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Find Your Park Centennial Ride
September 23, 2016 - September 25, 2016
This two-day ride will take you to Jimmy Carter National Historic Site, Andersonville National Historic Site, Florence Marina State Park, Providence Canyon State Park, Georgia Veterans State Park, and includes a ride on the SAM Shortline Excursion Train.
The following is the 2016 schedule for the event:
FRIDAY, September 23, 2016:
– 5 p.m. begin arriving at the Georgia Welcome Center in Plains. Shuttle to Florence Marina State Park will depart for Florence Marina State Park at 6:30 p.m. Your bicycle and gear will be transported for you. The Friends of Jimmy Carter will provide a boxed supper. Please plan to arrive in time to check in, get your bike and gear loaded and be on the bus by 6:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, September 24, 2016 – approximately 50.91 miles
– 6-7am a.m. breakfast at Florence Marina, provided by Friends of Florence Marina.
– 7:15 a.m. Depart Florence Marina to Providence Canyon State Park. Water and light snacks will be provided.
– Depart Providence Canyon for Plains, rest stops at Bedingfield Inn in Lumpkin and downtown Richland. The Stewart County Historic Commission will provide snacks in Lumpkin.
– Tour the Carter Boyhood Farm in Archery, then on to Plains for lunch and time to tour President Carter’s hometown.
– 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. lunch provided at Plains High School/Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.
– 1:35 p.m. board SAM Shortline Excursion Train (departs 2:05 p.m.) to Georgia Veterans State Park. ALL RIDERS MUST BE IN PLAINS, GA BY 1:30PM
– 3:45 p.m. arrive at Georgia Veterans State Park. Dinner on your own at Cypress Grill, located within the park. Spend the night at Georgia Veterans State Park.
Click here to see Saturday’s route map.
*For those who prefer to cycle the complete route and not take the train from Plains to Georgia Veterans State Park, click here to see the route map. This is a 36.2-mile ride.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2016 – approximately 53.04 miles
– 7-8 a.m. breakfast at Picnic Pavilion #4 (near the visitor center and museum). Breakfast provided by the Cordele-Crisp County Chamber of Commerce.
– 8:30 a.m. depart Georgia Veterans State Park, travel to Andersonville National Historic Site. There will be a mobile rest areaapproximately at the 19-mile marker.
– Lunch will be provided at Andersonville NHS, courtesy of the Friends of Andersonville.
– From Andersonville NHS travel back to Plains, Georgia Welcome Center. A rest stop will be provided at Bison Valley Lodge.
Click here to see Sunday’s route.
All routes will be fully supported with rest stops and SAG Wagon.
For more information, email Kevin Ellis at kellis@rivervalleyrc.org or call 706-256-2910.
LODGING
Camp sites will be available for riders on Friday and Saturday and will be included as part of the registration options. Those preferring not to camp, are responsible for their own accommodations.
Florence Marina offers 15 cottages for rent. The efficiency cottages sleep 4 people and the two-bedroom cottages sleep 8 people. Call the park at 229-838-4244 to make a reservation. Be sure to tell them you are with the Find Your Park Centennial Bike Ride so they will waive the two-night minimum stay requirement.
Lake Blackshear Resort at Georgia Veterans State Park offers cabins and rooms at the Lodge. To make reservations, call 229-401-1222 and ask to speak to Kathy. Tell her you are with the Find Your Park national park ride. Cyclists staying at the lodge or in a cabin will receive a $10 breakfast voucher to use in a restaurant at the Resort. As of June 8 there were 34 rooms available. Book your room soon.
REGISTRATION
We are offering a variety of registration options, including camping or non-camping, and a special Friend of Cyclist rate for non-cycling family members or friends who would like to visit the parks and ride the train.
REGISTRATION FEES
$75 – camping, meals, train ticket, T-shirt
$60 – meals, train ticket, T-shirt (lodging on your own)
$50 – Friend of Cyclist/Camping, meals, train ticket, T-shirt
$30 – Friend of Cyclist, includes meals, train ticket (lodging on your own)
One-day option: 1/2 off the registration price.
