General Cycling Discussion - Cycling in the ATL (Atlanta)

I am going to be visiting my Dad in Atlanta sometime this summer. Since he and I don't do so well when we are up under each other 24/7 I am going to bring my bike with me. I have a few questions for those in the area:

1. My family lives in the NW section of the city, are there any decent bike shops in the area where I could ship my bike if I end up taking the train (my other option is to drive, which would eliminate this problem)?

2. Are there any Rail Trails I can ride?

3. Is the Varsity still open?

4. Do the mosquitos still eat you alive the moment you are out in the open?

Any other info you want to provide is appreciated. Thanks.

1. I live in NE section but there are plenty of bike shops in NW because of Silver Comet Trail. Check yp.yahoo.com or something similar.
2. Silver Comet Trail would be the closest. Beautiful riding out there but avoid the five miles closest to Marietta: very populated.
3. Yes. Avoid it like the plague.
4. Mosquitos aren't usually too bad until late summer/early fall.

Other advice? Get ready for massive hills everywhere.

Thanks for the reply BND. I hate to admit it, but the visit to the Varsity is a family tradition. When I would visit in the summer we always went, and since my Dad has been sick (Mental Illness), maintaining traditions is important. When I go I'll try really hard not to over do it.

Hills are ok as long as eventually they head downward. How many miles is the Silver Comet?

Originally posted by cyclochica
Hills are ok as long as eventually they head downward. How many miles is the Silver Comet?

http://www.trailexpress.com/silvercomettrail.shtml

There are two Varsities. A new out at Towncenter Mall.
Are your folks in NW Atlanta or NW metro area?

Free Flite is one of the best shops in the (Marietta) metro area. It is in the top 100 in the country (Bicycle Retailer). They have a website FreeFlite.com. Very professional shop but there are many in the Atl. area.

http://silvercomet.tripod.com/ , @ 37 miles

I am in the Cartersville area. We would love to have you ride with us. A diverse group, we ride out of the brewery in Cartersville, usually three times a week.

Mosquitos only bite when you stop. :)

If I can be of help in any way, please feel free to ask. It would be my pleasure.

Blake

I think in NW Atlanta, it has been 11 years since I last visited. I am going to either rent a car or drive my own down there. That way if something doesn't go right I can get away.

I checked out the Silver Comet website and it may be easier to rent a bike. But nothing feels as nice as your own. I am generally directionally impaired (translation: I get lost very easily), how hard is it to navigate Atlanta/Metro area?

Bikedud--- thanks for the invite. I have no idea where Cartersville is? I think now would be a great time to get a map of the area.

cyclochica: Let us know when you're coming to ATL. Perhaps we can have a Bikeforums get together.

Zack

I have no idea where Cartersville is? I think now would be a great time to get a map of the area.

If you come I-75 south you will go right through C'ville. We are 45 miles north of Atlanta proper, 30 miles north of I-285 (the perimeter)

how hard is it to navigate Atlanta/Metro area?

Traffic is the most common problem. Avoid early AM and 4-6 PM. There isn't enough space or time to discuss the idiosyncracies of metro traffic. They are too numerous.

http://www.serve.com/bike/georgia/gashops.html
Try this for info on other bike shops.

What area is your Dad located?

The BF get together would be nice, I am planning on May after finals or August before the semester starts again.

I think my Dad in in the city, but I know my grandmother lives just outside the city. I am going to make some calls tonight to get exact locations.

Hi Joy. I second the BF group ride. :thumbup:

1. If you will be in the NW part of the city and inside I-285 you can probably ship to the Vinings store of Atlanta Cycling (http://www.atlantacycling.com/).
If you're outside I-285 then Free Flite (as Bikedud suggested) would be a good shop.

2. There is the Silver Comet trail and the Atlanta-Stone Mountain path/trail. Go here (http://www.pathfoundation.org/trails/index.cfm) for details about both.
I ride the path/trail to Stone Mountain a lot. I live on the ENE side of town.

3. Yes, several locations. Here (http://www.thevarsity.com/) is their website. Make sure you have the speaker volume turned up. :D

4. Not too bad in May. In August they'll eat you up unless you keep pedalling. :crash:


Post another message a few days before you'll be here so we can set up a BF group ride. :beer:

BF group ride? I would do it. Let us know the plans and we will roll out the red carpet for ya Cyclochica.

Sam

Anybody know of any good riding in the Suwanee area? It looks as if I'll be heading that way in a few days. Unexpectedly, looks as if I may be down there for a week or two.

Originally posted by MKRG
Anybody know of any good riding in the Suwanee area? It looks as if I'll be heading that way in a few days. Unexpectedly, looks as if I may be down there for a week or two.

Sugarloaf Pkwy. has a bike lane on it. Whether or not you consider that good riding is up to you.

If you head out to the Grayson area, there's a ton of low-traffic back roads to ride.

Looks like I will in your area the weekend of July Fourth. Evidentally there will be several victims err I mean family members visiting. So I will be able to disappear for a few hours and no one will notice (hopefully)

Try contacting some bike shops in the area;

Atlanta Cycling
Gwinnett: 3502 Sattelite Blvd. Duluth, GA 30136 770-476-8158 Across from Skeeters

Alpharetta: 10995 State Bridge Road Suite B Alpharetta, GA 30022 770-663-8388

REALITY BIKES 770-886-1175 20 Tri County Plaza, Cumming, GA 30040 FAX: 770-886-1176 email: ngirb@aol.comWWW: http://www.realitybikes.com

ROSWELL BICYCLES 770-642-4057 670 Houze Way., Roswell 30076-1430 http://www.roswellbicycles.com

or

Southern Bicycle League (Atlanta) P.O. Box 870387, Stone Mtn. GA 30087. 770-594-8350. Website: http://www.bikesbl.org/

Bicycle Association of North Georgia Dan Keller, 5741 Union Hill Rd., Alpharetta, GA 30201. 770-751-1061

Good Luck