On Thursday, September 2, the Athens to Savannah Bicycle Ride announced support from Astra Group, a heavy civil general contractor, specializing in the construction of public spaces, transportation, and wet utility infrastructure. Astra is the 2021 Day 2 Stage Sponsor for the annual bike ride from Athens to Savannah. Day 2 traverses 102 miles from Sandersville to Statesboro, through Tennille, Wrightsville, Bartow, and Twin City.
The 3-day, 285-mile fully supported road ride from Athens to Savannah will be held from Friday, October 22 through Sunday, October, 24, 2021. Friday will run 106 miles from Athens to Tennille. 102 miles will be span on Saturday from Sandersville to Statesboro. Sunday’s finale is set for 77 miles from Statesboro to Savannah.
To register for the Athens to Savannah Ride, visit AthenstoSavannah.com. Cyclists may bike the full weekend or race a portion of the ride by purchasing a one-day ticket. Locally, the Day 2, Saturday, October 23, ride will start at the Washington County Chamber and take stops at the old Wiggle & Twist train depot in Wrightsville and the Midnight Run Distillery in Bartow. Each morning of the ride will begin with Jittery Joes coffee, and end with food, drinks, and fellowship with the other cyclists.
“The Georgia Hi-Lo Trail is excited to welcome Astra as a Stage Sponsor of the 2021 Athens to Savannah Ride,” explained Mary Charles Howard, Ride Organizer for the Athens to Savannah Ride and Director of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, on the partnership. “Astra approached us in the Spring of 2021 and asked how they could support our progress. After discussing our timeline, and how our annual Athens to Savannah Bike Ride raises funds to build the Trail, Astra agreed to be a supporter.”
The mission of the Athens to Savannah Ride is to channel the enthusiasm and tradition of this event to promote awareness, support, and funding for the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, as well as the Trail’s mission to drive economic development through connectivity and empowerment of Georgia’s rural communities. For more information visit AthenstoSavannah.com.
“When we first read about the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, Astra was immediately interested in learning more about the history of how the idea of this trail came to fruition and how we could partner with the Hi-Lo Leadership Team. During our discussions, we realized the value of the project and its potential impact on the region. We are long supporters of helping communities build infrastructure that supports neighborhood and regional connectivity, active living, and preserving and providing intentional space for people to be engaged in their communities,” said Astra’s Vice President Allen Eison. “The rigorous Athens to Savannah Ride is a real example of how you can start with a grassroots vision and see just how necessary this trail is and how useful it can be in connecting rural areas of the state through miles of concrete. It’s about making and sustaining connections, and Astra is thrilled at the opportunity to support the Georgia Hi-Lo trail.”
The Georgia Hi-Lo Trail is dedicated to building a 211-mile paved trail that will serve to drive economic development through the connectivity and empowerment of rural Georgia. Upon completion of the 211-mile Georgia Hi-Lo Trail from Union Point to Savannah, the Hi-Lo Trail will connect to the 39-mile Firefly Trail from Union Point to Athens and together form the longest paved trail in America, connecting small Georgia towns, from Athens to Savannah through the paved, road separated path and creating opportunities for growth and economic development. For more information visit GeorgiaHiLo.com.
“The addition of Astra as a sponsor is vital to the success of both this year’s ride and future rides,” said Director Mary Charles Howard. “The alignment of values between Georgia Hi-Lo Trail and Astra was clear from the start, as both the Hi-Lo and Astra aim to build quality of life for the communities we serve. The partnership is a fitting one.”
