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Commuting Routes - Decatur/Midtown Bike Train

jettmarks - Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:34 pm
Post subject: Decatur/Midtown Bike Train

After much discussion, we rode.

Yesterday, Friday, Nov. 16, a foursome of bike commuters rode this route from the square in Decatur to Midtown via Emory Village, Virginia-Highland and Piedmont Park.

We left shortly before 7:30AM and arrived on Peachtree at 8AM. This route and the times worked out OK for the four of us. Would others be interested in joining us on future dates?

I'm also considering more southern routes. 3 out of the 4 reached Peachtree within a few blocks of our final destination, but one rider traveled further south. I frequently encounter Decatur riders along the PATH trail headed to Midtown and Downtown. L5P/Edgewood is another popular route.

There is a co-worker who will eventually join me on a commute in from Decatur. We will probably be taking a route via the PATH trail and 5th Street.

Although Friday's foursome would be considered experienced, I want to emphasize this bike train is beginner friendly. My main purposes are to get to work and have fun doing so, but also to encourage others to take up bike commuting. We'd love to have you join us one morning.

perlmonk - Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:56 pm
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Dang man. I'm commuting in on the PATH foundation path, through Little 5 Points, and then on Edgewood Avenue to Marietta Street. It's considerably South of y'all. But I'm always glad to hear about more folks out there, 'specially as the weather is turning.

jettmarks - Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:53 pm
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This morning was great. I reverted back to shorts after Friday's slap in the face, get-your-gloves-out temperatures.

I rode over to Edgewood on my way in this morning just to check out convenient routes over to the Thumbs Up Cafe. On my way back north, I spotted Andrew Young across the corner from Ebenezer Baptist while waiting at the Jackson/Auburn light. He had a backward-walking camera man in front of him. I wouldn't have noticed him otherwise.

What time do you ride? I'll look for you. Also, the co-worker is interested in a route closer to yours.

IndyFan - Tue Nov 20, 2007 11:37 am
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There's a regular Commuter Breakfast on the Edgewood route at Thumb's Up. Fridays at 7:00 AM - 8:15 AM. Folks drop in and out, but it's usually the fastermustache.org crowd, a friendly bunch that loves to eat.

There have recently been two working breakfasts there to meet and discuss bicycle advocacy issues with Atlanta Bicycle Campaign's new Executive Director, Rebecca Serna.

jettmarks - Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:41 pm
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Thanks IndyFan for the details. I'll be sure to stop by when I can. I can't leave the house without breakfast, but always enjoy the chance to eat two breakfasts.

I knew I had heard the name Thumbs Up recently. I got a chance to meet and chat with Rebecca Serna a couple of weeks ago at Climate Jam . I'm sure talking with Rebecca is where I first heard about the gathering spot.

This would make a good staging spot for folks who wanted to ride in with others on a mini-Bike to Work Day.

jettmarks - Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:54 pm
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I'm inviting both new bike commuters and experienced commuters to join me on the Winter Solstice, Friday, Dec 21 for another ride from the Square in Decatur to Midtown. Details -- including a choice of four routes -- can be found at this post on my website.

We leave by 7:30AM and depending on the route we choose, will ride between 6 and 9 miles. A few of the routes either pass or are within a few blocks of the Thumbs Up Diner on Edgewood.

If you've got another suggested route, enter it into Bikely.com and we'll add it to the list of choices.

IndyFan - Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:59 am
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That's looking ahead, Jett. I thought you meant this Friday. (Which, being the last Friday of the month, is Critical Mass. 7:00 PM from Woodruff Park. Everyone is invited.)

chainstretcher - Wed Nov 28, 2007 9:53 pm
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Jettmarks,

Since the start point is practically in my driveway, I'll be glad to "commute" on the 21st with you guys but guess what? I have that day off!
Honest, I really do have a day job.

jettmarks - Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:22 am
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Ha Ha ! Chainstretcher! The guy who rides to work on his day off is going to become the headline for this story.

jettmarks - Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:30 pm
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Perlmonk, the votes are leaning toward this route for Dec. 21, which I believe is close to your route. It will get us to the Thumbs Up Diner, after which some of the group would continue straight on Edgewood into town.

We'd love to have you join us.

Chainstretcher, I ran into your co-worker Bill the other day. He's looking to add some miles to his morning commute and is considering the occasional ride with us.

jettmarks - Fri Dec 21, 2007 6:45 pm
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We rode from Decatur to the Thumbs Up Diner, but not in time to catch the commuter crowd (if there was one, since school is out).

IndyFan led the way this morning and I was sufficiently impressed with his route that I've changed the route I had planned to match what we rode. IndyFan's improvements demonstrate that experience is valuable when selecting a route. I'm glad that he shared his experience with us.

Well, now that we've tackled dark, cold and rainy days when everyone is out-of-town, we're ready to get into a tuck for the downhill.

Next ride date will be Friday, January 18. This is being posted on other sites as the "3rd Friday Commute -- a Bike Pool". We talked about moving the ride time earlier so we could join the commuter breakfast at Thumbs Up. To arrive at the diner around 7:10, we would want to leave the square at 6:40. We'd still make it to Midtown around 8:15-8:20. Feedback?

jettmarks - Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:56 pm
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3rd Friday: January, 18 we'll leave the Decatur Square at 6:40 AM to arrive at the Thumbs Up Diner Commuter Breakfast at 7:10AM. We'll be following this route on Bikely.com .

ratherBbiking - Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:19 am
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jettmarks wrote:

3rd Friday: January, 18 we'll leave the Decatur Square

Is that the same place we met at last time? I might try to make it.

I will also let you know for sure on Thursday so you won't wait for me.

jettmarks - Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:19 pm
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Hey RatherB, it is the same place with an earlier time. IndyFan suggested an earlier start so we could meet up with the commuter group that frequents the diner on Edgewood. I've gone by there a few times but always too late.

