2024 TNGA Support
15th Annual - Trans North Georgia Adventure (TNGA)
Grand Depart saturday august 19, 2023
The TNGA is a 350 mile mountain bike route through the mountains of North GA on trails, forest roads and paved roads featuring challenging terrain, beautiful scenery and over 56,000 feet of climbing. Mulberry Gap is the main support system used by riders participating in the event.
Keep track of updates on the TNGA Facebook page or email Jeff Williams (Race Director) tngarace@gmail.com.
We guarantee that all costs are normal charges and in some cases discounted for TNGA riders. We do not increase our prices in any way because of this event.
Details
*Due to the increase in food, Fuel, and Hotel Costs, you’ll see slightly higher prices this year. We’ve worked hard to keep that to the bare minimum, though!*
Shuttling to the Start? Riders need to arrive at Mulberry Gap no later than 2 hours prior to the departure of the shuttle to Clayton. We will depart Mulberry Gap as a group at 1:00 pm sharp to head towards Clayton, GA. We need you here two hours early for proper check-in, loading of your bike, and to cover important details with you.
Back to a single day Grand Depart! After two years with multiple start dates we’ll be back to a single Saturday morning Grand Depart! (though folks are still welcome to register for the event as and I.T.T., Mulberry Gap will only be shuttling for the Saturday Grand Depart, however.
1:00pm Shuttle on Friday, August 16th (for the Saturday morning Grand Depart)
If you're late, you'll have to find another way to the hotel. Arriving the night before and booking a campsite, private cabin, or shared cabin is preferable to avoid last-minute delays or accidents which might hinder you from being on the shuttle as planned. Your vehicle can remain secure at Mulberry Gap. We will keep your keys in the office for safekeeping. Cost $25 flat fee to park for up to 10 days.
We will have pre-arranged transportation to shuttle you, your bike, and gear to Clayton, GA which is about 30 minutes from the start of the race. The time from Mulberry Gap to the hotel is approximately 2.5 hours. There will be an option to have dinner together as a group and you'll have a chance to purchase last-minute groceries for your trip once we're in Clayton.
We have rented a block of hotel rooms to increase the comfort and sleep quality for participants. We have two room choices, private or shared. Shared rooms will have two queen size beds. Private rooms will have a single queen or king bed. All rooms are non-smoking.
To the best of our ability, we will separate snorers from non-snorers. Space is limited and you must register ahead of time. The hotels come with free continental breakfast, however, there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance if you would prefer to go out to eat.
You are responsible for walking or riding to the restaurant of your choice. You and your bike must be loaded and ready to roll out of the hotel parking lot no later than 6:45 am. The shuttle drivers will spend the night at the hotel with you and get you to the start on Saturday morning. All of those vehicles will come back to Mulberry Gap on the same day. You may send back any excess gear or clothing that you do not wish to take with you on the ride.
Any bag(s) returning to Mulberry Gap should be clearly labeled with your first and last name. This will ease the process of staff locating your bag and bringing it on the shuttle to the finish line or drop out point for your use and comfort. While we will do our very best, we cannot guarantee that your bag will be with us upon your pick up.
TNGA FAQ's
+ How do I get to the start of the race?
If you have reserved a shuttle space, you'll need to arrive at Mulberry Gap no later than 1:00pm on the day prior to your start. We'll depart as one group and head towards Clayton, GA, about 2.5 hours away. We have reserved a block of rooms for everyone. You'll need to sign up for both services ahead of time.
Shuttle cost to the start is $85.00 per person.
Hotel cost is $95.00 per person for a shared space or $140.00 for a private space.
+ How do I get picked up?
This service should be reserved in advance through our registration to avoid confusion on our end as to whether or not we are responsible for you. If you're unsure at the time of support sign up, we ask that you notify us 7 days out. Should your plans change while you're on the route, please give us as much notice as possible.
- Pre-booking shuttles for start/finish (or drop out) = $170.00.
- Shuttle to the start only = $85.00.
- Shuttle for pick up only = $110.00.
+ What is the pick up schedule?
Shuttle pick up at the finish will be on a roughly 8 hour rotation after the leader rolls through. We will end the 6-8 hour rotation once it no longer makes sense for us to burn up the highway. If you are towards the back of the pack, we will try our best to pick you up as close to your finishing time as possible, however, we cannot guarantee that your finish time matches our available pick up time based on driver availability.
FINISH: Please give us a call when you are 3 hours out from your estimated finish time.
DROP OUT POINT: Should you choose to drop out of the event, please give us a call and inform a staff member of your whereabouts so we can determine the best pick up time and location for you. Your wait time for the shuttle will depend on distance and accessibility from Mulberry Gap along with staff availability.
