Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Merry Christmas and a Happy Cycling New Year from the BRAG Crew,

Jerry, Vicki, Christie, and Roz

GA BikeFest Century Riders and Centurions

Photos of GA BikeFest Century Riders and Centurions are now online at this website:

http://picasaweb.google.com/BikeRideAcrossGA/20091010GABikeFestCenturyRidersAndCenturions#

GEORGIA BIKEFEST BY BRAG

BRAG's Georgia BikeFest starts tomorrow afternoon in Tifton, GA. Rides start Friday morning. Come ride with us!

http://www.brag.org/bikefest.html

Georgia BikeFest, by Dena Pruitt

The 18th annual Georgia BikeFest, sponsored by the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG), will be held Friday, October 9, through Sunday, October 11, 2009. Tifton, Georgia, will be the brand-new host location, and officials there have planned a variety of activities for BikeFest riders.

Several route options are available each day, from 10 miles to 60 miles, with an optional Century Ride on Saturday. Sag wagons and bike repair vehicles will patrol the routes. For cyclists who have never experienced a Century Ride, BikeFest is an excellent opportunity to take on that challenge. Cooler temperatures and friendly (flat) terrain combine to make the BikeFest century ride one of the more doable. Riders who complete the century will receive the coveted Century Ride bandanna.

Both indoor and outdoor camping will be available at the Tift County Recreation Department in downtown Tifton and are included in the registration fee. For those who had rather not camp, several motels are located nearby.

Hot showers are available in camp, and registered participants also receive a local goodie bag in addition to route maps with descriptions, cue sheets, and altitude graphs.

BikeFest is an excellent opportunity for cyclists to enjoy loop rides each day without the hassles of taking down and setting up a tent each afternoon. For newcomers, it is a chance to experience BRAG-like ride lengths and enjoy the comradeship of fellow riders on a smaller scale than the full cross-state ride. For those who have never experienced an organized large group ride, an optional first-time riders’ meeting will be held each morning. Weekend rides such as BikeFest are especially appealing to cyclists who like to bring family members along, whether they ride or not.

BikeFest offers an abundance of activities for riders and non-riders alike. An ice cream social on Saturday serves to raise money for local charities. Friday and Saturday night campfires will include S’Mores and an opportunity to meet and socialize with fellow cyclists. Movies will be available for all age groups, and sports fans will be able to keep up with their favorite baseball and/or football teams (Go Dawgs) on television. Live entertainment will be provided on Saturday evening.

Meals are not included in the BikeFest registration fee, but breakfast and lunch options will be available from a local caterer. In addition, Café Campesino will be on hand every morning in camp with their fabulous gourmet coffees.

Temperatures for BikeFest are usually warm for riding but not unbearably hot, cooling off pleasantly in the evenings. The terrain for this year’s ride is generally flat with gently rolling hills. Rest stops will be located every 10 to 15 miles along the routes and will offer water, PowerAde, bananas, apples and pears, fig bars, cookies, and various snacks.

To register, log on http://www.brag.org/. You may also register through active.com at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1769109. Questions? Email Info@BRAG.org.

Georgia BikeFest, Oct. 9 - 11, Tifton GA

Georgia BikeFest is just around the corner, Oct. 9 - 11, in Tifton GA. Here are the altitude graphs:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2038459&id=1302678286&l=57727372c3

And here are the GPS routes:
http://www.georgiatandemrally.com/braggps.html

All the details about the ride are at www.brag.org.

You may register on site. Tifton is flat.

