Southeast - Atlanta/Decatur needs a LONG "What's Up" thread too!

hey guys need info on wheel building here in the Atlanta area. anyone have experience with local shops and wheel building/truing/tuneup? want a good recommendation. last shop I was in did not do a great job of building the wheel and I'd like to know if anyone has personal experience with their LBS and wheel building/truing here in the Atlanta area?
bg, you know I'm gonna have to recommend Intown Bicycles. Mike (the owner) and Rob are both excellent wheelbuilders. A few years ago I would have recommended Bicycle South but the two mechanics that were good are no longer there. Josh was one of those mechanics. Last I heard he was at Peachtree Bikes. He used to be a regular here but I haven't seen him post on BF in a while.
Good luck.

bg, you know I'm gonna have to recommend Intown Bicycles. Mike (the owner) and Rob are both excellent wheelbuilders. A few years ago I would have recommended Bicycle South but the two mechanics that were good are no longer there. Josh was one of those mechanics. Last I heard he was at Peachtree Bikes. He used to be a regular here but I haven't seen him post on BF in a while.
Good luck.

thanks, Ron.

will check in next time with intown bikes. had to bite the bullet and ducked into Tucker Bikeways (pretty close to home for me). they did an excellent job of pulling my badly out of true wheels back into shape. Even got the concentric wobble fixed too. bad setup by original wheel builder at BS. sorry guys that was not a good job. I really should have taken it back but after 2 week turnaround for the wheels I could not wait again... Tucker Bikeways had them done in 30 minutes. I was pleased and amazed. will likely return unless Intown Bike gets me first.... ;-)

thanks, Ron.

will check in next time with intown bikes. had to bite the bullet and ducked into Tucker Bikeways (pretty close to home for me). they did an excellent job of pulling my badly out of true wheels back into shape. Even got the concentric wobble fixed too.
Awesome. :thumb: Buddy is a good guy. I haven't been to Bikeways in a while. Guess I'll have to stop in to see if they have anything I need/want. :)

is it hot enough yet?

I did my first "almost" 90 degree ride of the season today. Its too early for this kind of weather.
After the rain we're supposed to get on Thursday, the temps will drop back to the 70s. Much nicer. :thumb:

Anyone going to the BRAG Spring Tune Up in Madison this weekend? I'll be there with the rest of Team Occisus Via. Thinking of doing the century on Saturday.

hmmm.... wish I had remembered the brag warm up in Madison. oh well. went out to Silver Comet and did a 40 mile training ride for the upcoming Tour de Cure in Tyrone May 16. was nice but got a very late start on the ride and was a lot hot by the time I finished. how was Madison?

What's up, Atlanta? Has anyone been on that stretch of the Silver Comet past Rockmart with all the hills? There's no way a train went up that stuff. What happened there?

What's up, Atlanta? Has anyone been on that stretch of the Silver Comet past Rockmart with all the hills? There's no way a train went up that stuff. What happened there?

Yeah, that section isn't rails-to-trails -- it's very hilly with some tricky, sharp turns if you're going downhill.

Not too far from there to the west, just over the Alabama line is the prettiest section of the whole Atlanta-to-Anniston trail. The section of the Chief Ladiga Trail from the GA/AL line to Piedmont, AL cuts through the mountains but is flat since it was a rail line -- beautiful scenery.

Hey folks. Another Atlantan. I live about a mile from Chastain Park/Ampitheater and am just toodling around that area right now.

just moved back out here again from the west coast for a job,
living out in snellville for now, eventually will be moving back into the perimeter
look for a masi, and a red mess bag with a skull.
it kinda stands out
http://stupidhurts.org/wp-content/flagallery/sewing/_MG_1401.jpg

Welcome back. Still looking for a job in a bike shop or do you have a "real job"? ;)

working as a photographer, lots of birthdays and weddings.
that count as real?

Yes. :thumb:

Hi all! I am going to be moving to little 5 points in June. I go to midtown alot and am wanting to commute. Do you have any suggested routes??? I would prefer nieghborhood type roads. Also I really like cruiser style/dutch bikes. Is it nieve of me to think I can commute around ATL on one?
Can you tell I'm new to this,lol!

Welcome sunflower. This has been discussed a lot on here. Read all the posts in this thread. A lot of people ride from L5P/east Atl to midtown and have offered route suggestions.
You can also ask the folks at the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition (https://www.atlantabike.org/) for assistance and/or riding buddies who ride the same route.

and ask the nice people at sopo for directions and people to rid with.

Ron,
Just checking in since I'm local. I'm an old guy with an old bike. I ride alone cuz I can't keep up with anyone, but I'm a player none the less.
Al

Also I really like cruiser style/dutch bikes. Is it nieve of me to think I can commute around ATL on one?
Can you tell I'm new to this,lol!

