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Over the summer a group of youth cyclists pedaled across the country from Miami to Maine as part of an incredible once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The five-week bike ride was done by the Bike Ride Across Georgia (BRAG) Youth Dream Team. 

Eddie Rhodes helped lead the young cyclists as part of the LaGrange Chapter of BRAG. 

Rhodes said the Dream Team has had a chapter in LaGrange since 2021.  

“The Dream Team is a youth organization that basically works with youth between the ages of 11 and 17, giving them the opportunity to get involved in what we call extraordinary cycling opportunities, not only across the state, outside of the state, as we did this summer, which was our first across the country ride,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes said they are always looking to recruit more youth into cycling, especially from areas where they may not be able to afford getting into cycling.

“It costs the families nothing. It costs the kids, nothing. We cover everything, We’re a 501-C3  and we get donations, corporate donations and individual donations to help keep the cost away from the families and the kids,” Rhodes said.

Their epic journey took them to lots of historical sites and provided a lifetime of memories and experiences. Along the way the group camped, stayed in AirBnbs and hotels, meeting tons of wonderful people, Rhodes said.

Seven youth and five adults were able to make the trip.

“It was just a wonderful trip. I think it’s going to be life changing for the kids that we were able to bring along,” Rhodes said.

The group started on June 17 and came back on July 21, taking just over a month to make the over 2,300-mile trip.

Rhodes said he got into cycling in 2000 and did his first ride across Georgia in 2008. On that trip he saw a group of youth cyclists from the Dream Team.

“They were so disciplined, riding much better than I was riding. And they were kids. I said that when I retire, hopefully one day I can get involved with youth cycling and maybe do something here in LaGrange,” Rhodes said. “Well, I retired in 2017 and I got my opportunity in 2019 to get involved with the LaGrange Dream Team.”