A busy weekend here at HQ. The Giro and Tour of California are both wrapping up an exciting week of racing for completely different reasons. The Giro continues to be the most beautiful of Grand Tours while TOC is the Peter Sagan show. A hearty congrats to Farina for a strong 5th in the Amgen Tour of California Time Trial invitational. Now-Novartis team mate Allison Powers nabbed second.

Don’t forget that Saturday morning is the team picture. We will meet at the neon church at 830a. To clear up any confusion, this is open to the entire 36th Street Racing family. The more the merrier, the better the pict. The only requirement is you have the team kit. The race group will depart on a training ride immediately following.

Good luck to everyone riding Morrow Mountain tomorrow.

SATURDAY
8a, Assault on Morrow Mountain. Look for several Thirty Sixers to head out in final prep for Monday’s Assault on Mt. Mitchell. “The Assault on Morrow Mountain ride series includes 6 scheduled rides for 2012. Amazingly scenic and only 40 minutes east of Charlotte, the ride provides some of the very best cycling in all of North Carolina.”

830a, Team Photo Session/Training Ride. Meet at 36th & Yadkin. We will find a good spot in Noda for the picture. Try to remember to bring your arm warmers. Team kit only. The race group will head out on a training ride immediately following. Club and race members alike are welcome for the photo and the following race. Non 36ers are welcome to join the race.

The HTFU race will be a full stop drop ride with no sweep. So know the route and have what you need to sustain yourself. There will team captains may neutralize the race for a food or natural break, but don’t plan on it.

Meet in NoDa for the photo at 8:30. The ride will commence immediately following the photo, so be ready to go.

We would like to thank Nick Frank who designed the original and acknowledge that this is but a modified copy, meant to be ridden by those who do not put forearm appendages (Aero bars) on their road bikes.

All sprint and KOM’s were marked today by Jaime Pou and Neill with orange paint on the side of the road and a line of maroon chalk that may or may not be there tomorrow. The chalk is in a line across the right lane of the road while the paint is a short stubby line that extends from the right of the road in about 1.5 feet.

SUNDAY
9a, 36th Street Racing Sunday Ride. Group departs 9a from the corner of 36th & Yadkin. 53miles. Group stop at Stallings Road Park. Lead/chase split at Flowes Store Rd, chase group will ride no drop (18-19mph) and sweep the route. Store stop at Camp Stewart Rd & Harrisburg Rd. Sprint at Orr Rd. Pub finish at Growlers Pourhouse for $2.50 Rangers and Fat Tires courtesy New Belgium Brewery.

Please come prepared. Cell phone, food, water, cue sheet, route & pace familiarity, ID, and cash are always good things to have on your person no matter the distance. Cyclists ride at their own risk, roads are not closed for cyclists. We do our best to make sure everyone gets home in one piece, but it can be tough to account for all. The ride is NO GO if it’s raining. Route details below:

“Join cyclists worldwide in a silent slow-paced ride (max. 12 mph/20 kph) in honor of those who have been injured or killed while cycling on public roadways.

WHY DOES THIS ORGANIZATION EXIST?

To HONOR those who have been injured or killed
To RAISE AWARENESS that we are here
To ask that we all SHARE THE ROAD”

Our friends at MyBikeLaw will be hosting the after-ride gathering in Charlotte at 225 East Worthington Avenue. No RSVP required but let them know you’re coming to help with the count.

It’s most certainly shaping up to be a stunning weekend here at HQ. Bike Charlotte festivities wind down on Saturday. The Giro d’Italia moves into it’s second week. The Amgen Tour of California starts Sunday evening, and of course we would be remiss to forget Mother’s Day.

A few quick updates: Socks are approved and in production. Team bottles are running on roughly the same timeline, and should be manufactured soon. We’ll be going with the Purist from Specialized. Frame/helmet stickers will be ready for order as well in the near future. Finally, we will take the wraps off of our team kit re-order from Hincapie Sports in the next 5-10 days. Everyone get their wishlist in order now. We’ll likely focus the order on bibs, jerseys and gloves only.

A special “good luck/wheels down” to our own Robin Farina. The Champ is racing the invitation only Amgen Tour of California Women’s Time Trial Race next Thursday May 17th. One of only 10 world class riders participating in the event. Before heading out West, Farina is hosting a Women’s Only Social Ride tomorrow (Saturday) at 9a. Rolling from Uptown Cycles at a conversation friendly pace.

SATURDAY
7a, CBC Saturday “A” Ride. Roll out from NoDa at 6am for the easy spin to CBC. This ride is fast and fun. 21+ avg. Get back into NoDa around 9:30 with 60 miles done. Meet at Holt and 36th Street.

830a, Spamerton Loop. Shelly, Lifts and Joshy are heading out from Uptown Cycles to do some damage over Spencer and Cramer.

9a, Ride With Robin – Women’s Only Social Ride. “UC wants to help promote cycling and get more Women on bikes. The ride will be lead by Uptown Cycles co-owner and current National Road Race Champion. All levels welcome! We will ride at a comfortable pace for everyone. Come out have some fun and enjoy a day of riding with other women! Don’t be shy! It’s a great opportunity to learn more about riding on the road and riding in a group! Call the shop if you have any questions. 704-632-7440″

10a, Bike Charlotte. The 2012 edition of Bike Charlotte wraps up with Cycle Charlotte and the Plaza Midwood BikeFEST, “featuring three blocks of Thomas Ave in Plaza Midwood will be closed to allow a safe environment for scavenger hunts, cycling, skating, a bike rodeo and a bike parade!”. Click here for more event options.

