Some of you may remember Jason Braddock. This was one of his favorite routes. I've ridden it several times and find it a really fun route. One loop is 20 miles, You get 40 or 60 miles by doing more loops.
Park on the street adjacent to the Mellow Mushroom Parking Lot. There is a convenience store on the route you can use for a rest stop but I suggest you just stop after each 20 mile loop and use your car for drinks and snacks :) If you do not know the route I highly suggest you download as there are a lot of turns on the route. ***Please let me know at the start how many miles you plan to ride.***
Wear your most patriotic Red, White & Blue kit for the annual NFBC Independence Day Ride. As always, this ride starts and finishes at the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail. The ride will depart at 7:30 AM to avoid the heat. Sunrise is at 6:30 AM. Please download and look at the map before the ride. The 30-mile ride is along the rail trail.
Wear your most patriotic Red, White & Blue kit for the annual NFBC Independence Day Ride. As always, this ride starts and finishes at the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail. The ride will depart at 7:30 AM to avoid the heat. Sunrise is at 6:30 AM. The 58 miles ride is for A+, A and B+ riders. Please download and look at the map before the ride. The 30-mile ride is along the rail trail.
We will ride in Fernandina, and welcome all of our Amelia friends to ride with us.
We will start and end at the D.D. Bartells Boat Ramp at the end of 14th street.
We will have 3 different distances (33, 46, & 64)
We’ll start at 2063 Oak St and ride a two-part loop through San Marco, Downtown, and Talleyrand. The first half heads over the Acosta Bridge toward Bolles before returning north on San Jose. The second half heads east through Downtown toward Talleyrand before looping back to Oak St. The downtown section may vary slightly due to Riverfront Plaza Phase II construction. There's plenty of parking along Oak St and Goodwin St. Please do not park in the Publix employees' parking area adjacent to the Fire House Subs.
Reddie Point is the peninsula on the south bank of the St John's River north of Jacksonville University. It is one of the most scenic locations on the St John River.
The ride starts at the Arlington Lion's Club Park and then travels east 17 miles to the Mayport Boat Ramp. Along the way you will see views of St John’s River rarely seen by most residents. On the way back we take a side trip to the Fort Caroline National Memorial where we climb to the Ribault Column which is one of the highest points in Jacksonville.
This 37 mile out and back route features rolling hills and bridges with 600 feet of elevation along the route. Most of the route follows roads with bicycle lanes.
Join us for a fun ride event diversion giving you two choices starting from Reddie Point Preserve, 4499 Yachtsman Way, Jacksonville, Fl 32277 (just north of Jacksonville University).
For those itching to brush off the cobwebs from your mountain bikes, we are offering a flat tire (with the letter “L” being silent) “B” ride that will include the outer perimeter Z trail once inside the Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, a local biking treasure we have ignored for the past 5 years. Be sure to download the new route map that includes the Z trail, a beginner/intermediate combination trail, and you won’t get lost. The total mileage distance for both the roadie and the trail routes will be similar.
If you choose the Hanna Park route, remember to bring the $3 park entry fee. And, if rain turns the park trails to mud in the days prior to the ride, we’ll all do the Mayport road ride instead. Don’t own a mountain bike? Borrow one from a friend.
Our final day of Big BRAG 2026 is a grand finale worthy of the "Happy Trails" theme! From LaGrange, we embark on a spectacular route that showcases some of the region's finest trails before reaching our destination in Columbus.
The day begins with the challenging and scenic Man of War Trail in Pine Mountain, a favorite among local cyclists for its beautiful terrain. From there, we transition to the Fall Line Trace, an ambitious multi-use trail project that's transforming connectivity across the region. This state-of-the-art pathway guides us toward our final destination with smooth, car-free riding.
As we approach Columbus, we'll finish our week-long journey along the Chattahoochee Riverfront, riding beside Georgia's most iconic river. The RiverWalk trail system in Columbus offers stunning views of the Chattahoochee River and its whitewater rapids, creating a memorable and picturesque conclusion to our adventure.
