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Thanks to Kennesaw Cyclist C. Pettit, who has forwarded the following links and recommendations to me for some long-distance routes.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/garandon/
Audax Atlanta Web site
http://www.geocities.com/garandon/
(Mr. Pettit Recommends the White GA ppt file, adding that the Northwest loop around Lake Marvin is a good partial route.)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sundayride/files/Maps/ gets you to maps, including scenic roads with no traffic.
One of the 3Gap/6Gap sites:
http://www.dahlonega.org/sixgapcentury/sixgapmap.html*
(*Comments Mr. Pettit: "Should you venture out and try 3/6 Gap I'd only ride it in the
direction
they show.
It's much better (safer) traffic-wise. It's a long drive to get there,
400
to 19.")
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 IMAGE: Smoot en route to Dallas, GA, on the Silver Comet trail. Photo by Dr. Nikhil Moro.
CYCLING with SMOOT
Cycling has been my hobby, relaxation, and outdoors activity nearly six months out of every year since 1992. I'm competitive only with my own times and distances, except for a short and unhappy experience with racing. As Flannery O'Connor once wrote, "I'm glad I've went once, but I ain't ever goin' back." (I have much the same feeling about riding trails.) After riding my new bike since 1993, I bought a newer one, by Specialized in 2008. It's black. Can't say much else about it. Interested in riding? E-mail me at scott@smootpage.com. I favor the Silver Comet route, leaving from Florence Rd. in Powder Springs. (Read directions | Other routes.)
A record of average speeds, 2011.
8/13 38 miles @ 12 (Stone Mtn.)
8/13 33 miles @ 16.4
8/06 33 miles @ 15 - something: Caught in rain.
8/01 33 miles @ 16.8. School meetings start tomorrow, so, this may be the last weekday ride for a long time.
Whoa! I let a lot of rides slip by, and don't remember all. None faster than 16.6 m.p.h. Passed the 4000 miles mark on this odometer.
7/15 52 miles @ 16.8
7/13 34 miles @ 16.9
7/11 44 miles @ 16
7/08 38 miles @ 13 (Stone Mtn.)
7/07 18 miles @ 16.6
7/06 42 miles @ 17
7/04 38 miles @ 12.5 (Stone Mtn.)
7/02 37 miles @ 17.3 Valdosta, around Moody Air Force Base
6/29 38 miles @ 16.2
6/27 23 miles @ 16.2
6/25 38 miles @ 12.5 (Stone Mtn.)
6/24 33 miles @ 16.6
6/22 17.5 miles @ 17.5
6/20 33 miles @ 16.6
6/18 44 miles (Stone Mtn, 2x around)
6/14 38 miles (Stone Mtn.)
6/13 36 miles @ 16.06 m.p.h. (Silver Comet)
6/11 44 miles (Stone Mtn., from MLK center - 2x around mtn)
A record of average speeds, 2010.
9/25 40 miles (Stone Mtn., from MLK center)
9/18 36 miles (Stone Mountain), 12.5 m.p.h.
9/16 9 miles, 16.3 m.p.h.
9/ 24 miles, 16.6 m.p.h.
9/06 22 miles, 16.6 m.p.h.
9/05 22 miles, 15 m.p.h. (cool dry air, watery eyes)
8/29 22 miles, 17.3 m.p.h.
8/28 36 miles, Carter center to Stone Mtn, round trip, 12 m.p.h.
8/24 17.6 miles @ 17.2 m.p.h.
8/09 20 miles @ 16.8 m.p.h.
8/07 40 miles round trip between Atlanta's Old Fourth Ward and Stone Mtn. park (circled once) -- untimed
8/03 23.5 miles @ 17.3 m.p.h.
7/31 30 miles with high school friend Holt on Silver Comet
7/28 30 mile loop in mountains from Talking Rock to Ellijay and back, 15 m.p.h.
7/24 Stone Mountain ride, 34 miles. Untimed.
7/23 24 miles @ 16 m.p.h. | Tomorrow: A ride from downtown to Stone Mountain, and back!
7/21 24 miles @ 15.7 m.p.h.
7/19 33 miles @ 16.8 m.p.h.
7/15 51 miles @ 16.2 m.p.h.
7/12 20 miles @ 16 m.p.h.
7/08 33 miles @ 15.9 m.p.h.
7/06 44 miles @ 16.4 m.p.h.
7/05 17.8 miles @ 17.4 m.p.h.
7/03 40 miles @ 15.5 m.p.h. (in territory around Moody A.F.B, Valdosta)
6/30 18 miles @ 16.3 m.p.h.
6/28 38 miles @ 16.6 m.p.h.
6/28 33 miles @ 16.85 m.p.h.
6/24 18 miles @ 16.3 m.p.h.
6/22 32 miles @ 16.2 m.p.h.
6/21 18 miles @ 14.6 m.p.h.
6/20 30 miles @15.7 m.p.h.
