GAPS

atlrunnergirl - 2008-09-30 4:15 PM Do they offer a one gap ride for us slow newbies?

Uh...no...  Though they did offer a 35-mile "valley" option this year, which didn't include any Gaps, but was undoubtedly a beautiful ride and likely included enough vertical to make people happy.

This said, a great "one gap" option not too far from town is Burnt Mtn.  It's comparable to any of the "lesser" (is there such a thing?) Gaps and you can take it up and over or up, turn around, and return the same way.

atlrunnergirl - 2008-09-30 4:30 PM Darn.  .  I guess I'll have to keep riding hills and try next year!

Keep doing what you're doing.  Looks like you're getting in enough mileage to build a great base and if you keep riding the hills around Buckhead (throw in some Powers Ferry/N'side Drive - 285 side of things - from time to time), you'll be able to easily knock off the Three Gap ride.

Keep up the good work!

atlrunnergirl - 2008-09-30 4:15 PM Do they offer a one gap ride for us slow newbies?

I have an excellant one gap option/idea that I have proposed to several people although no one has taken me up on it.  Go to Turner's Corner which is the very bottom of Neel's Gap.  There is plenty of parking as soon as you turn left at the stop sign.  There is also a very cool restaurant on the right where you can eat on the deck overlooking the creek and watch the trout swim while you eat.

Start up Neel's gap which is not steep at all for the first mile, then it starts to get a bit steeper for a mile or so.  Around 2.5 miles there is a dip and you can rest for almost a mile.  The next three or four miles are a bit steeper.  The entire ride up from the stop sign is 7.5 miles and if my Garmin is correct the altitude gain is 1623 feet.  The great thing about this option is that you can ride as far up Neel's as you want and you can turn around and coast down at any time where you can enjoy a pleasurable dining experience at the Turner's Corner Cafe which will be just across the street from your car.  After you are finished with your delightful dining experience, you can stop by Wolf Mountain Winery on the way back to Atlanta.  It is only a few miles back toward Atlanta on Hwy 9 on the right.  There is a little green sign that points the way off Hwy 9.

LHablas - 2008-09-30 3:42 PM

atlrunnergirl - 2008-09-30 4:30 PM Darn.  .  I guess I'll have to keep riding hills and try next year!

Keep doing what you're doing.  Looks like you're getting in enough mileage to build a great base and if you keep riding the hills around Buckhead (throw in some Powers Ferry/N'side Drive - 285 side of things - from time to time), you'll be able to easily knock off the Three Gap ride.

Keep up the good work!

Oh heck yes! I actually ride a 21 mile route on Wednesdays that includes the Northside hill and gets over near 285.  That one is pretty hilly!

Ooh! This might be good! I'm emailing this to myself for the spring! When, ahem, gas prices are cheaper. Or, at least, I can fill up on the way home.

Why wait until spring?  We will have plenty of gas by the end of the week.  Anyone can do the ride I suggested.  You can also ride Hwy 9 back towards Dahlonega although it is a bit hilly, not bad though, or you can head toward Clevland.  These extra options give you plenty of easy riding if you start up Neel's Gap and decide to turn back before you feel you have had your fill of riding for the day.