|
Ga. 400 closing for bike ride
Event to benefit the Georgia Transplant Foundation
|
ROSWELL – Be a part of history as Ga. 400 is temporarily shut down Sunday, July 12 for the inaugural "Hospitality Highway Century" to benefit the Georgia Transplant Foundation (GTF).
Cyclists will get the southbound lanes all to themselves to start a 100-mile tour of North Fulton's six cities – Roswell, Sandy Springs, Mountain Park, Alpharetta, Milton and Johns Creek. Registered riders will promptly start at 6:30 a.m. from the former Home Depot parking lot in Roswell, at the intersection of Holcomb Bridge Road and Market Boulevard.
From there they will pedal their way down Ga. 400 from exit 7 (Holcomb Bridge Road) to exit 6 (Northridge). Cyclists will then wind through the six cities and other scenic areas of north Fulton County.
The route includes rest stops, complete with bathrooms, full technical support and a variety of snacks and drinks. Whether riders take the 9-mile "I Did It" ride or the 35-mile, 62-mile or 100-mile options, this event promises to be filled with fun, excitement and the opportunity to say, "I closed down 400!"
Roswell Mayor Jere Wood, an avid cyclist, said he plans to be there for the "whole hundred." While some cyclists will finish in four or five hours, he estimated his tour would be in the eight- or nine-hour range.
For most, the ride will not be a race.
"These rides become a social thing. Road biking is a social, not a solitary event," Wood said.
Dotty Etris, executive director of the Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau, said participants should start promptly if they wish to ride on Ga. 400 at the beginning.
"The Department of Transportation is not going to let us close [southbound] Ga. 400 for very long, even on a Sunday morning," Etris said.
Only registered cyclists ready to go at 6:30 a.m. will be able to ride on Ga. 400 during the specific window of time allotted by the Department of Transportation. The early bird registration fee of $35 will be in effect until July 3 for all route options. The fee rises to $40 if received after July 3, including the day of the event.
Registration includes a T-shirt, food, water and full technical support along the way. The ride is open to anyone 14 or older. To register for the "Hospitality Highway Century," visit 400century.com or contact Kristin Stanley at 678-514-1187 or kstanley@gatransplant.org.
The Ga. Transplant Foundation is excited about teaming up with the cities of Roswell, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Milton and Alpharetta, said David Bakelman, executive director of the GTF.
"The funds raised through the Hospitality Highway Century will help us provide essential services to Georgia's organ transplant community," he said.
Founded in Atlanta in 1992, the Georgia Transplant Foundation is a non-profit organization providing financial, educational and emotional support to transplant candidates, recipients, living donors and their families throughout the state of Georgia.
Reader Comments
These are our reader's opinions and thoughts.The opinions on this site are posted by our readers, and are not edited by Appen Inc.
Thanks!
July 12, 2009 | 02:48 PM
To be a part of this ride this morning was truly special! Thanks to everybody involved - especially to all of the organizers for having the vision and perseverance to make this happen and to the GDOT and host cities for believing in this worthwhile endeavor and also doing what needed to be done to make this happen.
That so many cyclists showed up for an inaugural ride event - many of them residents of the host cities - was remarkable. At one point, while riding on GA 400 at the beginning of the event, I noticed Roswell Mayor Jere Wood stopped on the shoulder and looking back at the large group of cyclists riding toward him. He had a huge grin on his face that showed how much he appreciated what was happening. Ultimately that grin was as much for being outside on a beautiful morning with 1500+ like-minded cyclists as it was for the primary winner and beneficiary of the ride - the Georgia Transplant Foundation.
Thanks again to EVERYBODY involved in this event!
Lou Hablas, Alpharetta
report
GA. Transplant Foundation "Hospitality Highway Century Bike Rid
July 10, 2009 | 05:07 PM
This is such a worthwhile event to raise money with such a fun biking event. When my wife died in 2000 we gave her organs to this organization.
I know that she helped at least one person live a better lilfe. I am looking forward to the 35 mile ride.
Charles F. Sanders, Monroe, GA 30655
report
GA. Transplant Foundation "Hospitality Highway Century Bike Rid
July 10, 2009 | 05:06 PM
This is such a worthwhile event to raise money with such a fun biking event. When my wife died in 2000 we gave her organs to this organization.
I know that she helped at least one person live a better lilfe. I am looking forward to the 35 mile ride.
Charles F. Sanders, Monroe, GA 30655
report
GA. Transplant Foundation "Hospitality Highway Century Bike Rid
July 10, 2009 | 05:06 PM
This is such a worthwhile event to raise money with such a fun biking event. When my wife died in 2000 we gave her organs to this organization.
I know that she helped at least one person live a better lilfe. I am looking forward to the 35 mile ride.
Charles F. Sanders, Monroe, GA 30655
report
Ending time?
July 02, 2009 | 10:43 AM
I appreciate being informed in advance about 400 being shut down starting at 6:30AM on July 12th. Wouldn't help all of us to include the time 400 will reopen?
Mark Maio, Alpharetta
report
| |
|
|
