Six Gap Century Offers Early Discount for Cyclists Targeting North Georgia Mountains this Fall

March 5, 2020

Popular Dahlonega Bicycle Ride Names ConnectAbility as Beneficiary Partner

DAHLONEGA, GA. – –Bicycle riders from all across the country will converge on Dahlonega to conquer the North Georgia mountains on September 27 for the 32nd annual Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty. Online registration is now open for this nationally acclaimed, gran-fondo style bicycle event, providing an incentive to save $20 with early sign up. A new partnership with non-profit ConnectAbility is expected to raise awareness and funds to boost the Race for a Reason program.

The Six Gap Century’s challenging 104-mile route has become a bucket-list ride for cyclists from across the U.S., attracting more than 1,500 participants last year from 45 states and six countries. The endurance ride features 11,200 vertical feet of elevation gain across six of the steepest climbs in southernmost part of the Appalachian Mountains. The most notorious climb of the century, Hogpen Gap, averages a gradient of seven percent for 7 miles, with multiple sections as steep as 15 percent. The Three Gap Fifty offers a 58-mile course with 6,385 vertical feet of climbing. A 35-mile Valley Ride offers a scenic mountainside route with rolling hills to Turner’s Corner and back.

A portion of the registration fee, plus individual rider donations, will be contributed for the first time to ConnectAbility, a Dahlonega-based community not for profit organization which encourages and enriches children and adults with disabilities. The Race for a Reason program empowers and equips individuals with disabilities to participate in sporting events, giving them the chance to train and compete in athletic events using racing wheelchairs, handcycles and a supportive group of teammates.

“With more than 2,000 amateur and elite cyclists expected to participate in the three ride distances at Six Gap Century, we anticipate significant funding can be generated for ConnectAbility this year. Race for a Reason is an incredible program, which helps people in our community. To be able to provide funding for a new handcycle or racing wheelchair would be a great way to get more people in the beautiful outdoors,” said Robb Nichols, President of the Dahlonega-Lumpkin Chamber & Visitors Bureau.

The Race for a Reason program launches its 2020 training program for families in March. Several running and triathlon events are planned for the summer, including the Race for a Reason 5K/10K Run/Walk from Hancock Park on September 12. ConnectAbility hopes to have two teams travel to Savannah, Ga. in November to participate in the Rock ’n’ Roll Savannah Marathon.

“Race for a Reason is built on teams of athletes of all abilities training and competing together. During the 2019 season, our teams covered over 900 miles, up from 500 miles in 2018. 2020 will see a new racing wheelchair added to our teams and we expect to break 1,000 miles this year. We are excited to partner with Six Gap this year to promote physical fitness right here in our hometown,” said Jacque Daniel, Executive Director for ConnectAbility.

Fundraising for ConnectAbility is underway with $1 from each registration for the Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty. The Early Bird fee is $66 for each ride registration, available through May 31 – click here. Online registration from September 1-20 will be $86. Fees are nonrefundable and the rides will take place rain or shine.

Each registration includes a custom T-shirt, snacks and beverages at rest stops, access to locker rooms and showers, and a post-ride spaghetti dinner (from 11am-6pm). Online registration will end Sept. 20, or when the 2,500 rider limit is reached, whichever occurs first. If spots are available, on-site registration will take place Sept. 26-27.

Returning in 2020 will be King of the Mountain and Queen of the Mountain designations for the top male and female climbers in three age categories. The KOM and QOM honors will be awarded on the Three Gap Fifty route based on lowest climb times on Wolfpen Gap. For the Six Gap Century, honors are recognized for the lowest combined climb times on Hogpen Gap and Wolfpen Gap. Winners receive custom KOM kits (jersey and bib shorts).

Northside Hospital Sports Medicine Network returns for a second year as a sponsor for Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty. Chestatee Ford returns for a seventh year as a sponsor. Other sponsors include Truist, The Pickle Juice Company and Infinit Nutrition.

The Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau owns and operates the Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty, as well as the Bike Expo the day before the rides. The Six Gap Century & Three Gap Fifty boasts many of the same roads and mountain climbs that were conquered during the Tour de Georgia professional stage race. The Six Gap Century’s ultra-challenging route features six of the steepest climbs in the North Georgia mountains. It is the largest participant event of the year for the organization, which grows the economy, attracts visitors, advocates for all businesses, and develops leaders to promote the welfare of the community.

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Six Gap By The Numbers:  (* also part of Three Gap route)

• 2,500 registered riders
• 104 miles for Six Gap/ 54 miles for Three Gap
• Neels Gap – 3,139 feet (957 meters) *
• Jack’s Gap – 2960 feet (902 meters)
• Unicoi Gap – 2,949 feet (899 meters)
• Hogpen Gap – 3,480 feet (1,061 meters)
• Wolf Pen Gap – 3,345 feet (1,019 meters) *
• Woody Gap – 3,200 feet (975 meters) *

Media Resources:

Online Early Bird registration – http://haku.ly/0b91d14d

Photos from ConnectAbility – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cn7zivbtww285ie/AACrHTKHDhs03LgguLXtO7gqa?dl=0

Media Contact:

Jackie Tyson, Peloton Sports

Mobile: 678-362-6228, Email: sportsPR@pelotonsports.net

11,200 vertical feet * 104 miles * 2,500 friends

Visit us at www.6gap.com *   Follow us on Facebook @SixGap and Instagram/Twitter @sixgapcentury