Can anyone familiar with riding in the Atlanta area help me out?
I’m driving from Michigan to Florida enroute to the Bahamas next week Thursday. The driving part sucks, but the good thing is I can take my bike. Not wanting to drive straight through (23 hrs.) I’m thinking Atlanta will be the 1/2 way stop. Perfect time to squeeze in a 2-3 hr. ride. (it’s been a long Michigan winter!!) My plan is to leave REAL early and either get in with enough time to ride 2-3 hrs. -or- have my wife drop me off somewhere 50-60 miles out and I’ll ride in.
Can anyone suggest a good ride that would fit? 2-3 hrs. We’ll be heading down I-75 and staying at any motel on the x-way. Is there a rideable road that parallels the freeway or a route out from I-75 that is not too busy with traffic??
why not stop short of Atlanta and go to Dalhonega instead. Wife can shop the small gold rush town stores while you head out for a ride in the Georgia Gaps. If you like to climb, this is the place to go close to Atlanta.
Rick, if you want some good climbing go about 1.5 to 2 hours north east of Atlanta to Helen or Dahlonega. Check this website for the annual 6 gap century:
This will give you the route for the 6 gap century. The 2004 Tour de Georgia course will take you over Neels, WolfPen, and Woodys Gap and on April 24 the route goes from Athens to the top of Brasstown Bald after going up Hogpen Gap! Hogpen is a 7 mile climb with 13% grade. (web site says 17% but my sky mount says 13%) Also, Brasstown Bald is short but ugly. Friend of mine went up and said one section was so steep he felt that his front wheel coming off the ground! (Lance and the Posties will be doing the 2004 Tour de Georgia.)
As gearing goes you only need something for Hopen. I use a 12-25. A 12-27 would be better for spinning. The other gaps a 12-23 is all you need.
As far as the silver comet trail; it is pancake flat and very very crowded on the weekends especially at the trail head in Cobb county.
Don’t do Hogpen unless you are a major stud or looking for bragging rights. I had a 30/27 on there last year and I just about died. Unbelievable climb.