bikesbl.org

Commuting Routes - Wednesday Bike Train - Emory/Candler Park to Ga Tech

jettmarks - Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:45 pm
Post subject: Wednesday Bike Train - Emory/Candler Park to Ga Tech

This is an announcement of a weekly Bike Train running on Wednesdays and arriving on Tech Campus in time for 9AM classes. Riders from Decatur into Midtown/Downtown have followed portions of this route.

Since I live in VaHi and start our riding toward Emory to get a few extra miles, the route starts out heading away from Midtown. From Emory, the route follows Lullwater and picks up the PATH trail at the Candler Park Golf Course.

Times are below for reference. For full details with map and some ground rules, see my post on cycling.jettmarks.com.

8:00 AM - Aurora Coffee in Va Hi.
8:10 AM - just south of roundabout on Lullwater at N Decatur
8:17 AM - Park bench by PATH Bridge next to 6th green of Candler Park GC
8:22 AM - PATH at Moreland
8:24 AM - PATH at N Highland
8:32 AM - PATH at Boulevard
8:38 AM - Kripsy Kreme on Ponce

This post provides a location to discuss the route. This discussion started as the topic Ride bike to work if you had someone to ride with? under Commuting General Discussion.

chainstretcher - Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:21 pm
Post subject:

I usually am near Highland and Virginia around 8. I'll make it a point to leave earlier on Wednesday and join up at Aurora. White/blue Raleigh, blue helmet, blue timbuktu. I may bail early to make it to work at 8:40 ish.

ratherBbiking - Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:26 pm
Post subject:

I hope this goes well tomorrow. It looks like I won't be able to make it this week, but it is on my calendar for next week.

jettmarks - Wed Oct 10, 2007 6:58 pm
Post subject:

This morning I rode with chainstretcher. The timing was a bit of a squeeze for chainstretcher since he was trying to get to his office by 8:40.

There lies one of the challenges to the Bike Train. Not everyone has the same schedule.

This did not diminish the ride.

* We rode a little quicker and the cool morning allowed a good work rate without too much sweat.
* We ran across a couple other people we knew, but because of our schedule, did not ride with them.
* Spent some face-time with some folks we only know through the forums.

On the way home, I spotted map_tester by Candler Park while I was chatting with Barry who rides with us on Sundays.

Big changes require small steps. Today's steps look like they're pointed in the right direction.

chainstretcher - Wed Oct 10, 2007 7:52 pm
Post subject:

It was nice to ride with othersand I'm glad to meet you jettmarks. However, I was a bit late to work and the traffic had built up quite a bit intown. I would like to do this ride again if it could be moved up 30 minutes. I know it's tough to get a schedule to fit everyone.

I think I'm going to revisit the Stone Mountain "House of the Rising Sun" ride if there's any interest. A little 30 mile predawn jaunt around the hill and back on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The perfect ride if your boss is understanding of the afternoon power nap

ratherBbiking - Wed Oct 10, 2007 8:25 pm
Post subject:

chainstretcher wrote:

I think I'm going to revisit the Stone Mountain "House of the Rising Sun" ride if there's any interest. A little 30 mile predawn jaunt around the hill and back on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I am in. Are you planning on riding this Tuesday? Usual time and place of 6 am leaving Decatur? Be sure to post the ride in advance so we can get some takers. And I sure would like to ride with swifty at least once this season.

jettmarks - Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:17 am
Post subject:

This was fun. I'm glad people are interested. I'm close to getting a co-worker to start bike-commuting. Talking about this at the office makes it easier to warm him up to the idea.

chainstretcher , Yes, it was tight and we did run into traffic. We can ride your route on Fridays if that suits you. You had mentioned coming past Oxford at N Decatur around 8AM? We can meet up there and ride your route in from there. map_tester is headed further south, but we may be able to join up with him as well.

ratherBbiking , I understand you may be interested in making the trip from Decatur into Midtown as well.