SUNDAY
9a, 36th Street Racing Sunday Ride. Group departs 9a from the corner of 36th & Yadkin. 53miles. Group stop at Stallings Road Park. Lead/chase split at Flowes Store Rd, chase group will ride no drop (18-19mph) and sweep the route. Store stop at Camp Stewart Rd & Harrisburg Rd. Sprint at Orr Rd. Pub finish at Growlers Pourhouse for $2.50 Rangers and Fat Tires courtesy New Belgium Brewery.

Please come prepared. Cell phone, food, water, cue sheet, route & pace familiarity, ID, and cash are always good things to have on your person no matter the distance. Cyclists ride at their own risk, roads are not closed for cyclists. We do our best to make sure everyone gets home in one piece, but it can be tough to account for all. The ride is NO GO if it’s raining. Route details below:

Lil Duquette gets pinned between two riders, rolls a tire and is out of race. Alexis got caught behind another crash on the last lap but finished 9th.

In the cat 4/5 Larry rode well up front and looked really strong. 1 lap to go he got pushed into the barriers and crashed. Got up finished 26th out of 45.

Saturday in Asheboro Allen rode well in the 3/4/5 35+, wrapping an 18th. Shawn finished with the pack after a week of no riding. David Duquette proved to be a monster again, jumping off the front for 5-6 laps in the 3s. After rejoining the pack, he rode 3rd or 4th wheel the rest of the race. A crash on the last lap made it a 4 up sprint, with David finishing 3rd, missing 2nd by a half a wheel.

Great weekend fellas.

It’s a hot one this week. Make sure to hydrate, kids. For the first weekend in May, we see another batch of Bike Charlotte events. Racing in Spartanburg, Asheboro, and Denton. Of course, you can always explore Weeklyrides.com for more riding options.

FRIDAY
5p, Spartanburg Regional Classic. Crit racing, music and food in downtown Spartanburg as part of USA Crits Speedweek.

SATURDAY
7a, CBC Saturday “A” Ride. Roll out from NoDa at 6am for the easy spin to CBC. This ride is fast and fun. 21+ avg. Get back into NoDa around 9:30 with 60 miles done. Meet at Holt and 36th Street.

9a, Bike Charlotte. The 2012 edition of Bike Charlotte continues with the Charlotte Community Garden Tour and more. Click here for more event options.

1025a, Asheboro In Motion Criterium. Heart of NC Race Weekend kicks off in downtown Asheboro, NC.

SUNDAY
830a, Denton Tour de Kale Crit. A full day of racing in Denton, NC. Part of the Heart of NC Race Weekend.

9a, 36th Street Racing Sunday Ride. Group departs 9a from the corner of 36th & Yadkin. 53miles. Group stop at Stallings Road Park. Lead/chase split at Flowes Store Rd, chase group will ride no drop (18-19mph) and sweep the route. Store stop at Camp Stewart Rd & Harrisburg Rd. Sprint at Orr Rd. Pub finish at Growlers Pourhouse for $2.50 Rangers and Fat Tires courtesy New Belgium Brewery.

Please come prepared. Cell phone, food, water, cue sheet, route & pace familiarity, ID, and cash are always good things to have on your person no matter the distance. Cyclists ride at their own risk, roads are not closed for cyclists. We do our best to make sure everyone gets home in one piece, but it can be tough to account for all. The ride is NO GO if it’s raining. Route details below:

This weekend we have the CBC Saturday A ride, Tour de Moore road race, Giordana Velodrome track certification, the start of Bike Charlotte! and the Sunday ride. Don’t forget the Growlers Pourhouse Oyster Roast, Sunday afternoon at 1p.

FRIDAY
830p, Bike Charlotte!. Bike Charlotte kicks off 17 days of bike related events with the “intention to empower the citizens of Charlotte to incorporate the bicycle into their life.” Friday night’s event is a Bike In Movie night in Latta Park.

SATURDAY
7a, CBC Saturday “A” Ride. Roll out from NoDa at 6am for the easy spin to CBC. This ride is fast and fun. 21+ avg. Get back into NoDa around 9:30 with 60 miles done. Meet at Holt and 36th Street.

730a, Tour De Moore. 2012 marks the 37th running of the Tour De Moore in Southern Pines, NC. Cat 4s go for 54 miles while the Pro/1/2 slog through 109 miles. The Tour de Moore is part of the Nature Valley Pro Chase series, “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride as guests of the Nature Valley Cycling team, competing against the country’s top men and women professional bicycle racers at the 14th annual edition of the Nature Valley Grand Prix, one of the premier
races on the 2012 USA Cycling National Racing Calendar.”

9a, Giordana Velodrome. Track certification. As of Thursday there were still a few spots open for the 1 day certification class. Remember that this will be the last few days of certifications at the track until June.

SUNDAY
9a, 36th Street Racing Sunday Ride. Group departs 9a from the corner of 36th & Yadkin. 53miles. Group stop at Stallings Road Park. Group stop at corner of Pine Church Rd and Flowes Store Rd. Lead/chase split at Flowes Store Rd, chase group will ride no drop (18-19mph) and sweep the route. Store stop at Camp Stewart Rd & Harrisburg Rd. Sprint at Orr Rd. Pub finish at Growlers Pourhouse for $2.50 Rangers and Fat Tires courtesy New Belgium Brewery.

Please come prepared. Cell phone, food, water, cue sheet, route & pace familiarity, ID, and cash are always good things to have on your person no matter the distance. Cyclists ride at their own risk, roads are not closed for cyclists. We do our best to make sure everyone gets home in one piece, but it can be tough to account for all. The ride is NO GO if it’s raining. Route details below:

1p, Growlers Pourhouse Oyster Roast. Benefiting the JDRF, our own Baby Legs Zoller backs the oyster mobile up to Growlers for a day of food, craft beer and music. $5 at the door.