Tour de Georgia to race through Banks April 23
BY CHRIS BRIDGES
For the first time in the history of the event, Banks County will be a part of the Tour de Georgia this year.
The annual bike race, considered the premier cycling event in America, will arrive in Banks County Wednesday April 23 at approximately 2:05 p.m. Racers are scheduled to enter the county on Carson Road and eventually onto Hwy. 51 South to Hwy. 323 toward Gillsville and Hall County. The racers are scheduled to leave Banks County at approximately 3:07 p.m.
Banks County Sheriff Charles Chapman said citizens should expect traffic to be blocked when the racers are making their way through the county. In addition to BCSO units, officials from the Georgia State Patrol will assist with traffic along with officials from the Department of Public Safety.
Ambulances and other escort vehicles will follow the racers during the event.
“Traffic will not be blocked for any longer than it has to be,” Chapman said. “This is a big event and we want the citizens to be aware of it.”
Other areas the race is scheduled to go through in Banks County include parts of Hwy. 326, Five Forks, Duncan Road, Sims Bridge Road, Hwy. 441 and Historic Homer Highway.
The seven-stage, 589-mile race will begin Monday at Tybee Island and end on Sunday, April 27, in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park.
Last year’s Tour de Georgia had more than half a million spectators. According to event organizers, the event has helped generate approximately $150 million in direct economic impact for the state since 2003.
For more information on the event, visit www.tourdegeorgia.com.