For at least a few more weeks, I have a standing 7:30 AM call with our team in India, so it may be a while before I can join the "House of the Rising Sun" ride. Talking on the phone with the accents is challenging enough for me. Doing this with the wind noise would be a little too much

. I would enjoy the mid-week miles now that the after-work rides are winding down.

ratherBbiking - Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:05 am
Post subject:

ratherBbiking , I understand you may be interested in making the trip from Decatur into Midtown as well.

You understand correctly. I would not be a regular, however. Meeting up with the commuter train will be strictly a pleasure ride, as my commute takes me straight up the Marta line from the airport into midtown. I would be straying off course considerably to meet up with you all in Decatur, but it will be a nice change of pace, and I will get the chance to meet folks on this forum.

jettmarks - Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:07 pm
Post subject:

The first time I met chainstretcher was on the Bike Train last Wednesday, and I've seen him twice more in the past week on my way home. I'm pretty sure I would have remembered seeing him before, but I don't think I have.

Funny how things sometimes turn out.

jettmarks - Wed Oct 24, 2007 8:50 pm
Post subject:

We had a record number of Bike Train participants this morning.

OK, we actually tied the record and the record is only three, but with all the rain we were riding through, I'm happy there were three of us.

In other news, it's now been two weeks that I've come across chainstretcher during my bike commute. I don't ride every day, but every day I have ridden for the past two weeks I've seen him either coming or going.

chainstretcher - Sat Oct 27, 2007 8:23 am
Post subject:

I often can't tell if I'm coming or going!

We seem to have the same route and ride time, however, in opposite directions.

I don't think it practical for me to get on the bike train as I need to be rolling into work around 8:30. I kind of rushed the ride on the last attempt and had to bail early. That would take away the enjoyment from others. Do let me know if the route or start time ever changes. I definitely enjoy riding in a small group.

jettmarks - Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:16 pm
Post subject:

Chainstretcher, there are other days of the week and RatherB might meet up with us in Decatur. Would next Friday (Nov 9) work? Would the square be a good meeting spot? 7:30AM?

ratherBbiking - Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:55 pm
Post subject:

I like the time of 7:30. The place is irrelevant. I said Decatur because I got the impression that was where you all head out from. I will be heading up from the airport or from midtown, so if I meet up with you all it is merely as a pleasure excursion-- I will be heading out of my way no matter where you all start from. So pick a time and a place, and I will show at least once. Just not tomorrow. I need to be at work early in order to leave early for Halloween.

chainstretcher - Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:25 am
Post subject:

If you're willing to meet at the square at 7:30 I can't refuse. It's practically on my everyday ride. There's a variety of routes into midtown from there to keep it a fresh ride.

ratherBbiking - Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:19 am
Post subject:

jettmarks - Any details on this weeks train? There was discussion of moving the day and time.

IndyFan - Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:43 am
Post subject:

I could join a ride into town from the square, as well.

jettmarks - Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:11 am
Post subject:

Sorry guys, I've been slammed this past week.

I'm picking up a decent number of riders on Wednesdays at the posted times. There have been 6 riders who ride from Candler Park to Boulevard and 3 who follow the route to at least Peachtree. The Wednesday route is maintaining momentum. I'd like to try a different day for Decatur.

Would leaving the square either Monday or Friday of next week at 7:30 suit everyone? This is something we might try once a month rather than weekly. chainstretcher, would you post a route or be willing to lead us on your route?

ratherBbiking - Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:26 am
Post subject:

Either day at 7:30 works for me.

chainstretcher - Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:15 pm
Post subject:

Next week is a good news bad news thing.

Bad news:
I'm driving in Monday and Tuesday due to moving some equipment around. I'm off on Friday and won't be going to work.

Good News:
I'm off on Friday and won't be going to work. I should be available in the morning.

