BRAG'N Writes-September 13, 2006


www.brag.org
Upcoming September 2006 BRAG Events Publix Bike Atlanta - September 23, 2006 The 7th Annual Publix Bike Atlanta ride will take place on September 23, 2006, at 8 a.m., at the King Center in Atlanta. Come join this annual Celebration of Bicycling which benefits the BRAG Dream Team. The 13-mile ride goes through the heart of Atlanta and down the Peachtree St. skyscraper canyon. There is an optional 32-mile additional route to Stone Mountain and back along the Path. For the little ones, there is a 1-mile fun ride along the Path behind the King Center. Rider fees have been reduced this year, and include a t-shirt and a boxed lunch provided by Publix. We will have 16 motorcycle police officers to assist us with traffic control.The first group of riders will ride the 13-mile loop without stopping. The second group will stop every 2 miles and at the rest stop to allow riders to catch up. The third group will stop every ½ mile for everyone to catch up. Click here to access the ride application (PDF format). You may also register at www.active.com. All BRAG and Spring Tune-Up riders have received a ride application in the mail. Come support the BRAG Dream Team and show Atlanta that Bikes Belong! Georgia BikeFest Returns to Newnan - September 29 - October 1, 2006 The 15th Annual Georgia BikeFest returns to Newnan, GA, September 29 - October 1, 2006. Click here to access the application (PDF format) or register online at www.active.com. Come join us for a three-day weekend of autumn bicycling. There are long and short ride options each day. The City of Newnan is going all out to see that we have a good time. Grantville promises the best rest stop ever. We are proud to announce that Georgia BikeFest is a League of American Bicyclists featured event this year. Free bands and adult beverages Friday and Saturday nights. For hoteliers, the Jameson Inn in Newnan will be offering a special $60 rate for September 28, 29, 30, 2006. Be sure and mention BRAG to get this rate. The overnight site for Georgia BikeFest is Newnan High School, located at 190 LaGrange Street, Newnan, GA 30263. The ice cream festival is scheduled Saturday afternoon at HQ. Entertainment: The Assembly Required Band is confirmed for Saturday night at Georgia BikeFest. This 6-piece dance band will be playing from 7 - 10 p.m., Saturday night, Sept. 30, at Waterworks Park in Newnan. Assorted free adult beverages will be available. A band or DJ will also be playing at Waterworks Park on Friday night, Sept. 29, along with free adult beverages. Football games will be on TV all weekend at BRAG HQ at Waterworks Park. NEW! Saturday, September 30 - Yoga and Pilates Sessions! Start a great ride with simple yoga and pilates morning stretches and end with a post-ride cool down. We'll use deep breathing and centering to start the day with mind-body awareness, as well as elongating and stabilizing exercises that heat up the core. Check in with BRAG HQ on Friday for the exact location for these classes. Sessions will be offered morning and afternoon. Times are 7:00 - 7:30am; 2:00 - 2:30pm and 3:30 - 4:00pm. Remember to bring your sticky mat! Classes will be conducted by certified AFAA Group Fitness Instructor Maggie Davenport. Her additional forms include strength building, aqua and chair aerobics. Please email Maggie directly with 'Exercise at GBF' in the email's subject line if you plan to participate. 2007 BRAG Rides 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). New Zealand - South Island Adventure - January 16 - 25, 2007 NEW ZEALAND - SOUTH ISLAND ADVENTURE - Southern Alps 10 Inn Trip--from Christchurch to Queenstown JANUARY 16 - 25, 2007. Our group size is limited to 22…we have space for 2 more! Plans are to bike the South Island from Christchurch on the coast to Queenstown, enjoying many activities and breathtaking scenery of the Southern Alps. This is a custom-designed and fully supported 10-day inn trip for the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia riders and friends by Pedaltours of New Zealand for $2,450, all-inclusive price. For a detailed itinerary, see http://www.pedaltours.co.nz. Non-riders are welcome. Excellent road bikes, hybrids, and tandems are available to rent. We have obtained a group airfare on Air New Zealand from LAX for only $1,220. To receive more information, please contact Jerry Colley at braghq@aol.com or call Gloria Colley at 770-377-9953. Bike Costa Rica - February 17-25, 2007 BIKE COSTA RICA From Arenal Volcano to the Pacific - February 17 - 25, 2007. Please join Team Brag for an unforgettable on-road bike experience in beautiful and diverse Costa Rica. Activities include a jungle canopy tour, a relaxing soak in thermal springs after biking, and a tranquil river rafting trip. Kayaking and snorkeling are planned when we reach the Pacific. 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: Chichen Itza, 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. Other Bicycle Events The Nut Roll 2006 Come join the fun on September 16, 2006, for the 3rd annual Nut Roll Ride in Albany, GA. The ride is sponsored by The Pecan City Pedalers and benefits The Parks at Chehaw Education Center. Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. at The Parks at Chehaw, Philema Road, Hwy 91N, Albany, GA. Ride begins at 8:00 a.m. The route is mostly flat with a few gentle rolling hills. All routes are fully supported and marked. Map and cue sheets are available and lunch will be provided. Ride options: 30, 36, 62, or 102 miles. Showers are available after the ride. After 8/25/06, registration is $30. For more information contact Jim Anne Brett, 2006 Nut Roll Director, at 229-432-1743 or email info@pecancitypedalers.org. Friends of Recovery Duathlon Laurel Park in Gainesville, GA, will be host to the Friends of Recovery Duathlon (5k/38k/5k) and kids mini duathlon (¼ mile, 1 mile, ¼ mile) on Saturday, October 7, 2006, at 8:00 a.m. You can register at www.active.com or email recovery@hallcounty.org for a registration form. Laurel Park is a scenic park located on Lake Lanier. A paved running course takes you along the lake and the cycling course leads you through some of North Georgia’s beautiful rolling countryside. Pre-register by September 22. Fees: $54 for pre-registered races (Non-USAT), $100 for runner/cyclist relay, $10 kids. On race day fees will be $64 individual or $120 relay. Prizes for top 3 males and females in each group, top 3 relay teams and top 3 overall. Finisher awards for each child. Long sleeve t-shirts for all pre-registered racers. Post race refreshments will be served. Sawnee & Burnt Mountain Center Challenge The Charities of the Kiwanis Club of Cumming/Forsyth invite all cyclists to this challenging ride on Saturday, October 21, 2006. You may register on-site beginning at 7:00am with the ride starting at 8:00am. Various mileage options ranging from easy to very strenuous. All riders will receive a t-shirt. A spaghetti dinner with all the trimmings will be served after the ride. For more information, contact Dick Gellner, 770-781-2569, or email dickgellner@bellsouth.net. You may also visit our website at www.cummingkiwanis.org. Helmets are required. Tour de Tugaloo Come tour the Tugaloo River and experience nature at its finest during the Tour de Tugaloo Ride on Saturday, November 4, 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. The non-refundable registration fee is $20 if received with the application by October 15, 2006. 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. Cycling News Brag 2006 Appears in USA Today: Georgia on their Behinds USA Today had an excellent article about BRAG 2006 in its June 30, 2006 edition. Click here to view the article (PDF format). Team Hoyt Dick Hoyt and his son, Rick, have run marathons, competed in triathlons and once even trekked 3,700 miles across America. What they accomplished together is simply amazing when you consider that Rick cannot walk or talk. To read about this remarkable duo who are an inspiration to all, go to www.youtube.com. Search for the title of the video - "Together-Team Hoyt." Add Your Name to the List If you would like to receive additional cycling news, subscribe to Free-Flite’s free email newsletter at http://freeflite.com/page.cfm?PageID=166. You can also sign up for REI’s Gearmail e-newsletter at www.rei.com. Sign-up for Cafe Campesino's Fair Grounds eNewsletter. Click here to sign-up today! Photo of the Week Beginning in October, BRAG will showcase 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