Georgia BikeFest GPS Routes

Georgia BikeFest is Oct. 9 - 11 in Tifton GA. GPS routes are now available online. Our thanks to GPS Geek Roger Strauss for preparing them. Did I mention Tifton is FLAT!

http://bicyclerideacrossgeorgia.blogspot.com/

Centurion Hats Are In

BRAG offers 3 fully-supported Century Rides each year. Each ride features an all-cotton bandanna to the finishers. For 2009, we are adding the BRAG Centurion Club Hat to those riders who complete three consecutive BRAG century rides. You will wear your BRAG Centurion Club Hat with pride all next year. We had 78 century riders at the Spring Tune-Up Ride, April 18, in Madison, GA, who began their quest for the Centurion Club. We had approximately 150 century riders on BRAG 2009. The BRAG 2009 Century Ride was Wednesday, June 10, which left and returned to Clarke Middle School in Athens. Plan to ride the Georgia BikeFest Century Ride, Saturday, October 10, 2009, a flat loop ride starting and ending in Tifton, GA.

SummerRide Rider Survey Is Ready

The SummerRide Rider Survey is ready. Log on:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=oHzLqhZq2QWeHGHNBA_2fZOw_3d_3d

Or go to BRAG.org and follow the links.
Jerry

SummerRide is this Weekend

SummerRide is this weekend. Dalton GA. 50-mile days, Saturday and Sunday. These are the prettiest cycling roads in Georgia. Some hills, but no mountains. Some long flat stretches. Indoor a/c camping available in the gym. A/c indoor pool after your ride. Lunch is included both days. Come ride with us.

http://brag.org/SummerRide.html

SummerRide Late Fee Waived

THE LATE FEE FOR SUMMERRIDE 2009 HAS BEEN WAIVED!

BRAG will host its 3rd annual SummerRide at Dalton State College in Dalton, GA. The dates are Saturday, August 8 - Sunday, August 9, 2009. Rides will be 50 miles per day, with shorter options available.

Lunch is included for Saturday & Sunday at Dalton State College! The indoor, air-conditioned swimming pool will be available after your ride each afternoon! Tent camping on campus or indoor camping in the air conditioned gym!

Registration/HeadQuarters Hours are:Friday night: 6:00-7:00 pmSaturday: 6:30 am - 5:00 pmSunday: 6:30 am- 3:00 pm

For more information, go to www.BRAG.org.

Doug Fallon BRAG 2009 Photos

I have posted my BRAG photos. Feel free to post this link to your site.
Thanks for a fantastic BRAG!
Doug Fallon

http://fallondesign.exposuremanager.com/g/brag_june_6_13_2009

SummerRide, August 8 - 9, 2009

BRAG will host the 3rd annual SummerRide at Dalton State College in Dalton, GA. The dates are Saturday, August 8 - Sunday, August 9, 2009. Rides will be 50-60 miles per day, with shorter options. The indoor, air-conditioned swimming pool will be available after your ride each afternoon! Tent camping on campus or indoor camping in the air conditioned gym! For more information, go to www.BRAG.org.

BRAG 2009 Photos

Jo Ann Powell's photos:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=36lp3jux.9kxrj4sp&x=0&y=-pecizd&localeid=en_US


Athens Banner-Herald photos:

http://multimedia.onlineathens.com/photo/2009/061009_brag/

Don McClanahan's photos:

Day 1: http://www.pixagogo.com/9657344155
Day 2: http://www.pixagogo.com/3658364611
Day 3: http://www.pixagogo.com/1658364195
Day 4: http://www.pixagogo.com/2658364384

Day 5: http://www.pixagogo.com/9651354202

Day 6: http://www.pixagogo.com/8650354731

Day 7: http://www.pixagogo.com/1652324185

Message from Washington-Wilkes H.S. Principal

WW Tigers' Welcome. Posted on May 27, 2009 at 04:22:50 PM by Steve. I am the Principal of Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive HS and 7X Bragger. On behalf of the Tigers I would like to officially welcome you to WWCHS now even though you won't arrive here until June 12. (I'll be riding too!!YIPPEE!!) Our school is an old facility and we just finished our last year there. We will begin school in August in a "sparkling, new" facility. I wish so much that BRAG could stay in the new facility this summer, but it isn't entirely ready yet. Maybe next time! As such, we will be in the middle of moving furniture and other materials from the old school to the new one. (We will NOT be able to provide internet access for checking email.) However, the GOOD NEWS, there may be more accessibility to empty rooms and more privacy. Our Future Business Leaders of America will welcome you to campus by selling cold drinks, candy, and home-baked goods. Our Advanced Placement students will have cold drinks and the grill going in an effort to raise money in order to defray the cost of the AP Exams. And our athletice department is planning something for you as well. Please support our students and if there is anything I/we can do for you while on our campus, please let me/us know. GOOD RIDING and I'll see you on the 6th!

