Breaking News - BRAG 2007 Route Confirmed

The BRAG 2007 route is CONFIRMED. Dates are June 9 – 16, 2007.
The route begins in Columbus and ends in Savannah.

Until December 31, 2006, you can use the Early Bird Registration Form to register for BRAG 2007. Click here to access to registration form.

Click here to access the motel listing.

Happy Holidays from BRAG

On behalf of all the BRAG associates and volunteers, we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah. Here is a Christmas note from a Special Olympics Georgia BRAG rider. She was able to ride BRAG because of your generous contributions. Click here to access the letter.

New BRAG.org

Please check out our new look at www.brag.org!

BRAG Merchandise

The holidays are just around the corner, so begin your holiday shopping for that special person by purchasing a BRAG 2006 jersey. The price has been reduced to $40 from $75. Various sizes are available with sleeves and sleeveless, and you can use your credit card. Check out the merchandise page at www.brag.org for this and other great gift ideas.

BRAG 2007 VIP Club (Very Important Pedalers)

Announcing the BRAG VIP Club for 2007. Save $70 and show your support for BRAG events. Remember, You Can't BRAG if You Don't Ride! Register now for all four BRAG events in 2007 and save almost 20% over anticipated registration and t-shirt fees. Click here to access the VIP registration form. Pay one discounted fee of $325 ($295 for Seniors age 65 & older) and become registered for the following four exciting events:

The BRAG VIP Club includes a t-shirt for each event, early access to the route announcement, the motel list, and an advance copy of the route descriptions and maps.

Cancellation fee for any ride: 50% of regular registration fee including T-shirt fee. No refunds after the “no refund” date on each ride’s registration form.

Can't commit to all 4 events? BRAG 2007 Early Bird registration is available until December 31, 2006. We do anticipate a price increase. Spring Tune-Up 2007 in Madison, GA Early Bird registration is also available now. Log on www.brag.org for both forms.

The BRAG 2007 VIP Club offer expires January 31, 2007.

Already registered for BRAG 2007 and/or Spring Tune-Up 2007? No problem! You can apply those payments toward your BRAG VIP Club fee.

The BRAG VIP Club fee structure is not available for children and college students since those fees are already substantially discounted.

BRAG Holiday Gift Box from Cafe Campesino

Cafe Campesino, in cooperation with BRAG, is delighted to offer the BRAG Holiday Gift Box. Supporters of BRAG, Café Campesino, and Fair Trade are sure to enjoy this unique holiday ensemble which includes: (1) 8-oz. bag of Café Campesino Fair Trade, organic BRAG Brew; (1) 8-oz. bag of Café Campesino natural water process Decaf Full City; (1) snappy 16 oz. BRAG travel mug; (1) 12-oz tin of Dagoba Fair Trade, organic Authentic Hot Chocolate Mix; and a beautiful bicycle pin made of recycled copper and steel wire by Fair Trade artisans in Kisumu, Kenya.

You may request two bags of BRAG Brew (with caffeine) or two bags of Decaf instead. Price: $25.95 plus sales tax and $3.95 shipping. To purchase, please visit www.cafecampesino.com. (Located Under "Gift Ideas" )

Spring Tune-Up, Madison, Georgia, April 27-29, 2007

Next year's Spring Tune-Up Ride will be in Madison, GA, April 27 - 29, 2007. Mark your calendars! Click here to access an early-bird application (PDF format).

Georgia BikeFest, Newnan GA

The 2007 Georgia BikeFest will be returning to Newnan, GA. Dates will be determined when we know the Newnan High School football schedule.

Bike Costa Rica - February 17-25, 2007

BIKE COSTA RICA From Arenal Volcano to the Pacific - February 17 - 25, 2007.

We will pedal through lush coffee farms and rainforests, around Lake Arenal, and across the Continental Divide, with an opportunity to view a variety of birds, monkeys, and other indigenous animals along the way.  Bilingual local guides and van support are available at all times.  The mileage is limited to 25-30 miles a day, with optional riding available.

