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Spring Tune-Up 2010

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Spring Tune-Up 2010

4 Weeks to Spring Tune-Up 2010

April 16-18, 2010

Testimonials from Spring Tune-Up 2009 riders.

  • Beautiful terrain around Madison.  Steffen Thomas Museum, Blue Willow Inn.  Great temperature and weather.
  • I love the views on the rides – the homes, the farms.
  • The city of Madison is beautiful and a wonderful starting point/host city.  The distances between the rest stops were as near perfect as imaginable, much better than any other ride I’ve done.
  • Seemed to be more smiles…everyone was there to have a good time and I didn’t hear anyone arguing or complaining.
  • The organization is always great.  It is very comforting to know that you will be well taken care of at BRAG events.
  • The route was beautiful – just outstanding!  Heritage Park was clean and nice.  Route markings were great.
  • Extremely well organized and a beautiful time of the year with the flowers blooming.
  • The route for the Century was very scenic with little traffic on major roads.
  • Spacious and low-hassle campsite allowed for some privacy and sense of freedom…
  • Excellent route, location, and overall experience.  It was a great tune up and gave me confidence that with consistent training between now and June, I should be able to do BRAG!
  • Well managed.  Rest stops had great snacks and plenty of cold drinks.  Volunteers were very nice and helpful.  Bike maintenance guy was very helpful.
  • I liked the routes.  They are scenic with not too much traffic with some rolling hills.  There is also some variety in each day’s ride.

 

BRAG 2010
Spring Tune-Up Ride
April 16-18, 2010
Madison, Georgia

Ride It.  Love It.  BRAG About It!

Come join us at the 17th annual BRAG Spring Tune-Up ride on April 16-18, 2010.  BRAG veterans, experience the fun and fellowship of BRAG without having to put up and take down your tent each day.  BRAG newcomers, this is a terrific way to experience BRAG without taking a week off from work to do so.  Join us for this Spring Tune-Up Ride to clear the cobwebs off your bicycle and shake the winter right out of your legs.  Come see what makes the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia so special.  It’s much more than just another bike ride.  Ride for a day or for the entire 3-day weekend.  Join us for the fun, the food, the fellowship, and the festival at BRAG Spring Tune-Up 2010!

Register now by downloading the registration form or by credit card at Active.com.
The terrain around Madison is flat to gently rolling hills, with a few surprises.  Madison was voted “Best Small Town in America” and is “the town Sherman refused to burn.”  Madison is located on Georgia’s Antebellum Trail and Georgia’s Antique Trail and features pre-Civil War and Victorian homes with a charming downtown.  There are 14 restaurants on the square, plus an ice cream/chocolate shop, all just a mile from camp.   Find out more about Madison at www.madisonga.org

NEW THIS YEAR.  Terrapin Beer out of Athens GA has joined BRAG as a sponsor.  On Friday night, we will have a free DJ and beer party downtown at the air-conditioned Conference CenterTerrapin Beer Co, complete with DJ Ned Mountain.  Ned has been spinning mountains of tunes for years at SBL dances.  He knows exactly what bike riders want to hear after a long day in the saddle.  We'll also have some Cokes, Dasani Water, and snacks to go with the Terrapin Beer.  Outside, Madison is hosting a Classic Car Cruise-In Friday night.  Bring your ID for the beer party.  We will be checking them. 

Also new this year:  Free Homemade Pimento Cheese Sandwiches at one lucky rest stop each day.  We're not just BRAGing about PBJs anymore. 

Also, Madison has a brand new Aquatics Center, just down the street from Heritage Park.  All Spring Tune-Up riders are invited to take a swim for free each afternoon.  Just come by HQ and get your coupon for free entry.  You may also use the Aquatics Center showers if the line at the shower trailer gets too long.  You will need the Aquatics Center coupon in order to take a shower there also.

Saturday Night at Heritage Park.  BINGO!  Miss Vicki will be calling out the numbers.  Free BRAG merchandise as prizes.  Ned Mountain will be back at the park spinning your favorite tunes.  Karaoke, anyone?

