Picture this: It’s the early 1990s, and two brothers are tackling their first BRAG ride from Rome to Columbus—or was it Albany? One brother cruises on a sleek Trek road bike while the other pedals furiously on a Giant Iguana mountain bike with huge knobby tires, desperately trying to catch up at each rest stop, only to find his brother ready to roll again. They even stopped at a Shoney’s for lunch that first day. “That’s all I have to say about that,” Ron Ward recalls with a laugh.
Fast forward to 2025, and that determined rider on the mountain bike is now BRAG’s new Domestic Ride Director. If you were on the 2024 Atlanta to Savannah route, you might have seen Ron working behind the scenes on logistics—but now he’s stepping into a leadership role to help create the BRAG experiences we all love. We sat down with Ron to learn more about the person who’ll be helping guide our Georgia adventures in the years ahead.
Getting to Know Your New Ride Director
When Ron isn’t planning BRAG routes or scouting Georgia’s back roads, you’ll find him at his home forge in Columbus, Georgia, where he works as a blacksmith creating custom hardware and décor items for customers. It’s a fitting profession for someone now helping shape the BRAG experience—both require patience, attention to detail, and the ability to transform raw materials into something special.
Ron’s love for the outdoors extends well beyond cycling. He’s an avid backpacker and camper who seeks out “anything outdoors with family and friends.” This deep appreciation for outdoor adventure and community connection is exactly what he’s bringing to his new role with BRAG.
Hooked on Long-Distance Cycling
That early BRAG experience with his brother did exactly what BRAG does best—it got them hooked on long-distance cycling. Though much of Ron’s cycling journey has taken place outside of organized BRAG rides, the spirit of adventure and exploration has remained constant. He’s gone bikepacking in Pine Mountain, Georgia, tackled supported gravel rides through eastern Georgia, and makes it a tradition to bring his bike on family vacations to the Florida Coast for long rides.
The Georgia coast is one of the most beautiful places in America!
RON WARD
Ron’s year-round routine keeps him ready for anything: frequent 20-30 mile loops on Sunday afternoons along dedicated paths and roads around Columbus. It’s a sustainable approach that reflects his philosophy: “Ride as often as you can for as long as you can.”
From Logistics Volunteer to Ride Director
Many of you have already crossed paths with Ron during the 2024 Atlanta to Savannah route, where he helped with logistics and got an inside look at what makes BRAG run smoothly. That’s where he connected with BRAG Executive Director Franklin and the team—and fell even more deeply in love with the BRAG community.
“As part of the Big BRAG staff in 2024, I’d say the beautiful and welcoming campuses in Oxford, Swainsboro, and Statesboro, GA were the most memorable experiences,” he reflects. “I love that cycling community!”
That love for our community, combined with his decades of cycling experience across Georgia and beyond, made him the perfect choice for BRAG’s Domestic Ride Director. Now he’s bringing both his rider’s perspective and his behind-the-scenes knowledge to help design routes and create those memorable experiences that keep us all coming back.
What Ron Brings to the Role
When we asked Ron to describe a typical BRAG day in his new role, his answer perfectly captures the energy he’s bringing: “Well, as your new Ride Director let’s just say that every day begins with coffee and a positive attitude!”
That positive attitude, combined with deep respect for what makes BRAG special, is exactly what the community needs in a Ride Director. As a Deadhead who considers “Scarlet Begonias => Fire on the Mountain” the natural choice for BRAG’s theme song, Ron brings a laid-back yet passionate approach to his work. His appreciation for “the spirit of community among cycling diehards and beginners alike” drives his commitment to making BRAG accessible and welcoming to everyone.
“Cycling is open to all ages and skill levels, and not just for supported group rides,” he emphasizes. “Getting out on the roadway and trail alone can be just what the mind and body needs!” This philosophy of inclusivity and personal journey will guide his approach to route planning and ride support.
Hard-Won Wisdom
Ron’s years of cycling experience—from those early BRAG days on a mountain bike to bikepacking adventures and long Florida coast rides—have taught him valuable lessons he’s eager to share with newcomers.
His number one piece of advice? “Make sure you have a professionally fitted bike, then ride it as much as you can for as long as you can.” A proper bike fit, he insists, is the foundation of enjoyable cycling. After that, consistency matters more than intensity.
Safety remains paramount in Ron’s book. When asked about essential gear, his answer is immediate: “Helmet. Safety First!” And his rookie mistake warning comes from experience: “Don’t follow too closely unless you are confident and know the riders around you are too!”
There’s also the insider knowledge that marks a true BRAGger. Complete the sentence “You know you’re a real BRAGger when…” and Ron’s response is simple: “Gulping pickle juice. IYKYK.” (If you know, you know—and if you don’t, you’ll understand after your first BRAG.)
Ron’s Vision for BRAG’s Future
Through his various cycling adventures across Georgia—from bikepacking in Pine Mountain to gravel rides through the eastern part of the state, plus his tradition of bringing his bike on family vacations to Florida’s Gulf Coast—Ron has developed a keen eye for what makes a great route. “The Georgia coast is one of the most beautiful places in America!” he declares, and that firsthand knowledge of our state’s diverse landscapes will serve him well in his new role.
He’s particularly excited about the 2026 BRAG Winter Ride Lux through the Golden Isles—an event he’ll now help bring to life. His understanding of what makes a memorable cycling experience, combined with his appreciation for both challenging routes and welcoming communities, positions him perfectly to help design rides that showcase the best of Georgia while creating those magical BRAG moments we all treasure.
This firsthand knowledge as both a longtime rider and recent volunteer means Ron understands what works from every angle—he knows what riders need, what makes a great host town, and how to balance challenge with accessibility.
Welcome to the BRAG Family, Ron!
From struggling to keep up with his brother on knobby tires in the early ’90s to now helping lead the team that creates BRAG experiences for all of us, Ron Ward’s journey embodies the transformative power of cycling and community. His path from participant to volunteer to Ride Director demonstrates how BRAG creates opportunities for deeper involvement and how the connections made on Georgia roads can shape entire paths forward.
As Ron settles into his new role, he brings the perspective of someone who has experienced BRAG from multiple angles—as a wide-eyed first-timer on a mountain bike, as a seasoned cyclist exploring Georgia’s trails and roads, and as a behind-the-scenes volunteer witnessing the careful planning that makes the magic happen. Now, armed with his coffee and positive attitude, he’s ready to help write the next chapter of BRAG history alongside all of us.
For Ron, it all comes back to that spirit of community—the same welcoming atmosphere that hooked him and his brother decades ago, the same inclusive energy that makes room for everyone from cycling diehards to nervous beginners, and the same Georgia charm that turns a week of riding into memories that last a lifetime.
So when you see Ron on the road, at a rest stop, or working behind the scenes on your next BRAG adventure, be sure to say hello and welcome him to his new role. And who knows? Maybe share some pickle juice together—because as Ron Ward would say, “IYKYK.”
Welcome to the team, Ron. We can’t wait to see where you take us next!