I would go with something lighter and with gears. I commute from East Lake to Buckhead, lots of hills. If you plan to ride only between Little 5 and midtown you may be able to get away with something like a Torker (http://www.torkerusa.com/bikes/commuter-life/2010-t300) but I would recommend a road bike of some sort. I have an old road bike that I've converted to a 7 speed with mustache handle bars. Great for a casual ride or pounding the hills when needed.

Ron,
Just checking in since I'm local. I'm an old guy with an old bike. I ride alone cuz I can't keep up with anyone, but I'm a player none the less.
Al
Glad to hear it. :thumb:
I too am retired (65 years old :beer:) and ride alone most of the time. Not many cyclists live near me who can ride during the day. I usually ride mid-day from my house on the north side of Decatur (kinda between Decatur and Tucker - mostly via the bike path) to Stone Mtn. I do a few laps and ride home. Depending on what day of the week it is I may see lots of riders or very few riders.
Do you ride out to Stone Mtn or is that too far from Doraville? If you're ever out there when I am you'll easily spot me (the tattoos :) ). Say hello if you see me and we'll do a few laps together.

Good to know you. I'm 62 and retired 7 years ago. I don't road ride like you do. I found an industrail park over on Amwiler Rd/Winters Chappel Rd. and I ride there. It's just on the other side of the (RR) track from where I live. I only have half a heart muscle that gives me an EF of 30 at best so I am slowly building my milage up. I'm up to 7.6 miles. I wanted to cycle in my neighborhood ( East of Mechanicsville-the other side of Pleasantdale Road-we call it No-Mans Land because it's between Doraville & Norcorss off of Buford Highway). That didn't work out because of neighbors letting there dogs roam free or people burning yard waste (and their garbage) became a problem. In the Industrail park I can go quite far. There are a lot of Semi's but the drivers are very considerate, and I too of them. It works out really good. I tried riding on Amwiler Rd, but came very close to getting blown off the road from a Newell Recycleing truck. I was so angry I wanted to ride after him but I was so out of breath I couldn't. Lucky him. The people that work over there are getting to know me and now they wave as I pass by. It's rather nice. Always quiet. Way down at the end I catch my breath and I watch the Norfolk Southern trains go by. Even those guys wave. I do zone training to strengthen my heart. I keep detailed records to show my Cardiologist. I have an ICD implant and I'm always mindful of that. But I love to ride. I only wish I could go further, but I anything is better than nothing.

Also I really like cruiser style/dutch bikes. Is it nieve of me to think I can commute around ATL on one?


Wanted to follow up on my earlier post. There are tones of links out there with recommendations for commuter bikes. I think Urban Velo (http://urbanvelo.org/) does a good job of reviewing bikes that have good function and style. Here are a couple of recent posts listing various commuter bikes. Also browse posts for individual bike reviews (http://urbanvelo.org/?s=commuter+bikes).

Internally Geared Commuter Bikes for 2010 (http://urbanvelo.org/internally-geared-commuter-bikes-for-2010/)
Singlespeed Commuter Bikes for 2010 (http://urbanvelo.org/singlespeed-commuter-bikes-for-2010/)

Have fun

Good to know you. I'm 62 and retired 7 years ago. I don't road ride like you do. I found an industrail park over on Amwiler Rd/Winters Chappel Rd. and I ride there. It's just on the other side of the (RR) track from where I live. I only have half a heart muscle that gives me an EF of 30 at best so I am slowly building my milage up. I'm up to 7.6 miles.
7.6 miles is great progress. :beer:



I do zone training to strengthen my heart. I keep detailed records to show my Cardiologist. I have an ICD implant and I'm always mindful of that. But I love to ride. I only wish I could go further, but I anything is better than nothing.
Seems many of us have some sort of heart problem.
Last spring (2009) my wife and I had the Cardiac Calcium Scoring test (http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/cardiac-calcium-scoring). Even though I have never had cholesterol (my cholesterol was always in the 165 range) or BP problems, she wanted me to have the test because my dad had 3 heart attacks but was never overweight.
Her score was zero. The best you can do. :thumb: My score was 1400. :eek: What?? Mr. Cyclist who exercises and eats right has a bad score? Needles to say my primary care doctor was shocked. Now I see a cardiologist every 6 months. He is a "recreational cyclist" and thinks I shouldn't worry. He says to just take the statins he prescribed and keep on riding.

When you get so you're able to ride a little farther, maybe we can meet somewhere and ride. Or join in on a Saturday or Sunday group ride.
Take care and keep riding.

7.6 miles is great progress. :beer:
Now I see a cardiologist every 6 months. He is a "recreational cyclist" and thinks I shouldn't worry. He says to just take the statins he prescribed and keep on riding.

