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

Or "Hey y'all", or something!:D

They don't think we are a serious cycling town folks...let's prove 'em wrong, and stay in touch.

So...who's from GA? Who are you? What do you ride? Where are you riding? When's the next meet-up? Why is it 85 degrees in October?:p

I'm going to PM as many of us as I can find after lunch...

Or "Hey y'all", or something!:D

They don't think we are a serious cycling town folks...let's prove 'em wrong, and stay in touch.

So...who's from GA? Who are you? What do you ride? Where are you riding? When's the next meet-up? Why is it 85 degrees in October?:p
Because it is HotLanta:Normals and Records for October (http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/cgi-bin/xmcli/norms.pl?freq=da_mo&sid=KATL&month=10) http://flashmove.com/icon/sweat.gif

And I would never want to be considered a serious cyclist. :eek: I think of my daily commute as the time I get to act like a kid. :D

I ride my Giant OCR Touring (a.k.a. Tank Girl) from near North DeKalb Mall in Decatur to my job at Five Points. She's a bit heavy, but a fine bike to take into harm's way.

You have one of the best avatars in the history of avatardom.:D

You ride Lawrenceville Highway? I did that a couple of times, and it was scarier than the Scream Machine!

First off I thought I'd clear this up from the Intro thread.


Also illegal now to ride at night without at least a blinky. If you plan on riding all day, invest in a set of quality lights.
Here's what the law says. http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/GaCode/?title=40&chapter=6&section=296
40-6-296.
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a light on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety which shall be visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlights on a motor vehicle. A light emitting a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.


On a side note...sure is prudy out, ain't it?;)
Purdy doesn't adequately describe how nice it is.
Why am I sitting in front of this computer? :o


Or "Hey y'all", or something!:D

They don't think we are a serious cycling town folks...let's prove 'em wrong, and stay in touch.

So...who's from GA? Who are you? What do you ride? Where are you riding? When's the next meet-up? Why is it 85 degrees in October?:p
I moved from Orlando to Atlanta in 1992 because Emory University thought I was their savior. :rolleyes: At least for the department I was working in.
In 2000 corporate downsizing hit (yes, universities are corporations). It hit me again at another employer in 2003.

So now I am an under-employed "something" thinking about tattoo #3.
I work for the Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (http://www.atlantabike.org) as the bike education specialist (whatever that is), Share the Road campaign coordinator (free Share the Road bumper stickers), webmaster, financial whatever, technical guru, and janitor.

My bikes are shown in my signature.

I bike commute year round from my part of Decatur to Virginia-Highland - about 8.5 miles one-way.

On the weekends I ride from home to Stone Mountain and do a lap or two around the mountain and head home. Not many cyclists live in my neighborhood so I'm usually a loner on the weekend.

After I get my new "geek" lights set up on my commuter bike, I may start doing the Tuesday night ride from Melton's App & Tap. Several friends have invited me, so.....

The next meet up for "this" group is whenever anyone suggests a place and time.

Why is it 85 degrees? To torture me 'cause I'm stuck inside. I'm a warm, sunny day kind of guy. :)
Can't wait for April. Cold weather ---> BOO! HISS!

Everybody cool lives in Decatur. No love for Cobb County.

Cool! Good to meet you, Ron. We got our own mod! Wo0t!

I think our first BikeForums meet should be at App&Taps, since both BikeSouth and JoshFrank are right there, and a lot of us are in Decatur (The Deck).

What do y'all think?

Ok, I'll bite.

I'm live in Decatur and I work in Decatur for a transportation planning firm. I've started teaching some bike ed classes for the Atlanta Bicycling Campaign (thanks Ron).

I ride a single speed Surly Cross Check most days but have a vintage Trek 520 for long days. Plus several other odd bikes bouncing around.

Upcoming rides/events:
- October 21st is the City of Decatur's workshop for their Community Transportation Plan. If anyone is interested in riding in or around Decatur you should show up and comment. There will be a brief workshop at 9am followed by a 4.5 mile ride around the city -- slow pace so that we can stop and talk about local issues. PM me for more details

- I've just plotted a local Civil War history route around Decatur, Inman Park, and East Atlanta. It follows the events of the Battle of Atlanta and stops at many of the historical sites. If anyone wants to ride it PM me and I can give you the cue sheet. I'll be hosting a group ride along the route later in the month.

