Southeast Leadout Weekly

The Southeast Leadout is a weekly report on cycling in the Carolinas and the greater Southeast region.

ROAD

August 19 Riverside Drive Time Trial in Asheville is the last of the series this season and is a 20 kilometer flat course. Break out the full disc wheel and aero-helmet one more time.

The All That Jazz Criterium criterium on the 21st is located in the historic downtown Cheraw, South Carolina. With six turns in a 1.3 mile loop a break could get away until the finish.

Another time trial series that is ending for the season is  the Paris Mountain time trial in Greenville this Saturday. The effort starts at the bottom of the climb and two miles later ends at the summit. If you don’t feel like puking your breakfast when you cross the finish line you didn’t go hard enough.

The Exhale Races at the Historic North Wilkesboro Speedway North Wilkesboro is a weekend of great racing. The course is challenging and the venue offers a covered parking, showers and neutral support.  Also, the weather is looking clear for a weekend of solid criterium racing.

Another criterium course located on a car track is the  POA Summer Series, Thursday the 26th. Every race date the course changes to offer new challenges and keeps the racing exciting. Also the road surface is smooth making the action fast. Bring lawn chairs for the family and watch all the evening’s races.

The best training is racing so keep it going with the Friday Night Fights in Gaffney, South Carolina. The course has four corners on wide streets. However the finishing straight has a slight gradient which favors the person coming around the final corner in second position.

MOUNTAIN

This August 21st is Cackalacky Cup Lake Norman State Park time trial. The first time trial of the day is a technical course which will include four different obstacles. The next time time trial of the day is a more straight forward race against the clock which is a loop around Monbo Lake. The two times from the races are added together for the overall winner.

ALERT: The area has had a lot of rain fall and the park staff will not be opening the trails Saturday if it continues. Check the Charlotte Mountain Bike website before traveling.

If longer more steady state events are more your speed the Rivers Edge Marathon Rivers Edge Endurance race on the 28th is waiting for you.

Also on the 28th is the make up race at Col Francis Beatty Park.

TRIATHLON

For all you triathletes  the 29th is the  South Carolina Half Ninety Six. It offers a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and finishing with a 13.1-mile run.

TOURS & GRAN FONDOS

August 21 5th Annual Flight of the Dove is a fund-raising event for Hospice of Laurens County. And to help with your tired muscles, there will be a licensed massage therapist on hand to ease the post-ride pain.

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