ASHEVILLE, N.C. (BRAIN) — PeopleForBikes' Ride on Atlanta — a 400 mile ride from here to Atlanta, Georgia — got going Wednesday morning with several NASCAR stars joining th efirst day's ride, a challenging 130-mile route to Charlotte, North Carolina.
The four-day ride is intended to raise awareness and funds for bicycling while celebrating bike riding in the Southeast.
Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson, along with fellow NASCAR champion Matt Kenseth and Supercross rider Justin Brayton joined the group for day one. All levels of bike riders were invited to join the group on the final 15 miles from Belmont to Charlotte Wednesday afternoon at 3. (Details on the meeting location can be found on the ride's Facebook page).
Thomas Dimitroff, the general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, will ride with the group on the final day as they roll nearly 100 miles from Athens to Atlanta.
"Outside of football, bicycling is one of my greatest passions," said Dimitroff. "I believe there is so much opportunity for it to be a bigger, better and safer experience here in the Southeast."
The public also is invited to join Dimitroff and the rest of the group for the final 22 miles of the Ride on Atlanta. Meetup details can be found on the final roll-in event page.
The group includes professional athletes, bike advocates and business executives and will make stops in Charlotte, Greenville, South Carolina, and Athens, Georgia before arriving in Atlanta on April 2.
Created in 2011 by six-time national cyclocross champion Tim Johnson, the Ride On event series has raised nearly $400,000 for PeopleForBikes. More information at rideonatlanta.org.