Upcoming September 2006 BRAG Events
Publix Bike Atlanta - September 23, 2006
The 7th Annual Publix Bike Atlanta ride will take place on September 23, 2006, at 8 a.m., at the King Center in Atlanta. Come join this annual Celebration of Bicycling which benefits the BRAG Dream Team. The 13-mile ride goes through the heart of Atlanta and down the Peachtree St. skyscraper canyon. There is an optional 32-mile additional route to Stone Mountain and back along the Path. For the little ones, there is a 1-mile fun ride along the Path behind the King Center.

Rider fees have been reduced this year, and include a t-shirt and a boxed lunch provided by Publix.

We will have 16 motorcycle police officers to assist us with traffic control.The first group of riders will ride the 13-mile loop without stopping. The second group will stop every 2 miles and at the rest stop to allow riders to catch up. The third group will stop every ½ mile for everyone to catch up. Click here to access the ride application (PDF format). You may also register at www.active.com. All BRAG and Spring Tune-Up riders have received a ride application in the mail.

Georgia BikeFest Returns to Newnan - September 29 - October 1, 2006
The 15th Annual Georgia BikeFest returns to Newnan, GA, September 29 - October 1, 2006. Click here to access the application (PDF format) or register online at www.active.com. Come join us for a three-day weekend of autumn bicycling. There are long and short ride options each day.

The City of Newnan is going all out to see that we have a good time. Grantville promises the best rest stop ever. We are proud to announce that Georgia BikeFest is a League of American Bicyclists featured event this year. Free bands and adult beverages Friday and Saturday nights.

For hoteliers, the Jameson Inn in Newnan will be offering a special $60 rate for September 28, 29, 30, 2006. Be sure and mention BRAG to get this rate.

The overnight site for Georgia BikeFest is Newnan High School, located at 190 LaGrange Street, Newnan, GA 30263.

Entertainment: The Assembly Required Band is confirmed for Saturday night at Georgia BikeFest. This 6-piece dance band will be playing from 7 - 10 p.m., Saturday night, Sept. 30, at Waterworks Park in Newnan. Assorted free adult beverages will be available. A band or DJ will also be playing at Waterworks Park on Friday night, Sept. 29, along with free adult beverages. Football games will be on TV all weekend at BRAG HQ at Waterworks Park.

