Announcing the BRAG Spring Tune-Up Ride

Feb. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- The 17th annual Spring Tune-Up ride (STU), sponsored by BRAG (Bicycle Ride Across Georgia), will take place April 16-18, 2010. Heritage Park in beautiful Madison, Georgia, will once again be home base for the Spring Tune-Up ride. Madison, located on Georgia’s Antebellum Trail and Georgia’s Antique Trail, is known as “the town Sherman refused to burn” and has been voted “Best Small Town in America.”

For past BRAG riders, STU provides a wonderful opportunity to rekindle cycling friendships formed on previous rides, and to make new friends as well, all without having to worry about taking down and putting up a tent each day. For newcomers hesitant to dedicate an entire week of precious vacation time to the weeklong summer ride, STU is a perfect way to experience the BRAG atmosphere first-hand and find out what makes BRAG so special.

Daily mileage ranges from 15 to 100 miles, so there is a ride for everyone from novices to seasoned veterans, with rides beginning and ending each day at Heritage Park. All BRAG rides are “show and go,” with no mass starts. The terrain around Madison is flat to gently rolling hills. Routes are scenic and relatively low-traffic, and rest stops stocked with plentiful snacks and cold drinks are planned every 10-15 miles.  For those experienced riders who have come to expect the traditional PBJ’s, Spring Tune-Up 2010 will also feature free homemade pimiento cheese sandwiches at one rest stop each day. Mama Ralphael, a BRAG fixture in recent years, will provide meals for purchase on site, or try one of the 14 restaurants on the square, just a mile from camp. Find out more about Madison at www.madisonga.org.

There are plenty of activities on Spring Tune-Up other than cycling. The Conference Center in downtown Madison will be the scene of a party on Friday night, featuring D.J. Ned Mountain. For car lovers, Madison will also host a Classic Car Cruise-In Friday night. Reward yourself for completing Saturday’s ride by enjoying the ice cream social hosted by Mama Ralphael, take in a movie at BRAG headquarters, or take a walking or biking tour of historic Madison. The brand-new Aquatics Center, just down the street from Heritage Park, is offering Spring Tune-Up riders the opportunity to swim for free each afternoon. Saturday night will feature bingo, karaoke, and s’mores after dark. Café Campesino gourmet coffee will also be available each day.

Camping for the weekend will be at Heritage Park. RVs are welcome, but no hookups are provided. FreeFlite will provide technical support, and a portable shower trailer will be on site to provide hot showers after each day’s ride. For those who prefer to stay in a motel, Madison has several to choose from. Our sponsor, the James Madison Inn downtown, will award one lucky rider with a free night’s stay at the Inn. One registration will be chosen at random from all STU registrations received by March 31, 2010. The free night’s lodging may be used during Spring Tune-Up, subject to hotel availability.

Some events and attractions may be subject to change, so check the BRAG website frequently at www.brag.org. You can print out a registration form to mail in, or you may register online at www.active.com.