Cyclists in the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) cross the day’s finish line at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center in Clarkesville. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)
Habersham, the bikers are here!
Cyclists in the Bicycle Ride Across Georgia pedaled their way into the county today.
The week-long, cross-state ride kicked off June 2nd in Rome. It ends June 9th in Hartwell.
Riders had a two-day layover in Dahlonega. They spent their last night there Wednesday and left out this morning from Lumpkin County High School.
Habersham puts out the welcome mat
The cyclists followed a 62.2 mile route into Habersham along Belton Bridge and Pea Ridge Roads. They traveled from Cornelia through Demorest to Clarkesville, and ultimately ended up at the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center.
The first riders should arrived at the aquatic center around 11 a.m. Others slowly trickled in over the course of several hours.
The aquatic center will serve as BRAG headquarters while the riders are in town.
Facilities are set up at the aquatic center to help the riders unwind. There are food trucks, shower trailers, yoga and massage stations, tech support, a coffee bar, and more.
Some riders and their support crews will camp out on the baseball fields overnight; others have booked hotel rooms. Local restaurants are expecting to be busy and local merchants are putting out the welcome mat.
“It’s an honor that Habersham County was even selected (for BRAG),” says Clarkesville Economic Development Director Mary Beth Horton. “It’s a testament to the work that’s been put into all of our towns. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our community and hospitality and to show visitors what we already know to be true – we live in a beautiful place.”
The City of Clarkesville is sponsoring a Sip and Stroll downtown from 6-8 this evening to welcome the visitors. Tickets are $10 apiece and are available to the public.
Potential economic impact
It’s been a lot of work organizing Habersham’s portion of BRAG and the Sip & Stroll. Still, Horton and others are excited about what BRAG is bringing into our community. Beyond a fun spectacle, it’s also a boost to the local economy.
It’s estimated the riders will pump around $75,000 into Habersham’s economy during their one-night stay. Based on what other communities along the route have reported, that impact could be closer to $100,000.
There’s also a potential long term impact to consider.
“It’s a chance to roll out the welcome mat for people who might otherwise not have come here,” Horton says. The Habersham Chamber of Commerce says it hopes those visitors will return. “We hope all will have such a great experience they want to come back to visit again and again,” the Chamber’s online newsletter states.
Rules of the Road
The benefits don’t come without some minor inconveniences. The county closed the aquatic and recreation centers to the public on Thursday. If you’re going out Thursday night you may encounter crowds at restaurants and difficulty parking on the downtown Clarkesville Square.
Cyclists will start the second-to-last leg of their journey at 7 a.m. on Friday, June 8 when they leave the Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center headed for Toccoa. They’ll travel through the northern part of Habersham County along New Liberty and Orchard Roads on their way out of town
“The BRAG ride is a rules of the road race. They are required to obey all traffic laws,” explains Habersham County Sheriff’s Capt. Floyd Canup. “Drivers should be aware that state law requires them to give bike riders three feet of space when passing them. Biker riders are allowed to ride two abreast.”
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Canup urges drivers to “be cautious when approaching the riders.”
“The greatest part of this group coming to Habersham is not what they will spend here on Thursday and Thursday evening, it is that they will see our beautiful county, see all the things to do, and want to come back for a longer stay and bring their families,” Taylor says. “That is why it is so important to show our award-winning hospitality and share the road.”
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