The Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) is an annual road-cycling tour across the US state of

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the South Caucasus * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the southeastern United States Georgia may also refer to: People and fictional characters * Georgia (name), a list of pe ...

. It began in 1980 as an offshoot of

RAGBRAI RAGBRAI, short for ''Register'' Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa, is a non-competitive bicycle tour across the U.S. state of Iowa from the western to eastern border. First held in 1973, RAGBRAI is the largest bike-touring event in the wor ...

. Between 1,000 and 2,000 riders participate in this great ride every year. The route covers approximately 400 miles over seven 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 A century is a period of 100 years or 10 decades. Centuries are numbered ordinally in English and many other languages. The word ''century'' comes from the Latin ''centum'', meaning ''one hundred''. ''Century'' is sometimes abbreviated as c. ...

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 idea for this event was Dot Moss. The inspiration originally came from the bicycle tour in

Iowa Iowa ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the upper Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders the Mississippi River to the east and the Missouri River and Big Sioux River to the west; Wisconsin to the northeast, Ill ...

called

(Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa). The first ride began in

Savannah, Georgia Savannah ( ) is the oldest city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia and the county seat of Chatham County, Georgia, Chatham County. Established in 1733 on the Savannah River, the city of Savannah became the Kingdom of Great Brita ...

, and finished in

Columbus, Georgia Columbus is a consolidated city-county located on the west-central border of the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. Columbus lies on the Chattahoochee River directly across from Phenix City, Alabama. It is the county seat of Muscogee ...

. The ride was a total of 300 miles. In 1985, the name of the ride was changed to Bicycle Ride Across Georgia or BRAG. Originally the tour was organized by local bike shops and each year a different bike shop would take on the organization and promotion of the event. As the event grew, it became obvious that the event would require a full time staff. An executive director, Jerry Colley, was hired as the Chief Executive Officer and held that position until 2015, when Franklin Johnson took over as Executive Director.

Preparation

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 Day Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May. It i ...

, each ride should be 60 to 70 miles. Rone says that after following his training strategy, the BRAG ride "is very easy and enjoyable."

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

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 choose 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 is an organic acid. It has the molecular formula C3H6O3. It is white in the solid state and it is miscible with water. When in the dissolved state, it forms a colorless solution. Production includes both artificial synthesis as wel ...

. 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.

Tours, stops, and dates

2025 BRAG

The route for the 2025 Big BRAG began Saturday, May 31 in Rome, GA and ended on Saturday, June 7 in Hartwell, GA. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 1 - Cartersville, GA - Georgia Highlands Carterville Campus *Monday, June 2 - Jasper, GA - Lee Newton Park *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 3-4 - Dawsonville, GA - Main Street Park *Thursday, June 5 - Clarkesville, GA - Ruby Fulbright Center *Friday, June 6 -

Toccoa, GA Toccoa is a city in far Northeast Georgia near the border with South Carolina. It is the county seat of Stephens County, Georgia, United States, located about from Athens and about northeast of Atlanta. The population was 9,133 as of the 2020 ...

- Stephens County Recreation *Saturday, June 7 - Hartwell, GA - Hart County High School

2024 BRAG

The route for the 2024 Big BRAG began Saturday, June 1 in

Atlanta, GA Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County and extends into neighboring DeKalb County. With a population of 520,070 (2024 estimate) living within the city limits, At ...

and ended on Saturday, June 8 in

Savannah, GA Savannah ( ) is the oldest city in the U.S. state of Georgia and the county seat of Chatham County. Established in 1733 on the Savannah River, the city of Savannah became the British colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the f ...

. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 2 - Oxford, GA - Emory University at Oxford *Monday, June 3 - Social Circle, GA - Social Circle Elementary School *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 4-5 - Milledgeville, GA - Walter B. Williams Jr. Park *Thursday, June 6 - Swainsboro, GA - East Georgia State College *Friday, June 7 - Statesboro, GA - Georgia Southern University *Saturday, June 8 -

- Daffin Park

2023 BRAG

The route for the 2023 Big BRAG began Saturday, June 3 in Clayton, GA and ended on Saturday, June 10 in

Augusta, GA Augusta is a city on the central eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia. The city lies directly across the Savannah River from North Augusta, South Carolina at the head of its navigable portion. Augusta, the third most populous city in Geo ...

. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 4 - Clarkesville, GA - Ruby C Fulbright Aquatic Center *Monday, June 5 - Gainesville, GA - Gainesville Civic Center *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 6-7 - Braselton, GA - Braselton Civic Center *Thursday, June 8 - Madison, GA - Empire Mills *Friday, June 9 - Thomson, GA - McDuffie Achievement Center *Saturday, June 10 -

- Augusta Common

2022 BRAG

The route for the 2022 Big BRAG began Saturday, June 4 in

Columbus, GA Columbus is a consolidated city-county located on the west-central border of the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. Columbus lies on the Chattahoochee River directly across from Phenix City, Alabama. It is the county seat of Muscogee ...

and ended on Saturday, June 11 in Brunswick, GA. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 5 - Thomaston, GA - Thomaston-Upson Civic Center *Monday, June 6 - Perry, GA - Georgia National Fairgrounds *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 7–8 - Dublin, GA - Stubbs Park *Thursday, June 9 - Hazlehurst, GA - Jeff Davis High School *Friday, June 10 - Jesup, GA - Wayne County High School *Saturday, June 11 - Brunswick, GA - Veterans Memorial Park

2021 BRAG

The route for the 2021 BRAG began Saturday, June 5 in Lookout Mtn, TN and ended on Saturday, June 12 in

. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 6 - Layfayette, GA - ?? *Monday, June 7 - Cave Springs, GA - ?? *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 8-9 - Carrollton, GA - ?? *Thursday, June 10 - Senoia, GA - ?? *Friday, June 11 - LaGrange, GA - ?? *Saturday, June 12 -

- ??

2019 BRAG

The route for the 2019 BRAG began Saturday, June 1 in Ellijay, GA and ended on Saturday, June 8 in Darien, GA. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 2 - Gainesville, GA - Lake Lanier Olympic Park *Monday, June 3 - Covington, GA - Indian Creek Middle School *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 4–5 - Milledgeville, GA - GCSU Centennial Center *Thursday, June 6 - Swainsboro, GA - East Georgia State College *Friday, June 7 - Hinesville, GA - Shuman Recreation Center *Saturday, June 8 - Darien, GA - Darien River Waterfront Park & Docks

2018 BRAG

The route for the 2018 BRAG began Saturday, June 2 in Rome, GA and ended on Saturday, June 9 in Hartwell, GA. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 3 - Dalton, GA - ?? *Monday, June 4 - Dahlonega, GA - ?? *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 5-6 - Jasper, GA - ?? *Thursday, June 7 - Clarkesville, GA - ?? *Friday, June 8 -

- ?? *Saturday, June 9 - Hartwell, GA - Long Point Park

2017 BRAG

The route for the 2017 BRAG began Saturday, June 3 in

Athens, GA Athens is a consolidated city-county in the U.S. state of Georgia. Downtown Athens lies about northeast of downtown Atlanta. The University of Georgia, the state's flagship public university and an R1 research institution, is in Athens and co ...

and ended on Saturday, June 10 in Brunswick, GA. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 4 -

Washington, GA Washington is the county seat of Wilkes County, Georgia, United States. Under its original name, Heard's Fort, it was for a brief time during the American Revolutionary War the Georgia state capital. It is noteworthy as the place where the Co ...

- Pope Center *Monday, June 5 - Thomson, GA - McDuffie Achievement Center (School) *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 6–7 - Louisville, GA - Louisville Academy / Helen Clark Park *Thursday, June 8 - Metter, GA - Metter Elementary School *Friday, June 9 - Jesup, GA - Wayne County High School *Saturday, June 10 - Brunswick, GA - Mary Ross Waterfront Park

2016 BRAG

The route for the 2016 BRAG began Saturday, June 4 in

and ended on Saturday, June 11 in

. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 5 - Social Circle, GA - Social Circle Middle-High School *Monday, June 6 - Milledgeville, GA - GCSU Centennial Center *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 7-8 - Dublin, GA - Stubbs Park *Thursday, June 9 - Swainsboro, GA - East Georgia State College *Friday, June 10 - Statesboro, GA - Georgia Southern University *Saturday, June 11 -

