Fifty Plus (50+) - 50+ers on BRAG

I'm about to drive to Savannah to catch the BRAG bus to Atlanta for the start of BRAG 2011 (http://brag.org/brag2.html). If any other forum readers are riding BRAG this year, find Team Occisus Via's campsite and stop by for a beverage.

The first day's ride started with a cruise down Peachtree Street through the heart of Atlanta. Then we took a bike path to Stone Mountain and then a hilly ride to Oxford where we are camped on the Emory University campus (and using their wifi). It got very hot as the sun rose higher in the sky. Expecting more of that in the coming days. Glad to be out of Atlanta and into Georgia!


tomorrow will be my day to drive for the team as we are going to stay in my hometown, Milledgeville.

The Roubaix was wonderful today and its road smoothing qualities were welcome on the terrible streets of downtown Atlanta.

Wow! Riding in Atlanta had to be a unique experience! Have you seen folks from past BRAG's?

Have fun & enjoy the ride. I'm sure you will. Send pics when you can.

I'm at home briefly. Since we were coming to my town, I drove the team vehicle and set up the campsite. I also helped my club set up their ice cream stand. Now I am at home to shower, change clothes, wash clothes and pack the rest of the week's gear. I'll post some pics before I head back into town for the festivities. Then it's back on the road again tomorrow.

Here is Sunday's Garmin data.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/90610673

Photo album
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/sets/72157626776053883/show/

Riding through Atlanta.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2206/5805471004_1358d305d2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5805471004/)
DSCF1310 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5805471004/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

I'll add more pics and add titles later. Gotta run.

Riding through Atlanta has to be better than marching through it. ;)

Or even driving through it, for that matter.

How many riders do BRAG?

Have fun, thanks for the pic,s. We'll live thru you on this ride.

How many riders do BRAG?

I'm hearing estimates around 1100 or so, definitely down from previous years. It has been averaging around 1500 recently. In the early 90s there were more than 2000 riders every year and it peaked at 2600.

The hot weather is probably a factor and the economy. Many of the people who have jobs and can afford the ride can't get a week off. We'll probably see a few more people later in the week as we get closer to Savannah and into flatter terrain.

Thanks, will be reading your updates. Doing a ride in Roswell later in summer, so what's the terrain like [how hilly]. How many riders on the BRAG? Doubt you'll have wifi every stop though, ha.

Leaving again after a night at home with my wife and boys. Back to the road!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/5807102620_fb4e3129ff_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5807102620/)
IMG_0103 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5807102620/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr

I am enjoying the free wifi inside the air-conditioned school in Metter. I rode a very hilly and hot 56 miles Sunday from Atlanta to Oxford. Monday I drove my team's vehicle to Milledgeville where I really enjoyed showering and sleeping at home along with seeing the club at the ice cream stand, watching the bike polo at the school and eating with friends and family at Kai Thai.

Tuesday I rode 48 miles to Dublin in more hills and heat. Wednesday I rode the century loop from Dublin, another hot day, but not as hilly. Today it was 74 miles to Metter. Still hot, but much less hilly. I rode in small pacing groups with friends and made good time. Looking forward to supper.:)

More Garmin data.

Tuesday - 50 miles - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/91269786

Wednesday - 102 miles - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/91269784

Thursday - 74 miles - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/91269780

Great stuff!

BD, thanks for the updates!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/91683265
My final ride of BRAG 2011. 79 miles from Metter to Hinesville including the extra 18 miles of the hammerhead (aka knuclehead) option. I rode 5 of the 7 days, driving the team car Monday and Saturday. 360 miles total. It was a great week but I'm glad to be home.

more pictures added (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/sets/72157626776053883/show/)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5823119664_0ab7a27c8a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5823119664/)
group (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5823119664/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2045/5822540513_f2646c3e7d_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5822540513/)
BRAG attacks The Wall (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5822540513/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2067/5823103620_3068ccc24b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5823103620/)
fog by 112 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5823103620/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3425/5822561911_ef8bbca4be_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5822561911/)
bandana and GPS (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5822561911/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/5822573289_8f0b60ae7c_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5822573289/)
overtaking (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesdawg/5822573289/) by BluesDawg (http://www.flickr.com/people/bluesdawg/), on Flickr