Registration is underway for the Covington Century Ride, which is expected to bring upwards of 1,000 participants to town on Aug. 3. The ride, sponsored by The Southern Bicycle League, will benefit both Newton Trails and Pound Puppies ’N Kittens and Hometown Rescue.

The bike ride will both start and finish at the Newton Conference Center at Georgia Piedmont Technical College. The venue will open at 6 a.m., with free coffee and doughnuts available prior to the ride. A mass start begins at 7 a.m., accompanied by a police escort, that will ride through Oxford.

Several routes of different distances will be available for riders of all levels, including 13-, 38-, 67- and 100-mile options. The scenic routes take participants through the countryside of Covington, Oxford, Jersey, Rutledge, Social Circle, Mansfield, and Newborn.

Along the routes will be several rest stops with volunteers, snacks and water to refuel, as well as bike mechanics should they be needed.

Following the ride, a Trails and Tails Expo will take place at Georgia Piedmont, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting throughout the day. Proceeds of the ride goes to Trails and Tails, which in turn benefits both Newton Trails and Pound Puppies ’N Kittens and Hometown Rescue.

The expo will feature music by guitarist Chris Cates from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; drawings for bikes and door prizes; and a “Beach Party” on the lawn.

Food from local restaurant Just Dogs will includes brats, portabella mushroom and Black Angus burgers, and
broccoli salad — all included with the price of registration. For an additional $5 per person, smoothies and a meal upgrade to lobster rolls will be available.

The price to pre-register is $35 for members of the Southern Bicycle League and $45 for non-members; participants can pre-register online. Registration the day of the event is cost $50. Also available online is a professional-grade Covington Century jersey for $60.

“For those who want to volunteer, all are welcome and can find information about how to do so on the website,” said Charlotte Kuehn, a ride director for the Southern Bicycle League.

The website for the Covington Century Ride is covingtoncentury.com. Check the website in advance for route details.