As part of the 2006 Tour de Georgia, 164 amateur cyclists completed the Inaugural BriarRose Grand Peloton, raising $51,700 for the Georgia Cancer Coalition. Riding the same 25-mile route as the professionals, these men and women from 11 different states took a more leisurely pace to the finish line, but the impression they made coming across that line made just as big a statement. For participants in the BriarRose Grand Peloton, who traveled from as far away as California, Colorado, and Michigan, the bicycle ride from Cumming was all about defeating cancer.

Through the BriarRose Grand Peloton, a part of the Tour de Georgia that allows citizens to ride a art of the course with professional cyclists, Georgians have a great opportunity to actively help our friends and neighbors who are battling cancer. The proceeds from the event helped fund innovative cancer research projects at eight of our state’s research universities that will lead to new approaches to cancer prevention and treatment. Each participant must raise a minimum of $500 for the Georgia Cancer Coalition to ride.

This year there will also be a three city, community challenge between Peachtree City, Roswell and Augusta, to see which community can raise the most money for cancer research. Roswell won last year but Peachtree City thinks it can win this year and has set a goal of $50,000.

Ride participants joined one of three teams - red, white or blue - and were given special jerseys with these colors to denote their fundraising levels. They were led by cycling professionals including: Norm Alvis, member of the 1988 Olympic team in Seoul, Korea for the Red Team; Mari Holden, a five-time women’s national champion, for the White Team; and Steve Hegg, a 1984 Olympic gold medallist, for the Blue Team.

Grand Peloton riders will celebrate their fundraising success and meet team captains at a registration reception the night before the event. At the conclusion of the ride, participants will be treated to an exclusive VIP viewing area and hospitality for the Tour de Georgia Stage 6 Finish.

Top fundraisers will be invited back on Sunday, April 22 to ride the “celebrity lap” in downtown Atlanta just before the pros begin the Final Stage circuit ride.

Visit http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1393193 to register. On-line registration closes on Apr. 16. If you do not wish to ride, but would like to make a donation, go to the Peachtree City donation page at www.active.com/donate/grandpeleton2007/PCyclin

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