Going to Georiga next weekend and thinking of riding the brasstown bald any advice? or group rides?
Advice? Don’t ride your tri bike! That’s what I did the first time and while I made it up without stopping, it was hell on earth. If you have compact that will make things easier, if you don’t then run the biggest gear on the back you comfortably can. If you can give Vander Velde a run for his money then by all mean ignore my above advice. Otherwise go big in back, little up front. Think Jennifer Lopez, but on 2 wheels.
I rode it a few years ago w/ a buddy. We just parked at the bottom, got the bikes out rolled around for a minute at the bottom and went up. Agree with other post about low gearing. I rode it with a std 53/39 and 12-25 and the steepest ramps were HARD…can you say 20 rpm. We rode it in spring, and there was sand on the wet road, so tire slippage was an issue. We never saw the view from the top as it was foggy - hopefully the weather is better for you. Take it easy on the downhill - uphill traffic and curves (and sand on the road) were a little scary.
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it’s a great climb, especially if you park at Turner’s corner (base of Neal’s gap), then do Neal’s, Jack’s, and THEN Brasstown–good warmup. Then hit Wolfpen and Woody for the return trip 
If you’re feeling super-studly, you could come back down from Brasstown, make a right, then make a left and go up the backside of Hogpen (that’s just ridiculous, but fun!!).
As for Brasstown itself, several notes from my trek up:
-like someone else said, bring at least 25 on the back unless you are DAMN strong.
-there are sections, like the wall, where your front wheel will come off the ground if you pull on the hoods too hard. not fun!
-unfortunately you won’t be able to get all the way to the “top”–you make it up to this big parking lot that sits 400 yards from the very top, and from there you can only go by foot or bus up to the very top. This may have changed, though.
-honestly, coming back down was almost as hard as going up. it’s wicked scary. you go from a dead stop to 20mph in about 30 feet, so you’ll be RIDING the brakes the entire way down-- make sure you have good pads! a spectator at the TdG died 2 or 3 years ago descending BB–nailed the rock wall after missing a turn. Car traffic may have played a part, but still, stopping isn’t really an option once you get going.
-I was in Athens, so I don’t know of any group rides out in that area. Athens has some great group rides and is home to the Jittery Joe’s team (and I think one other pro/semi-pro team), and has dozens of pro/1/2 guys and gals who call it home (I think Tina Pic–now Pic Mayola–still trains there). Just call one of the 3 bikeshops in town and they can give you the info on group rides.
-For a fun time in the mountains, you could ride the 6-Gap century course–there should be some maps online. It’s a fun ride, but tough to do without SAG support b/c you don’t hit a gas station until mile 85 or 90 in Suches. 6-Gap does not include Brasstown, but you could always throw it in
Have fun–I miss the north GA mountains.
It has been said, but bring your ROAD bike. Also, do the other, long climbs (like Hogpen) as they are great to get into a climbing groove for 6 miles. I highly recommend a compact crank. I was at the Tour de Georgia this year and many pros need help getting up the “wall” part of Brasstown (of course this is after 100 miles of riding!).
And just to reiterate: be careful coming down Brasstown! Definitely make sure your bike is in pristine working order (shifting, brakes, tires) before riding in them thar “hills”
Thanks, I definitely going to bring my road bike. After reading yall post I’m pumped and going to plan out my route. I like the idea of starting at Turner’s and hitting a couple different spots. Was thinking about getting in about 40-50. Is there less traffic on a weekday? Trying to decide if I want to ride Sunday or Monday.
Man, I rode to the top of the climb that gets you to the *start *of Brass Town Bald and I honestly couldn’t believe it. It was amazing to see.
I took one look and turned around.
You can park at Turner’s Corner as was already posted, in Helen, or Dahlonega.
Hogpen and Brasstown are tough climbs. Personally I use a compact crank with a 11/27 for them. There are numerous great rides in the area. The Six Gap Century and the Brasstown Bald Buster Century have maps available online of the route. Most folks do the 3 gap ride for their first time.
We’ve gone to Brasstown a few years now during the Tour de Georgia, and will go back as many times as possible. I’ve been up on both a tri-bike and road bike, and it doesn’t make a huge difference. That is to say its an all out battle with your bike regardless of weight. A 27, however, is a near must have for riding in that part of Georgia unless you have a compact crank. With 53-39 and a 27, you can definitely get by even if your dragging your aero-bars to the top of every climb.
The suggestion to Google Six-Gap Century is a great idea. We did it this year starting in Dahlonega, and added Brasstown which is technically not part of the Six-Gap (and for good reason). This made for a very tough day given it falls about 45 miles into the ride with Hogpen and Wolfpen still to come.
If time is limited, you can follow the 3-Gap 50 and do Brasstown after Jack’s Gap. This is actually a more enjoyable day. If you do the Six be sure to load up on water, etc. before heading to Brasstown. There is quite a stretch with little or no options for refueling.
All the good things you hear are true. Have fun, and be very careful coming down BTB. I was trying to ride slowly on the descent next to a friend who was walking back to the car. My hands cramped less than halfway down. I told him if my brake cable snapped to push me over, so I wouldn’t die.
Good point on taking it easy going down Brasstown (and all of the other climbs). Numerous motorcycle riders and cyclists have been killed on the descents.