Big BRAG Passes Through Wheeler on Journey to the Sea

Wheeler County played host last Thursday to about 800 bicyclists from across the United States who were riding through the area in the 2022 Big Bike Ride Across Georgia (BRAG). The bikers began riding through the rural community early in the day after enjoying a two-day layover in Dublin. The bikers were treated to rest stops with food, drinks and bathroom breaks at two locations in Wheeler: the park in downtown Alamo continued from page

and at Spring Hill Volunteer Fire Station. The stations were set up from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to accommodate the travelers.

The bicyclists, who hailed from across Georgia and many other states, started their journey in Columbus on June 4 and will end their trek in Brunswick on the Atlantic Ocean on June 10. Planned around a farm tour theme, the itinerary for the 43rd annual event included a stop in Thomaston where the bikers visited Simply Dutch Farm.

Day 3 of the ride took bikers to Perry where they stopped at Dickey Farms and Lane Southern Orchard. On Days 3 and 4, bikers enjoyed the sites of Dublin and had an extra layover day to rest midway through the trip. Day 5 took them down Highway 126 into Wheeler County where they connected with Highway 19 and traveled on to Hazlehurst. Day 6 was spent in Jesup where they were invited to visit Poppell Farms and to paddle down the Altamaha River. A trip aboard a shrimp boat awaited them at Brunswick.

The Bicycle Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing affordable, family-oriented bicycle tours in and across the state of Georgia. BRAG’s rides are just rides, not races, for young and old, beginners and experts, and everyone in between.

BRAG’s main event is the week-long summer ride, Big BRAG, which covers about 55 miles a day. Cyclists spend 7 days pedaling across Georgia on different back roads each year. Additionally, BRAG hosts two smaller weekend events and a winter getaway.

While participating in BRAG, cyclists discover Georgia on two wheels, proving a unique perspective on the state’s diverse landscape and small towns. The rides are arranged so that bikers can stop for refreshment and rejuvenation at rest stops, like the ones in Wheeler County. They can sleep in a tent or camper at a camp site, or in hotels along the way, then meet up in the morning and continue their trip at their own pace, arriving at a predetermined meeting location at night. BRAG is popular for showcasing the best of Georgia (food, beverages, and sites) and post-ride entertainment and activities. Along the way, bikers enjoy the scenery, make new friends, visit historic sites, attend concerts and festivals — all with an extra helping of that good, oldfashioned Southern hospitality for which Georgians are known.