BOULDER, Colo. (BRAIN) — PeopleForBikes' annual awareness and fundraising bicycle tour — which in the past has ridden from Boston to Washington, D.C. and from Kansas City to Chicago — this year will go from Asheville, North Carolina, to Atlanta. The 400-mile ride is March 30-April 2.
This year, NASCAR hero Jimmie Johnson will join the group on its first day, a challenging 130-mile route between Asheville and Charlotte. Johnson, an enthusiastic road and mountain bike rider, is a proponent of cooperation and respect among all road users. A PeopleForBikes spokeswoman said Johnson plans top complete the full 130 miles.
The full ride will be started by about 25 riders. The group will make stops in Charlotte, North Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina; and Athens, Georgia, before arriving in Atlanta.
Created in 2011 by six-time national cyclocross champion Tim Johnson, the series began with three Rides on Washington followed by two Rides on Chicago. These events have raised nearly $400,000 for PeopleForBikes' non-profit foundation that supports the development of more safe, fun, convenient and appealing PlacesForBikes. The Rides are intended to showcase how bike riders and motorists can share the road, safely and easily. Tim Johnson (no relation to Jimmie, as far as anyone knows) also plans to do the ride this year.
"The Carolinas and Georgia are up-and-coming states for bicycling," said Tim Blumenthal, president of PeopleForBikes. "The Ride on Atlanta will help build momentum for the great efforts of government leaders and local advocates to improve their communities through bike riding."
The Ride will finish in Atlanta on Saturday, April 2, and the public is invited to pedal the final miles with the group. Contact mitch@peopleforbikes.org if interested.
