BeltLine Bike Tour route information

This beautiful new park is at the intersection of Boynton Ave and Martin Street in the Peoplestown neighborhood of Atlanta, just southwest of Grant Park.

 

Remember when choosing a route that “the BeltLine” is not just a linear loop bike path around the city, but encompasses many things. This ambitious and exciting project includes:

• a multi-use (bike and pedestrian) path

 

We've designed the 2012 BeltLine Bike Tour routes to attempt to ride by and highlight all of these things, as

well as partner with neighborhoods, communities, and other events.

 

 

MODERATE: This is designed for riders who want to ride on the BeltLine corridor itself, but might show up with limited experience, or perhaps not the perfect off road bike or clothing. This ride will use city streets to get to the first interpretive stop at BeltLine Bike Shop in Adair Park, then use the abandoned railbed of the BeltLine corridor to a stop at Gordon White Park; this stretch includes some large rock, and a few places where you'll have to dismount and lift your bike over downed trees. You'll then return to the BeltLine corridor to Washington Park. There will be an interpretive stop at Washington Park, and leaders will offer riders the opportunity to turn around at this point. Those who wish to continue will have the option of joining the Advanced route (see below.) Total distance for this out-and-back ride is a little under 12 miles, and ride leaders will be prepared to identify easier options while on the ride.

At the finish we'll join the Peoplestown neighborhood at DH Stanton Park to celebrate DH Stanton Elementary, and you'll find live music, speakers, and food trucks.

Distance: approximately 11.3 miles

Bike: A proper mountain bike with fat tires is strongly recommended.

Route map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1116443

Total elevation gain: 598 feet

 

ADVANCED: This exciting, challenging route is designed for riders with experience mountain biking, with appropriate mountain bikes in good repair, who want some serious challenge and fun.

 

This route is similar to the Moderate option above, but will include more railbed, some dismount-and-walk portions, crushed rock, a little singletrack, and a BeltLine Bike Tour Exclusive: riding in to the former Bellwood Quarry site (the future Westside Reservoir Park!) It will be a total of 22 to 24 rugged miles of riding, with significant elevation gain in spots, as well as a several busy streets. It will take in a rest stop at 5 Seasons Westside, an important supporter and parter of ABC. Terrain will range from railbed, to rough rock, to dirt, to street, with various challenging portions. Bring long sleeves: there is a potential for poison ivy! Riders who select this route will have the option of switching to the moderate about halfway through the ride, at Washington Park, and returning with that group. For this ride please be sure to bring a couple water bottles, snacks, and your sense of adventure! 

At the finish we'll join the Peoplestown neighborhood at DH Stanton Park to celebrate DH Stanton Elementary, and you'll

find live music, speakers, and food trucks.

Distance: 22-24 miles

Bike: a proper mountain bike in good working order is required for this ride.

Route map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1132924

Total elevation gain: 1216 feet

 

 

We will offer two pace groups for this challenging, scenic, hilly exploration of the West Side: Pace (faster) and

Moderate (slightly slower.) All riders will follow the same route.

 

West riders will depart DH Stanton Park and ride to the Adair Park neighborhood for an interpretive stop at

BeltLine Bike Shop, a great neighborhood nonprofit which help local youth earn bikes. From there you'll ride

adjacent to the BeltLine transit corridor to Gordon White Park and utilize one of the newer portions of

completed PATH BeltLine trail to an interpretive stop outside Westview Cemetery, where you'll also hear about

exciting plans for a mountian bike trail park just west of the cemetery.. You'll then take the Lionel Hampton

Trail through Mozley Park and up to Maddox Park, then head over to 5 Seasons Westside for a rest stop and

refreshments. The route will then cut back through Maddox Park, stop at Washington Park for a brief

interpretive talk, and return through the West End and Pittsburgh neighborhoods to DH Stanton Park. At the

finish we'll join the Peoplestown neighborhood at DH Stanton Park to celebrate DH Stanton Elementary, and

you'll find live music, speakers, and food trucks.

Distance: approximately 20.0 miles

Bike: Any road or city bike in reasonably good shape that you want to ride a little over 20 miles on.

Route map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1035531

Total elevation gain: 1265 feet

 

 

This is the route for those with the energy to tour the big picture loop of the Atlanta BeltLine! This route will follow much the same route, with the same highlights, as the West BeltLine route, above, as far as 5 Seasons Westside. From 5 Seasons, the Full will continue up past the City of Atlanta Water Works and skirt the edge of Atlanta Station on the way to Tanyard Creek Park. Tanyard Creek features a gorgeous new BeltLine park and PATH Foundation trail. The ride will then proceed through to the Ansley Park neighborhood, and through Piedmont Park for a return visit to the gorgeous new fountain in the new north addition of the park. You'll ride through the western part of Virginia Highland and hear and see the fascinating history of the old baseball stadium where Whole Foods now sits, including the still living magnolia tree that was in play and which Babe Ruth hit a home run in to. You'll visit the gorgeous and now fully open Historic Fourth Ward Park and hear about the historic grounds on which it sits, as well as the exciting new plans for developing the former City Hall East into Ponce City Market. A pleasant ride through east Atlanta will bring you to a rendezvous with the Brownwood Bike Rally, a partner bicycling event run for the benefit of the East Atlanta Kids Club at Brownwood Park, before returning to DH Stanton Park. This challenging and hilly will give you a big picture, yet close-up, view of the full BeltLine circuit of Atlanta.

 

Distance: approximately 31.0 miles

Bike: A solid road bike or commuter in good shape is recommended for this route. It's long, and hilly.

Route map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1119297

Total elevation gain: 2140 feet

 

 

This ramble through Atlanta's east side neighborhoods will skirt Grant Park and drop by Oakland Cemetery before heading up to the beautiful new Skate Park, and Historic Fourth Ward Park. You'll hear the about the past, present, and future of these dynamic neighborhoods, changing all the time largely due to BeltLine developments. The East route will then meander along the Stone Mountain PATH trail toward Candler Park, and cut down to East Atlanta Village. It will drop by the Brownwood Bike Rally, a partner bicycling event run for the benefit of the East Atlanta Kids Club at Brownwood Park, before returning to DH Stanton Park. While the shortest of the mid-range routes, the East route does include a few challenging hills, and at about 15 miles, is just challenging enough to make the day interesting! 

Distance: approximately 14.4 miles

Bike: A road or city bike is best, but most any bike in good shape that you want to ride 15 miles on will work!

Route map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1035570

Total elevation gain: 1027 feet

 

 

The Sweet is our shortest and most family-friendly route! You'll ride through Grant Park, skirting the Atlanta Zoo and historic Cyclorama, before heading over to the grand bicycle festivities of the Brownwood Bike Rally. Sweet riders will have the option to stick around the Brownwood Bike Rally for a few hours to take in the youth and adult cyclocross races, games, food, and amusements. You can either make your own way back to the BeltLine Bike Tour start at DH Stanton Park, or re-join the return ride back to the start. This is a fantastic way to experience both of these great family bike events! Training wheels or very small kid's bikes are not a good idea, but tag-alongs and bike trailers pulling your kids, but powered by the adults, are welcome!

Distance: a little under 7 miles

Bike: most any bike in decent repair will do

Route map: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1100683

Total elevation gain: 484 feet