PREPPING TO PEDAL: Riders have already arrived in the South with several duos completing prep rides in Moultrie on Tuesday. 

THOMASVILLE- The Georgia Tandem Rally will be hitting the streets of Thomasville this weekend for their 23rd annual ride. The largest tandem rally in the south, GTR features three days of riding through the verdant fields of South Georgia. Approximately 80 tandems/160 people will be riding on their “bicycles built for two” May 18-21, 2023. This will be the GTR’s first trip to the City of Roses. 

According to Ride Director, Roger Strauss, he and his wife, Eve Kofsky have partaken in other bike rides across Georgia and have visited Thomasville along the way. 

“We really liked the vibe,” Strauss explained. “There are bike lanes on most every street, including the ones in the city and everyone is always friendly and excited to see us riding.” 

With accessible bike lanes and scenic routes, Strauss and Kofsky decided Thomasville should be the next destination for the Georgia Tandem Rally. 

GTR riders will pedal between 30-55 miles daily, depending on their fitness levels. 

For Strauss and Kofsky, they will aim for 55 miles daily, as they have been partaking in tandem rallies since 1999. 

“We originally got into tandem riding, because our son needed a place to sit and bike,” Strauss said. “However, it was the winter and it was too cold, so my wife sat in that seat instead and really loved it. Our son is over 30 now.” 

Tandem riding is actually very popular among children, with teams of children under 4 participating and children ages 4-17 riding in tandem. 

On Friday afternoon, riders will start near Cairo and will visit Ochlocknee and points north. Saturday will take the riders to Barwick, Dixie and Boston, while Sunday with feature a route aptly known as “Tour de Thomasville,” going past the Lapham-Patterson House, The Big Oak and the Thomasville Rose Garden. 

Ride registration will begin at Hubs and Hops, while Blue Bell ice cream is served at The Ritz Amphitheater. Once registration is complete, an after-ride lunch is scheduled to take place in the Floral Room as the Best Western Conference Room with catering by JB Crumbs. Beer will also be on tap and served at T-Velo Brewing for the riders. 

The weekend is expected to bring in thousands of dollars for downtown businesses and tourism. 

“Attendees will fill around 250 hotel rooms a night and eat many meals in the city’s restaurants, spending tens of thousands of dollars during their weekend visit,” Strauss said. 

Strauss is excited to show fellow riders the unique flair Thomasville offers when it comes to biking. 

“Speaking as a cyclist, Hubs and Hops is one of the coolest places we have ever had an event,” he said. “A bicycle store and a gastropub in the same place. That is pure genius. We thank the drivers of Thomas and Grady County in advance for sharing the roads with us all weekend.” 

The Saturday morning ride will begin at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Best Western Conference Center, heading toward Hwy. 84.