Clayton plays host for Bike Ride Across Georgia

For the first time since 2012, the 2023 Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) is coming to Rabun County.

The city of Clayton will act as the starting point for the seven-day bike ride that spans nearly 400 miles across Georgia. The projected 1,000 riders will arrive in Clayton on Saturday, June 3, before spending the night. The ride officially will take off at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning.

“This gives us the opportunity to showcase everything that is happening in Rabun County,” said Stephen Arbitter, vice co-chair of the Forward Rabun tourism board. “A lot of these riders don’t just bike. They also hike and paddle and this is a great marketing tool to show all the waterfalls and trails we have, as well as fill hotels and restaurants.”

BRAG began in 1980, originally titled Georgia’s Annual State Bicycling Event before being renamed BRAG in 1985.

The original ride began in Savannah, moving through Metter, Dublin, Perry, Thomaston and Columbus for a five-day trek.

Last year’s BRAG started in Columbus before moving through Thomaston, Perry, Dublin, Hazlehurst and Jesup before concluding in Brunswick on the final day.

The last time BRAG came through Rabun County, the ride ended at Rabun County High School in 2012. That ride began in Dalton, before moving through Jasper, Roswell, Winder and Mount Airy and concluding in Tiger.

This year’s bicyclists will arrive on Saturday, June 3, to spend the night. Indoor camping will be located at Clayton Methodist Creative Learning Center, while outdoor campers will be staying at Clayton City Hall.

“A lot of credit goes to (City Manager) Trudy Crunkleton and Mayor Kurt Cannon,” Arbitter said. “They opened their arms and hearts to host and allow the riders to store their equipment at City Hall. Another special thanks to Rabun County Sheriff Chad Nichols and his officers who will make sure the riders get through our county safely.”

Approximately 1,000 riders will be riding through Clayton, not counting BRAG staff as well as non-riders that will drive along the route with the riders.

“We’re hoping when people come through on Saturday and Sunday, they’ll see the beauty of Rabun County,” Arbitter said. “Then they’ll say, ‘hey, let’s come back here sometime’ and they’ll ride Stonewall Creek, paddle the Chatuge or hike one of the 26 public hiking trails we have.

“In the 10-year plan we had three years ago, as well as all our strategic planning meetings, the citizens have been crystal clear in what they want,” he said. “They want growth but in the right way, preserving the beauty and our green landscape as well as our culture while bringing in good jobs for their kids to come back to. Hosting BRAG is right in the wheelhouse of what the citizens want and it will put money in the pockets of small businesses.”

After riding through Clayton, bikers will land in Clarkesville for the first night before heading to Gainesville. Day three will take the riders to Braselton where the bikers will stay for two nights, allowing anyone who signed up for a half-week to depart.

From Braselton, the cyclists will travel to Madison before spending day six at Thomson.

On Saturday, June 10, the bicyclists will arrive in Augusta to conclude the near-400 mile ride across Georgia.

Each day bikers will travel at least 38 miles, with the longest day from Madison to Thomson on Friday. That day has two options, either a 70.3 mile option or a century option with bikers riding nearly 100 miles.

While the big BRAG in the summer is the most well-known ride, BRAG offers rides throughout the year. From April 13-16, there was a three-day spring tuneup on the Sunflower Farm in Rutledge, Ga. In 2024, from Feb. 18-23, BRAG will host a winter ride starting in St. Marys and ending at Jekyll Island.

On the same dates, there will be a luxury option for the winter ride, beginning on Amelia Island. After going to St. Marys, riders will go to Big Talbot Island and Little Talbot Island. Riders have a day to ferry to Cumberland Island and explore before arriving at Jekyll Island.