The Tour de Georgia has gained a reputation as one of the best bicycle races in the world and is being called the greatest gathering of professional road bikers ever held in North America.

Beginning in Augusta, Ga., on April 19, the race climaxes at Brasstown Bald — a stone’s throw across the WNC border — on Saturday, April 23, before shooting back down the mountains to finsih in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta on Sunday, April 24.

There will be 16 teams comprised of eight riders each, representing more than 20 countries. The race covers more than 500 miles and 50,000 feet of cummulative elevation gain over five days.