Well-known Blount County cyclist dies of COVID-19

George Long, an award-winning Blount County cyclist known for his can-do attitude and spunky spirit, died from complications related to COVID-19 on Dec. 5.
Long, more commonly addressed by his nickname “Rat,” was well known in Blount County, being familiar to anyone who was into street rods and dragsters. For years, he owned Rat’s Glass, where he built collectible car bodies that were shipped all over the world.
Long’s love for unique cars was matched by another hobby: cycling, which he started in 2002 at the age of 62.
Tim Patterson was with him on his first bike ride.
“It was really funny because I’m 6’4” and my wife is 6 foot tall, … and Rat was so small, and he was behind us and drafting on us and I didn’t even know he was there. I couldn’t see him,” Patterson said. “He was literally like an inch off our back heels, and I couldn’t even see him, but he stayed with us all the way down River Road.”

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