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Dear ABCS Rider,
For all of you who were looking forward to our Penultimate
GLASSNER AUTUMN CHALLENGE
, we know you were not disappointed! With an impressive and professional atmosphere at headquarters, we were engulfed by the sound of safety announcements, welcomes, and music to get in the cycling spirit.
Montgomery Bicycle Club
volunteers, County Sheriff deputies, medical personnel, Montgomery Multisport and TREK bike mechanics were in abundance. A breakfast spread including hot-off-the-griddle pancakes by Billy Ritch and Jeffrey White was enjoyed by all and hosted by the Pintlala Baptist Church
!
A
second 2017 Glassner Gear
jersey order will be placed on Friday, October 20 by 9 am CDT. You may order until 10/20 by 9 am CDT at
www.MgmBikeClub.org/GlassnerGear2017
for delivery around 11/27.
Congratulations to our
34 ABCS Champions for 2017
! We are looking forward to see those number increase the next two rides. We have awarded
146 patches
after the Glassner Autumn Challenge and
still have
21
riders in the running for the Trek bike, Academy gift cards, and Yeti cooler. We are looking forward to seeing how many of the
70 eligible
cyclists earn their patches this weekend at the
Fenner Ride
in
Milton, Florida
!
To ensure rider safety, keep up with riders on the course, and to help our volunteers serve the needs of the riders, we ask that no one leave before they have been officially started by the ride directors. Doing this can cause both organizational and safety issues. Each director has painstakingly made plans with volunteers and local law enforcement/first responders for any situation that might arise. Those plans are made based upon specific start. Thank you for your assistance.
Don't forget to look over the
Guerrero Safety Pledge
and familiarize yourself with
riding in groups
before this Saturday. Rider Brian Guerrero started the 2016 ride season with the goal of finishing all of the Alabama Backroads Century Series Rides. Brian became an ABCS Champion not missing a single ride. Tragically, we lost Brian after a tragic accident doing one of the things that he loved – riding his bike with his friends at an ABCS ride. To honor him we have implemented the Guerrero Safety pledge.
If you have aero bars on your bike, remember that they aren't to be used in pacelines. It's dangerous to use aero bars in a pack
. Remember to let riders know you are passing them. Always call out "on your left" or say "Good morning".
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Out of State Guest Invitational Time!
Fenner Ride - Saturday, October 21
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October is a great time to get outside, enjoy the cooler temperatures, reconnect with nature, ride through the beautiful
Blackwater State Forest
, and enjoy all that life has to offer.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida
proudly presents the FENNER RIDE. The ride takes cyclists from the historic city of Milton, all the way to the woodlands of the Blackwater Forest, and back again. Along the way, the winding course gives a unique chance to experience Northwest Florida’s native wildlife, natural environments, and beautiful scenery. A ride for all cycling levels, you choose 18, 40, 62, or 100 miles. All routes are the same peaceful nature experience and is part of the Beaches to Woodlands Tour that occurs in Santa Rosa County, Florida each year. The Beaches to Woodlands Tour was launched in 2003 and there is no other annual celebration like it in the region. Proceeds of the event go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps local children reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships with measurable impact. It is our hope to provide successful mentoring relationships to all children who need and want them, contributing to better schools, brighter futures, and a stronger community for all. Check out this
video
on the Fenner Ride!
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100, 62, 42, and 18-mile options through the Blackwater State Forest. A portion of the ride will be on the Blackwater State Heritage Trail (selected as one of Florida’s most scenic greenways). The 100/62/42-mile routes include some challenging hills, while the 18-mile is entirely on the rails to trails. All routes include rest stops and a well-marked course. Limited on-route sag support will be available.
No map required for 18 mile course.
Warning – there is a stop sign at the bottom of the hill of Ab Pittman where you take a left onto Indian Ford so please proceed with caution.
Road markings:
Green
marking will be for the 100 miles
;
Orange
marking for the 62 miles; and
Blue
marking for the 40 miles. Maps and Bibs are color coded as well.
Port-O-Potties
:
This year there will be 5 along the course. Two at the first rest stop – top of Holt hill. Two at intersection of Pleasant Home, Red Rock & Bryant Bridge and one at intersection of Mormon Temple/Tommy Steele. There are also 2 bathrooms on the trail at mile 6 and 8.
