Did you hear?… Rock Creek Outfitters garnered some nifty exposure with Tour de Georgia sponsorship participation

Rock Creek Outfitters, a Chattanooga, Tenn.-based, outdoor specialty store sponsored two King of the Mountain Climbs during the annual 2006 Ford Tour de Georgia that was held from April 18-22. The Tour de Georgia is recognized as North America’s premier cycling event and rolling festival with the six-day, six-stage event attracting many of the best international and national cyclists and cycling teams. The event also showcases some of the unique towns and terrain in Georgia and Chattanooga Tennessee. Dawson Wheeler, owner of Rock Creek (and an avid cyclist), jumped on board as a sponsor for two of the King of the Mountain (KOM) stages.

Stage Four of the Tour de Georgia featured a 118.9 mile stretch from Dalton to Dahlonega that took place on April 21. Rock Creek Outfitters and RockCreek.com sponsored Stage Four’s first KOM climb to the top of Fort Mountain, a 2,875-foot (876 m) mountain. The KOM finish line is located 23.8 miles into Stage Four and is a Category 2 climb. See photo to the right of the $1,500 KOM winner’s check presentation to that stage’s winner.

The second KOM climb sponsored by Rock Creek Outfitters and RockCreek.com was on April 22 during Stage Five of the Tour de Georgia. Stage Five featured a 94.5 mile stretch from Blairsville to an epic finish atop Brasstown Bald. The KOM shared the finish line with Stage Five — a Category 1 climb up Brasstown Bald, the highest peak in Georgia that has been compared to Alpe d’Huez of the Tour de France. The first cyclist to cross the finish line was awarded $1,500 from Rock/Creek Outfitters. It was an exciting day for cycling enthusiasts.