IndyFan - Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:31 am
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I'm in. Driving the fixie since I'll be on vacation...on my way to Ididaride in White Springs, FL, later that day.

ratherBbiking - Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:52 am
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I am going to try and make it, but don't count on me being there - i.e., don't wait if I am late.

perlmonk - Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:24 am
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That's right on my regular commute route, but man that's early for me. Still, I might want to join.

jettmarks - Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:47 pm
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I was able to hit the Diner this morning to meet up with the ABC Commuter's Breakfast. Breakfast at the TU Diner could easily become habit forming.

Perlmonk, we'd love to have you ride with us. If you think you're up for it, we'll look for you outside the Starbucks on the Square.

IndyFan - Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:32 am
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Saw the bikes; wondered what all the bent and steel-framed cruisers were doing there.

perlmonk - Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:24 pm
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A nice ride in this morning. It was good to have some company, and Thumbs Up serves a whole lot of food for a breakfast. Too bad the Faster Mustache folks weren't around when we were.

I got a little chilly riding after the sit-down, probly 'cause I'm not used to taking a break just then.

jettmarks - Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:45 pm
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perlmonk, glad you could join us. Also glad to learn about OLPC

.

I'm with you on the breakfast. As my miles pick up in the warmer months, I'll be able to eat two big breakfasts instead of two regular-sized breakfasts. (I can't get out of the house without breakfast so that was my second one.)

IndyFan, I meant to ask you about Ididaride.

I've given the no-show FM guys a poke on my blog . I've gotten one response so far.

IndyFan - Mon Jan 21, 2008 11:44 am
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Enjoyed breakfast and the ride on Firday.

Our second Ididaride was pretty good. Four of us from here made it, out of the dozen or so who had planned to go...weather forecast changed some minds. We rode 50 miles of great singletrack and forest service roads in White Springs, Florida, on the rolling banks of the Suwanee River. Started in rain for the first ten miles, finished in a thunderstorm and downpour. Suwanee Bicycle Association takes care of its riders (if they don't show a great deal of concern for the trails). They fed us from their clubhouse's kitchen when we arrived Friday night, breakfast and dinner on Saturday. A beautiful, tricky ride. The best part was the fire in the clubhouse at the end of the day. A wet, sort of cold weekend, but great fun. Heard you guys had some snow.

jettmarks - Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:12 am
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Third Friday comes early this month, Feb. 15. I think we have to do the Thumbs Up Breakfast since I complained that the regular crowd was absent last time. Do we want to call it 6:40 AM at the Starbucks on the Decatur Square?

IndyFan, I came across a photo from Ididaride that you may have been in. It was posted by a guy from Atlanta that I haven't met, but you may know him. He mentioned because of the rain, only 125 riders showed up out of 300.

IndyFan - Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:57 am
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Yep, Jett, that's my wet self. Don't know all the SORBA folks from around here, but I do get out there once in a while.

See you on the 15th.

perlmonk - Thu Jan 31, 2008 12:12 pm
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Dewd, you look pretty wet!

I'll probly be there the 15th.

jettmarks - Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:15 am
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Looks like we've got 5 for tomorrow morning: IndyFan, perlmonk, Jay, ckdake and myself. 6:40 - Starbucks on the Square.

Chainstretcher, haven't heard from you in a while. Are you still riding?

Any other takers? I know it's awful early for ratherBbiking, but we'd love to get you in the diner.

BTW, for those who don't know: Thumbs Up Diner is cash only.

ratherBbiking - Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:08 am
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It was on my calendar until earlier this week when I learned I had to be in Nicholson at 9:30 am for business. I hope to make it next time.

IndyFan - Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:17 am
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CS is around; he was white-eyed for making an attempt at humor on the forum a while back and has left the building. Hope he will join us...

chainstretcher - Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:10 pm
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Hey are you guys doing this ride again soon?

Rumours of my demise have been greatly exagerated though I haven't been riding in a long time so my hillclimbing will rival that of the departed.

I must admit that I'm unfamiliar with the term "white-eyed ". I even Googled it with no luck.

IndyFan - Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:50 am
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It must be a Southern colloquial expression. Meant to express surprise, as when one's brows are raised to reveal the whites of the eyes. Sometimes expressing shock, sometimes simply mocking.

See you on the road.

jettmarks - Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:16 pm
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Sorry for the delayed posting, but yes, Friday March 21, plan to depart the Square at 6:40 AM for a ride over to Thumbs Up Diner on Edgewood. Pardon my cross-post on Faster Mustache.

Saw perlmonk yesterday at the Capitol/Mayor's Ride as well as ckdake.

May will be Bike to Work Week/Month/etc. Think about any new commuters we might want to infect with the bike commuting bug. We know the rewards of cycling to work and by sharing, those rewards are increased.

ratherBbiking - Wed Mar 12, 2008 7:29 pm
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Isn't March 21st Good Friday this year? I think a lot of folks will be off work, so don't expect a big turnout. Perhaps you could postpone the ride until the 28th?

jettmarks - Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:04 pm
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ratherBbiking wrote:

Isn't March 21st Good Friday this year? I think a lot of folks will be off work, so don't expect a big turnout. Perhaps you could postpone the ride until the 28th?

Good point. This would make it even more recreational than commuting.

I would have been right on top of this when I was still attending parochial school, but I've married a Jewish girl and Passover is a month off from Easter this year.

I know I can't ride the 14th, I can ride the 21st and I can probably arrange things so I can ride the 28th as well. Any other input?

jettmarks - Sat Aug 15, 2009 3:44 pm
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See "Revived Third Friday Commute". We're starting it back up for August 2009.

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