BRAG 2009 Booklet

For those of you who like to jot down a few notes about your experience while on vacation, check out the journal available for download on the BRAG website (under "What's New"). In the journal, you'll find a page for each day's ride, complete with the elevation chart and Geocaching coordinates. You can also record interesting/funny events for the day, and the people you met along the way. The centerfold has plenty of room for the lay over day in Athens, and a space to plan out your skit for the talent show. The back cover allows you to keep in touch with new friends. Although this is a free download, please know the intent was to help raise funds for the Dream Team. Donations are welcome and can be given to BRAG HQ during the BRAG ride. Thank you, and enjoy!

KelleyGirl & DogMarley :@P

BRAG 2009 Routes on GPS

This just in....BRAG GPS files are finished and have been posted online.

http://www.georgiatandemrally.com/braggps.html

Our thanks to Roger Strauss.

BRAG 2009 UPDATE

BRAG 2009 – HIAWASSEE TO CLARKS HILL LAKE

Confirmation packets were mailed the week of May 11th. Hopefully, you have received yours by now and have gotten your bike tag and wristband. Bus letters were mailed the week of May 18th. Your training should be well underway and you should have some miles under your belt. The overnight towns and host schools are busy finalizing plans to make this one of the most memorable BRAG rides ever!

Hiawassee will feature the “On the Mountain” concert downtown, with BBQ, sodas and ice cream for sale.

Babyland General Hospital, the Home of the Cabbage Patch Doll, will be a rest stop on Sunday, June 7. Plan to take a tour of the hospital and see how the Cabbage Patch Doll is made. You will have the opportunity to purchase a doll for that special child in your life. Sunday’s route also stops in Alpine Helen.

Pedal fast on Monday to arrive at Habersham Central High School in Mt. Airy, GA, to be a part of the Official 30th Annual Ride Panoramic Photograph. The picture will be taken at 3:00pm on the football field. Saul Raisin, champion bicycle racer, will speak at 7:30pm on Tour de Life: From Coma to Competition.

Tuesday night in Athens features Bluegrass music at The Melting Pot. Also, Fawn Germer, author of Hard Won Wisdom, will speak on campus at 7:30pm.

Wednesday is the blessed layover day. Ride 26, 57, or 100 miles, or sleep in. All routes go to the historic Eagle Tavern in Watkinsville. Century Riders can chow down at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle. Wednesday night, it’s beach music at Gnat’s Landing, and Moonbase “Planetarium” in a field far away.

Thursday’s route takes us to beautiful Watson Mill State Park and historic covered bridge. We will also rest at the Georgia Guidestones. In Elberton, it’s the famous Cow Patty Drop at 6pm and the Annual BRAG Talent Show downtown at 7:30pm with music afterwards.

Friday’s route goes near Revolutionary War Kettle Creek Battlefield. It’s worth the 1 mile hike down the dirt road. Fat tire bikers, go for it!

Make sure you visit the Retro Cinema & Books during your overnight stay in Washington, GA. The Retro Cinema will be showing Breaking Away at 3:00pm and 7:30pm on Friday, June 21. You don’t want to miss this movie! Also music in downtown restaurants.

Saturday’s route is a fast 43-miler to Savannah Lakes, SC, for hamburgers and hot dogs. “Gold” medals for all kids 15 and under and 70 and older. Buses leave at 3pm for Hiawassee, Atlanta, and Athens.

BRAG 2009 will be having a new kind of FUN RAISER this year! On Sunday, June 7, at 4:00 pm, a few brave BRAG volunteers will be demonstrating our new FUN activities such as: Tug-of-War, Tire Toss, Chunk-a-Clunk, Water Bottle Relay and Bike Limbo. The contests will begin on Monday at 4:00 and every day thereafter. Come prepared to get down, dirty, or wet.

