I'm going to ride to the capitol...
 

...with about 3,000 other cyclists. Pictures and story tonight.

http://www.georgiaridestothecapitol.org/

Oh no please tell me your not one of those agitators, always causing trouble and stuff. That sort of thing can't be tolerated in this forum. Nope..... no...... not here.......never.

Ride On! :)

Good Luck, it looks like a worthwhile cause.

I've marched on the Capitol here a few times, but haven't ridden to it.

I always enjoy seeing civic activism, even if I don't agree with it. In your case, I do agree!

Hardly a troublemaker or agitator (at least not today), this ride was led by the mayors of metro Atlanta cities and other dignitaries. We were escorted by Police cars and motorcycles who formed a rolling barricade for the riders, much like what is done for the Tour de Georgia, but much slower. One 84 y/o mayor who had never been on a bicycle in her life rode as stoker on a tandem captained by the chairman of the board of the Georgia DOT. This was the second year for the Georgia Rides to the Capitol event, hosted by the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA) and others. Although more were wishfully expected, well over a thousand cyclists rode to the capitol in downtown Atlanta from 3 organized starting points in surrounding cities. I rode with a few hundred from Decatur while others came from Marrietta and Roswell. The 3 groups converged a few blocks from the capitol where some of the less adventurous mayors joined the ride.
The event was designed to show support for initiatives proposed and underway to create a network of connected bicycle paths throughout the metro Atlanta area and other efforts to promote and enable safe bicycling in Georgia.
I don't know if it really helps, but I enjoyed the sunny, warm day away from work, joining friends and fellow cyclists in making a statement for bicycling advocacy. I even got to meet and talk with the Georgia Department of Transportation Board Chairman. I also managed to hand out a few dozen flyers for the ride my club is having in a few weeks.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...urstaging1.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1..._Ontheroad.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...ingthecity.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...psconverge.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...h_motocops.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1..._closingin.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...h_approach.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...th_Arrival.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...olbuilding.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...orsandsuch.jpg

Good deed, Blues Dawg. Maybe some of that stuff will catch on up here.

Haven't seen that many fuzz since...uh...well...never mind.

Looks like a great advocacy ride, Blues. Well done.

What a gorgeous day!! Excellent cause for ride as well.

That's a lot of lycra/spandex in one place!!

You're the Mayor of Atlanta?

Doh! :eek: My secret identity revealed! :mad:

http://www.atlantaga.gov/Mayor/Meet.aspx

Congratulations on a deed well done. Much different from much of what I've read about on the advocates forum. Perhaps the lesson is cooperation, not confrontation.

BluesDawg, I was also on the ride from Decatur. Thanks for posting the photos. Was a great day for a ride!
-Milt

What a crowd. Way to go, but I sure wish I didn't see those Harleys. I've had a lot of motorcycles for years and when I see a nice one I want it. I had no troubles with the saddles either.

I simply hope that Georgia spends its bike-and-ped facility money wisely. I would rather see traffic calming of a tricky intersection than a multi-use trail that doesn't go anywhere I do.

Actually, there was quite a variety of clothing types as well as bike type and rider type. I considered going in regular riding gear (lycra/coolmax etc.) but opted for hiking shorts and a long sleeve cooton t-shirt for the short, casual ride from Decatur. Worked out great too, not cold, not sweaty.
How's this for variety?
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...Khereweare.jpg