I think our first BikeForums meet should be at App&Taps, since both BikeSouth and JoshFrank are right there, and a lot of us are in Decatur (The Deck).

According to local graffiti it's actually just spelled "The DEC." There are other local nicknames but none of them are polite.

And I agree. Melton's App & Tapp is a fine place to meet. Just pick a night and I'll be there.

I'm in. Any night but Wednesdays - that's the Buckhead ride and I don't wanna miss it for the few more weeks we ride.

The Melton's Tuesday night ride looks like a good one to try, because there will be a big group of folks.

Try to get 'Allez' to join us before he sells his bike.

***looking frantically around for ice cream***

Cool! Good to meet you, Ron. We got our own mod! Wo0t!
Watch it!! I heard that!!! ;)


I think our first BikeForums meet should be at App&Taps, since both BikeSouth and JoshFrank are right there, and a lot of us are in Decatur (The Deck).

What do y'all think?
Tuesday is probably out because there is already a ride that meets there. Wednesday is probably out too because Pedal Wench can't join us. I'm game for any other night and any meeting place.

Tuesday is probably out because there is already a ride that meets there.


Ahh, see, I was thinking we could just tag along on the Tuesday night ride, since it's an established ride, folks might know the route or have maps, safety in numbers, blah, blah, blah and all that jazz. Just until we know everyone's pace. (In other words, in case y'all drop me!)

Ahh, see, I was thinking we could just tag along on the Tuesday night ride, since it's an established ride, folks might know the route or have maps, safety in numbers, blah, blah, blah and all that jazz.
I suppose we could do that.


Just until we know everyone's pace. (In other words, in case y'all drop me!)
:lol:

You ride Lawrenceville Highway? I did that a couple of times, and it was scarier than the Scream Machine!
I try to never take L'ville Hwy. I think successful riding in Atlanta starts with picking your route. There are times I like to mix it up with the traffic, but any road with a posted speed of 45 mph and actual speed of 50+ is not my idea of a good time.

My usual route is through Scottdale, Avondale Estates, Decatur, Chandler Park, Litttle Five Points, Inman Park and Edgewood Ave. Almost all the streets are 25, 30, or 35 mph, and it has a nice bike path along a good portion of it.

Nice to have an in-town group. I live in Inman Park and ride around L5P, Emory, Druid Hills and Decatur. Typically I ride on my own, so a group would be fun.

hey you.... copy cat! lol! or wait.... what's the saying about copying being flattery.... or something like that?

hope you have fun with your "what's up" thread!!!!! http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/88.gif

wow, since I am an honorary member of the SoCal thread....and since I was born and raised in Atlanta....just thought I would poke my head in and say hello.

I'm out in Lawrenceville, moved here in January from SoCal. I work from home so no commuting but I do this route daily:

http://routeslip.com/map.php?map=4937

I'm up for a meet. Anyday but Monday. (Have we eliminated all the days yet? :))

I'm out in Lawrenceville, moved here in January from SoCal.
Did you and dauphin trade houses/jobs? ;)

Did you and dauphin trade houses/jobs? ;)

Yeah, they don't let you leave SoCal unless you can get someone to take your place. Those houses are just too expensive to leave vacant.

I kept the job though, I'm still working for a company in Los Angeles. Got love that interweb thingy.

I'm up for a meet. Anyday but Monday. (Have we eliminated all the days yet? :))

I think Thursday is still open, which is the best day for me anyway.

Let's shoot for next week. I'm good for either Tues. or Thurs. at App & Taps. Let's say seven-ish?

Dauphin, I hope to see you there as well!;)

Does anyone have any address for App & Taps? This is a restaurant / bar, yeah?

Its official name is Melton's App and (&?) Tap, and it's in a little strip mall at the intersection of North Decatur and Scott Blvd., on N.D, on the left, next to a big pet store.

Let's shoot for next week. I'm good for either Tues. or Thurs. at App & Taps. Let's say seven-ish?
The "regular" Tuesday Melton's ride leaves at 6:30. Are we riding with that group or following them? ;)



Does anyone have any address for App & Taps? This is a restaurant / bar, yeah?
2500 N. Decatur Rd.