That’s the FUN part. Now here’s the Raiser part:
$1 to participate each time and ALL collected money will be donated to Special Olympics Georgia! You can participate as many times as you want. Each contest will award prizes to three winners (or one team) each day who have donated money to SOGA. (Tug-of-War and Water Bottle Relay are team activities.)

Visit www.brag.org for all the latest ride details.

BRAG 2009 UPDATE

BRAG 2009 – HIAWASSEE TO CLARKS HILL LAKE

Confirmation packets were mailed the week of May 11th. Hopefully, you have received yours by now and have gotten your bike tag and wristband. Bus letters were mailed the week of May 18th. Your training should be well underway and you should have some miles under your belt. The overnight towns and host schools are busy finalizing plans to make this one of the most memorable BRAG rides ever!

Hiawassee will feature the “On the Mountain” concert downtown, with BBQ, sodas and ice cream for sale.

Babyland General Hospital, the Home of the Cabbage Patch Doll, will be a rest stop on Sunday, June 7. Plan to take a tour of the hospital and see how the Cabbage Patch Doll is made. You will have the opportunity to purchase a doll for that special child in your life. Sunday’s route also stops in Alpine Helen.

Pedal fast on Monday to arrive at Habersham Central High School in Mt. Airy, GA, to be a part of the Official 30th Annual Ride Panoramic Photograph. The picture will be taken at 3:00pm on the football field. Saul Raisin, champion bicycle racer, will speak at 7:30pm on Tour de Life: From Coma to Competition.

Tuesday night in Athens features Bluegrass music at The Melting Pot. Also, Fawn Germer, author of Hard Won Wisdom, will speak on campus at 7:30pm.

Wednesday is the blessed layover day. Ride 26, 57, or 100 miles, or sleep in. All routes go to the historic Eagle Tavern in Watkinsville. Century Riders can chow down at the Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle. Wednesday night, it’s beach music at Gnat’s Landing, and Moonbase “Planetarium” in a field far away.

Thursday’s route takes us to beautiful Watson Mill State Park and historic covered bridge. We will also rest at the Georgia Guidestones. In Elberton, it’s the famous Cow Patty Drop at 6pm and the Annual BRAG Talent Show downtown at 7:30pm with music afterwards.

Friday’s route goes near Revolutionary War Kettle Creek Battlefield. It’s worth the 1 mile hike down the dirt road. Fat tire bikers, go for it!

Make sure you visit the Retro Cinema & Books during your overnight stay in Washington, GA. The Retro Cinema will be showing Breaking Away at 3:00pm and 7:30pm on Friday, June 21. You don’t want to miss this movie! Also music in downtown restaurants.

Saturday’s route is a fast 43-miler to Savannah Lakes, SC, for hamburgers and hot dogs. “Gold” medals for all kids 15 and under and 70 and older. Buses leave at 3pm for Hiawassee, Atlanta, and Athens.

BRAG 2009 will be having a new kind of FUN RAISER this year! On Sunday, June 7, at 4:00 pm, a few brave BRAG volunteers will be demonstrating our new FUN activities such as: Tug-of-War, Tire Toss, Chunk-a-Clunk, Water Bottle Relay and Bike Limbo. The contests will begin on Monday at 4:00 and every day thereafter. Come prepared to get down, dirty, or wet.

That’s the FUN part. Now here’s the Raiser part:
$1 to participate each time and ALL collected money will be donated to Special Olympics Georgia! You can participate as many times as you want. Each contest will award prizes to three winners (or one team) each day who have donated money to SOGA. (Tug-of-War and Water Bottle Relay are team activities.)

Visit www.brag.org for all the latest ride details.

