"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - 2006 Tour of Georgia

They've released the route for next year's race...
Stage 3 finish line is in Tennessee. I'm make my reservations in the morning.

http://www.tourdegeorgia.com/

Site isn't working too hot for me. Am I the only one getting "Not Found" errors?

Site isn't working too hot for me. Am I the only one getting "Not Found" errors?

Yes! Works fine for me.

This race runs right through my backyard! I havent ever been unfortunately but I will be there this year

They just changed it over to the 2006 pages. Works for me now. Sweet! I'll definitely be there for the time trial into TN. Hmmm, what does volunteering involve? Not just the perks but the whole shebang?

A sign of a great event is when you have other states wanting in on the action. Tennessee was lobbying the organizers last year because of the economic impact it brings with it.
The great people in Rome were very upset at the prospect of NOT having the TdG in 2006. I haven't been able to get to the route, but I'm sure it'll be well done. Medalist Sports, Inc. has it dialed in.

I'd volunteer if I could get my schedule together. I can't wait to see what teams are coming for this one.

Koffee

What happened to last year’s major sponsor? It was always presented as the Dodge Tour de Georgia. I thought that Dodge had agreed to do it for at least a couple more years.

The course looks good – Friday and Saturday look like the best – but I hope that they post a detailed route. I couldn’t find that on the site – can anybody else?

Stages and Host Cities – 2006 Tour de Georgia

Stage 1: Tuesday, April 18 – Augusta, Ga. to Macon, Ga.
• Augusta: Third year to host the Tour, with a Stage Start venue in 2003 and Overall Start in 2005
• Macon: Fourth consecutive year as a host city, having participated as a Stage Finish and Stage
Start in 2003, a one-day Stage Circuit in 2004, and a Stage Finish in 2005

Stage 2: Wednesday, April 19 – Fayetteville, Ga. to Rome, Ga.
• Fayetteville: Returns to the Tour for a second consecutive year as a Stage Start
• Rome: Fourth consecutive year as a host city, having participated as a Stage Finish in 2003, 2004
and 2005, and having hosted the Individual Time Trial in 2004 and 2005

Stage 3: Thursday, April 20 – Individual Time Trial from Chickamauga/Walker Co., Ga. to Chattanooga,Tenn.
• Chickamauga/Walker Co.: Hosts a Tour stage for the first time, with the start of the ITT
• Chattanooga: First city outside the state of Georgia to host the Tour, with the finish of the ITT

Stage 4: Friday, April 21 – Dalton, Ga. to Dahlonega, Ga.
• Dalton: Fourth consecutive year as a Stage Start and home to professional cyclist Saul Raisin
• Dahlonega: Third consecutive year as a Stage Finish, and bringing its renowned Bear in the
Square festival to Tour fans

Stage 5: Saturday, April 22 – Blairsville/Union Co., Ga. to Brasstown Bald Mountain/Towns Co., Ga.
• Blairsville/Union County: Returns for second consecutive year as a Stage Start
• Brasstown Bald Mountain/Towns County: A third consecutive stint as a Stage Finish, with its
epic finish on The Bald, the highest peak in Georgia, and compared to the Alpe d’Huez of the Tour
de France

Stage 6: Sunday, April 23 – Cumming/Forsyth Co., Ga. to Alpharetta, Ga.
• Cumming/Forsyth County: Inaugural Stage host for the Tour, with a Stage Start on the final day,
in conjunction with the Taste of Forsyth; was a Sprint line host community in 2004 and 2005
• Alpharetta: A third year as the Overall Finish host city, with its signature four-mile finishing circuit

Dodge was only on a three-year contract, and this is the 4th year.

Glad to see it's going back to Rome. That town was a great host City.

Hmmm, what does volunteering involve? Not just the perks but the whole shebang?

It can be hours of alternating chaos and drudgery made worthwhile by moments of being involved in things you would never expect to be able to do. As a volunteer course marshal the past 2 years I have had great experiences. It is not something that a high maintenance, whiney person should be involved in. It is an intense and crazy week with a few moments that make it all worthwhile.

Dawg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d195/GonzoDawg/bicycles/BWBobRoll.jpg

I am so excited. Does anyone else see the trek into Tennessee as a first step in a multiple state US stage race? That would be great for this country. They could double the number of stages and do the eastern seaboard. I will be there this year. I'm only an hour south of Augusta so I'd like to make the start and maybe the Brasstown Bald finish.

For those interested, the Brasstown Bald Buster Century is during the same time frame and you can ride the same mountain as the pros. It's leaving Helen, Georgia and the ride up the wall that is BB will be awesome.

Here's a link to the Brasstown Bald site. I was notified by the race coordinator that registration would begin after the first of the year.

Brasstown Bald Buster Century (http://www.brasstownbaldbustercentury.com/)

BluesDog is right: high-maintenance needy people need not volunteer. Be ready for a wild road trip similar to The Amazing Race with a van full of strangers.

Actually, they'll only be strangers for the first 3 hours. By lunchtime, you'll know everyone INTIMATELY. And you'd better like them because you'll be in a van with them for the rest of the week.

Will you post if you see details of the route? I want to come from PA and see the race. I already booked two nights at Dahlnoega. I'm staying Friday and Saturday night. I'd like to spend two nites in Chattanooga, but I want to get a hotel on the rout or near the finish. Signed up to volunteer, too. It would be my first race.

Matt, it will likely be a few months before any detailed course descriptions are available. If you are staying in or near Dahlonega, you will be close to several good viewing options. Relax. There's plenty of time to work out the fine details. I can't offer much insight into the course for the TT other than it goes from Chickamauga to Chattanooga via Lookout Mtn. If you arrive the day before the event, you will be able to drive the route using the info that will be posted on the TdG website by then. From that you can pick your viewing site.
Are you saying you are planning to sign on as a Tour volunteer? If so, cancel your reservations. You will be staying where they put you and going where they tell you. Your plans will be made and changed several times a day by other people.
If you are wanting to volunteer for individual days, contact someone in the cities involved.

Thanks Blues.......I thought I would volunteer through the official Tour. But my wife will be with and I will need to be more flexible. I will check with individual cities to volunteer. Can't wait to find out more..........

Matt
Anywhere you stay downtown Chattanooga or in the Lookout Mountain area will be good (as far as being close). There are a bunch of places out at Hamilton Place, but that's 8-10 miles outside of downtown - if being close to the nighlife after the race is a consideration.

I'll be at Dutry Nelly's Pub for anyone wanting to have a BF get together.

I'm a teacher and they have never got the timing right on this thing, but this year it's during my spring break!!! sweet. I will be going to every stage and photographing as much as possible.

Any news about a new major sponsor?

Also, has anybody heard about the course? I’ve seen the course summary posted on the official website but I’m still waiting to see a detailed route.

Please post any news on this forum.

I haven't yet heard who the title sponsor will be.

Anyone who has requested info on volunteering should have received an email from them recently.

As far as this becoming a multi-State party, I doubt it. The people of Georgia are already put out by the fact that it's leaving the State - even for a day. To them, it's THEIR tour. And that's a cool thing. 10 years ago, you couldn't pay them to take it.