Hey folks, I'm headed to Atlanta next month for a convention at the big convention center, and will be staying in a hotel a few blocks away. I'm bringing my bike and hope to have some to get in some riding. I thought about riding back and forth between my hotel and the convention center, but it's pretty close so I may just leave the bike at the hotel and walk to the convention center. At some point I want to ride out Irwin St. from downtown and check out the Beltline trail.

I love urban and city riding, much more so than rural riding. Any other suggestions?

Yup, lots of good riding in Atlanta.

You will find that many of the roads in downtown have been "upgraded" to include at least signage to share the road, or real bike lanes of various width. Many of the two lane roads I just ride in the lane. Irwin, Auburn, and Edgewood are great ways to get across to the Eastside Beltline. Watch for the streetcar and newly installed tracks! If you ride across MLK, or take MARTA train down to West End, the Westside Beltline is totally worth checking out as well. Do West in daytime, do East during the week, or at late evening. Nice weekends you can barely ride anymore. Make sure and cruise over to Little Five Points while you are there to see the hippies.......Old Fourth Ward Park, the Skatepark, Piedmont, Freedom Park...and if you feel adventurous you can even ride out to Stone Mountain.

Cool thanks, sounds awesome. I personally prefer controlling a traffic lane as long as there are other traffic lanes for cars to pass me, as bike lanes are so often fraught with hazards.

I forgot, the bridge on MLK is currently out for replacement, so if you do the Westside Beltline make sure to go down Lee St/MARTA

Are you referring to the section of MLK that was removed for the new Falcons stadium construction? Which BTW that new stadium is going to look bad@$$!!

Well that, and a part of the roadway/bridge/footpath is out over that way, listed on the Beltline site on FB.

Thanks for starting the conversation and for the responses. I too am headed to Atlanta for work and was wondering about how relatively safe it is to ride from the airport to Lenox Square Mall area. Any suggestions?

Going to the AIA National Convention by chance?

Patrick - no I'll be there the week after that. The convention looks like it could be a lot of fun. Enjoy and post if you can about your riding experience.

Not to say that it couldn't be ridden, but it would be easier, by far, to take the MARTA train from the airport to the Lenox station. It would take someone pretty well versed in the area to give good directions above Piedmont Park. Honestly, I would call these guys: Atlanta Cycling | Vinings
as they have a shop in Ansley and could likely tell you the best routes in the area.

Good stuff - thank you punkncat

No problem.

If riding is paramount I might suggest that you catch the train and go up to Five Points Station. You can go across Auburn, Irwin, etc and hit the Beltline up to Piedmont. Then, go across 10th street to what I believe is Arts Center Station and ride the train on up to Lenox. It's a great ride in reverse that way as well and the pass is cheap. I suggest trying to get on the rear most cars of the train and the bike is rarely an issue.

Nice, I love a city with a good light rail system. Memphis is sorely behind the times without one.

And yeah, at least 17 miles from ATL Hartsfield-Jackson to Lennox. I'd be taking the train for at least part of it, as well.

I heard a bike share is coming this year, but I'm guessing it won't be up and running by next month.

I like the bike friendly MARTA option to combine the commute. It's not the mileage that concerns me, it's the unfamiliar roads that makes me hesitate but from what you're all posting, Atlanta seems to be an ok place to cycle. I'm looking forward to this!

Basically the word is, there is no word. "Coming soon". It's been approved but the website is still basically a placeholder.

The Beltline, ABC, and the current Mayor have come together at a perfect time for Atlanta. A few years ago I would not have considered riding there at all, in spite of my close proximity. Now it's a destination that myself and friends/wife ride regularly. I use MARTA to cut down on driven mileage, eliminate the stress, and to be able to take advantage of a mid ride beer, or w/e.

PatrickGSR94 - wanted to follow up and see if you rode at all this past week in GA. I'm headed down Monday.

I was hoping for more downtime and ability to explore futher but the most I was able to ride was 17 miles. Still glad I got to ride. The 2 mile portion of the Beltline was sweet. I ended up using the sidewalk on Peachtree NE to get to 10th St. Once I was on 10th St, there was a bike lane that led to the Beltline. I hear that's going to extend further than what it is currently. Happy cycling and be safe out there.

Sorry didn't see this before you went. I got in a little over 30 miles total split between several rides, one of those being a nice guided bike tour of the area kind of in between 75/85, 10, and 402.

Our hotel was on Peachtree St NE, so I just made my way down to John Wesley Dobbs/Irwin St. and then over to the Beltline. On one ride I went from there up to Piedmont Park and around that area, then came back down to downtown via Juniper St.

I controlled my lane at all times. Did you see that monstrosity of a 2-way cycle track on Peachtree Center Ave? They were just painting it while I was there. I rode on that thing and it was the most awful thing ever. I had to get back out and control the travel lane at one point.

Great info here, much appreciated.