Announcing The $230 Week-Long Vacation

Feb. 6, 2009 - PRLog -- STONE MOUNTAIN, GA. What would you pay for an unforgettable 8-day, 7-night week-long, family vacation that includes adventure, fitness, entertainment and snacks?

How does $230 per adult, plus meals, sound?

That’s not a typographical error. For about $30 per day, the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia will provide participants a nightly camping space, with access to hot showers, luggage transportation, maps over lightly traveled roads of north Georgia, rest stops stocked with food and beverages, mechanical and medical support on the road and nightly entertainment ranging from Elvis impersonators to local talent shows. The cost is less for seniors, children, college students and those who wish to ride for three or fewer days.

“This is the kind of vacation that you’ll come back to the office bragging about and that you’ll remember for the rest of your life,” says ride director Vicki Thompson. “You’ll see parts of Georgia you’ve never seen before and you’ll be in the best shape of your life.”

“Our motto is ‘You Can’t BRAG if you Don’t Ride!’ ” says Thompson.    

For 30 years, thousands of bicyclists have been gathering in the Georgia summer to complete the cross-state cycling trek known as the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia.  BRAG is a social ride, not a race, comprising cyclists from all walks of life, ages and cycling abilities. Riders range in age from children tagging along on the back of their parents’ bicycles to riders into their 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, and a range of ages in between. Riders include college students and first graders, judges and soldiers, teachers and grandparents. It’s like a summer camp for the whole family where you get to ride your bicycle ALL DAY!

The 381-mile ride will take riders from Hiawassee across the state to Clarks Hill Lake with overnight stops in Dahlonega, Mt. Airy, Athens, Elberton and Washington. Restaurants and hotels in overnight towns invariably do a brisk business when hungry, thirsty riders come through town.  

Riders travel at their own pace along a set route that follows scenic roads with minimal auto traffic.  At the end of each day’s ride, most riders pitch tents at a local high school. Others set up sleeping bags indoors in gyms, while others choose to stay at local motels.  During the afternoon and evening, BRAG provides activities such as movies, games, talent shows and entertainment.  

BRAG 2009 will take us over the lightly traveled back roads of Georgia, through small towns and rural countryside.  As much as possible, the route will follow scenic roads with minimal auto traffic.  In places where we have no alternative, we must travel on high traffic roads, usually for short distances.  Roads are not closed to automobiles.  Riders travel at their own risk.  Don’t have a bicycle?  In-Line Skaters are welcomed. Helmets are mandatory for all riders and skaters.  

For those who aren’t satisfied with the daily mileage of 50-60 miles, they can choose  the “hammerhead” options that add miles, and bonus bragging rights, to each day’s route.

With all that riding, BRAG participants come home in terrific shape, but weight loss isn’t a given. That’s because BRAG positions rest stops every 10-15 miles along the route, and stocks them with water, fruit, snacks, peanut butter, cookies and PowerAde. Nobody EVER goes hungry on BRAG!!!  Special Olympics Georgia (SOGA), BRAG’s official charity, stocks and staffs BRAG’s official rest stops free to all registered riders. Riders may sponsor a Special Olympics cyclist with intellectual disabilities on BRAG and become a member of TEAM SOGA for a donation of $100.  Call 1-800-866-4400, ext. 120, for more information or to volunteer to help staff the rest stops.

In 2009, BRAG is adding new “FUN-Raiser” activities.  On Sunday, June 7, at 4:00 pm, a few brave BRAG volunteers will demonstrate 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 pm and every day thereafter.  Each participant contributes $1 to compete each time, and all money collected will be donated to Special Olympics Georgia. Prizes will be awarded daily.

Here’s what BRAG riders had to say about the 2008 ride.

•   It was a wonderful experience for my family.  Thank you.
•   I had a great ride.  In fact, I had one of my best days ever on a bicycle!
•   Great ride for all abilities.
•   The people are excellent, the country is beautiful, and bicycling is addictive.
•   The best part is being on a bike for a week with friends!

BRAG is Going Green again!  BRAG will help the environment by not only cycling from town to town but also by recycling plastic and aluminum at all overnight sites.

BRAG also will support the BRAG Dream Team, a group of teenagers who work with coaches to prepare for the ride. In its 16th year, the BRAG Dream sponsors middle school students who otherwise couldn't afford the bike, camping equipment and other expenses of the week-long trip.

At overnight stops, BRAG resembles a small village with merchants selling food and bicycling wares. Café Campesino vends gourmet coffees, Cycleworks and Free-Flite Bicycles sell equipment and gear.  Bubba’s Pampered Pedalers offers deluxe camping accommodations, Rosie the Towel Lady provides a clean fresh towel and chair rental, Miles the Photographer takes gorgeous action photos of riders and Mama Ralphael offers lunch and dinner options. For an additional fee, riders can pre-purchase breakfast, lunch and dinner along the way.

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