Hundreds of bikers will roll through Habersham County this Sunday on a Ride to Remember. The event will mark the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
Some 600-800 motorcyclists from around the region are expected to participate. The 100-mile ride will begin in Athens and end in Blairsville with a stop at the half-way point at the Cornelia Ingles. Riders are expected to arrive at the Habersham County Shopping Center/Ingles parking lot around noon Sunday and will depart around 12:30 p.m.
Another Ride to Remember
This is the 10th year Cycle World of Athens has hosted the ride. Marketing manager Mike Newell says the purpose is to honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 and the ensuing War on Terror. “It’s easy for us to forget how much of an impact that day had on so many people,” Newell says adding, bikers are a patriotic bunch. “They love riding for a cause. Someone asked me how do you get 1,000 bikers to ride? It’s easy,” he says, “just print up a flyer and tell them what you’re riding for.”
‘FREE Ride… FREE Lunch… FREE Fun,’ reads the flyer. Newell says that’s because “those who served have paid the price.”
Public safety personnel across Northeast Georgia are expected to turn out in droves Sunday to recognize and honor that sacrifice.
Athens-Clarke County Fire Department’s newest ladder truck 343 – named for the 343 firefighters who died when the Twin Towers fell – will be parked outside Cycle World on the Atlanta Highway on Sunday. Bikers will pass by it as they embark on their Ride to Remember. LifeFlight helicopters will accompany the riders in the skies overhead as the procession makes its way on Highway 441 North from Banks County into Cornelia. A special landing pad is being prepared in the Ingles parking lot to receive them. Cornelia firefighters and police will be on hand to welcome them and, in Union County, fire apparatus will be set up at every intersection along the route of the rolling tribute.
READ: A Ride to remember roars through Habersham
Organizers say riders are welcome to join at any point along the route. Northeast Georgians are encouraged to line the route to wave on the bikers and pay tribute to their fellow Americans who perished on 9/11 and in the wars since.
Estimated timeline
10:30am Depart Cycle World of Athens (Atlanta Hwy., Loop 10, Hwy. 441N)
10:45am Enter into Jackson Co. on Hwy. 441
11:00am Enter into Banks Co. on Hwy. 441 (Banks Crossing)
12:00pm Arrive at Ingles in Corneila (Gas/Water/Rest)
12:30pm Depart Ingles onto Level Grove Rd. toward Hwy. 115
12:45pm Enter White Co. on Hwy. 115
1:00pm Enter into Cleveland, Ga.
1:05pm In Cleveland bear RIGHT onto US 129N
1:20pm Enter into Lumpkin Co.
1:30pm Enter in Union Co.
1:35pm Turn LEFT onto Owl Town Rd.
1:45pm Turn RIGHT onto Mulky Gap Rd.
1:50pm Turn LEFT onto Old Blue Ridge Pkwy.
2:00pm Turn RIGHT onto Nottley Dam Rd.(Copperhead ahead on LEFT)
For more information visit RideToRemember 2016 on Facebook.