A hybrid or mountain bike is preferred and may be rented from the local tour company, Bi.Costa Rica Bike Tours.  Costa Rica has good paved back roads, but some gravel may be encountered.

This is a 9-day, 8-night trip in excellent hotels or B&B's, with all meals, except two lunches, included, and two layover days at a mountain resort and at a beach resort. The group size is limited.  So hurry!  To view the photos of the ride last January, see  http://www.pixagogo.com/3072685214.  To register or obtain a brochure, please email Jerry Colley at bragHQ@aol.com or call Gloria Colley at 770-377-9953.

Riviera Maya Bicycle Adventure, January 7-14, 2007

Escape the winter doldrums with a week in Tropical Paradise. Cycle the Yucatan Peninsula from the jungle to the Caribbean. Pedal through the thatched-roof villages of the contemporary Mayan and explore the 1500 year old shrines and pyramids of their ancestors, in a habitat sheltering birds, whale sharks and other fauna unique to the tropics. Indulge in the peninsula’s water wonderland – fresh pools, cenotes/sinkholes, all along the daily routes and the sea whose transparent waters are a living aquarium.

In the journey limited to 40 privileged explorers, you will penetrate the jungle and view archaeological sites hidden in Mexico’s second largest federal park, 1.6 million acre Sian ka’an Biosphere Reserve. With the explanations of qualified, bilingual guides, you will appreciate the amazing architectural and engineering skills manifested in the once great Mayan city - states: Tulum, Coba, and Muyil. There is time to enrich your cycling with multi-sport activities – equipment will be provided so you can kayak or snorkel to your own private spot in the Mayan reef, the world’s second largest coral reef.

Day by day, stop and cool off in the crystal clear waters of the cenotes – nature’s perfect swimming pools – blue holes in the peninsula’s limestone crust fed by springs and underground rivers. Travelers will stay in four star hotels and inns, enjoy delicious Yucatecan cuisine – orange marinated pork baked in banana leaves, fresh octopus, chicken and lime soup, authentic Mexican dishes, and the freshest seafood imagined. Above all, everywhere you go enjoy the welcoming smiles of the people of the Yucatan peninsula – they respect guests and show it.

For more information see http://ecotravelmexico.com/RMBA07.htm. Contact Jerry Colley at bragHQ@aol.com for more information.

Dublin Rotary St. Patrick's Century Ride

Start your 2007 cycling season by joining the St. Patrick’s Century Ride in Dublin, GA, on Sunday, March 18, 2007. This is an Official BRAG Training Ride. Mileage options are 100, 50, and 27 miles. Contact Steve Moore at smoore@nlamerica.com for more information.

Bike Florida

Dates are March 17-23, 2007. Log on www.bikeflorida.org for more information.

Tour de Georgia Returning to Atlanta

The fifth annual cycling event will begin April 16, 2007, in Peachtree City and end in Centennial Olympic Park, marking its first return to Atlanta since the inaugural race in 2003.

Some of the top cyclists in the world will pedal more than 600 miles through North Georgia and into Chattanooga before making their way back to the metro area by way of two famous mountains; Brasstown Bald, which has become the signature climb of the Tour de Georgia, and Stone Mountain, which is making its first appearance in the race.

A circuit race through the streets of Atlanta will be the culmination of the race, which has been won in the past by Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis.

Photo of the Week
BRAG is showcasing a bicycling BRAG Photo of the Week. This can be your favorite bicycling photo from a BRAG-sponsored event.

Please send your photo in low to medium resolution (web-ready). Provide us with the appropriate verbiage for the caption (those pictured left to right in the photo, as well as when/where the photo was taken).

Please provide your name and address, as BRAG will send you a small surprise if your photo is selected as photo of the week. Submissions should be sent to bragHQ@aol.com.

If you would like to be deleted from the BRAG e-mail distribution list,
please contact BRAG at braginfo@aol.com.

Contact BRAG HQ - BRAG.org