BRAG 2011   

Thanks to all of you who rode in BRAG's 32nd annual week-long ride, June 4-11. Each overnight site did a wonderful job welcoming BRAG to their school and town. A great time was had by all.  Please take moment to complete the survey if you haven't already done so. This is your ride. The BRAG staff is interested in seeing what you want in your week-long bicycle ride.

We hope you ride with us again in 2012! The tentative, unconfirmed route is to begin in Chattanooga with overnight stops in Dalton, Cartersville, Roswell, Winder, Cornelia, and end in Hartwell. The dates are June 2-9, 2012. The BRAG 2012 Early Bird Registration form is now available for download and at Active.com.

Everything is Better in Metter T-Shirt     

If you failed to get your souvenir "Everything is better in Metter" t-shirt, you will have an opportunity to order one until July 8, 2011. Please download the order and mail directly to Metter Graphics.

 Riders of the Month    

Fort Gordon Warrior Transition Unit Service Members and Augusta Georgia area veterans tackle week-long BRAG ride from Atlanta to Savannah.

As part of its ongoing adaptive cycling program for disabled veterans and active duty service members, Champions Made From Adversity (CMFA), brought 9 riders and several supporting staff members this year to tackle BRAG 2011 from Atlanta to Savannah during the week-long ride. 

CMFA began training the contingent in March this year primarily on Range Road at Fort Gordon because of the hilly terrain and low traffic the route has to offer. The goal is to get the injured, ill and wounded service members and local disabled veterans out doing physical activity to assist in physical conditioning and to also serve as a social outlet. Michael Bishop, cycling program facilitator and longtime hand cyclist, said "We tell them about the ride and that we will get them in shape and ready. At first most of the riders do not believe they will ever be prepared to accomplish the ride but as they progress they begin to believe they can and you get to see attitudes change and you see them gain their confidence. It's about getting them out of their comfort zone, to get their mind off of what they cannot do and to show them what they are still able to do." 

As the group progressed, Saturday community rides were added with Outspokin Bicycles in Augusta to get the riders accustomed to riding in heavier traffic and in larger groups. CMFA worked with 15 riders this year but several were unable to attend because of further complications with their injuries or because they had been released back to their communities or units. Herma Leonard who suffered a stroke during training last year and rode a recumbent trike said that "BRAG was by far one of the best memories I've had even counting before I had my stroke." She looks forward to continuing cycling and will definitely ride again next year.

Jeff Snover, CMFA's volunteer Executive Director and BRAG CEO Jerry Colley are working together in an attempt to increase the number of service members and veterans with a disability riding next year. If you would like to help, contact Jeff at jsnover@cmfa.us or Jerry at Jerry@brag.org.

Champions Made From Adversity is a Non Profit organization based in the Greater Augusta Georgia area with the mission "To advance the lives of persons with physical disabilities and their families through sport and leisure activities."  Visit www.cmfa.us for more information.

Georgia BikeFest 2011

The Georgia BikeFest will be October 14-16, 2011, and will be held in Columbus, GA. BRAG 2010 stayed two nights in Columbus during its week-long ride in June and the riders thoroughly enjoyed their visit. We will camp at the same site as BRAG, right next to the Chattahoochee River and Riverwalk, within walking distance of restaurants and pubs. The good news is the City of Columbus wants us back and is planning an exciting weekend. Mark your calendar now to attend. Updated ride information is on our website at www.brag.org. 

Come join the fun at the Wilson 100, Sunday, August 28, 2011.  The ride will take place in Senoia, GA. Various mileage options:  13, 30, 60 & 101. This is one of Southern Bicycle League's premier events.

For more information, visit www.bikesbl.org .

Come to the North Florida Tour sponsored by the Southern Bicycle League, November 3-6, 2011, for 3 days of cycling, kayaking, swimming, fishing & exploring. This adventure will be held at Camp Cherry Lake in Madison, FL. For more information, visit www.northfloridatours.com or contact Margaret Bokros at marg@margaretbokros.com.