Introductions - LarryJ from Atlanta

Hi. I'm 52 years old and love cycling. I live in the East Atlanta neighborhood very near downtown Atlanta. It's a very cool and bohemian place, although that's just icing on the cake, since I grew up here, and lived here during all the years it was just considered a slum.

I commute to work, though it's not much of a commute, since I work downtown about three miles away. I'm a Software Systems Engineer at Georgia State University.

I've begun writing a series of articles on cycling around the MARTA train stations here. Researching it has been a lot of fun, as many of the stations were unfamiliar to me, and I've discovered quite a few new places to cycle.

I ride an old Bianchi road bike when I'm out in the open, and a Jamis Aragon hybrid for commuting and shorter utility trips (which lately have been a lot of my rides).

And did I mention I love cycling :-)

welcome we all love cycling here.

welcome! How bike-friendly is MARTA?

MARTA mixes well with cycling. Unlimited access to the trains, and racks on nearly all the buses. I use the trains extensively, but seldom use the bus mounted racks. The train nets me a lot of overall efficiency, but for most routes I can make just as good time cycling the entire distance as loading my bike on the bus.

Welcome to the forum from a neighbor just north of you in Marietta. I just saw a small piece on Fox 5 where they were saying atlanta needs more bike paths... We sure do! so it's good to hear your doing some research on the topic.

Looking forward to seeing your posts in the future.

Hey, PrimalQ ... Good to hear from someone close by.

PrimalQ-

It looks like I will be moving to Atlanta. Likely living in the Marietta / Alphretta (or north) area. Do you have any suggestions regarding good bike clubs there? (Road cycling) I ride in the 20mph range but my wife rides in the 14mph range, so we would be looking for a club that has rides in all ranges.

Thanks

LarryJ: Welcome from your neighbor down south (Warner Robins).

Zack

PrimalQ. I'd contact the Southern Bicycle League. At least in the past they've kept up with the local rides and clubs, and could point you in the right direction. You might also call one of the bike shops (Intown Bikes in Midtown or Bicycle South in Decatur).

I haven't been a club cyclist of late, but I'm thinking about doing some club rides if I can find any good ones on Saturday mornings (the only time I have to do extended rides).

Ooops. I misinterpreted both who the club message was from, and who it was directed to. Advice still stands though. Now that I've figured out how to read these headers ...:-)

Hi, Zack. I've often considered doing a ride straight down Highway 42 (which is two blocks from my house) to the general vicinity of your area. Wife's health problems have put that project on hold, though.

Welcome to the forum, I live Marietta, ( closer to Roswell than Marietta) welcome to the forum.

Welcome, Larry! Looks like lots of folks around you!! :)

Hello pcsanity1;

Well LarryJ is spot on with the SBL Website.
http://www.bikesbl.org/
They have a lot of good information on rides in around Atlanta.

The Group Ride I do Sat Mornings is the Coffee and Bagel Ride.out of marietta Square at 9:00 am . And no we don't eat bagels and cofee before the ride
The group averages about 20 MPH but we have a few faster riders and a few slower riders . I avg 18 and get dropped toward the end but that's OK because I want the miles not the speed.
40 mile option and 20 mile option. We do clasify it as Moderate strenous so if you are a begginer you will be on your own
check out our website.
http://www.coffeeandbagel.com/ The people are nice and we have between 15 to 30 riders every Sat AM.

Hi LarryJ and welcome to BikeForums. :beer:


Originally posted by LarryJ
Hi. I'm 52 years old and love cycling. I live in the East Atlanta neighborhood very near downtown Atlanta. It's a very cool and bohemian place
Sounds like Piedmont Park or Morningside or Va Highlands.

I live in Decatur and ride in various parts of town. Where do you ride?


I've begun writing a series of articles on cycling around the MARTA train stations here. Researching it has been a lot of fun, as many of the stations were unfamiliar to me, and I've discovered quite a few new places to cycle.
Have you talked to Dennis or Sharon at Atlanta Bicycle Campaign (http://www.atlantabike.org/home.htm)? They may be able to help with some of your articles.

Hi Hector. Haven't heard from you in a while. How are you doing? Still riding XC?

I keep thinking about trying the coffee and bagel ride but the description of the ride is "a hilly, moderate to strenuous, fast-paced 40+ mile loop..."
I don't know if I can do "strenuous" and "fast-paced" for 40+ miles. :eek:
I can do "strenuous" for a few miles or "moderate" for 40+ miles. :o ;)

Hi RonH,

I know Sharon (having gone to a couple of SEABUG meetings), and met Dennis quite some time ago at an ABC meeting.

I live a few miles south of Va-Highland, in East Atlanta (due east of Grant Park and Ormewood Park).

I mostly cycle intown, all over downtown, southeast Atlanta, the L5P/Inman Park area. I cycle a good bit around downtown Decatur and south Dekalb, too (Oakhurst, East Lake, and down into the unicorporated areas).

My most consistent riding is my short commute downtown and my lunch rides around noon. I often ride up to Piedmont Park, eat my sandwich, and ride back to work.