The 26th Bike Ride Across Tennessee (BRAT) will pass through a somewhat more mountainous terrain, including a stop in Elizabethton, than in previous years in a five-day journey from Saturday through Sept. 17.
About 200 riders will average 50 to 85 miles per day and cover a total of some 300 miles from Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park to Roan Mountain State Park and back to DCBSP.
They will camp at Panther Creek State Park, Warriors Path State Park and RMSP, with an educational program each night provided by park rangers. Riders will stay two nights in the Roan area, where Bobby Fulcher, park manager of Cumberland Trail State Park, will speak about efforts to finish the Cumberland Trail.
Proceeds from the ride will benefit Friends of the Cumberland Trail. Each rider pays $400 to participate and in return, receives nightly hot showers, breakfast and dinner daily, luggage transportation and interpretive ranger programs.
Twenty-eight states will be represented in the ride, with the furthest participants coming from Seattle, Washington and Canada. Among their stops is the Covered Bridge on Tuesday, Sept. 15. They will also have lunch in Elizabethton.
“I look for anything unique, and there are not many covered bridges left,” said Ride Director Ryan Forbes. “We’re constantly looking for little downtown areas, and that’s perfect right there.”

Saturday: Rider Check in at Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park
Sunday: Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park to Panther Creek State Park
Monday: Panther Creek State Park to Warriors Path State Park
Tuesday: Warriors Path State Park to Roan Mountain State Park
Wednesday: Roan Mountain State Park to Carvers Gap/North Carolina line back to park or Rest Day
Sept. 17: Roan Mountain State Park to Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park