NEW! Saturday, September 30 - Yoga and Pilates Sessions!
Start a great ride with simple yoga and pilates morning stretches and end with a post-ride cool down. We'll use deep breathing and centering to start the day with mind-body awareness, as well as elongating and stabilizing exercises that heat up the core. Check in with BRAG HQ on Friday for the exact location for these classes. Sessions will be offered morning and afternoon. Times are 7:00 - 7:30am; 2:00 - 2:30pm and 3:30 - 4:00pm. Remember to bring your sticky mat!

Classes will be conducted by certified AFAA Group Fitness Instructor Maggie Davenport. Her additional forms include strength building, aqua and chair aerobics. Please email Maggie directly with 'Exercise at GBF' in the email's subject line if you plan to participate.

New Zealand - South Island Adventure - January 16 - 25, 2007
NEW ZEALAND - SOUTH ISLAND ADVENTURE - Southern Alps 10 Inn Trip--from Christchurch to Queenstown JANUARY 16 - 25, 2007. Our group size is limited to 22…we have space for 2 more! Plans are to bike the South Island from Christchurch on the coast to Queenstown, enjoying many activities and breathtaking scenery of the Southern Alps. This is a custom-designed and fully supported 10-day inn trip for the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia riders and friends by Pedaltours of New Zealand for $2,450, all-inclusive price.

Excellent road bikes, hybrids, and tandems are available to rent. We have obtained a group airfare on Air New Zealand from LAX for only $1,220. To receive more information, please contact Jerry Colley at braghq@aol.com or call Gloria Colley at 770-377-9953.

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

Please join Team Brag for an unforgettable on-road bike experience in beautiful and diverse Costa Rica. Activities include a jungle canopy tour, a relaxing soak in thermal springs after biking, and a tranquil river rafting trip. Kayaking and snorkeling are planned when we reach the Pacific.

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: Chichen Itza, 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.

Other Bicycle Events
The Nut Roll 2006
Come join the fun on September 16, 2006, for the 3rd annual Nut Roll Ride in Albany, GA. The ride is sponsored by The Pecan City Pedalers and benefits The Parks at Chehaw Education Center.

Registration opens at 7:00 a.m. at The Parks at Chehaw, Philema Road, Hwy 91N, Albany, GA. Ride begins at 8:00 a.m. The route is mostly flat with a few gentle rolling hills. All routes are fully supported and marked. Map and cue sheets are available and lunch will be provided. Ride options: 30, 36, 62, or 102 miles. Showers are available after the ride.

For more information contact Jim Anne Brett, 2006 Nut Roll Director, at 229-432-1743 or email info@pecancitypedalers.org.

Friends of Recovery Duathlon
Laurel Park in Gainesville, GA, will be host to the Friends of Recovery Duathlon (5k/38k/5k) and kids mini duathlon (¼ mile, 1 mile, ¼ mile) on Saturday, October 7, 2006, at 8:00 a.m. You can register at www.active.com or email recovery@hallcounty.org for a registration form. Laurel Park is a scenic park located on Lake Lanier. A paved running course takes you along the lake and the cycling course leads you through some of North Georgia’s beautiful rolling countryside.

Pre-register by September 22. Fees: $54 for pre-registered races (Non-USAT), $100 for runner/cyclist relay, $10 kids. On race day fees will be $64 individual or $120 relay.

Prizes for top 3 males and females in each group, top 3 relay teams and top 3 overall. Finisher awards for each child. Long sleeve t-shirts for all pre-registered racers. Post race refreshments will be served.

Sawnee & Burnt Mountain Center Challenge
The Charities of the Kiwanis Club of Cumming/Forsyth invite all cyclists to this challenging ride on Saturday, October 21, 2006. You may register on-site beginning at 7:00am with the ride starting at 8:00am. Various mileage options ranging from easy to very strenuous. All riders will receive a t-shirt. A spaghetti dinner with all the trimmings will be served after the ride. For more information, contact Dick Gellner, 770-781-2569, or email dickgellner@bellsouth.net. You may also visit our website at www.cummingkiwanis.org. Helmets are required.

Tour de Tugaloo
Come tour the Tugaloo River and experience nature at its finest during the Tour de Tugaloo Ride on Saturday, November 4, 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.

The non-refundable registration fee is $20 if received with the application by October 15, 2006. On-site registration is $25. You may sign in at 7:00am at Yonah Dam Park, Yonah Dam Road, in Toccoa, GA.

Cycling News
Brag 2006 Appears in USA Today: Georgia on their Behinds
USA Today had an excellent article about BRAG 2006 in its June 30, 2006 edition. Click here to view the article (PDF format).

Team Hoyt
Dick Hoyt and his son, Rick, have run marathons, competed in triathlons and once even trekked 3,700 miles across America. What they accomplished together is simply amazing when you consider that Rick cannot walk or talk. To read about this remarkable duo who are an inspiration to all, go to www.youtube.com. Search for the title of the video - "Together-Team Hoyt."

Add Your Name to the List
If you would like to receive additional cycling news, subscribe to Free-Flite’s free email newsletter at http://freeflite.com/page.cfm?PageID=166.

Photo of the Week
Beginning in October, BRAG will showcase 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.