- Emmet Park

2015 BRAG

The proposed route for the 2015 BRAG will be a loop/figure 8 course and not a point-to-point ride. 2015 BRAG will begin Sunday, June 7 in Newnan, GA and will end on Saturday, June 13 also in Newnan. Riders will stop overnight in the following locations: *Monday, June 8 - Carrollton, GA *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 9–10 - Newnan, GA *Thursday & Friday, June 11–12 - LaGrange, GA *Saturday, June 13 - Newnan, GA

2014 BRAG

The route for the 2014 BRAG began Sunday, June 8 in

and ended on Saturday, June 14 in Darien, GA. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Monday, June 9 - Thomson, GA - Thomson High School *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 10–11 - Waynesboro, GA - Burke County Middle School *Thursday, June 12 - Metter, GA - Metter High School *Friday, June 13 - Jesup, GA - Wayne County High School *Saturday, June 14 - Darien, GA - Darien Waterfront Park

2012 BRAG

The route for the 2012 BRAG began Saturday, June 2 in Fort Oglethorpe, GA and ended on Saturday, June 9 in Tiger, GA. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 3 - Dalton, GA - Dalton High School *Monday, June 4 - Jasper, GA - Pickens County Community Center *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 5–6 -

Roswell, GA Roswell is a city in northern Fulton County, Georgia, United States. At the official 2020 census, the city had a population of 92,883, making Roswell the state's ninth largest city. A suburb of Atlanta, Roswell has an affluent National Registe ...

- Roswell High School *Thursday, June 7 - Winder, GA - Winder Barrow High School *Friday, June 8 - Mount Airy, GA - Habersham 9th Grade Academy *Saturday, June 9 - Tiger, GA - Rabun County High School

2011 BRAG

The route for the 2011 BRAG began Saturday, June 4 in

and ended on Saturday, June 11 in

. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 5 - Oxford, GA - Emory University at Oxford *Monday, June 6 - Milledgeville, GA - Georgia Military College *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 7–8 - Dublin, GA - Dublin High School *Thursday, June 9 - Metter, GA - Metter High School *Friday, June 10 - Hinesville, GA - Snelson-Golden Middle School *Saturday, June 11 -

- Armstrong Atlantic State University

2010 BRAG

The route for the 2010 BRAG began Saturday, June 5 in

Peachtree City, GA Peachtree City is the largest city in Fayette County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 38,244. Peachtree City is located in southern Metro Atlanta. Golf carts are widely used in the city. Over 10,000 house ...

and ended on Saturday, June 12, also in Peachtree City. Riders stopped overnight in the following locations: *Sunday, June 6 -

Griffin, GA Griffin is a city in and the county seat of Spalding County, Georgia, United States. It is part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 23,478. Griffin was founded in 1840 and named for landowner ...

*Monday, June 7 - Thomaston, GA *Tuesday & Wednesday, June 8–9 -

*Thursday, June 10 - LaGrange, GA *Friday, June 11 - Newnan, GA

2009 BRAG

The route for the 2009 BRAG began Sunday, June 7, in

Hiawassee, Georgia Hiawassee is the county seat of Towns County, Georgia, United States. The population was 981 at the 2020 census. Its name is derived from the Cherokee—or perhaps Creek—word ''Ayuhwasi'', which means meadow, (A variant spelling, "Hiwassee, ...

and ended in

South Carolina South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...

at the Savannah Lakes Resort and Marina 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 -

- Clarke Middle School * Thursday, June 11 - Elberton, GA - Elbert County Comprehensive High School * Friday, June 12 -

- Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School * Saturday, June 13 - near McCormick, 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 -

- Spalding High School * Monday, June 9 -

Macon, GA Macon ( ), officially Macon–Bibb County, is a consolidated city-county in Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, United States. Situated near the Atlantic Seaboard fall line, fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is southeast of Atlanta and near the ...

- 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 -

- Grayson Stadium/Daffin Park

References

External links

*{{Official website , https://brag.org/ Bicycle tours 1980 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state) Annual events in Georgia (U.S. state) Cycling events in the United States Cycling in Georgia (U.S. state) June Recurring sporting events established in 1980