Join us for the Athens Physical Therapy Firefly Trail Ticket to Ride up and down the future route of the Firefly Trail on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

We are proud and honored that Athens Physical Therapy has returned as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2024 Firefly Trail Ticket to Ride! We can’t say enough good things about Dr. Chris and Stephanie Doerr, the staff at APT, and the amazing work they do for their patients, the community, and the Firefly Trail. Thank you, APT! Visit their website for further info.

All proceeds benefit the work of Firefly Trail Inc. to promote the completion of the 39-mile multipurpose trail from Union Point to Athens.

CHOOSE YOUR STARTING POINT:

• ATHENS: Dudley Park, Dudley Park Rd

Registration/packet pick-up begins @ 8AM; Mass Start 10AM
• UNION POINT: Union Point Theatre, 101 Fluker St

Registration/packet pick-up begins @ 7:30AM; Mass Start 9AM
• WINTERVILLE: Winterville Depot, corner of S Main & Parkview

Registration/packet pick-up begins @ 8AM; Mass Start 10AM

PAVED ROUTES:

The full out-and-back course on paved roads between Athens and Union Point is approx. 82 miles with on-route support and fully stocked SAG stops (including restrooms) every 8-13 miles in Athens, Winterville, Crawford, Maxeys, and Union Point. Because this is an out-and-back route, riders can tailor their ride length by simply turning around. This on-road ride features the lowest-traffic paved roads we could find close to the historic corridor of the Georgia Railroad Athens Branch. These routes use completed sections of the Firefly Trail in Athens-Clarke County, Winterville, Maxeys, Greene County, Woodville, and Union Point. Riders who enjoy flatter terrain will especially enjoy the route from Union Point to Maxeys or from Winterville to Crawford. Options as short as 15 miles are available, making this a perfect ride for cyclists of all interests and abilities.

Ride With GPS routes: (Cue Sheets for all paved rides are available for download from the main event page.)

Athens-Union Point: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45448348

· Up to 82.2 miles | +2,506 feet | Max grade +4%

Union Point-Athens: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45466674

· Up to 82.5 miles | +2,577 feet | Max grade +4%

Winterville-Union Point: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45455205

· Up to 67.4 miles | 2,058 feet climbing |Max grade +4%

Distances of popular shorter paved-road routes (round trip):

Athens-Winterville: 14.8 miles
Athens-Crawford: 37.6 miles
Athens-Maxeys: 57.0 miles
Winterville-Crawford: 22.8 miles
Winterville-Maxeys: 42.2 miles
Union Point-Maxeys: 25.2 miles
Union Point-Crawford: 44.6 miles

GRAVEL ROUTES:

For those with an adventurous spirit two gravel rides have been added!

26.7 miles: Union Point to Maxeys & Back – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43303050

67.8 miles: Union Point to Crawford & Back – https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45393614

Board member and Specialized Ambassador Lisa Baynes has mapped out these routes aligning them near the highway to show how Firefly Trail is a great connector to all these beautiful back roads. Both routes use all 7 miles of the completed, paved Firefly Trail in Greene County, including within the cities of Union Point and Woodville.

Gravel rides are self-supporting which means there will not be vehicle support. It will be critical to have the route on your computer or a buddy with the route, and to carry tools should you need repairs. The routes are as close to Highway 77 as possible. The 68-mile round trip Union Point/Crawford route has approx. 2 miles of asphalt. Riders, be aware there is a creek crossing on Faust Farm Rd on the last loop of the 68-mile ride as pictured here.

REGISTRATION DETAILS:

Registration Fees:

Fees before March 15 @ 11PM:
• Before March 15 @ 11PM: $55; Students: $35; Teams of 5-12: $45

Fees after March 15 @ 11PM:
• After March 15 @ 11PM: $60; Students: $40; Teams of 5-12: $50

In-person registration is available in Athens through Thursday, March 21:
Georgia Cycle Sport, 1029 Baxter St.
The Hub Bicycles, 1220 S Milledge Ave

For a Hard-Copy Mail-In Registration form click here.

Packet Pick-Up/Pre-Registration the day before the ride (Friday, March 22)

Athens: from 3 – 6 PM, Georgia Cycle Sport, 1029 Baxter St.

Union Point: from 5 – 7PM, Union Point Theatre, 101 Fluker St.

All participants will receive a new Firefly Trail sling backpack with an enclosed Athens Physical Therapy water bottle (guaranteed to those who register before March 15th; while supplies last thereafter), ride support, one free pour of beer* at end-of-ride events along with free samples of Athletic Non-Alcoholic beer.

UNION POINT 120TH YEAR CELEBRATION:

In conjunction with the bicycle events, the Union Point 120th Year Celebration will take place from 10-4 with food, music, a 5K race and all to be live broadcast by Dock 103.9. A raffle will take place with the winner receiving a kids Specialized Jett Bike donated by Specialized Bicycles of California. Local bands will begin playing at 11AM, beer will be provided by Oconee Brewing Company, and a Classic Race Services 5K presented by BankSouth will begin at 3PM. (Click here for 5K info)

(*Must be 21 or over with ID and rider wristband to receive free pour. Additional beer available for purchase.)

Anyone who registers before March 5 and decides not to ride will still receive a backpack and water bottle (while supplies last). From Monday, March 25, until Monday, April 1, these items will be available for registered riders to pick up at Georgia Cycle Sport, 1029 Baxter St., Athens.

VOLUNTEERS:

Volunteers make this event possible, and all volunteers will receive a complimentary backpack and water bottle as a token of appreciation for their time and assistance! Ask your friends and family to assist with the event while you are riding. Email fireflytrail@gmail.com for volunteer details.