Announcing the BRAG Loop Ride

Jan. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- The Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) will celebrate its 31st consecutive ride this year as approximately 1500 cyclists gather for the annual bicycling trek across the state.  This year’s ride is a loop ride, beginning at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School in Fayetteville.  Cyclists will gather on Saturday, June 5, 2010, for registration, with the actual ride beginning on Sunday morning, June 6.  From Fayetteville, cyclists will travel to Spalding High School in Griffin on Sunday, and the Thomaston-Upson Civic Center in Thomaston on Monday, then a layover day and two nights spent at the Corn Center for the Visual Arts in Columbus.  The layover day on Wednesday, June 9, provides an opportunity for cyclists to rest, do laundry, or complete a shorter ride in the middle of the week.  It is also the day for BRAG’s Century Ride, 100 miles on a bicycle, earning those who complete it the coveted BRAG bandanna.  Departing Columbus on Thursday morning, cyclists will visit West Side Magnet Middle School in LaGrange and Newnan High School in Newnan on Friday, before completing their journey by returning to Our Lady of Mercy in Fayetteville on Saturday, June 12.

BRAG began in 1980 under the direction of Dot Moss, who was inspired to do a cross-state tour similar to Iowa’s RAGBRAI.  Called GASBE (Georgia’s Annual State Bicycling Event) at that time, the first route began in Savannah and ended in Columbus.  From 120 riders that first year, BRAG grew to 1800 riders by 1989 and has had as many as 2600 participants in 1996 for an Olympic route from Atlanta to Savannah.

BRAG’s loop ride this year provides cyclists an opportunity to leave their vehicles in Fayetteville for the week without having to arrange for drop-off at the start of BRAG or pickup at the end.  Both indoor camping and outdoor camping are available at all overnight sites along the route, and cyclists may also choose to stay in area motels. Routes between host cities will average 55-60 miles per day, with a total mileage for BRAG of approximately 400 miles. BRAG is a family-oriented tour, not a race, and bicyclists of all ages and abilities are encouraged to participate.

For more information or to register, visit www.brag.org, email info@brag.org, or call 770-498-5153.

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We conduct bicycle rides across Georgia. These are tours, not races. All ages may participate. It's like a summer camp for families.