Name: Ticket to Ride 2023
Start: 2023-03-25
Location: 271 W Hancock Ave, Athens, GA 30601

Event Description

Join us for our 12th Annual Ticket to Ride up and down the future route of the Firefly Rail Trail on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

We are proud and honored to announce that Athens Physical Therapy has returned as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2023 Firefly Trail Ticket to Ride! We can't say enough good things about Dr. Chris and Stephanie Doerr, the staff at APT, and the amazing work they do for their patients, the community, and the Firefly Trail. Thank you, APT! Visit their website at https://athenspt.com/.

You may again choose from one of three start locations with registration beginning at 8 AM and a mass start at 9 AM. All proceeds benefit the work of Firefly Trail Inc. to promote the completion of the 39-mile multipurpose trail from Union Point to Athens.

Choose to start from:
• Creature Comforts Brewery, 271 W Hancock Ave., in Athens
• Winterville Depot, corner of S Main & Parkview, Winterville
• Union Theatre, 101 Fluker St, Union Point

Yes, you read that right! Our beloved Athens Jittery Joe’s Roaster has moved from Barber Street to 150 Fritz Mar Lane. We had hoped to have the Athens start in Dudley Park, but the Firefly Trail Creek Bridge may not be completed by March 25th. So, our friends at Creature Comforts have invited us to start at their brewery in downtown Athens. We’ll have a police escort for the Athens mass start to help get everyone safely onto the route.

The full out-and-back course from Athens or Union Point is approx. 85 miles (if we are able to use the new bridge), with on-route support and fully stocked SAG stops (including restrooms) every 9-13 miles in Athens, Winterville, Crawford, Maxeys, and Union Point. This on-road ride features the lowest-traffic paved roads we could find close to the historic corridor of the Georgia Railroad Athens Branch. Riders who enjoy flatter terrain will especially enjoy the route from Union Point to Maxeys or from Winterville to Crawford. Options as short as 16 miles are available, making this a perfect ride for cyclists of all interests and abilities.

Details:
• Online registration is $40 through Midnight on Thursday, March 23
• Students pay $30
• Day-of registration is $45
• Teams of 5 to 12 members are welcome to register for $35 each before the day of the ride.

In-person registration is available in Athens through Thursday, March 23:
Georgia Cycle Sport, 1029 Baxter St.
The Hub Bicycles, 1220 S Milledge Ave

Packet Pick-Up/Pre-Registration the day before the ride (Friday, March 24) from 3 - 6 PM, Georgia Cycle Sport, 1029 Baxter St., Athens.

For a Hard-Copy mail-in registration form click here.

All participants will receive a NEW black Firefly Trail cap featuring our iconic Firefly embroidered in white (guaranteed to those who register before March 5th; while supplies last thereafter), ride support, and one free pour of Creature Comforts beer* at end of ride events in Athens. Free samples of Athletic Non-Alcoholic beer will also be available. Union Point end of ride events are pending due to construction at the Union Point Theatre and in downtown Union Point, and we’ll keep everyone updated. (*Must be 21 or over with ID and rider wristband to receive free pour. Additional beer available for sale.)

Everyone who registers before March 5 and decides not to ride will still receive a Firefly cap (while supplies last). From Monday, March 27, until Friday, April 7, caps for registered riders will be available at Georgia Cycle Sport, 1029 Baxter St., Athens.

Volunteers make this event possible, and all volunteers will receive a complimentary Firefly cap as a token of appreciation for their time and assistance! Ask your friends and family to assist with the event while you're riding. Many time slots and locations are available. Sign up online at https://signup.com/go/yEHsmvT.

Event details and schedule

Ride Start Info, Important notes & Ride with GPS Route Links from 2022. The 2023 routes will be posted asap.:

All starting locations, Athens, Union Point & Winterville:

SAG stops will open at 9:30 AM in all locations: Athens, Union Point, Winterville, Crawford and Maxeys

Important notes:

All participants must wear a helmet and must sign a waiver. A parent or guardian is required to sign for any minor under the age of 18.

Be aware that this is an on-road ride and you will be sharing the road with motor vehicle traffic. If you or a member of your family is not comfortable riding on the road, we recommend you choose the unsupported, off-road Greenway/Firefly Trail option in Athens.

SAG drivers will patrol the course from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Cue sheets will include a number to call for assistance. Be aware that south of Crawford, cell service is spotty. NOTE: SAG vehicles cannot patrol portions of the ride that are on the trail.

SAG vehicles are for exhausted riders and riders with mechanical problems. If you wish to do a one-way ride, please make arrangements in advance with family or friends.

SAG stops will close at 4 PM or after the last rider comes through, whichever comes first.

The course will close, and on-road support will end at 4:30 p.m. We cannot guarantee SAG support after this time.

On the road, ride safely and defensively, but please be courteous to drivers trying to pass.

If in a group, use good group etiquette, including pointing out hazards to other riders.

We recommend not calling “Clear” to other riders at intersections as conditions can change quickly.

We’re counting on you to obey the law. It’s your responsibility. It also helps us demonstrate to people who are skeptical about the trail that bicyclists are an asset to the communities the trail will serve.

The 2022 GPS Routes are below and the 2023 routes will be posted asap:

Athens Routes: Click here to download cue sheet (double sided)

Athens - Union Point: 87.1 miles round trip

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38509931

Athens - Winterville: 19.5 miles round trip

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38362161

Athens - Crawford: 42.4 miles round trip

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38368440

Athens - Maxeys: 61.9 miles round trip

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38616814

Union Point Routes: Click here to download cue sheet (double sided)

Union Point - Athens: 87.1 miles
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/38630151