Here's a map (http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=2500+n.+decatur+rd&city=decatur&state=ga&zipcode=).

The intersection is fairly large for Decatur. Two major roads and a side street intersect there.
Scott Blvd Church on one corner, a large mostly empty shopping center across from Melton's, two gas stations across from Melton's on two other corners.
Melton's is in the strip shopping center with Pet Supermarket(??), Firehouse Guitars, laundry/dry cleaner, etc.

If you drive be prepared to park way around in the back. Tuesday is also family night at Melton's. Lots of folks bring their kids for the "free" eats.

I live around Candler, and Memorial, and I'd love to start biking intown again. I used to follow the Path from Midtown to Stone Mountain, but I had one too many close calls by the East Lake Marta station; no love for those insane bus drivers. I am actually moving my components to a new frame this weekend, so I will not be able to meet at App & Tap (a great joint, indeed!) next week, but the following week should be gold.

cheers!

So have ya'll settled on Tuesday or Thursday? I'm game so long as I'm free.

--A

I did a ride today with a woman who does the Tuesday ride from Melton's App & Tap that leaves at 6:30. She said it's a great group, a few different paces, and easy route. I suggest we met up and ride with that group, so we can just tag along onto their route, unless someone has a route they know from there.

So Tuesday at M's A&T?

So Tuesday at M's A&T?
Ok with me.
The "regular" ride leaves Melton's at 6:30 so I'm guessing we will be there to ride with them and check out the route. Correct?

I've got to get used to some new pedals on my MTB, so I might bring that instead of a road bike - I just hope I can keep up with y'all -- I did put slicks on it last night, so that might help.

That's ok. I'm bringing my commuter bike. My road bike doesn't have lights. :o

Arghh -- work rears its ugly head, and I might not make it in time. I won't know until the start - if I'm not there (Ron H knows me) have a blast, and let's try again next week!

Arghh -- work rears its ugly head
You're going to have to explain to your boss that there are some things that are more important than work. ;)

I hope you make it tonight.

Three BF members did the Melton's ride last night - Pedal Wench, GTcommuter, and myself. I think there were 30-40 riders total.

The ride was a lot of fun. I think there were 4 groups - the fast riders who did the long option, the regular riders who did the long option, the fast riders who did the short option, and the regular riders who didn't have a clue about the route and followed the ride leader - who did a modified short option.

PW and I were in the last category. Neither of us recognized many of the streets or neighborhoods we rode through. GT got separated from us after about 3 miles and I think he ended up riding with the third group.

I don't do many group rides and was surprised to see the group split before we had gone 2 miles. The group tries to stay together in the other rides I do.

...was surprised to see the group split before we had gone 2 miles. The group tries to stay together in the other rides I do.

Shoot - the main group was split at the intersection outside the parking lot! I was amazed that they didn't wait up at that point. We hadn't gone 100 feet and I was already dropped. It was fun riding with Ron and chatting with GT. We'll have to try again to get this group together.

PW

Hey - Just wondering what you guys are planning to wear for the winter? Last year I only did 4 miles down hill to a bus stop once or twice a week. My Nashbar Endurance jacket was great for that. But this year I'm doing 15 miles to the office with a serious climb about 2.5 miles in. That jacket doesn't breath well enough for that. I'd just stew in my own sweat for the rest of the commute.

My current plan involves up to three layers for the colder days. A base layer of silk or compression fit polyester, a wool layer and then a polartec 200 vest. You think that will work for our typical coldest winter days? I'm sure I have enough of the various layer options to get comfortable mix for the less cold days but I can't decide if that will be warm enough ...

Here's what I wear on my coldest commutes.
Lower - bibs with leg warmers and tights over that.
Upper - base layer l/s t-shirt, l/s jersey or fleece shirt, and heavier weight REI(?) jacket.
Hands - glove liners and PI ski gloves
Feet - sock liners, long, heavyweight SmartWool socks, and mostly leather mtn bike shoes.
Head - head band over the ears or skull cap or balaklava.

That's good for my 8.5 mile commute. My hands start to get cold by the time I get to work.

