Bicycle Ride Across Georgia
Encyclopedia
The Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) is an annual road-cycling tour across the US state of Georgia
. It began in 1980 as an offshoot of RAGBRAI
. Between 1,000 and 2,000 riders participate in this great ride every year.
The route covers approximately 400 miles over 7 days with options for longer distances. Mid-week, the tour stays two nights in one town allowing riders to either rest or ride a century
with lesser mile options. Rest stops are every 8-15 miles and snacks and drinks are provided to registered riders.
called RAGBRAI
(Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). The first ride began in Savannah, Georgia
, and finished in Columbus, Georgia
. The ride was a total of 300 miles.
Rone says that after following his training strategy, the BRAG ride “is very easy and enjoyable.”
Riders may choose to complete as much or as little of the tour as they want to. This means each rider may travel a different distance during the week.
On average, each rider travels between 43 and 100 miles in a day. Each day of riding is pre-mapped out and planned so riders know where to go and what kind of trek is ahead for each day. When the trek for the day is complete, the cyclists stop in a city or town, and set up camp at a local high school or college. In the evenings, bikers can relax or enjoy entertainment and tourism for the remainder of the night. If riders want to go out, a shuttle provides transportation between the camp site and touristic spots around town. At the camp site, riders can chose to either set up camp outside, in a tent, on a field -most likely a soccer or football field-, or inside in a gym.
In the morning, most riders begin riding early to avoid the heat.
Most of the routes are back roads with beautiful scenery and little traffic. Official BRAG rest stops are spaced every 10 to 15 miles and provide drinks and snacks to riders. Organizers suggest that riders not stop longer than 5 minutes to avoid difficulty restarting that may come from lactic acid
.
Cyclists not able to take the heat (average temperature is usually around 90 degrees Fahrenheit) or not able to ride up a hill can be picked up by BRAG support wagons. Those not able to bike for a couple days can also use the support wagons to transport them, their bike, and, gear to the next stop on the route if necessary.
Riders can purchase a meal ticket plan for the week. Cyclists can choose how many meals they want on their plan. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available. According to Fitz Miller, “The food is good to excellent and the prices are very reasonable.”
and ended in Savannah Lakes, South Carolina on Saturday, June 13. 2009. Riders stopped overnight in the following towns:
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. It began in 1980 as an offshoot of RAGBRAI
RAGBRAI
RAGBRAI is an acronym for Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. It is a non-competitive bicycle ride across Iowa that draws recreational riders from across the United States and overseas. They ride from a community on Iowa's western border to a community on Iowa's eastern border,...
. Between 1,000 and 2,000 riders participate in this great ride every year.
The route covers approximately 400 miles over 7 days with options for longer distances. Mid-week, the tour stays two nights in one town allowing riders to either rest or ride a century
Century ride
A century ride is a bicycle ride of 100 miles or more within 12 hours, usually as a cycling club-sponsored event. Many cycling clubs sponsor an annual century ride as both a social event for cyclists and as a fund-raiser for the club’s other activities...
with lesser mile options. Rest stops are every 8-15 miles and snacks and drinks are provided to registered riders.
History
BRAG was originally called Georgia’s Annual State Bicycling Event (GASBE) when it first began in 1980. The head leader on the ideas for this event was Dot Moss. The inspiration originally came from the Bicycle tour in IowaIowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
called RAGBRAI
RAGBRAI
RAGBRAI is an acronym for Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. It is a non-competitive bicycle ride across Iowa that draws recreational riders from across the United States and overseas. They ride from a community on Iowa's western border to a community on Iowa's eastern border,...
(Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). The first ride began in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, and finished in Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
. The ride was a total of 300 miles.
Training
For BRAG, many riders start training in January. Bobby Rone, a BRAG cyclist, makes the following suggestions:- Beginning in January, try to ride once a week if the weather is above 45 degrees.
- Do short loops at first - 10 to 15 miles.
- After time changes and warmer weather begins in April, try to ride 20 or 30 miles, 3 or 4 days a week.
- Strive for equal amounts of intensity rides, versus distance rides.
- In late May, around Memorial DayMemorial DayMemorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
, each ride should be 60 to 70 miles.
Rone says that after following his training strategy, the BRAG ride “is very easy and enjoyable.”
The Trail
BRAG volunteers choose the route each year and when the time comes around, they help paint the arrows and other lines on the pavement. They also post BRAG signs to help bikers out. The volunteers also pre-bike the ride to make sure it is a good route for cyclists from all over. When the registration papers and fees are collected for each rider, an envelope is sent back to the rider, with information about the ride and precise distances and directions for every turn. For example, a directions packet might say something like this, “Begin a 1.2 mile serious climb…” They are made easy to follow.Riders on the Trail
Everyone has their own reason to ride on BRAG. Many ride to keep in shape, many ride to accomplish a personal goal or complete a personal challenge, many ride for fun with family and/or friends, or on their own, as a hobby. And others ride to enjoy scenery, different terrain, and new country. On BRAG, almost all riders believe that it is more about the journey, rather than the destination.Riders may choose to complete as much or as little of the tour as they want to. This means each rider may travel a different distance during the week.