Elberton Update, Including Cow Patty Drop

Elberton Update, Including Cow Patty Drop

BRAG will be in Elberton on Thursday, June 11. The Cow Patty Drop will be at 6:00 pm Thursday on the football practice field of Elbert Co. Comp. High School. Tickets will be on sale at the concession stand and from Principal Rick Higginbotham. Tickets are $10. There is a chance of winning up to $5000.
Shuttle buses will run from 11:00 am until 10:00 pm. They will pass downtown and all motels and restaurants. The cost is $1.00. There will be a shuttle to Hartwell Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

BRAG 2009 Stuffing Party

Vicki asked me to let you know that the stuffing party this year will be on THURSDAY NIGHT, May 28, 2009, beginning at 4 pm, at our office in Stone Mountain:

1835 EAST PARK PLACE BLVD.
SUITE 113
STONE MOUNTAIN GA 30087

Come by and help out as much as you can. Bring your friends. We'll stuff you with pizza at suppertime and maybe a beer after we finish.

We have to have the stuffing party on Thursday night this year because we have to prepare for the Wayne 60 ride on Friday. The ride is on Saturday morning, May 30, and benefits the BRAG Dream Team.

Please let Vicki know if you can help out: braginfo@aol.com

Athens Overnight Site Update

This message was received today from the principal of Clarke Middle School in Athens, GA:


I have also heard from some BRAG riders recently, so I am forwarding their concerns –
Some wanted to know if there would be shady spots for camping – the answer is yes – some areas are very well shaded. Others are more wide open (e.g., the soccer field, it it’s needed).
Some wanted to know if indoor space would be provided in the gym and hallways – as you know, the answer is yes.
Some wanted to know if the gym showers would be available – yes, there are multiple showerheads in the boys’ and girls’ lockers.
Some wanted to know if most lights could be turned out by 10 p.m., to allow for good sleeping. I am checking with our Plant Services folks to see if they can take care of this.
Some wanted to know if we could turn off the alarms for the duration – June 9th, 10th, and 11th (10 a.m.) – I am requesting via this email that they be disabled for those dates. There will be lots of people and security around the building during that time.
Speaking of security, let’s talk about how/when we need to lock exterior doors at night.
My School Resource Officer may be available to help with some security as well.

Email from Non-Rider and Jerry's Response

The following email was recently received at BRAG HQ. Jerry's response follows.

To whom it may conern,I just received a message from Bro. John's Luggage service (always excellent, by the way) saying the numbers were so low that they only needed a van, not a box truck, to transport luggage his year. I love BRAG, and have done several. Last year I did it with my girlfriend and the experience was amazing. BRAG is known as a family-friendly ride, and this year we don't have a family-friendly route. I won't be there, nor will many of my friends from previous rides. There are plenty of macho, ultra-challenging rides out there...this should not be one of them. PLEASE take a lesson from this and route next year in a way that will guarantee the large, family-friendly turnout BRAG is known for. Kindest Regards,

Vicki asked me to respond to your email. Thank you for your comments. I respectfully disagree with your premise.

For 30 years, BRAG has prided itself on representing and showcasing all of Georgia, including the mountains of North Georgia, the piedmont rolling hills of Middle Georgia, and the flat lands of South Georgia. We are trying very hard to keep our family-friendly atmosphere this year, even though this year's route is more challenging than most. Personally, I am looking forward to the ride. I have never met a hill I could not walk. Our rest stop at Babyland General Hospital (home of the Cabbage Patch Doll) is family friendly, as is the photo op at Edith Ann's rocking chair. And don't forget Georgia's Stonehenge stop and the Battle of Kettle Creek Revolutionary War site.

Don't tell our 116 registered riders under the age of 21 that BRAG has become a "macho, ultra-challenging" ride. Six-year-old Cherilyn will be there with her older brother, Stefan. Ten-year-old Jameson will be there, riding (or walking) every mile. And don't tell our 87 senior citizens that BRAG is too hard. While you're staying home, they will be having the time of their lives.

Sunday is the hilliest day, but it's only 50 miles. Monday is also hilly. It is 47 miles. My plan is to ride as many hills as I can, and walk the ones I can't. I figure I will still be in camp by 1 or 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

So, sit this one out if you want to. But you are missing some of the most beautiful cycling roads in all of Georgia. And some of the most beautiful scenery. Work will be there when you get back. The bike ride won't be.