1st priority is to follow markings in the road. We have placed more arrowed signs this year to help in your ride. These will be placed out on Friday but we do not have control over individuals who play tricks and move and/or change the sign direction so be mindful of your map directions.
Event coordinator cell number for day of ride emergency –
850-723-0057 (Paula Shell)
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Registration Fees
Sign up
here
until 10/18 at 11:59 pm for $45!
On-Site Registration (10/19 - 10/21) - $ 55
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Friday, 10/20
Academy Sports + Outdoors,
Noon - 7:00 pm
Packet Pick-up/Registration
Saturday, 10/21
Guy Thompson Community Center
6:30 - 7:30 am
Packet Pickup/Ride Registration
RIDER START TIMES
7:30 am - Course opens for Century Riders
(green road markings, 100.3 miles)
8:00 am - 18, 45, and 64 mile Riders
Post-Ride Meal
- Chicken / Pulled Pork / Potato Salad / Green Beans / Macaroni & Cheese / Bread / Cookies / Choice of drinks.
Showers available onsite.
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The ABCS ride directors are concerned about your safety. Having your rider bib on with the numbers visible helps us keep you safe on the road. It tells us you are our rider and communicates where you are on the course to rest stops and the finish line so we are prepared for you. If you have a serious accident and are separated from your bike, it will identify you and help us get your family notified quickly if you can't speak. ALL RIDER MUST WEAR THEIR BIB NUMBERS and WRIST BANDS!
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Be sure to familiarize yourself with your route. While you are at it, if you have a Garmin or smartphone, take advantage of our free Ride with GPS service!
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Simply RSVP below to the Ride with GPS event to enable premium features such as spoken turn-by-turn directions and offline download capabilities on your Garmin or Smart phone. Rest areas are included in the century maps and on our directions.
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Red Roof Inn & Suites
is providing a block of 20 rooms for the Fenner Ride. Two queen deluxe rooms which include two full queen size beds with a microfridge and microwave for $59.99. The cancel date is Oct 13, 2017.
Location is
2672 Avalon Blvd Milton, Fl 32583
. This will be about a 16 minute drive / 8.7 miles to the Guy Thompson Community Center start. Call Hotel directly at 850-995-6100 and let them know Big Brothers Big Sisters Fenner Ride to get this rate.
You can see other recommended Milton, FL. motels
here
.
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A
BCS has been delighted to partner with
Four Corners Gallery
.
Congratulations to Nell Orange
who won at the Glassner Autumn Challenge
.
Each winner received a custom-designed and framed, premium shadowbox with an actual bike chain commemorating their accomplishment.
Check them out and see what they can create for your cycling memorabilia.
Thank you Four Corners Gallery for being an amazing sponsor!
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Academy Sports + Outdoors
Friends & Family Weekend
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Our amazing sponsor, Academy Sports + Outdoors will be hosting a 10% Friends & Family this weekend!
The offer is valid October 21-22, 2017, in-store only.
Exclusions include gift cards, licenses, services, shipping and handling, and applicable taxes.
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If you have not purchased your 2017 Alabama Backroads Cycling Series T-shirt, what are you waiting for?
The proceeds help run the series and take care of all the expenses and planning that go into promoting the series throughout the Southeast. Wearing a t-shirt can be a great talking point to get someone to come out to a ride with you.
Get one for you and a friend?
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As always, we ask you to send your business to our supporting sponsors.
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And, don't forget...pedal all 13 ABCS century routes and you'll be eligible in the end-of-year drawing for:
- a TREK Emonda ALR 5, valued at $1679.99
- Academy Sports gift cards totaling $1,000
- A 35-qt. YETI Tundra Cooler by Thomas Waters State Farm Insurance in Homewood, Al.
- And will be named a Champion and be awarded this specially-designed Primal Wear jersey!
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2017 ABCS ONLINE RIDE REGISTRATION QUICK LINKS:
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Alabama Backroads Century Ride Series
abcs@mgmbikeclub.org | Alabama-Backroads-Cycling.com
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