The Dirt

Summer Rides and Board Changes

We hope your Summer is going well and that you ‘ve been getting some riding in between the rain drops when the trails are dry!

If you are looking for a great in town group ride this Summer, we have partnered with Tourdelanta for an in town mixed surface ride every Thursday night. Tourdelanta starts at 6:45 at Peachtree Bikes Westside and explores different routes throughout the City. You will ride PATH trails, the Beltline and mixed bits of urban single-track that will always leave you surprised. Each ride is an adventure and is no drop and appropriate for all levels of ride experience. Afterwards, we go out for a beer and some food at a Westside eatery.

We also have added some Beginner Group Rides this Summer hosted by our friend Kent McMullen (the Average Mountain Biker) on select Monday nights at Cochran Mill Park. This is an inclusive, no drop beginner ride and a great way to get yourself out on the trail. The Beginner Rides will be at 6 PM Monday, August 6th and 20th and September 24th.

Check out these new  rides and all our events over at the Events Tab of this website!

In Chapter news, MTB Atlanta has undergone some Board changes this Summer with the retirement of our good friend and Atlanta Vice President Tom Tomaka. Tom has made the move to Western North Carolina and we couldn’t be happier for him. Tom served as SORBA Atlanta President in mid 2000’s and was instrumental in advocating for MTB and trail access at the Bellwood Quarry site and in the City of Atlanta. Most recently, Tom played a vital role in facilitating the Southside Park Trail and Poole Creek Bridge builds and the grant writing for those projects. Tom’s knowledge and contacts with City of Atlanta Government and local non-profits will be sorely missed, but we look forward to visiting him for a ride in the Pisgah National Forest adjacent to his new home! MTB Atlanta’s Board thanks Tom for his service and all his contributions to cycling advocacy in Metro Atlanta.

With Tom’s departure, we are glad to announce our newest Board member Chris Alasa. Chris is the founder of the Tourdelanta Group Ride, which he founded in 2012. Chis is an avid supporter of local parks and and a mountain bike and trail advocate who is passionate about developing MTB trails and bike park facilities in ITP Atlanta, particularly at the Bellwood Quarry and along the Proctor Creek Greenway in NW Atlanta. Chris grew up in Roswell, GA, was involved in Scouting as a kid and earned his Eagle.  He is the owner of Security One Services, a home security company with almost 20 years in the business. Chris is currently working with Howell Station Residents (where he resides) and Park Pride to rebuild Knight Park in West Midtown. We welcome Chris Alasa to our Board as the new Vice President for Atlanta.