Well, in Atlanta there is this thing call a speed limit (I'll have to look, but the posted limit is probably 35 mph) which is the fastest speed you can get away with. Along this section of the road, I would say the average is more like 45-50 mph. I have met other biker on the path (usually not at the RR crossing) and there is not a problem passing by each other. When they constructed the path, they took about 1/2 of a lane and then used some of the existing right-of-way. A lot of it looks like the photo below (taken about 1/4 mile from the RR crossing).

Cool. From the previous photos it looked dicey. I saw the four-lane street and shook my head.

gcasillo,

I actually had that happen to me about a 1/4 mile further down the exact path from where Map Tester was standing. A drunk on a bike was riding towards me and I had to swerve off the curb and into the street. Yikes. Luckily there wasn't any traffic and a curb cut about a hundred feet further up. I'm also glad there weren't any children around to hear what I was saying.

MapTester,
Yes. I do live in the city limits in Dekalb County and I've tried for years to have the drains fixed. No resolution as of yet. Can you post a pic of those so everyone can see just how awful they are? I didn't mean to come across so harsh as far as the "operator error" statement goes. I suspect those Michelin Dynamic tires had a great deal to do with the fall. Get rid of 'em. They're OEM for a reason, cheap. I'm not as loaded down as you are so I can get away with a 28c Gatorskin. See what the LBS has as far as a 35c tire goes.

Also, I know that College Ave. is only a two lane, but I've had good luck on it as well. For those that don;t live in Atlanta, the not-so-funny thing about all this is that this road(Dekalb Ave) is a desingnated bicycle route and has a ton of "share the road" signs on it. Ha!

Loucifer, the part of E. College I usually have trouble on is after Agnes Scott College, where it widens to 4 lane (near Oz Pizza). The section from the Rocky Ford underpass to Agnes Scott is actually a great ride. But for some reason, drivers (and yes, here comes a stereotype) in large SUVs on that section of E. College just can't stand it when I take the lane.

I was able to take some pictures of the other RR crossing yesterday afternoon. I'll try to get some pictures of the drains and other fun items on DeKalb Ave.

Lovely road, isn't it?

Here you can see how the tracks just end on a bank.

Or into the grass and weeds.

Here you can see the old-style wooden crossing.



Or you can look at the pictures here

Maptester,
I had completely forgotten about that crossing until I saw your pictures. That one is awful!!! I usually jump on over to Edgewood from Krog, so I don't even deal with that one anymore. I also sometimes take a more Southern route into downtown, into Cabbagetown, through Grant Park, by the stadium and then up to Marietta St. and west to work. I've found that the not so direct route works best. Go searchin' and you'll find an even better route and get some more mileage in to boot.

Map-
Also, taking the lane is your duty as a commuter to remind the public that cars aren't the only form of transportation. That's when I usually hand out my share the road pamphlets along with a copy of the Georgia code I've shrunken down to a small handout size.
I get a kick out of that.