Despite the wind, the 11th Annual Ticket to Ride was a huge success. Thank you to all of the riders, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make it happen and to Carol Myers and our Firefly Trail Inc. board members for sharing some great photos. See ya next year!
 (presenting sponsor)  The 11th Annual Firefly Trail Ticket to Ride, presented by Athens Physical Therapy, returns Saturday, March 26, at 9 a.m. The non-competitive event will bring an estimated 300 cyclists to roads and towns from Athens to Union Point – or Union Point to Athens – to celebrate progress on the Firefly Trail and build momentum to connect the existing segments.
We need volunteers! Signup here! Registration options: - Online at Active.com - Registration form - PDF - Registration form - Microsoft Word - In-person pre-registration at Georgia Cycle Sport, 1029 Baxter St. beginning Feb. 1 with packet pick-up and registration on Friday, March 25th from 3 - 6 a.m. - Day of ride registration begins at 8 a.m. and riders may start as soon as registered. Ride Cue Sheets: - Athens - Winterville - Union Point - Route URLs and Overview The ride will be held on paved roads and segments of trail on or close to the historic corridor of the Georgia Railroad Athens Branch. The route highlights completed stretches of the trail in Union Point, Maxeys, Winterville and Athens. Funds generated by Ticket to Ride are used by Firefly Trail Inc. to support its work to assist communities in building, promoting, and maintaining the trail. When completed, the trail will provide a safe, off-road, 39-mile path for walking, running, cycling and other non-motorized uses through three counties and seven towns and cities. As rail-trails have done all over the U.S., it will improve health, create economic opportunities, promote equity and build a greater sense of community. The Ticket to Ride is unique among area cycling events because it features out-and-back options up to 87 miles. Riders can tailor their ride to fit their riding style by simply turning around. Start/finish locations will be at Jittery Joe’s Roaster in Athens, the historic Depot in Winterville, and Union Point Theatre in Union Point. Riders are treated to beautiful countryside, friendly towns, and on-road vehicle support, with restrooms, snacks and beverages every 8-13 miles. In addition, planning is in progress to welcome riders back to Athens and Union Point. At Jittery Joe’s Roaster, Rashe’s Cuisine food truck will provide Jamaican-inspired fare for purchase, and a variety of canned Creature Comforts beer will be available for purchase by those 21 and older with ID (one free can for registered riders). Union Point plans will be announced soon. “It’s a lot of fun to support a great cause: building a major rail-trail to connect our communities with a safe, off-road path,” said Firefly Trail President Mark Ralston. “Because it flattens out most of the hills, the Firefly Trail can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age or physical ability.” In addition, the Firefly Trail will connect to other trails for even greater opportunities, including the growing Greenway Network in Athens, Corry House/Hart Farms mountain bike trails in Union Point, and the proposed Georgia Hi-Lo Trail from Union Point to Savannah. It will also serve as an important connector in Oglethorpe and Greene counties for “gravel grinding,” an increasingly popular form of cycling that uses little-traveled unpaved roads. Volunteers are vital to the event, and numerous opportunities are available. All volunteers receive a knit beanie. Click here for volunteer information and signup. Pre-registration is now open on Active.com. Adults are $40 each, students are $30, and teams of 5-12 riders can pre-register as a group for $35 each. Ride-day registration will be $45 for adults and $30 for students. Riders will receive a knit beanie while supplies last. All proceeds from the event benefit Firefly Trail Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping local communities build the Firefly Trail. Because COVID-19 remains active in our region, this year’s ride will use “trickle-out” starts, hand sanitizer will be available at SAG stops, and drivers and riders will be asked to wear masks and keep a window or two rolled down anytime a participant is using a SAG vehicle. Other precautions may be implemented if conditions warrant. Ride details follow and are also available at www.fireflytrail.com.
The pace of progress on the trail continues to be strong. Several segments are now open and will be used in the Ticket to Ride where possible:
Full Press Release - Microsoft Word
Today we want to honor three in-kind sponsors who are making our 2022 Ticket to Ride better and more fun for our riders: Georgia Cycle Sport, the Hub, and Sunshine Bikes! GCS is hosting our pre-registration and packet pick-up event at their Baxter Street store on Friday and also providing mechanical support at Jittery Joe’s Roaster. Look for The Hub in Winterville for mechanical support before the ride begins and for part of the morning. And a big welcome and hearty thanks to staff of Sunshine Cycles, who will be providing pre-ride mechanical support at our Union Point registration site. If your bike needs a little attention. stop by and say hello. Even if your bike does NOT need some TLC, stop by and say hello!
ALSO - remember that online registration closes Thursday March 24th at 11:59 p.m. Sign up now!  The Oconee Rivers Greenway Commission, one of our longest-term sponsors, is back again this year as a Mechanic-level sponsor of the Ticket to Ride. We can’t thank you enough for the ongoing sponsorship and partnership to create safe, fun, and environmentally sound trails for our community! Learn more at https://www.accgov.com/2871/Oconee-Rivers-Greenway-Commission
 Thanks to BankSouth for returning as a Ticket to Ride sponsor at the Conductor level. BankSouth provides personal, business and mortgage banking with people-first technology. Visit their locations across Georgia or online at https://banksouth.com/. We are grateful for your ongoing support!
 We are thrilled to announce that Bass Landscaping Care has signed on as a first-time sponsor of the Ticket to Ride at the Mechanic level. Welcome – and thank you! Bass Landscaping provides green care services in the Athens area, including lawn maintenance, landscapes and hardscapes, and irrigation. Visit them at https://www.basslandscapingcare.com/
 We are very thankful that First American Bank and Trust is once again sponsoring the Ticket to Ride at the Mechanic level. FABT is a financial institution focused on offering personalized products and services that are tailored to serve their customers’ needs. Visit their locations across the greater Athens area or online at https://www.fabt.bank/
 Thank you to Silver and Archibald LLC for returning as a Mechanic-level sponsor for the 2022 Ticket to Ride. With three offices in the Athens area, Silver and Archibald is a law firm that represents clients in Social Security, veterans and long-term disability cases, worker’s compensation and personal injury. Visit them online at https://silverandarchibald.com/
 We are honored that St. Mary’s Health Care System has once again returned as a Ticket to Ride sponsor at the Engineer level. St. Mary’s has hospitals near both ends of the trail – Athens/Clarke County and Greene County – and has a mission to serve as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within the community. Thank you, St. Mary's, for supporting the Firefly Trail and helping to transform the health of the communities it serves! www.stmaryshealthcaresystem.org
 GreenScapes Shrub and Turf and owner Mike Hall go back to Day 1 of the Firefly Trail movement. We are thrilled to welcome them back for the 11th year in a row as a Ticket to Ride Engineer-level sponsor. GreenScapes provides professional horticultural services for the greater Athens area from Lake Oconee to Lake Hartwell. Visit them at www.gogreenscapes.com.
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Route Map
(*DRAFT ONLY*) Local governments will determine the final route. 
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March 2022
GIVE TO FIREFLY VIA AMAZONSMILE AND KROGERBe sure to update your Kroger Plus to designate Firefly Trail, Inc. (Organization #BJ882) as your preferred community partner!
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