MTB Atlanta has partnered with a new cycling festival in the Atlanta Airport District, Spin the District. As you may know, MTB Atlanta is actively building a new trail system, the Ride and Fly Trails,  in the Atlanta Airport District. We are excited to join in on this new cycling iniative in Hapeville, College Park, East Point and Union City.

The ATL Airport District is the place to be this fall as a new cycling experience, Spin the District, unfolds in the cities of East Point, Hapeville, and College Park, Georgia. Attendees will enjoy two different types of fast paced cycling entertainment over the course of the 3-day weekend – track cycling, one of the oldest and wildest forms of bike racing, will take to the steep banks of the Dick Lane Velodrome in East Point, and criterium racing, where the historic streets of Hapeville and College Park transform into the race course. Leading up to and during race weekend, more fun festivities are taking place including: the LocalMotion Arts Festival, BMX freestyle, wheelie seminar, MTB trials, amateur races, and a restaurant/pub crawl!

The cycling fun doesn’t stop after the 3-day weekend in September; more excitement awaits in the District with a Gran Fondo. Utilizing both pavement and gravel, this race takes place starting in Union City, Georgia on Sunday, October 21^st. The “Big Ride” offers 30 and 60-mile road options and a 100-mile mixed gravel/road option that will follow a beautiful route through South Fulton County. Each ride ends back in Union City for a fun afternoon of live music, food trucks, and a BMX stunt show.

We have 3 training rides for you to choose from on Saturday, August 18th (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) to get you ready for the races and the festival!

Please RSVP to the ride you want to participate on the corresponding event page below:

Beginner ride: https://www.facebook.com/events/217458285777520/
Intermediate ride: https://www.facebook.com/events/231970030795523/
Advanced ride: https://www.facebook.com/events/421563458334101/

START LOCATION: Drip Coffee, Historic Hapeville, GA
END LOCATION: Beer Girl, Growlers & Bottleshop, Hapeville

PARKING: We always recommend riding to the ride if you can, but if you drive, please park in the public parking lot on North Fulton

Beginner Ride

RIDE DISTANCE: 12 Miles
ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28226820

Beginner rides: The beginner ride is intended for people who know how to ride and own a bike that has RECENTLY been checked out by a bike shop and is in good working condition. These rides will be a casual no drop ride – meaning we will always ride as a group, or we will place an experienced rider with you should you start to fall back from the main group. These rides will be casual and will cover the basics of riding in a group (known as a peloton) and on the road. The goal of the beginner ride is first and foremost to have fun, as well as to get you back out riding. We will have plenty of experienced riders to educate and help as we go along. note: There are very few places in Atlanta that is flat. We have attempted to limit the number of hills as best as possible, but there will be some climbing. Pace will be casual.

Intermediate Ride

RIDE DISTANCE: 24 Miles
ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27585480

Intermediate rides: The intermediate ride is intended for people who have experience riding but may not feel comfortable riding in a group or on the road, or maybe a little out of shape from not riding as much as you would like. The intermediate ride will also be a no drop ride. These rides will start off easy, covering the basics of riding in a group (known as a peloton) and will advance in speed, distance, and technique as the ride and month’s progress. The goal of the Intermediate ride is to get you to feel comfortable riding in most situations and to prepare you for the October Gran Fondo. The pace of the Intermediate rides will average around 15 mph with some stretches that we will increase or decrease, depending on the group dynamic.

Advanced Ride

RIDE DISTANCE: 62 Miles
ROUTE MAP: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27598278

Advanced ride: The advanced rides are intended for cyclists who are comfortable and have experience riding in a peloton and can ride 50 or more miles. Each ride will include some gravel that can be ridden on a road bike, but it is strongly suggested to not bring your best wheels or to bring a bike better suited for gravel. If you only own a road bike, tire widths of 25mm will work, 28 or greater will work better, with a tire pressure lower than 90psi is recommended. These rides will be led by several bicycle clubs with experience in leading safe, responsible group rides. The pace will average 17-20 mph on paved roads and will vary in distance and difficulty. The main goal of the advanced ride is to have fun while gaining fitness and practice riding on gravel. These rides will follow a strict two abreast pace line while on the pavement, observing all traffic signals, and will regroup after each gravel segment. These rides will not have a sag and will not have a “no drop” ride policy, minus the gravel sections, and riders will be responsible to know the route and bring all necessary equipment and food to finish by themselves if they lose touch with the group.

Rules and Regulations:

—As with all non-sanctioned rides (suggested local group route), you understand that you are riding on public roads and there are inherent dangers of riding your bicycle on them and that you are riding at your own risk and by participating you accept those risks. You are ultimately responsible for your own personal safety.

Helmets are required!

All minors must be accompanied by an adult. All Juniors with USA Cycling licenses will be allowed to ride on the Advanced rides, but like all advanced riders, they are on their own should they get dropped.

Recumbents, bikes with trailers, trikes and the like – other than a traditional two-wheeled road, mountain or commuter bike – are allowed for the beginner ride only, but we ask that you ride in the back of the group. This ride is meant to teach people how to ride in a group on the road as a unit and these types of bikes make it hard to do that.

Routes subject to change depending on weather and road conditions

RAIN: The Beginner ride will be canceled if it is raining at 8:00am on the day of. All other rides will continue unless there is lightning in the area.

What to bring:

Part of being a good cyclist is having the tools and accessories necessary to be self-sufficient, safe, and ready to ride. Below is a general list of items to bring as well as a to-do-list that you should have gone through well before the day of the ride.
•Helmet: Every ride requires every participant to wear an ANSI approved helmet.
•Gear Bag: Under the seat gear bags are suggested and should be stocked it with the basics – extra tube, tire tools, a small multi-tool, and either a mini pump or a CO2 cartridge set.
•Tire Pressure: pump your tires up before coming to the ride. Pump your tires to the suggested PSI rating on your tire.
•Your bike: Give it a quick inspection. Spin the wheels to make sure they aren’t rubbing. Do the gears shift accurately and easily? Does everything seem to be in order? If not, head to your nearest local bike shop for a quick tune-up.
•Hydration/Food: Remember to bring plenty of water and maybe an energy snack (bar, gel, banana, etc – Peanut butter and jelly make the perfect energy bar for those not allergic).
•Optional items: The following will make your ride more enjoyable, but aren’t absolutely necessary. Cycling gloves, sunglasses, cycling shoes and clipless pedals, padded cycling shorts.
•Be on Time: The rides will leave promptly at the advertised time. Get to the start of the ride with plenty of time to get yourself and your bike ready to roll – a minimum of a half-hour is suggested

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT:
Join us for a series of bicycle rides through the ATL Airport District. June 23, July 21, August 18

Leading up to the September races and October Gravel Gran Fondo, Spin the District, with the help of several area bicycle clubs will be hosting a series of training/social rides. Each ride will be the third Saturday of every month and will include a short beginner loop as well as an intermediate and advanced training ride. The rides are intended to bring friends, family, and fellow cyclists together to promote health and fitness while at the same time raising awareness to the ATL Airport District.