station on fire roads carrying all the supplies then cover that station from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. I know it sounds dreadful, but just ask some of the volunteers who did it last year. It was actually pretty fun, and you may even feel a little inspired by all those endurance junkies riding through your station. Other options available if you don't have the vehicle and want to volunteer anyway. Contact Jean Miller if interested.
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Sorellas on the Roads
Atlanta Cycle Labor Day Ride
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About a dozen Sorellas came out on Monday, September 5, 2016, for the Atlanta Cycling Labor Day ride at Silk Sheets to benefit Campbellton UMC, a great friend to cyclists year round. Besides a great ride, the spread afterwards by the ladies of the church and AC was worth riding a metric century to get!
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Save the Date
Sorella Cycling Annual Celebration
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When: Sunday November 6, 5-8 pm
Where: Eventide Brewery, 1015 Grant Street SW Atlanta, 30315
Come celebrate another year of great cycling at our great sponsor Eventide Brewing! All Sorella members and Fella or friends are welcome! Eventide Brewery will provide a free souvenir glass, 3 full beers for all attendeesfrom their selection of craft brews. Food details are being worked out but we'll have some for sure.
We'll be signing up 2017 memberships with special incentives to renew at the meeting or before. 2016 Sorella kit items from Hincapie will again be available for try-on, with an opportunity to order in late November, to be delivered direct to you in January or early February. Check out the knickers and long sleeve jerseys! Note: To order a Sorella kit you must be a current member.
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WEEKLY / MONTHLY CLUB RIDES
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Helmets are required on all Sorella rides. Also as the days get shorter, be sure to have both front and rear lights on your bike for the evening group rides.
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Tuesday Night Ladies-Only Ride
Tuesday Evenings 6:15 pm NOTE TIME CHANGE!
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 6:15 PM during September (6:00 October) 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 6:10 pm NOTE TIME CHANGE!
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 September 15, 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!
RSVP on the Facebook event Page
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Monthly Silver Comet Trail Ride at the Caboose
When: Sunday September 25, 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
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Beautiful Back Roads Century
When: September 17, 2016
Where: Cartersville, GA
Choose one of five different distances, from 14 to 100 miles, over the beautiful back roads of North Georgia. This year's proceeds go towards supporting the Hickory Log Home for Men.
Register at: http://bikebbc.com
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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).
Register at: http://granfondohincapie.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:
Emory Sports Medicine Center
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This months sponsor, Emory Sports Medicine Center, is a global leader in providing advanced treatments for patients with orthopaedic and sports medicine injuries.
The Emory Sports Medicine Center is a leader in advanced treatments for patients with orthopedic and sports-related injuries. From surgical sports medicine expertise to innovative therapy and athletic injury rehabilitation, our sports medicine physicians and specialists provide the most comprehensive treatment for athletic injuries in Atlanta, Dunwoody, Johns Creek and the state of Georgia. Constantly conducting research and developing new techniques, Emory sports medicine specialists are experienced in diagnosing and treating the full spectrum of sports injuries.
Emory sports medicine patients range from professional athletes to those who enjoy active lifestyles and want the best possible outcomes and recovery from sports injuries.
Visit them at http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/sports-medicine/
Note: Sorella members are automatically part of Emory Sports Medicines Fast Tracked Care. To schedule an expedited appointment please call 404-783-9566
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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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