Here's what I wear on my coldest commutes.
Lower - bibs with leg warmers and tights over that.
Upper - base layer l/s t-shirt, l/s jersey or fleece shirt, and heavier weight REI(?) jacket.
Hands - glove liners and PI ski gloves
Feet - sock liners, long, heavyweight SmartWool socks, and mostly leather mtn bike shoes.
Head - head band over the ears or skull cap or balaklava.

That's good for my 8.5 mile commute. My hands are starting to get cold by the time I get to work.


Here's what I wear:
Ancient Acura Integra
It's good for my 1.4 mile commute, but my toes and fingers are still cold by the time I get to work. :o

Good catching up with Ron and PW last night. Sorry I got dropped so early but I ended up riding with the renegade 5th group. We did some off-roading and riding around some soccer fields and other fun stuff.


Ancient Acura Integra...It's good for my 1.4 mile commute, but my toes and fingers are still cold by the time I get to work.

1.4 miles? Seriously? I could barely get clipped into my pedals in 1.4 miles.

dalmore... I really don't wear too much more in the winter time. Long sleeve shirt or arm warmers, a wind proof vest, and some Windstopper gloves. I overheat easily once I get riding. On blustery days I've got some ear warmers that help when I'm stopped at a light. I used to carry a good travel mug for some coffee or tea but my commute is too short to bother with that now.

The Southern Californication (http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=236) thread is ~7 weeks old and they have 780+ pages of replies. They must not ride very much. Too much time at the computer.

Our thread is ~1.5 weeks old and we only have 5 pages. Can we still ride and out-post those OC punks? :eek:

Okay, I'll keep posting. Anyone doing the Tony Serrano Century? My gals bailed on my plans for a re-do of 6-Gap, so instead of suffering in the mountains, we're all heading out for a fun day in the country.

Aw crud! I missed you guys on the Tuesday App & Tap ride!!! I was there, but I didn't know bikeforum people were going to be there, or I would have introduced myself!

In case you happened to have seen me, I was the really tall half-asian guy, I think I was wearing red/black

In the ride's defense...the lights were super screwy and only stayed green for like 4 seconds that day...the group was *way* more splintered than it normally is. You'll normally find people going your speed that know the route since it's such a massive group, but a large portion of people decided to leave at 6:25?? Not really sure why they did that, I guess to beat the sun.

Anyways, I'm in the Virginia Highlands and do most of the Decatur social rides. There is another slightly faster paced ride that leaves next to the CVS in Decatur on Thursday that's a good ride to do with a large group. Usually there are some faster guys at the front that push the pace, but there's always a large group of pacers that take it nice and easy.

Another good ride is the Stone Mountain ride on Monday that leaves from the James Joyce Pub on Avondale at 6:30

ps. Pedal Wench, are you Sorella?

Aw crud! I missed you guys on the Tuesday App & Tap ride!!! I was there, but I didn't know bikeforum people were going to be there, or I would have introduced myself!

In case you happened to have seen me, I was the really tall half-asian guy, I think I was wearing red/black
Tall, Asian looking, wearing red/black? Hmmm. That describes about half of the people there. ;)

What bike were you riding, not that knowing that would help.

the TCR2...it had yellow bar tape if that helps :P

Here's what I wear:
Ancient Acura Integra
It's good for my 1.4 mile commute, but my toes and fingers are still cold by the time I get to work. :o

:roflmao:


We have to try this again. This week was way too cramped with the post starting on Tuesday.

Ron H., the hell we can't get our region hopping like rabbits to go on rides. Atlanta/Decatur/Marrieta/Roswell/Alpharetta/Sandy Springs has a pretty big bike community I see. We are just spread out so far...:(

But, hey...so is Cali. And they still do alright...I think we can challenge those Hollywood Squares!:) lol j/k:)

I'm sure you guys know these sites already, but www.bikesbl.org and www.atlbike.org are two sites that have tons of local rides. The sbl site has a calendar of rides that you can peruse once you register on the site.

Please allow me to add Sorba (http://www.sorba.org/) to branman1986's list. The mountain biking community is quite active in this area.

Anyone doing the Tony Serrano Century?
I haven't been training for a century so will probably spend the day doing things around the house.
But I am thinking about heading out to Conyers on Sunday for the opening day of cross season (http://www.georgia-cross.com/). Sounds like fun and the weather should be great -- mid-40s in the AM with afternoon highs in the mid-70s. Good shorts weather. :beer: