- Macon, GA -
With temperatures moving into the 90s and heat indexes approaching 100 degrees, Mercer Cycling transitions into the summer session in which many of its riders will compete on an individual basis. Several team members, led by Elizabeth Lee, will represent the orange and black this coming weekend at the Georgia State Road Championship held in Ft. Gordon. Other highlights of the summer schedule include the bike events ranging from the French Broad Cycling Classic (Asheville, NC) to the Gwinnet Bike Fest (Duluth, GA) to the Georgia Cup's Dalton Grand Prix in late July. A pair of triathlons also make the calendar as Kevin Roberts looks to conquer the Tennessee River at the BMW of Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon and the Augusta 70.3 in September.
Of course, plenty of action has already occured this summer highlighted by sophomore Austin Sholly's trip across Florida for Journey of Hope. Participating in Gear Up Florida as a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, Sholly helped raise support for handicapped and disabled children along his ride.
Gabe Denes has also been busy on the racing circuit with appearances at Columbus's Aflac Grand Prix and mountain bike races in the Georgia State Championship Series. He also completed a rather long ride from his hometown (Columbus, GA) to Mexico Beach, Florida.
Kevin Roberts has kept the wheels spinning back at home, most recently competing in the Tour of Atlanta's road race around Burnt Mountain. His 19th place finish was a solid notch on his cycling record for the year in his first GA Cup Race of the season.
Elizabeth Lee has also been getting a "bear's" share of riding in this summer, completing most recently in the GSC Mountain Bike race in Jackson, GA. Despite a rough start and extremely hot temperatures, Lee hung on for a 5th place finish. She also notched her first endurance mountain bike race, finishing 5th in the solo category at the 6 hours of Tsali in North Carolina.
"I was tired, dirty, muddy, and ready to get the race over with after the fifth hour, but I was proud to accomplish what I did in the race," commented Lee.
A large part of the team has used the month away from school to settle into their summer jobs and school work while still spinning at local rides. Stay tuned for more results from this summer's race season as well as updates on the upcoming mountain bike and cyclocross seasons in the coming months.
Mercer Cycling would also like to wish Jason Glow the best as he continues his residency in Honolulu, Hawaii. Glow, a 2010 Boston Marathon contestant, ironman, and all-arounder on the bike, will be missed. While the weather might be better in the Pacific, we'll miss his presence at our races.
2010 Summer Racing Schedule
May 22-23, Aflac GP (Columbus, GA)
May 22, 6 Hours of Tsali (Bryson City, NC)
May 30, GSMB #4 (West Point, GA)
June 13, GSC #5 (Jackson, GA)
June 19, GA Road Championship (Ft. Gordon, GA)
July 11, Waterfront Tri (Chattanooga, TN)
July 16-18, French Broad (Asheville, NC)
July 25-26, Gwinnet Bike Fest (Duluth, GA)
July 31 - 1, Dalton GP (Dalton, GA)
Aug. 7, Covington Century (Covington, GA)
Aug. 28-29, River Gorge Omni (Chattanooga, TN)
Sept. 18-19, US Nationals (Greenville, SC)
Sept. 26, Augusta 70.3 [Tri] (Augusta, GA)