One last comment and then I'll quit. If you don't support your favorite ride, it WILL go away. We've all seen this happen many times.

I hope you will reconsider. Come ride with us. And, please, share the road with bicycles.

Jerry

Jerry J. Colley, CPA
Chief Executive Officer
BICYCLE RIDE ACROSS GEORGIA, INC.

BRAG 2009 Official Photograph

Join us Monday afternoon on BRAG in Mt. Airy for an historic occasion. Atlanta Panorama Photos will take the Official 30th Annual Ride Photograph on BRAG 2009 at 3 pm at Habershan Central High School. Make sure you are included in this historic photograph. Everyone in the 20th Annual Ride Photo can tell you immediately where they are in the photo. You can tell your children and grandchildren that you were there.

Shown above is the photo from the 20th annual ride in 1999.

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2009
3:00 PM
HABERSHAM CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
MT. AIRY, GA
FOOTBALL FIELD

BRAG 2009 Jerseys Have Arrived!

The BRAG 2009 Cycling Jerseys have arrived and they look great! You will be able to be seen when you are wearing this jersey. If you did not order one when you registered, you should order one separately. This will be a sell-out! Don't wait until they are gone.

Spring Tune-Up Photos

Roz Moore, BRAG's Office Manager, has posted her Spring Tune-Up photos on Picasa:

http://picasaweb.google.com/BikeRideAcrossGA/2009041719BRAGSpringTuneUpRide#

Her photos include the Century Rider photos.

Professional Photographer Miles McClelland's photos are at:

http://milesjohnphotos.ifp3.com/site/#/page/home/

2009 Spring Tune-Up Rider Survey

If you rode in the 2009 Spring Tune-Up Ride in Madison, please be sure to fill out the rider survey at:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=QmGkIeYu4BWrrjRD4mXyqg_3d_3d

Thanks

ATL - Stone Mtn. PATH Cleanup

On Saturday, April 25, 7 of us helped clean up a 1 and a half mile stretch of the Atlanta to Stone Mountain PATH in Clarkston. The photo above shows the trash we picked up in a mile and a half. Participants LR were Bob Jacoby, Tommy Lupo, Mike Monahan, Jerry Colley, Allen Watts, Sean Glackmeyer, and Dennis McClintock (the photographer).

Observations:

1. The blue bags contain recyclables. We need a 5 cent deposit law on recyclable cans and bottles. Then people would not litter them.

2. I wonder what the decomposition time is for cigarette filters. Smokers think the world is their ashtray.

3. Humans are the only animal that soils its own nest.

4. The cheaper the beer, you more likely you are to see it littered.

5. The Atlanta to Stone Mtn. PATH was the first path in Atlanta. It has an Olympic heritage. It should be world class. Instead, it is an embarrassment. You cannot ride it without first knowing where it goes. The signage is pathetic.

6. We need more clean up days on this PATH. Thanks to Tommy Lupo for heading it up.

7. If you would like more information on these clean-ups, or if you would like to help out at the next one, contact Tommy Lupo at: Wolf1069@aol.com

Bicycling as Transportation

A statement from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation:

Bicycling is an important factor in less carbon-intensive commuting

http://fastlane.dot.gov/2009/04/bicycling-is-an-important-factor-in-less-carbonintensive-commuting.html

2010 Spring Tune-Up Ride

Vicki and I met with the Madison CVB today. They want us back next year! Heritage Park had zero complaints about BRAG's use of the park last weekend (Thanks Riders). Mark your calendars now: Spring Tune-Up 2010 will be at Heritage Park in Madison GA, April 16 - 18, 2010. Jerry Colley

2009 Spring Tune-Up Ride

We had 868 registered riders in last weekend's Spring Tune-Up Ride. Thanks to everyone for riding with us. If you did not ride, you cannot BRAG about it. Jerry Colley