
ASTRA Takes Stage on Athens to Savannah Ride
The Athens to Savannah Ride announces support from Astra Group, a heavy civil general contractor, specializing in the construction of public spaces, transportation and wet utility infrastructure. Astra is the 2021 Day 2 Stage Sponsor for the Athens to Savannah Ride. Day 2 traverses 102 miles from Sandersville to Statesboro on bicycle, through Tennille, Wrightsville, Bartow & Twin City.
Director of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail and Ride Organizer for the Athens to Savannah Ride, Mary Charles Howard explains the partnership with Astra, “The Georgia Hi-Lo Trail is excited to welcome Astra as a Stage Sponsor of the 2021 Athens to Savannah Ride. Astra approached us (The Georgia Hi-Lo Trail) in spring 2021 and asked how they could support our progress. After discussing our timeline, and how our annual Athens to Savannah Bike Ride raises funds annually to build the Trail, Astra agreed to be a supporter.”
The addition of this sponsor is vital to the success of this year’s ride and future rides. The more funds and awareness raised the quicker the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail can move progress towards its end goal.
The alignment of values between Georgia Hi-Lo Trail and Astra was clear from the start, as both the Hi-Lo and Astra aim to build quality of life for the communities we serve. The partnership is a fitting one.
Astra’s Vice President, Allen Eison, shared his thoughts on the relationship.“When we first read about the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, Astra was immediately interested in learning more about the history of how the idea of this trail came to fruition and how we could partner with the Hi-Lo Leadership Team. During our discussions, we realized the value of the project and its potential impact on the region. We are long supporters of helping communities build infrastructure that supports neighborhood and regional connectivity, active living, and preserving and providing intentional space for people to be engaged in their communities.
From the Atlanta BeltLine (Atlanta), the Ivy Creek Greenway (Suwanee), and the Bob Callan Trunk Trail (Marietta) to the North Oconee River Greenway (Athens-Clarke County) connecting to our Trail Creek Crossing project, which is part of the Firefly Trail serving as the northernmost connection of the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, Astra’s history of building trails remains among the best in the business. We also built part of the Truman Trail for Chatham County and are actively working on Emerald Trail’s Model Mile in Jacksonville, FL. In addition, our longstanding partnership with the PATH Foundation, as well as the many other entities listed above with whom we’ve had the pleasure of working, are a testament to how collaborative and dedicated we are to parks and greenspace development and preservation, whether linear, active or passive.
The rigorous Athens to Savannah Ride is a real example of how you can start with a grassroots vision and see just how necessary this trail is and how useful it can be in connecting rural areas of the state through miles of concrete. It’s about making and sustaining connections, and Astra is thrilled at the opportunity to support the Georgia Hi-Lo trail.”

About the Athens to Savannah Ride
The mission of the Athens to Savannah Ride is to channel the enthusiasm and tradition of this event to promote awareness, support and funding for the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail, as well as the Trail’s mission to drive economic development through connectivity and empowerment of Georgia’s rural communities. For more information visit AthenstoSavannah.com.
About the Georgia Hi-Lo Trail
The Georgia Hi-Lo Trail is dedicated to building a 211-mile paved trail that will serve to drive economic development through the connectivity and empowerment of rural Georgia. Upon completion of the 211-mile Georgia Hi-Lo Trail from Union Point to Savannah, the Hi-Lo Trail will connect to the 39-mile Firefly Trail from Union Point to Athens and together form the longest paved trail in America, connecting small Georgia towns, from Athens to Savannah through the paved, road separated path and creating opportunities for growth and economic development. For more information visit GeorgiaHiLo.com.
For media inquiries or more information about participation or sponsorship, contact Mary Charles Howard at 706-338-8054 or [email protected].

Strade Boro Gravel Fondo Rides into Statesboro
There’s a new cycling event coming to Statesboro this spring! Dubbed the Strade Boro Gravel Fondo the event will take place in Statesboro and will feature some of Bulloch County’s best dirt, clay, and gravel roads!
The inaugural Strade Boro Gravel Fondo is the third unique gravel event hosted by race promoters, Mt.
Pleasant Velo (MPV), and will be a self-supported, timed event meant to challenge riders. Participants will receive a custom Strade Boro 100% cotton event T-shirt, custom finisher award, ride packet and number, and post-ride food from Chazito’s Latin Cuisine with registration. The Strade Boro Gravel Fondo is designed for anyone from gravel newbies who want a new experience or camaraderie to experienced cyclists who want a challenge! There are planned 50 km (~31 mile) and 100 km (~62 mile) ride options.
Founded in 2010, Mt. Pleasant Velo has hosted over 40 cycling events, including the first and longest running gravel stage race in the United States. MPV seeks to promote the sport of cycling by hosting the best competitive and non-competitive bicycle events. MPV provides cyclists access to participate in cycling events, develop camaraderie, and achieve their personal goals.
DETAILS
DATE: May 18, 2019, 9:00 AM
REGISTRATION and INFORMATION:
Registration: www.bikereg.com/strade-boro (beginning February 2, 2019)
More information on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2262712260417277/
Email: [email protected]
PRICING: Ranges from $50 to $70 depending on event entered
CATEGORIES: Men Open, Women Open, Men 40+, Men 50+
RIDE OPTIONS: Half Metric (50 km) and Metric Century (100 km)
The Strade Boro Gravel Fondo is sponsored nationally by Lauf Cycling, Boyd Cycling, Squirt Lube, Schwalbe Tires, GU Energy Nutrition, and Raw Revolution.
Local sponsorships are available: [email protected]