+ How do I sign up for support?
Click the "Support Sign Up" button below this FAQ!
+ Can I sign up for myself & another rider?
No, one registration per rider, please.
+ What are my options once I return to Mulberry Gap?
Once you've arrived back at Mulberry Gap - there is no need to rush home unless responsibilities are calling. Grab a cabin or campsite and get some rest. Hang out and chat about your experience with other participants and watch other riders come through in a daze. The experience and journey of this ride can be found everywhere. The community and friendship that comes along with this route are unlike most things you'll experience and we encourage you to enjoy it from start to finish!
+ If I need to come by Mulberry Gap in route, what can I expect and what will charges be?
Mulberry Gap is located ~0.4 miles off course, right past the entrance to Pinhoti 3. We are near mile 212 at coordinate (34.798139,-84.6118793). We are the only full service facility along the route, therefore, you can take advantage of any of the services we normally provide which are listed below.
COSTS
- A place to sleep during the ride – you may camp or rent a sleeping cabin with AC/Heater, linens, robes, towels for the shower & hot tub if you're slow jamming this thing.
- Private Cabin with all linens - Cost: $60.00/person
- A Bed in the Shared Bunkhouse (men's and women's bunks available) with all linens - Cost: $35.00/person
- Tent or Hammock site - Cost: $10.00/person
- A Cot in the Open Area - Cost: $10.00/person
- Wash Clothes – We'll wash/dry your gear while you rest, sleep, eat, and relax - Cost: $10.00/load
- Shower - Towel and hygiene products provided - Cost: $10.00/person (included if you rent a cabin or campsite)
- Bike Maintenance - Cost: Varies (we are not a full service bike shop but we'll help as much as we can)
- Restock – we carry nutrition products, fresh fruit, nutritional shakes, chamois butter, first aid materials, bike tubes, brake pads, lube, batteries, hygiene products, batteries, etc. - Cost: Varies
- Food (to-go) – we can prepare wraps, fruit, sweet goodies, etc for your ride. Cost: Varies
- Hot, fresh, and nutritious meals – we will have a number of options available - Cost: Varies
- BEER! Cold, refreshing beer will be chilling in our beer fridge upon your arrival - Cost: Varies
FREE
- Sofas to relax and rest
- Water filling station
- Wash your bike
- Recharge phone, batteries, navigation
- Access to landline + Wi-Fi to connect with family and friends
- A hug, warm smile, friendly volunteers, encouragement and enthusiastic support
+ How does it work if I come through during the night?
We will have staff available 24/7 for as long as it makes sense for us to do so; depending on need and our estimation of your arrival time. We try to be available to everyone who comes through but this availability is based on the number of volunteers we have onsite and the amount of sleeps we've been able to accomplish. While we're not riding our bikes during the event, we're near the same level of exhaustion.
+ If my car is parked there during the ride, am I allowed to retrieve supplies from it??
NO!
Mulberry Gap will not be policing activities but please follow all rules of the ride so as not to risk disqualification. If clarification is needed, contact the race director, Jeff Williams at tngarace@gmail.com. He will be addressing this issue in the official rule book.
+ If I leave my car parked at Mulberry Gap, is it possible to meet me at the finish with my vehicle?
Unfortunately, we can no longer offer this option. As the race has continued to grow, our staff and resources are stretched too thin and coordinating this service with our new shuttle schedule will be too difficult.
For your safety, be sure to consider how tired you will be at the end and make arrangements to rest somewhere before driving any distance.
+ Do I need to make a reservation if I want to stay at Mulberry Gap to rest before driving home?
Not necessarily. We would like to know of your intention to do so, however, we realize that circumstances surrounding this ride are unpredictable and we are flexible during this event. If there is space we'll happily get you a space.
+ Can my family stay at Mulberry Gap during the ride?
Yes! We welcome anyone who wants to stay and ask that they make a reservation to do so in advance (cabin or camping).
Remember, the rules of self-support are in place – they are not allowed to assist you in any way if/when you come through the property! Know the rules in advance so there is no violation. Family and friends will be charged our normal rates. Discounted rates only apply to racers.
Blogs & Write Ups
Bikepacking.com - 2021 BIKEPACKING AWARDS: FILM, PHOTOGRAPHY, WRITING, AND ART - T.J. Kearns and our own Kate Gates recognized in the Best Event Documentation Category!
Bikepacking.com - Route Overview
Eddie O'Dea - Record Holder / Race Report
Joel Watson - Race Report
Lisa Randall - Race Report
Michael Kurelja - Race Report
Images