Columbus, Georgia's second-largest city, welcomes us with a perfect blend of history, culture, and outdoor recreation. The revitalized downtown and riverfront area provides an ideal setting to celebrate the completion of our 2026 Big BRAG journey.
From LaFayette to Columbus, from the Honey Bee Festival to the Chattahoochee River—what a week it's been! Happy trails, indeed!
From the movie magic of Trilith, we ride to LaGrange, and our route includes a highlight that perfectly embodies this year's "Happy Trails" theme—The Thread. This innovative 29-mile multi-use trail system weaves through LaGrange, connecting neighborhoods, parks, schools, and downtown in a continuous loop of paved pathways.
The Thread has transformed LaGrange into one of Georgia's most bike-friendly communities, offering residents and visitors alike a car-free way to explore the city. As we ride along this beautifully designed trail system, we'll experience firsthand how forward-thinking infrastructure can revitalize a community and promote active living.
LaGrange itself is a charming city with a rich textile manufacturing heritage and a vibrant arts scene. The historic downtown square features excellent restaurants, local shops, and the LaGrange Art Museum. Hills & Dales Estate, a stunning historic mansion and gardens, showcases the elegance of the area's past.
After riding The Thread into town, cyclists will have the evening to explore LaGrange's walkable downtown, enjoy Southern cuisine, and appreciate how this community has embraced trails and cycling culture. It's a perfect penultimate stop that celebrates both Georgia's history and its commitment to a more connected, active future.
Refreshed from our two-night stay in Carrollton, we pedal onward to one of Georgia's most exciting and unique destinations—Trilith Studios. Our route takes us along part of the popular Silk Sheets cycling route, a local favorite known for its smooth pavement and scenic roads that have made it a go-to ride for area cyclists.
This isn't your typical small-town overnight stop; Trilith is a state-of-the-art film studio campus and master-planned community that has become a major hub for blockbuster movie and television production. Formerly known as Pinewood Atlanta Studios, Trilith has hosted productions for Marvel films, major TV series, and countless other Hollywood projects. The surrounding Trilith community blends cutting-edge entertainment industry facilities with residential neighborhoods, green spaces, and modern amenities—all designed with walkability and creativity in mind.
Riders will experience the fascinating contrast of cycling through Georgia's rural landscapes on the beloved Silk Sheets route before arriving at this 21st-century entertainment destination. It's a one-of-a-kind overnight stop that showcases Georgia's evolution as the "Hollywood of the South" and offers a glimpse into where movies and TV shows are made.
After days of historic towns and natural beauty, Trilith provides a refreshingly modern and unexpected twist to our Big BRAG journey. Lights, camera, action—and plenty of places to rest those cycling legs!
From Cave Spring, we ride to Carrollton. Day 3 offers riders an exciting choice: a 57-mile route into town or an optional century ride that incorporates a stretch on the legendary Silver Comet PATH.
For those seeking a challenge on Day 3, the century option is a highlight of the week, featuring time on the celebrated Silver Comet. This rails-to-trails conversion is one of Georgia's most beloved bike paths, offering paved, car-free riding through tunnels, over trestles, and past scenic landscapes. The century route seamlessly blends the smooth Silver Comet PATH with area roads for a memorable 100-mile adventure into Carrollton.
Carrollton itself is the thriving home of the University of West Georgia and offers plenty to discover during our two-night stay. The historic downtown square features local restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions. Riders can explore the Carrollton GreenBelt Trail—an 18-mile multi-use trail system that connects parks, neighborhoods, and natural areas throughout the city—or simply rest and recover on Day 4.
With two nights to settle in, Carrollton provides the perfect mid-week respite. Whether you crushed the century or took the standard route, you'll have time to recharge and enjoy this welcoming community before continuing our "Happy Trails" journey.