Actually it's good your aware of it, besides you get to talk to a Dr. that at least knows what a bicycle is. I have great Cardiologists at the VA but they don't cycle. I wish.


When you get so you're able to ride a little farther, maybe we can meet somewhere and ride. Or join in on a Saturday or Sunday group ride.

I would really like to do that. Today I did 10.404 miles! I had to stop every mile or so to catch my breath but my stop time was only 2.375 minutes. But with a VO2 Max of 63 today it looks as if this will be possible for me to do. I'm making that my short term goal. Ride with the pack, that would be really great! Thanks.
I did this quote thing so I hope it comes out right.

Hey, I'm new to the ATL area (family just moved from Chicago). Anyone know of any group rides north of the City? Sandy Springs, Duluth, Alpharretta

Mosheva,
Welcome to Atlanta! More than likely Ron knows. Just hang in there and he will pop up. I'm in Doraville but I don't ride with groups so I don't know. Keep checking back ok?

Hey, I'm new to the ATL area (family just moved from Chicago). Anyone know of any group rides north of the City? Sandy Springs, Duluth, Alpharretta
Welcome to Atlanta -- the most bike unfriendly city in the world. :notamused:
Check out the ride calendar on the Southern Bicycle League website. You'll have to register but it's no big deal. They just like to know who is online and how many users they have on the website.
--> www.bikesbl.org

Atlantacycling.com has a list of group rides on their site for those interested

I forgot. These guys also have a good site and ride list.
http://www.atlbike.org/

the other side of Pleasantdale Road-we call it No-Mans Land because it's between Doraville & Norcorss off of Buford Highway).
In the Industrail park I can go quite far.

Retired.... I live over the otherside of the tracks near Embry Hills off Evans Road/Henderson Road. My better half works at Pleasantdale Elementary School. I have a few quiet neighborhood roads over there that I can suggest for you if you are interested. One in particular is Flowers Road/Mercer University Campus. very nice road and very quiet back by the University. Parking area's out back of buildings are all open. It's fairly flat and there is the marsh out there for scenery. probably half a mile - 3/4 mile long for a loop by the marsh and the entire Flowers Road/Mercer Campus loop is probably 2.5-3 miles? I ride over from the house but it's easy to drive in and park. I too started riding just short distances but I don't have your health issues and worked my way up to where I am today. Good for you to get out there and work it. I just rode my age (58 miles) last Saturday. First time I've done that ever. I also bike commute from home to Emory University every day about a 22 mile round trip. Mostly quiet residential streets and an excellent workout going up and down all the hills between here and there. I pass through Ron H's neighborhood on my way through to North Dekalb mall which is about half way to Emory for me.

give me a shout if you want to try some of the streets over my way?

Who is riding in the Atlanta Streets Alive May 23?

Bikegeek,
I just wrote a long responce to your post only to watch it go Pfff into cyberspace.
But isn't Mercer Private Property? I don't want to get my car towed. I'll check it out on Thurs I'll be over that way after I get the fan for my air put in my van.

Bikegeek,
I just wrote a long responce to your post only to watch it go Pfff into cyberspace.
But isn't Mercer Private Property? I don't want to get my car towed. I'll check it out on Thurs I'll be over that way after I get the fan for my air put in my van.

flowers road is wide open. the parking area's out back of buildings are almost always empty when I am there on weekends. I just stay down below Flowers Road by the marsh forget the name of that road. There is no traffic to speak there. Even Flowers Road is lightly traveled. Main campus is above Flowers Road. I have not seen any signs indicating no traffic allowed.

hi local folks,

@ronh suggested i jump in here and say howdy. here's my intro post (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?650241-out-of-shape-in-atlanta) with less details than i originally had because i took too long writing it so the internet ate it.

right now i'm riding around south of EAV. hopefully soon enough i'll be able to zip up to EAV in the early morning hours to grab a coffee. not a big fan of the heat and we're not even there yet...

laura

Hi Laura. What is EAV? East Point Velodrome aka Dick Lane Velodrome?

@ronh

EAV = east atlanta village or roughly moreland x I-20. there seem to be some regular riders up and down bouldercrest. hopefully they'll break in the cars for me. :-)

What's up Atlanta folk :)

I'm looking to get my first road bike, something really low end, just needs to be ridable and not a waste of my money... Anyone have something to get rid of in the <$150 range?

what's up GA. saw the thread figured I rep it too. I'm in columbus.

What's up Atlanta folk :)

I'm looking to get my first road bike, something really low end, just needs to be ridable and not a waste of my money... Anyone have something to get rid of in the <$150 range?
Welcome. :thumb:

You won't find anything in a bike shop for $150. Hybrids generally start around $350+ and road bikes are $650+.
If you know what size frame you ride, thrift shops and craigslist.org are the best places to look.

