Daniel Koenig has heard the question plenty of times—usually from his wife: Why would anyone his age want to sleep in a tent in summer — in Georgia!– and bicycle 60-70 miles a day, only to do it all over again for multiple days in a row? Daniel’s answer comes with a grin and a reference to “cycling oil” (the adult beverage kind); instant friendships and a pop-up tent that makes other campers jealous.
For Daniel, a 67-year-old South Carolina resident originally from northern Michigan, Big BRAG isn’t just a bike ride—it’s become an annual reunion with a growing circle of friends who share his love of cycling, good bourbon, and the open road.
From North Carolina to Georgia: A New Adventure
Daniel’s journey to BRAG began with years of participating in week-long cycling events in North Carolina, where he’d invite more friends to join him each year. But eventually, he started wondering what other experiences were out there. “I found the BRAG website and was immediately intrigued! New state, new scenery and late spring. A new experience!”
That curiosity led him to sign up for his first BRAG in 2024—the City to Sea route from Atlanta to Savannah. He returned in 2025 for Foothills to the Falls, experiencing “two totally different” sides of Georgia. “Cycling downtown Atlanta among the tall buildings, around Stone Mountain, the college towns. Then the ups and downs of northwest Georgia and the quaint little towns.”
For someone who loves to travel—along with brewing beer, collecting and consuming bourbon, and perfecting his barbecue—BRAG offered the perfect combination of adventure, challenge, and southern hospitality.
The Moment Everything Changed
Midway through that 2024 ride, Daniel met some folks from Tennessee tenting nearby. They hit it off immediately, bonding over what Daniel diplomatically calls “cycling oil”—their shared appreciation for post-ride beverages and good times. “We’ve been cycling different events together ever since,” he says.
That chance encounter became the foundation of what would become Team Fins, a group united by their love of Jimmy Buffett and fun. By 2025, the family had grown to include Bill, Lynn and Sue from Tennessee, Mike from Florida, John from North Carolina, and Sharon from Utah, whom they “adopted” during the most recent ride.
“Every year we meet and make new friends. The family keeps growing,” Daniel reflects. It’s this network of friendships that has become the most rewarding aspect of his BRAG experience—people who look forward to meeting up again each year, planning new rides together, and sharing stories late into the evening before lights out at 9 PM.
Spring Training in the Sunshine State
Daniel’s preparation for BRAG reflects both his retirement lifestyle and his practical wisdom about cycling. Each year, he and his wife head to Florida from January through March or April for what he calls “Spring Training.” There, he rides the Pinellas Trail and other routes 4-5 times a week, covering 15-30 miles a day.
But for Daniel, it’s not about the mileage. “It’s not the miles that’s important, it’s the saddle time, to get those butt bones in shape.” It’s the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from experience—understanding that comfort in the saddle matters more than impressive distance numbers when you’re facing six consecutive days of 60+ mile rides.
The Pop-Up Tent Advantage
Ask Daniel about his essential BRAG gear, and he’ll tell you about his pop-up instant tent without hesitation. “It sets up in literally 1-2 minutes. When it’s hot, you’re tired and you’re baking in the sun, there’s no better feeling than having your tent set up while others are messing with their poles. Haha.”
It’s the perfect expression of Daniel’s practical approach to BRAG: work smarter, not harder. Pack light (he warns that “your bag seems to get heavy as the week goes on”), get your tent up fast, take a quick shower, and then kick back and relax before dinner. Save your energy for what really matters—exploring the local restaurants and pubs, enjoying the nightly entertainment, and gathering back at the tents to share stories of the day.
A Typical BRAG Day, Koenig-Style
Daniel’s BRAG routine has evolved into a well-oiled machine. “Tent and gear packed at the crack of dawn. Coffee to get the blood circulating. And starting my ride when the horn blows.” His pace strategy is strategic: “The pace starts easy but as the week goes, tend to ride faster so I can enjoy the stops and what the towns have to offer.”
This approach reflects a mature understanding of week-long cycling events—it’s not a race, but neither is it a leisurely tour if you want time to actually experience the host towns. By riding efficiently, Daniel ensures he has time to check out what each community offers, from restaurants to local attractions.
His evenings follow a pleasant rhythm: shower, relax, explore the town’s dining scene, gather with the growing group of friends, share the day’s stories, and into the tent by 9 PM to rest up for tomorrow’s adventure. It’s a sustainable routine that allows him to enjoy every aspect of BRAG without burning out.
Discovering Georgia’s Variety
Coming from northern Michigan and living in South Carolina, Daniel has developed an appreciation for Georgia’s diverse landscape and rich history. “Georgia has so much to offer and a huge variety of scenery. The southern towns have so much history!”
On the rest day during the 2025 ride, he and friends hiked to Amicalola Falls at the start of the Appalachian Trail—proof that even on days off the bike, the BRAG experience offers opportunities for exploration and adventure.
Statesboro stands out as a favorite small town stop. Home to Georgia Southern University, the campus cafeteria impressed the group, and they headed to the edge of campus for “some night time fun”—the kind of spontaneous evening entertainment that makes each BRAG unique.
The BRAG Effect
BRAG has had a tangible impact on Daniel’s year-round fitness and lifestyle. “BRAG has put me back on my bike more in the late winter/early spring so I’m definitely in better all around shape throughout the year,” he notes. What started as preparation for one event has become a sustainable fitness routine that keeps him active and engaged.
But the real transformation has been social. The network of friends he’s built through BRAG has expanded his cycling calendar far beyond one week in Georgia. Team Fins now rides together at different events throughout the year, turning what could have been fleeting connections into lasting friendships.
Why He Keeps Coming Back to BRAG
When asked what keeps bringing him back to BRAG year after year, Daniel’s answer is comprehensive: “The organization, the staff and volunteers, the format and nightly entertainment and foremost, the picturesque routes and towns that are selected each year.”
His advice to newcomers is enthusiastic and unequivocal: “Absolutely do it! The middle of the week has a rest day, so you get to sleep in if you want and just be lazy. The SAG stops are the best! And the overall organization is phenomenal.”
For anyone on the fence, he adds: “If you’ve never ridden BRAG, you seriously have to check it out. You will not be disappointed.”
On the Road Again
If BRAG had a theme song, Daniel’s choice would be Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again”—perfect for someone who’s turned cycling into a lifestyle of adventure and connection. And his definition of a real BRAGger? “When you get your own team jersey.”
Team Fins, with their shared love of Jimmy Buffett and good times, embodies what makes BRAG special. They’re not the fastest riders or the most experienced cyclists. They’re just people who found each other through a shared love of cycling, who bonded over “cycling oil” and tent-side stories, and who make each year’s BRAG something to look forward to.
While his wife questions the appeal of tent camping and multi-day rides, Daniel has found something precious: a community that gets it, routes that showcase Georgia’s beauty and history, an organization that runs like clockwork, and friendships that extend far beyond one week in late spring.
His pop-up tent goes up in two minutes flat. His Team Fins jersey marks him as part of the family. And each year, when Willie Nelson’s voice echoes the sentiment in his heart, Daniel Koenig is back on the road again, ready for another week of Georgia adventure, another round of “cycling oil” with friends old and new, and another chapter in his growing BRAG story.
Because at the end of the day, as Daniel knows well, it’s not about explaining to those who don’t get it—it’s about celebrating with those who do.
