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.

We will accept credit cards beginning in early November.

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" )

Publix Bike Atlanta

Held September 23, 2006, the Publix Bike Atlanta ride boasted 300 riders in attendance with excellent weather. This year, the riders were in one of two groups, each escorted by eight Atlanta motorcycle police officers. One group rode the 13-mile course with just a few stops; the other group stopped every two miles for all riders to catch up. 70 riders continued and pedaled the optional 32-mile route on the PATH to Stone Mountain and back making their day’s total mileage 45 miles.

Not to leave the little ones out, this year’s event had a one-mile ride on the PATH for small children to participate in the event.

BRAG's Dream Team members and mentors participated in this ride.

The event would not have been the success it was without our sponsors. Publix provided sandwiches, cookies, veggies, and fruit after the ride. Coca-Cola Enterprises supplied the drinks, PowerAde, and Dasani water for the event. REI, Free-Flite and Cycleworks were onsite to offer technical support and had mechanics ride the route.

LINKS group provided BRAG with wonderful volunteers this year.

Thanks to all who participated and made the 2006 Publix Bike Atlanta ride a huge success!

To view photos, please click http://www.pixagogo.com/1885684452.

Georgia BikeFest 2006

The 15th Annual Georgia BikeFest returned to Newnan September 29 - October 1, 2006, for a wonderful weekend of cycling and socializing with friends. The ride was a huge success with 550 riders for the three-day weekend.

The City of Newnan went all out to see that everyone had a good time. Friday night was Trivia Night at the Waterworks Park along with music and adult beverages. Saturday night was equally as entertaining again at the park with music being provided by The Assembly Required Band.

The ice cream social, provided by Lovejoy United Methodist Church and the Philanthropic Education Organization, was enjoyed by all after a day of cycling in Coweta County.

Representatives from the American League of Bicyclists were on site to provide information about their organization. The Georgia BikeFest was one of the League’s featured events this year.

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).

BRAG 2007 - June 9-16, 2007

June 9 - 16, 2007. Route TBD. Start will be Columbus Civic Center. Click here to access an early-bird application (PDF format).

Shower Trailer for Sale

The BAMA shower trailer is for sale.  BRAG has used this 4-stall shower trailer for Georgia BikeFest and Spring Tune-Up in past years.  We would be interested in renting it for those events in the future from the new owner if you decide to buy it.  Contact Morton Archibald at morton@knology.net for details, pricing, etc.

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.

Tour De Tugaloo

Come tour the Tugaloo River and experience nature at its finest during the Tour de Tugaloo Ride on Saturday, November 5, 2006, in Toccoa, GA. The terrain is flat to hilly with beautiful vistas, three choices of loop rides, oodles of wildlife, and fabulous fall colors! The ride is sponsored by the Stephens County Foundation for the preservation of the Tugaloo River Corridor. Your entry fee will be donated to the foundation for “Share the Road” signage and support of this route as a Georgia/South Carolina official route connecting to designated state routes.

On-site registration is $25. You may sign in at 7:00am at Yonah Dam Park, Yonah Dam Road, in Toccoa, GA.

For more information please check our website at www.tourdetugaloo.com or www.toccoagachamber.com.

Cruisin' in the Country Century

Mark your calendars for the 12th Annual Cruisin’ in the Country Century weekend, November 10 – 12, 2006, in Claxton, GA. This event offers a full weekend of cycling pleasure. In addition to offering a warm-up ride on Friday afternoon (not supported by rest stops or SAG), the event offers a 26, 65, or 100 mile ride n Saturday, and a 40 mile ride on Sunday.

For additional information or registration questions, email info@claxtonevanschamber.com, or call (912) 739-1391.

Spin for Kids Ride

On Sunday, November 12, 2006, Taco Mac and 790-The Zone Sports Radio team up to present a bike ride to benefit Camp Twin Lakes and its partners. Join other cyclists for a fundraising bike ride through rural Morgan County and the historic towns of Madison, Rutledge, and Social Circle, and help send children with special needs and serious illnesses to camp.

Rides will begin and end at Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA, located 50 miles east of Atlanta. Four courses will allow riders of various skill levels, from the occasional rider to the experienced cyclist, to participate in this exciting event. There is a family fun ride as well as options of 25, 50, and 100 miles.

Register now for this exciting ride. Registration fee is $25 with a fundraising minimum of $100. Riders raising more than $250 will receive a commemorative bike jersey.

Register on-line at www.spinforkids.org. For more information call 404-231-9887.

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

To access the complete September 2006 BRAG 'N Writes, click here.