@ronh

EAV = east atlanta village or roughly moreland x I-20. there seem to be some regular riders up and down bouldercrest. hopefully they'll break in the cars for me. :-)
Wow. That's a scary part of town to ride in. When I worked for the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (now known as the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition) one of the women who worked at ABC lived just off Moreland, a little south of I-20. Seems that close calls were a regular occurrence when riding on Moreland and riding through the Krog Street Tunnel. :eek:
I hope the folks at ABC can help you with the classes and maybe finding a riding buddy. Sometimes there's safety in numbers.

... Seems that close calls were a regular occurrence when riding on Moreland and riding through the Krog Street Tunnel. :eek:
...

That brings up a something that I've been wondering about for years: What's the best way to bike from East Atlanta to Inman Park/L5P? I haven't found a route that I like -- any ideas from people who live in the area?

Welcome. :thumb:

You won't find anything in a bike shop for $150. Hybrids generally start around $350+ and road bikes are $650+.
If you know what size frame you ride, thrift shops and craigslist.org are the best places to look.

Oh I'm definitely not looking to buy something new. 20+ years old is what I'm expecting. I've been combing craigslist, but anything that looks decent is overpriced. Thought someone on here might have something extra in the garage.

Be careful for the grates in that area, my roommate's bike got eaten by one of those.

Wow. That's a scary part of town to ride in. When I worked for the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (now known as the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition) one of the women who worked at ABC lived just off Moreland, a little south of I-20. Seems that close calls were a regular occurrence when riding on Moreland and riding through the Krog Street Tunnel. :eek:
I hope the folks at ABC can help you with the classes and maybe finding a riding buddy. Sometimes there's safety in numbers.

well, moreland is easily avoided. that's certainly my plan when i get that far. i see people riding on it all the time. about half the time they take to the sidewalk.

eventually i'll be using krog st tunnel. riding through seems like a bad idea though. it's so dark in there it's going to be hard for cars to see you coming. seems like a left turn in front of you just waiting to happen. i think it's probably worth it to sidewalk it there, even if you have to dismount and walk it. it's the most convenient way over the railroad tracks for me.

i'm keeping my eye on the abc class schedule for the next city cycling class. a buddy would be nice but i'm slow and i'm sure that's annoying.

That brings up a something that I've been wondering about for years: What's the best way to bike from East Atlanta to Inman Park/L5P? I haven't found a route that I like -- any ideas from people who live in the area?

i'd like to hear what people do as well. the route i am thinking about for one place i'll need to go is: bouldercrest north to flat shoals, left on ormewood, cross moreland, wiggle through that neighborhood heading north to glenwood, left on glenwood, right on glenwood connector, left on memorial, right on next street chester, left on wylie, right through krog tunnel, cross dekalb ave. then right on edgewood. love to hear any critique/better ideas from people that have actually ridden this. :-)

Bikegeek57,
Did I spot you in Henderson Mill (what used to be the High School) parking lot last Sunday?
The guy I saw had rack on the back of the bike.

What's up Atlanta folk :)

I'm looking to get my first road bike, something really low end, just needs to be ridable and not a waste of my money... Anyone have something to get rid of in the <$150 range?

The Starter Bike Project is what you're looking for. :)

They take donor bikes, fix them up, and sell them for $50, $100, and $150. They are located at the bottom of the parking deck next to the Georgia Tech Campus Recreation Center. Access it from Tech Parkway; the bikes are way, way in the back. Hours are 4 to 6 on Fridays, last I heard; don't know if that will continue all summer or what. Call or email Atlanta Bicycle Coalition for the latest info.

Oh I'm definitely not looking to buy something new. 20+ years old is what I'm expecting. I've been combing craigslist, but anything that looks decent is overpriced. Thought someone on here might have something extra in the garage.

Welcome avosough,
Your right they are overpriced. What I did was look in Pawn Shops. It took me about a month and I found an 86 Nishiki Olympic in very good condition for $30. I just wanted something to get started and didn't want to spend a lot of money doing it. They are out there you just have to keep looking and the stock is always changing so keep trying.

I will be in Stone Mountain area staying at a Mariott resort next month and will have my bike. Mapmyride shows some lap rides in that area but I would welcome any other advice. 30-40 mile road or MUP rides is what I would have in mind without terrible risk of life and limb. Thanks...

What dates will you be at Stone Mtn? Will you be at the Stone Mountain Inn or the Evergreen Marriott Conference Center.
The Stone Mtn Inn is on the main 5 mile loop around the mountain. The Evergreen is on the outer loop (8 miles with a few killer hills :eek:). That road is still closed at one spot because of road damage caused by last falls flooding.

I ride from home out there a few times a week. I'm easy to spot. I'm the old guy (65) with the tattoos on my legs. :)