Mama Ralphael is handling the ice cream social Saturday afternoon.  Ask for the Jerry special (vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, strawberries, chopped nuts, and whipped cream).  Save room for S’Mores at camp after dark.  You can start your diet Monday morning.
 
BRAG Spring Tune-Up 2010 will begin and end at Heritage Park in Madison, Georgia.  At on-site registration, you will receive your obligatory BRAG Spring Tune-Up wristband.  You will also receive your maps and route descriptions.  You can purchase BRAG merchandise at the registration area.  FreeFlite will provide bicycle repair and technical support.  A portable shower trailer will be on site to provide hot showers after each day’s ride.

All outdoor camping for the weekend (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights) will be at Heritage Park.  RVs are welcome, but no hookups are provided.  No alcoholic beverages are allowed on park property.  There is no indoor camping at Heritage Park.  See below for Directions to the Start/Finish.Cafe Campesino

Café Campesino gourmet coffee will be available for purchase each day.  Start your day with a BRAG brew! 

Mama Ralphael will be back on site with a $6.50 all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.
Everyday - old fashioned oatmeal, grits, scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits & gravy, fruit, juice & hot coffee. 
Saturday, add pancakes
Sunday, add french toast for more variety. 

Mama will have a hearty $5.00 lunch at BRAG HQ:
Everyday, an assortment of sandwiches & fixins, ice tea and lemonade, salty chips and salsa, and a sweet snack. 
Saturday, add BBQ (or veggie burgers), cole slaw & baked beans
Sunday, Hamburgers (or veggie burgers), hot dogs, (or soy dogs) with chili, cheese, kraut and all the condiments. 

Dinner buffet  at BRAG HQ - $9.00
Friday - a 4-pasta night which comes with meatballs, salad, garlic bread, strawberry shortcake. 
Saturday - Mexican night – make your own burritos or super nachos with beef, beans, rice, cheese, sour cream, and all the veggies.  Finish with pineapple shortcake topped with coconut and rum sauce.

Rest stops will be located every 10 to 15 miles along the route.  There will be a fully-supported optional Century Ride on Saturday, April 17, and an extended mileage “Hammerhead” option on Friday.  Shorter ride options will be offered each day.

On-route lunch options are available all three days.  Meals can be purchased on-site Saturday and Sunday.  Friday’s ride features free homemade pimento cheese sandwiches at rest stop #4.  Saturday’s route goes by The Blue Willow Inn and Sunday’s route goes to Yesterday’s Cafe.  Short option rides may not go past the lunch stops.  If you ride a short option, you can ride your bike back to camp, get your car, and still make it to the lunch stop to meet your friends.

All BRAG rides are “Show and Go.”  There is no organized group start.  It’s a ride, not a race.  There will be Newcomers’ Meetings each morning at 7:30 a.m for first-time BRAG riders.

If you prefer to stay in a motel, Madison has several motels to choose from, including our sponsor, the James Madison Inn downtown.  There are also several Bed and Breakfasts in the Madison area.  Make reservations early.  For more information on accommodations, visit www.madisonga.org/accomodations.htm  

The James Madison Inn in Madison has joined BRAG as a sponsor of the Spring Tune-Up Ride and will award one lucky rider with a free night's stay at the Inn.  A registration will be chosen at random from all the Spring Tune-Up registrations received by March 31, 2010.  This free night's lodging may be used during Spring Tune-Up, subject to hotel availability.  Register now for the Spring Tune-Up Ride and get your name in the drawing.  If you cannot attend the Spring Tune-Up Ride and would like to get in on the drawing, please send a 3 x 5 inch cJames Madison Innard with your name, address, phone number, and email address to BRAG, PO BOX 871111, Stone Mountain, GA 30087, so as to reach us before March 31, 2010.  Write on the top of the card the words, "STUDRAWING."  For more information on The James Madison Inn, please visit http://www.jamesmadisoninn.com/  This room is a $234 value.  They are offering a 20% discount to BRAG riders staying with them during the ride.  When making reservations, make sure you tell them you are a BRAG rider to receive the discount.