It sounds like we may meet up in the square (in front of Starbucks?) at 7:30 Friday. That seems a little late to play in traffic but I'll try it.
Where do we want to end up and when? Atlantic Station?

jettmarks - Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:23 pm
Post subject:

It sounds like Friday Nov. 16 is the day and Starbucks at the Square is the place.

I don't mind 7:15-7:20 if this works better for everyone.

jettmarks - Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:26 pm
Post subject:

Oh, and Atlantic Station is fine. I would then loop through Ga Tech to get down to my final destination at AT&T.

IndyFan - Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:47 am
Post subject:

If we can determine a departure time I will cross-post this event. A good turnout is assured.

ratherBbiking - Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:56 pm
Post subject:

Why don't we meet up at 7:15 then, knowing that we probably will end up talking for a few minutes anyway before we roll out?

chainstretcher - Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:21 pm
Post subject:

Sounds good!

I have an appointment with some preschool pilgrims at 9:30 but we should be done in time.

jettmarks - Wed Nov 14, 2007 6:54 am
Post subject:

I'll be there 7:15 on Friday.

chainstretcher - Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:08 pm
Post subject:

Friday's my day off!
I hope to be at starbucks before 7:15 tomorrow.

I rode to downtown today (Cnn Center) down dekalb ave, mclendon, euclid, edgewood, peachtree. twenty-thirty knot breeze in my face the whole ride. Unfortunately, the weather system moved so that I got the opposing wind in my face going home.

Flatted on Edgewood in the dark and had to chase down my fancy LG winter gloves when the wind took them down the street.

Now I can see why folks are so mad about what Atlanta did to Mclendon. A design atrocity. Glad that's not my regular route.

I went a whole year without a flat now I can't leave the block without changing a tube.

Anyhow, see you guys tomorrow. Dress warmly!

ratherBbiking - Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:54 am
Post subject:

It was a pleasure riding in this morning with you guys. A bit cold, but otherwise enjoyable. In all heading out that way only added 10 miles to my ride in, so i will try to join you all again every so often.

IndyFan - Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:00 pm
Post subject:

+1. Enjoyed the company and the scenery. Piedmont Park is beautiful in the morning this time of year.

jettmarks - Fri Nov 16, 2007 6:56 pm
Post subject:

Thanks guys for breaking my record for the number of riders coming in. OK, the old record was 3 and the new record is 4, but we don't have to tell everyone

.

Chainstretcher rode to work with us on his day off and led the group on his morning route. We rode from the Square to 12th and Peachtree via Coventry, Emory Village, VaHi, and Piedmont Park, a pleasant route.

RatherBBiking made a substantial detour to join the group as noted in his post. I watched him make short work of a homemade peanut butter sandwich at the Starbucks to compensate for the extra calorie expenditure.

IndyFan favored us by travelling well north of his typical route. Perhaps we'll take greater advantage of Piedmont Park's scenery by taking the longer side of the loop.

IndyFan, can you tell us more about the Thumbs Up morning gathering? I'm interested.

We will do this again. I'll start a new thread/route for Decatur/Midtown. I've got a co-worker from Decatur who rides 50+ miles a week but hasn't started commuting -- yet. I'll eventually get him to join us.

chainstretcher - Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:17 pm
Post subject:

jettmarks,

I have to hand it to you for a great meetup location. I arrived a few minutes early and was provided cheerful bike check-in, hot chocolate, live music and people watching while waiting for everyone to show up. Not a bad way to start a ride even if it was below freezing!

My ride back from town was slow. I felt like a brake was dragging or my legs were fatigued . I think now it may have been the doubled tights restricting my legs. What's a good solution for non-restrictive winter leg wear?

jettmarks - Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:15 pm
Post subject:

I wish now that I had gotten a photo of your valet bike parking. Decatur really is the best for cyclists.

All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Powered by PNphpBB2 1.0 © 2003 based on phpBB 2.0.4 © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group
and by PNTheme 1.1 which uses Theme Graphics by Daz
and by Attachment-Mod 2.3.6