On average, each rider travels between 43 and 100 miles in a day. Each day of riding is pre-mapped out and planned so riders know where to go and what kind of trek is ahead for each day. When the trek for the day is complete, the cyclists stop in a city or town, and set up camp at a local high school or college. In the evenings, bikers can relax or enjoy entertainment and tourism for the remainder of the night. If riders want to go out, a shuttle provides transportation between the camp site and touristic spots around town. At the camp site, riders can chose to either set up camp outside, in a tent, on a field -most likely a soccer or football field-, or inside in a gym.
In the morning, most riders begin riding early to avoid the heat.
Most of the routes are back roads with beautiful scenery and little traffic. Official BRAG rest stops are spaced every 10 to 15 miles and provide drinks and snacks to riders. Organizers suggest that riders not stop longer than 5 minutes to avoid difficulty restarting that may come from lactic acid
Lactic acid
Lactic acid, also known as milk acid, is a chemical compound that plays a role in various biochemical processes and was first isolated in 1780 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Lactic acid is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H6O3...
.
Cyclists not able to take the heat (average temperature is usually around 90 degrees Fahrenheit) or not able to ride up a hill can be picked up by BRAG support wagons. Those not able to bike for a couple days can also use the support wagons to transport them, their bike, and, gear to the next stop on the route if necessary.
Riders can purchase a meal ticket plan for the week. Cyclists can choose how many meals they want on their plan. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available. According to Fitz Miller, “The food is good to excellent and the prices are very reasonable.”
Miscellaneous Information
BRAG experts and experienced trekkers advise that participants ensure their bikes are tuned up and in good condition for the ride. They also advise that riders stick to a consistent cadence (pedaling speed) of at least 80 revolutions per minute, and know how to operate their gears correctly.2011 BRAG
The 2011 BRAG will start on Saturday June 4 in Atlanta, GA and end on Saturday June 11 in Savannah, GA. Riders will stop overnight in the following locations:Oxford, GA, Milledgeville, GA, Dublin, GA, Metter, GA, and Hinesville, GA. This is tentative. Updates will be posted as the route is confirmed.2010 BRAG
The route for the 2010 BRAG began Saturday, June 5 in Peachtree City, GA and ended on Saturday, June 12, also in Peachtree City. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations:- Sunday, June 6 - Griffin, GA
- Monday, June 7 - Thomaston, GA
- Tuesday & Wednesday, June 8-9 - Columbus, GA
- Thursday, June 10 - LaGrange, GA
- Friday, June 11 - Newnan, GA
2009 BRAG
The route for the 2009 BRAG began Sunday, June 7, in Hiawassee, GeorgiaHiawassee, Georgia
Hiawassee is a town in and the county seat of Towns County, Georgia, United States. The population was 810 at the 2000 census. Its name comes from the Cherokee word Ayuhwasi, which means a meadow.-Geography:...
and ended in Savannah Lakes, South Carolina on Saturday, June 13. 2009. Riders stopped overnight in the following towns:
- Sunday, June 7 - Dahlonega, GA - Lumpkin County Middle School
- Monday, June 8 - Mount Airy, GA - Habersham Central High School
- Tuesday & Wednesday, June 9-10 - Athens, GA - Clarke Middle School
- Thursday, June 11 - Elberton, GA - Elbert County Comprehensive High School
- Friday, June 12 - Washington, GA - Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School
- Saturday, June 13 - Savannah Lakes, SC - Savannah Lakes Resort & Marina
2008 BRAG
The route for the 2008 BRAG began Sunday, June 8 in Oxford, GA and ended on St. Simons Island, GA on Saturday, June 14. 2008's route stopped overnight in the following towns:- Sunday, June 8 - Griffin, GA - Spalding High School
- Monday, June 9 - Macon, GA - First Presbyterian Day School
- Tuesday & Wednesday, June 10-11 - Dublin, GA - Dublin High School
- Thursday, June 12 - Hazlehurst, GA - Jeff Davis County High School
- Friday, June 13- Jesup, GA - Wayne County High School
- Saturday, June 14 - St. Simons Island, GA - Neptune Park
2007 BRAG
The route for the 2007 BRAG began Sunday, June 9 in Columbus, GA and ended in Savannah, GA on Saturday, June 16. Overnight stops were in the following towns:- Sunday, June 10 - Americus, GA - Georgia Southwestern State University
- Monday - June 11 - Cordele, GA - Crisp County High School
- Tuesday -Wednesday - June 12-13 -Douglas, GA - South Georgia College
- Thursday - June 14 - Baxley, GA - Appling County Comp High School
- Friday, June 15 - Hinesville, GA - Bradwell Institute
- Saturday, June 16 - Savannah, GA - Grayson Stadium/Daffin Park