It’s billed as one of Northeast Georgia’s “biggest and most talked about” memorial motorcycle rides. The annual Ride to Remember takes place this Sunday, September 6. The ride is a rolling tribute to public safety personnel and U.S. military troops, many of whom were called into action and died as a result of the Al-Qaeda terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Flyers and social media posts promoting the event boldly proclaim, “Never Forget.”
This is the third year the Ride to Remember’s been held. Organizers expect 600-800 bikers to participate.
Wesley Kelly, manager of Ingles in Cornelia, will be among them. A motorcycle enthusiast — he owns three bikes — Kelly says the threat of rain didn’t keep bikers away last year and he doesn’t expect it will keep them away Sunday. “It’s a good cause,” he says. “It’s a memorial ride to remember our service people and the events that occurred during 9/11. It’s one of those things…just taking a moment to remember and taking pride in your country. It’s definitely something great to be a part of.”
The 100-mile ride will stretch from Athens to Blairsville. Organizers say all bikes, trikes, cars and trucks are welcome. It’s scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. from Cycle World of Athens, located at 4225 Atlanta Highway, Athens, GA. The procession will travel north on Highway 441 and briefly stop for a midway break around 11 a.m. in the old Sears parking lot in Cornelia (near Belk Department Store). Those who’d like to join in the ride can pick it up from there.
There’s no registration fee and a free lunch will be provided to all participants at Copperhead Lodge in Blairsville.
The ride will pass through seven Northeast Georgia counties — Clarke, Jackson, Banks, Habersham, White, Lumpkin and Union. Law enforcement will be escorting the riders and stopping traffic at red lights and intersections, so, if you’re traveling along Highways 441, 115 and 129 in those counties on Sunday expect possible delays.
3rd Annual Ride to Remember
Route & Estimated Timeline for Sunday, September 6, 2015
10:00am Depart Cycle World of Athens (Atlanta Hwy, Loop10, Hwy441N)
10:20am Enter into Jackson Co. on Hwy441
10:40am Enter into Banks Co. on Hwy441 (Banks Xing)
11:30am Arrive at Ingles in Corneila (Gas/Water/Rest)
12:00pm Depart Ingles onto Level Grove Rd. toward Hwy115
12:15pm Enter White Co. on Hwy115
12:30pm Enter into Cleveland, Ga.
12:40pm In Cleveland bear RIGHT onto US129N
12:50pm Enter into Lumpkin Co.
1:15pm Enter in Union Co.
1:25pm Turn LEFT onto OwlTown Rd.
1:40pm Turn RIGHT onto Mulky Gap Rd.
1:45pm Turn LEFT onto Old Blue Ridge Pkwy.
2:00pm Turn RIGHT onto Nottley Dam Rd.(CopperHead ahead on LEFT)
For more information, visit the event Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/763646550393911/ #RideToRemember.
