Participants in the 13th annual Firefly Trail Ticket to Ride, presented by Athens Physical Therapy, can enjoy 6.5 miles of new trail in Greene County, cross the new Firefly Bridge over Trail Creek in Athens, or go gravel grinding for the first time in the event’s history.
Scheduled for Saturday, March 23, riders will start at 9 a.m. in Union Point and at 10 a.m. in Athens and Winterville. Riders can choose a fully paved route using roads and portions of the Firefly Trail out of all three starting locations or select trail-and-gravel options out of Union Point.
The Athens Physical Therapy Firefly Trail Ticket to Ride is unique among area cycling events because all routes feature out-and-back options from 15 to 82 miles in length.
Riders can choose their distance simply by turning around at designated rest stops or whenever they wish. Gravel riders can choose between a 27-mile route from Union Point to Maxeys and back, or a 68-mile route to Crawford and back.
Regardless of their selection, all riders in this non-competitive event will be treated to beautiful countryside, friendly towns, and rest stops with restrooms, snacks, and beverages every eight to 15 miles apart in Athens, Winterville, Crawford, Maxeys, and Union Point.
Vehicle support also will be available on paved roads and at SAG stops. Day-of check-in and registration will open at 7 a.m. in Union Point and at 8 a.m. in Athens and Winterville.
The course will remain open until 5 p.m. or the last rider finishes, whichever comes first.
“We are passionate about the Firefly Trail because of the enormous health and economic benefits it will provide to our whole region,” Dr. Chris Doerr, physician and owner at Athens Physical Therapy, said. “My wife, Stephanie, and I love to ride rail-trails when we travel. We hope our involvement sparks even more support and helps speed the construction of this trail to serve the communities we love and call home.”
In Union Point, the Downtown Development Authority and the Greene County Friends of the Firefly Trail will host the town’s 120th Year Celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festival will feature live music beginning at 11 a.m., vendors, food trucks, bouncy houses, a kids’ area, animals, birthday cake, and a raffle for a kids’ Specialized Jett bike. For runners and walkers, the BankSouth Sock Hop 5K foot race will start at 3 p.m., using the Firefly Trail for much of the route. Free parking will be available downtown.
In Athens, riders will start in Dudley Park off East Broad Street, beginning and ending their ride by crossing the newly built Firefly Trail Bridge over Trail Creek. Free parking will be available in the Chicopee/Greenway parking area off East Broad Street. In Winterville, riders will start on the trail at the historic Winterville Depot. Free parking will be available behind the Depot and in the nearby Pittard Park overflow lot.
Riders who are uncomfortable on roads and/or have small children can enjoy trail-only options in Athens, Winterville, Maxeys, and Union Point (a short ride on quiet streets is needed to reach the trail from downtown Union Point).
Pre-registration is now open at bikereg.com/firefly-trail-ticket-toride-2024. Adults are $55 and students are $35 through 11 p.m. March 15; after that, registration will be $60 and $40 for students. Team rates (5-12 members) are available, too. Day-of registration will open at 7:30 a.m. in Union Point, and at 8 a.m. in Athens and Winterville.
Riders also can pre-register in person at Georgia Cycle Sport and The Hub in Athens. Riders will receive a sling pack and Athens Physical Therapy water bottle while supplies last.
Volunteers are vital to the event, and numerous opportunities remain available. Like riders, volunteers will receive a Firefly Trail sling pack as a token of appreciation.
Send an email to fireflytrail@gmail.com for information or to sign up.
All proceeds from Ticket to Ride support the work of Firefly Trail Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to build support for the trail and help local communities attract and match grants for planning, design, construction, and maintenance. For full details, visit fireflytrail.com.