Introductions - (late) Introduction from Lawrenceville, GA

Well, I've been on the board a bit for a little while. I just moved to Lawrenceville, GA, in Gwinnett County, from Orange County California. Quite a change - thanks to all who helped with the winter clothes shopping.

I recently got back into ridding with a Trek 1000. As a teenager I did a bit of Velo racing at CSUDH.

I'm still in suburbia, but I'm thinking Gwinett County must have some long roads like this:

country road (http://flickr.com/photos/neubie/53307986/)

Anyone know where to find them? I'm lookng for 25 to 100 mile rides with little auto traffic. Farm land has got to be around here somewhere. I'm willing to drive a little to get there, but I don't want to drive 2 hours to ride.

Thanks!

Brad

I'm from the other side of Atlanta. I know of several rides that have very little auto traffic south of the city around South Fulton, Peachtree city, Coweta county, but I am not very familiar with rides in the Lawrenceville area. You may check with the Southern Bicycle Leage website where they list many local Atlanta area rides. There are also several maps listed.

Brad, welcome to BF and Georgia.



I just moved to Lawrenceville, GA, in Gwinnett County, from Orange County California. Quite a change
That's an understatement!!
You know that Atlanta was recently rated by Bicycling magazine as the worst area for cycling for the third year in a row. :crash:

As jabike suggested, check the Southern Bicycle League's website, www.bikesbl.org.
You'll have to register (no big deal) to see the full ride calendar and post questions about riding partners, etc. on their "forums".

MACC (www.maccattack.com) does a long ride every week. You just missed their "Circle of Death" ride last Sunday. :eek:

The past president of SBL will be leading a ride from Rutledge to Madison on March 26. Most of the ride is on country roads.

Pick up a copy of Free Wheelin', the SBL monthly magazine, at a local bike shop. It has all the rides for the month listed, plus ride leader's name, phone, email, ride distance, etc.

Visit some of the bike shops in Gwinnett (www.cycleworksinc.com, www.atlantacycling.com, etc.) to meet up with Saturday and Sunday rides.

Are you a bike commuter? There are several bike commuters in Gwinnett. One of the BF members commutes year round from Grayson to his work, near I-85 and Pleasant Hill Rd.

You know that Atlanta was recently rated by Bicycling magazine as the worst area for cycling for the third year in a row.
I did not know that, but I'm not terribly suprised. No bike lanes, no sidewalks, very narrow streets. However, on my daily ride I've found most people to be very friendly. There is no shoulder on my ride so I must take up part of the lane, very little though. People could drive by normally if they wanted to, but about 2/3 of people instead go out of there way to drive halfway in the other lane if they can. A few people have even waved as they drove by. I see some promising stuff happening, the ride to the capital, the Silver Comet Trail. This weekend I'm signing up for my 'Share the Road' plate.



As jabike suggested, check the Southern Bicycle League's website
Thanks for the links! I think I'm going to check out the Arabia-Davidson Nature Preserve. SBL has a few maps with loops in and around there.



Are you a bike commuter?
I've got some serious respect for the East Coast commuters. It's cold out there! I'm a computer programmer, working for a company in Southern California. My commute is just from the bedroom to the basement.

I did not know that, but I'm not terribly suprised. No bike lanes, no sidewalks, very narrow streets. However, on my daily ride I've found most people to be very friendly. There is no shoulder on my ride so I must take up part of the lane, very little though. People could drive by normally if they wanted to, but about 2/3 of people instead go out of there way to drive halfway in the other lane if they can.
Great to hear you're getting some respect from motorists.
I work for the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (http://www.atlantabike.org) and we have a grant (third year) from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to get the "Share the Road" message out there.
If you'd like some bumper stickers
http://www.atlantabike.org/images/bumper-sticker.JPG
or any of the other Share the Road items on our website (click on "Motorist-Cyclist Safety" on the left of our homepage), they're all free. We even pay the postage. Just send me an email with your mailing address.



Thanks for the links! I think I'm going to check out the Arabia-Davidson Nature Preserve. SBL has a few maps with loops in and around there.
I forgot to mention another good bike shop out your way, The Bicycle Wheel (www.thebicyclewheel.net).

The Arabia Mountain trail is only about 4 miles long. :(


Send me a PM or email if you want more info on anything.