Bikers getting ready to BRAG
The second oldest cross-state bicycle tour will come to Rome in June.
Bike enthusiasts, get ready to ride, as the 2018 Bike Ride Across Georgia will begin in Rome. Organizers of the annual event released the route information on their website Monday. The event is scheduled to begin June 2 in Rome, with the first leg taking the riders to Dalton. Day 2 will go from Dalton to Jasper, Day 3 Jasper to Dahlonega, Day 4 is Dahlonega to Clarksville, Day 5 is Clarksville to Toccoa, with the final leg to end on June 9 in Hartwell.
“I think it’s great, especially with the timing in conjunction with the Rome Shakespeare Festival on the Town Green,” said Lisa Smith of the Rome Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Anne Hortman, the director of Rome Sports, worked tremendously hard to get Rome as the starting point.”
Hortman was delighted to comment on the news as well.
“We are thrilled that BRAG has chosen to start their 2018 ‘Big BRAG’ journey in Rome.
Hosting over 800 cyclists in Rome with all of the great things Rome has to offer, is an honor.” said Hortman. “With the success that TRED has with their ‘Up the Creek’ ride in the spring — we are certain that many of those cyclists will return in June — and bring their friends.”
BRAG is on its 38th year and is the second oldest cross-state bicycle tour in the country. It was originally known as the Great Georgia Annual State Bicycling Event. The first ride started in Savannah and ended in Columbus.