2006 Tour de Georgia

Rock/Creek Outfitters to Sponsor North America’s Premier Cycling Event

Chattanooga-based outdoor specialty store will be sponsoring two King of the Mountain Climbs during the annual 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia from Tuesday, April 18th to Sunday, April 22nd

Chattanooga, TN – Rock/Creek Outfitters and RockCreek.com is proud to announce their sponsorship of two King of the Mountain Climbs (KOM) during the annual 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia.  The Tour de Georgia is recognized as North America’s premier cycling event and rolling festival.  The six-day, six-stage event draws the many of the best international and national cyclists cycling teams and showcases some of the unique towns and terrain in Georgia and Chattanooga Tennessee. “We’re psyched to have the opportunity to work with the Tour de Georgia again this year,” remarked Rock/Creek owner and cycling enthusiast Dawson Wheeler.  This is Rock/Creek’s second year to be involved in sponsoring a KOM event.

The 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia will begin in Augusta, Georgia on Tuesday, April 18th, and the 600-plus mile cycling course will end with a grand finale in Alpharetta, Georgia on Sunday, April 23.  This event is owned by the Georgia Partnership for Economic Development (GPED) and governed by the GPED Board of Directors.  As a 501c(6) non-profit entity, GPED’s mission is to develop the Tour property as an economic and marketing property for the state of Georgia and for the benefit of the Georgia Cancer Coalition.

Stage Four of the Tour de Georgia is a 118.9 mile stretch from Dalton to Dahlonega taking place on Friday, April 21.  Rock/Creek Outfitters and RockCreek.com will be sponsoring Stage Four’s first KOM climb to the top of Fort Mountain, a 2875 foot (876 m) tall mountain.  The KOM finish line is located 23.8 miles into Stage Four and is a Category 2 climb.  The first rider to cross the line will be awarded $1,500 from Rock/Creek Outfitters.

The second KOM climb sponsored by Rock/Creek Outfitters and RockCreek.com will be held on Saturday, April 22 during Stage Five of the Tour de Georgia.  Stage Five is a 94.5 mile stretch from Blairsville to an epic finish atop Brasstown Bald.

The KOM will share a finish line with Stage Five.  It is a Category 1 climb up Brasstown Bald, the highest peak in Georgia that has been compared to Alpe d’Huez of the Tour de France.  The first cyclist to cross the finish line will be awarded $1,500 from Rock/Creek Outfitters. This is sure to be an exciting day for cycling enthusiasts.
About Rock/Creek Outfitters and RockCreek.com:

Rock/Creek Outfitters is a specialty outdoor retailer with two decades of brick and mortar experience. We are committed to personal and professional leadership in the outdoor industry and the larger community, especially with regard to environmental initiatives. We use outdoor retail as a platform to encourage all people to get outside and become active. We know that in order to make a positive impact on the environment, we need to share our own love of the outdoors with others. For this reason, our sponsorship and environmental efforts are aimed at promoting outdoor recreation and permanently improving access to the backcountry.

For more information, visit the Tour de Georgia home page.

Or contact Katherine Nielsen at (423) 265-0406 ext. 1113 or katherinenielsen @rockcreek.com.