To confirm your ride registration, check the web site for the updated weekly registration list.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Ride It.  Love It.  BRAG About It!

THURSDAY, APRIL 15.  Outdoor camping available at Heritage Park after 3:30 p.m.  BRAG headquarters open from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m.  NOTE:  Camping is not allowed at Heritage Park on Wednesday, April 14.

FRIDAY, APRIL 16.  The Rock Eagle Ride.  63 miles (or 69, 39, 21, 15, or shorter miles).  HQ open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.  Optional Café Campesino coffee and Mama Ralphael breakfast buffet on site.  Ride to Rock Eagle.  Back at camp: hot shower at shower trailer, Mama Ralphael post-ride lunch & supper meal options, walking or biking tour of historic Madison, including African-American museum, movies, library nearby with internet access.  Downtown party at the Conference Center with DJ and free Terrapin Beer.  Classic Car Cruise-In downtown.  Campfire on site with S’mores.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17.  The Eagle Tavern Century Ride.  100 miles.  Watkinsville, Social Circle Loop.  FULLY SUPPORTED.  Free STU 2010 Century Ride Bandanna to the first 100 finishers, or The Blue Willow Ride 57 miles (or 68, 44, 32, 10, or shorter miles).  HQ open 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.  Optional Café Campesino coffee and Mama Ralphael breakfast buffet on site.  Ride through rural Good Hope and Social Circle, GA.  Optional lunch at The Blue Willow Inn, voted Top 5 “Bodacious Buffets” in America by the Food Network.  Mama Ralphael post-ride lunch & supper meal options on site.  Back at camp:  Ice Cream Social, walking or biking tour of Historic Madison, movies.  BINGO!  Free BRAG merchandise as prizes.  Ned Mountain will be back at the park spinning your favorite tunes.  Karaoke, anyone?  Campfire on site with S’mores.

SUNDAY, APRIL 18.  The Oreo Cow Ride.  56 miles (or  72, 35, 11, or shorter miles).  HQ opens at 7 a.m.  Non-denominational church service at 7:30 a.m.  Optional Café Campesino coffee and Mama Ralphael breakfast buffet on site.  Ride to Rutledge, GA, for an optional lunch at Yesterday’s Cafe.  Get back to camp in time for a hot shower.  Optional Mama Raphael lunch on site.  HQ and campsite close at 3:00 p.m.  Note:  Camping is not allowed at Heritage Park Sunday night.   

NOTE:  If riding short options, a vehicle may be needed to get to the lunch stops.

SOME EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS WE CONTINUE TO PREPARE THE BEST POSSIBLE SPRING TUNE-UP RIDE.  ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND UPDATES WILL BE POSTED ON THE BRAG WEBSITE:  www.brag.org

 

Directions to the Start/Finish  Map of STU location

Do a Mapquest.com or Google.com map search for 1100 Brown Ln., Madison, GA  30650.  (For search purposes only.  Not a U.S. Mail address.)  Madison is about 70 miles east of Atlanta.

  • Take I-20 to Madison, GA (I-20 East from Atlanta).  Exit at Exit 114, US 129/US 441, Madison-Eatonton Exit.
  • Go north on US 129/US 441 at the traffic light.  If coming from Atlanta, this is a left turn off the exit ramp.  If coming from the East, this is a right turn off the exit ramp.
  • Go approximately .8 mile and turn right on the Madison Bypass (US 129 Bypass/US 441 Bypass) at the traffic light.
  • Travel 3.1 miles on the Bypass and then turn right onto Old Buckhead Rd. at a traffic light.
  • Continue .1 mile and turn left onto Brown Ln.  Madison Heritage Park is .1 mile ahead on the left.  BRAG headquarters is located in the picnic pavilion on the left.

 

Support our Sponsors

 

Coke
PowerAde
Coca-Cola
Powerade
Jameson Inns
James Madison Inn
Jameson Inn
The James Madison
Cafe Campesino
Terrapin Beer Co
Café Campesino
Terrapin Beer Co.
TriYourBest
Neutrogena
TriYourBest
Neutrogena

 

 

 

 

 

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