Miles: 41.2 Time: 3 hr. 40 min. Average: 11 mph
Our bikes have had a little rest on the grass, our legs are strong and ready but we are nervous about what lies ahead. Off we go, we start off with a few wrong turns, but no disasters and the traffic is in fact light - post commuter traffic. Soon we are off heavily traveled roads and into a lovely well established heavily treed neighborhood on the NW corner of Atlanta. Then back onto a busy road as we get closer to the downtown area; we miss a turn and end up riding through the center of Mid Town Atlanta on 14th street. However it is no problem. We even stop to take some pictures of the beautiful high rise building and take in the whole down town flavor. 14th takes us right into Piedmont Park.
Piedmont Park is quite large with lakes and open grassy area, dog park area, botanic gardens (which Bill spends several hours visiting) and winding pathways. Everywhere people are out enjoying the park and the lovely day. It is a true gem in the city. We stop for a bit to eat and exit the park on the east side and into another more modest but still quite lovely residential area.
Soon we pick up signs for the bike path that we will take the rest of the way, the Stone Mountain Bike Trail. Once we are on it we can throw the maps away. We have maneuvered through what we thought would be a hair-raising route through a metropolitan area of 5.5 million people!
We are not up an out early this morning. We want to wait for the crazy commuter traffic to finish the morning commute before we get on the road. Kit has gone out early to get two street maps of Atlanta, one for Martha and Kit and one for Bill. We mark our route on each one and then we ready to tackle the big city that we have been so forewarned about by everyone we've talked to. We actually start by finishing up the last 8 miles on the Silver Comet Trail before we have to hit the streets. At the end of the SCT a lady just starting her bike ride helps us with directions onto the streets. She is enamored with our trip and wishes she could come along with us.
Our bikes have had a little rest on the grass, our legs are strong and ready but we are nervous about what lies ahead. Off we go, we start off with a few wrong turns, but no disasters and the traffic is in fact light - post commuter traffic. Soon we are off heavily traveled roads and into a lovely well established heavily treed neighborhood on the NW corner of Atlanta. Then back onto a busy road as we get closer to the downtown area; we miss a turn and end up riding through the center of Mid Town Atlanta on 14th street. However it is no problem. We even stop to take some pictures of the beautiful high rise building and take in the whole down town flavor. 14th takes us right into Piedmont Park.
Piedmont Park is quite large with lakes and open grassy area, dog park area, botanic gardens (which Bill spends several hours visiting) and winding pathways. Everywhere people are out enjoying the park and the lovely day. It is a true gem in the city. We stop for a bit to eat and exit the park on the east side and into another more modest but still quite lovely residential area.
Soon we pick up signs for the bike path that we will take the rest of the way, the Stone Mountain Bike Trail. Once we are on it we can throw the maps away. We have maneuvered through what we thought would be a hair-raising route through a metropolitan area of 5.5 million people!
We get to Stone Mountain Park about the same time that Bill does. As we approach the mountain we are taken by how out of place it appears. The center attraction is a big granite dome standing out of the green forest like a forgotten cyclops. It history is, among other things, being a major meeting place for the KKK. The granite dome rises 400 feet about the surrounding land and the north face is dominated by a carving of General Lee, Jefferson Davis and Stonewall Jackson. The carving took 50 years to complete as the original "artist" was fired and WWII interrupted it also. The park itself is immense with golf course, several hotels, two restaurants, a tram to the to of the mountain, conference areas, lakes and much more. It is now under private hands and so the emphasis seems to be on making money, but it is very well maintained and bicyclist, runners and walkers don't have to pay the $10 car entrance fee. We stay at the Stone Mountain Inn in the biggest room we've ever been in. Kind of wish we were camping, but a bed is nice and it is getting close to the end of our trip.
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