About 1,800 bicyclists converge on Macon
- added June 9, 2008
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- meligrosa
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How lovely
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click on link for additional video
One way to see Georgia during these days of $4 a gallon gas prices? Try a bicycle.
That's been the preferred way for cyclists from across the country who come to the Peach State once a year for the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia.
The bike tour, which crosses some 400 miles across the state and is in its 29th year, pedaled into Macon today as hundreds of bicyclists rode 60 miles from Griffin and stopped at First Presbyterian Day School for the night. The group is scheduled to ride to Dublin Tuesday.
"We'll probably have about 1,800 riders," BRAG director Vicki Thompson said. "We're actually up a couple hundred from last year. ... It's a passion. People enjoy the cycling part. It's the same reason why you play tennis or do other activities."
With temperatures reaching a record-tying 100 degrees today, riders probably had to display a bit more love for their sport than usual to complete the leg of the journey.
Connor Timpone, 16, of Gainesville, Ga., is riding in her first BRAG and admitted the scorching temperature had an impact.
"The heat is killer, especially when you're on new asphalt," she said.
But Timpone has ridden bikes ever since she can remember and said she didn't want to miss BRAG for anything.
"I've known a few people who have done this before," she said. "I was the only one in my family that wanted to do it, so I dragged my mother and brother with me."
The family aspect is a big part of BRAG, as many cyclists rode tandem bikes or bikes with attached trailers for children.
Faith Cupka, of Greenville, S.C., rode a tandem with her 11-year-old son, Stephen, while her husband, Cary, rode a bike with a trailer that carried their 6-year-old daughter, Cherilyn.
"We cycle a lot as a family," Faith Cupka said. "It's our family vacation. We did BRAG last year."
For more on this story, return to macon.com and read Tuesday's Telegraph.
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click on link for additional video
One way to see Georgia during these days of $4 a gallon gas prices? Try a bicycle.
That's been the preferred way for cyclists from across the country who come to the Peach State once a year for the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia.
The bike tour, which crosses some 400 miles across the state and is in its 29th year, pedaled into Macon today as hundreds of bicyclists rode 60 miles from Griffin and stopped at First Presbyterian Day School for the night. The group is scheduled to ride to Dublin Tuesday.
"We'll probably have about 1,800 riders," BRAG director Vicki Thompson said. "We're actually up a couple hundred from last year. ... It's a passion. People enjoy the cycling part. It's the same reason why you play tennis or do other activities."
With temperatures reaching a record-tying 100 degrees today, riders probably had to display a bit more love for their sport than usual to complete the leg of the journey.
Connor Timpone, 16, of Gainesville, Ga., is riding in her first BRAG and admitted the scorching temperature had an impact.
"The heat is killer, especially when you're on new asphalt," she said.
But Timpone has ridden bikes ever since she can remember and said she didn't want to miss BRAG for anything.
"I've known a few people who have done this before," she said. "I was the only one in my family that wanted to do it, so I dragged my mother and brother with me."
The family aspect is a big part of BRAG, as many cyclists rode tandem bikes or bikes with attached trailers for children.
Faith Cupka, of Greenville, S.C., rode a tandem with her 11-year-old son, Stephen, while her husband, Cary, rode a bike with a trailer that carried their 6-year-old daughter, Cherilyn.
"We cycle a lot as a family," Faith Cupka said. "It's our family vacation. We did BRAG last year."
For more on this story, return to macon.com and read Tuesday's Telegraph.
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Distance rides are great ways of showing that you can get just about anywhere on a bike.
Ride on! -
Very cool, I ride my bike to work and on errands almost everyday now. It feels so great, I think everyone should ride for at least short errands, you have to start somewhere!
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- googolplexer
- 3 months ago
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I love seeing new bike communities spring up with cool events like this, but Georgia is the last place I'd want to ride.
It's been a few years since I've visited, but last time I was there they had some lax traffic laws.
Hopefully events like this will draw more people who will get active in the community and make it more friendly (and safe) for cyclists.
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