6/14 24 miles @ 15.7 m.p.h.
6/12 32 miles @ 16 m.p.h.
6/07 30 miles at 15.8 m.p.h.
6/05 20 miles with high school friend Holt Sanders
pre-6/05 a few rides in April and May around 15.5 m.p.h. |
 Biking to the Land of the Lost?
Self-portrait made at the turn-around point of 51 year / 51 mile birthday ride. Location is 36 miles west of Smyrna, Georgia, with overgrown grass, a lone smokestack from long-gone factory, and evidence of a huge creature's knocking over a seven-foot-high chain link fence. Was stung there by two prehistoric-sized fireflies. |
.
A record of average speeds, 2008. (most recent rides listed first)
7/24 30 miles @ 19.15
7/19 23 miles @ 17.0
7/17 26 miles @ 18.47 (with group)
7/15 Annual Birthday Ride: 49 miles at 16.3
7/12 31 miles @ 17.5
7/8 18 miles (with group) @ 16.1
7/4 36 miles @ 17.3
7/2 24 miles @ 17.2 (again, slow up, fast back: 16.2, 18.3)
7/1 11 miles @ 18.3, returning from a ride of 11 miles @ 14.3, for an average of 16.3.
6/30 34 miles @ 17.4
Three rides between 22nd and today: one at 17.0 m.p.h., others in 16's; two around 24 miles, one only 12.
6/22 44 miles @ 16.8
6/19 17.5 miles @ 16.8
6/18 18 miles @ 15.5 (an easy ride --- around 13 m.p.h. out, much faster back)
6.1718 miles @ 16.8 (first 9 miles at 16.2, so, not bad on return trip)
44 miles @ 17.2 First time this year that I've made it out of the 16s.
Several rides since April, including a fun ride with seventh graders Eric, Josh, and Jason. Most rides averaging 16.3. Was making progress after school got out, when stamina suddenly dropped precipitously. I bought Friel's CYCLING AFTER FIFTY and got the bad news that I can't expect to ride ride fast in the morning and long at night, with swimming in between, the way I used to. Hmpf. However, I should remember that I started riding at the age when Lance Armstrong retired.
A record of average speeds, 2007. (most recent rides listed first)
8/1 34 @ 16.7
7/31 18 @ 16.6
7/30 28@ 17.6
7/27 28@ 17
7/26 28 @ 16
7/24 38 mi. @ 17
7/23 42 mi. @ 17
7/21 41 mi. @ 17.5
Three other rides, all cut short by rain: 20 @ 16
7/12 42 mi. in Cincinnati @ 15
7/4 49.0 mi. @ 17.0
7/2 30 mi. @ 16.9
6/29 42 mi. @ 16.9
After giving blood 6/25, rode twice 20 and 32 mi. at 16.4 m.p.h.
6/21 44 mi. @ 17.4 - Summer solstice, late evening ride
6/20 33.5 mi. @ 17.5 m.p.h. (Rode the previous two days, too.)
6/17 22 mi. @ 16.8 m.p.h. (Stopped to admire a king snake.)
6/16 22 mi. @ 17.3 m.p.h. (Several rides between 6 and 16; mostly 22 miles, mostly around 16.6 m.p.h.)
6/06 School's out. I've been riding some in evenings and weekends for a few weeks, now. Average speeds have ranged between 16.5 and, at best two days ago,17.9. Also, have made it to the top of Kennesaw Mountain three times, once in 13.5 minutes.
A record of average speeds, 2006. (most recent rides listed first)
10/02 After hiatus, three rides this weekend, with 17 miles at 18.17 m.p.h. today
9/13, 9/9 18 mi., 17.96 and 18.2 m.p.h.
9/02 36 @ 17.97 m.p.h.
Two rides, around 18 each, around 18.4 m.p.h. each
8/19 36.7 @ 18.75 m.p.h.
8/17 16 @ 18.4 m.p.h.
8/14 22 @ 18.4 m.p.h.
8/13 28 @ 18.41 m.p.h.
8/07 22 @ 18.57 m.p.h.
7/31 18 @ 18.5 m.p.h.
Last Wednesday, my ride took me through dozens of officers and teens searching for a missing mother. An hour later, I heard on the news that her body was found just past the trestle that I pass twice every ride. Didn't return to the Trail for a week.
7/23 27.5 @ 18.5 m.p.h.
7/22 9 @ 18 m.p.h.
7/21 27 @ 18.16 m.p.h.
7/20 23 @ 18.47 m.p.h.
7/18 17 @ 17.34 m.p.h.
7/15 47 @ 17.97 m.p.h.
7/12 33 @ 17.2 m.p.h.
date? 11 @ 17.5 m.p.h.
date? 34 @ 18.18 m.p.h.
date? 33 @ 17.3 m.p.h.
date? 38 @ 17.5 m.p.h.
date? 35 @ 17.9 m.p.h.
6/28 22 mi. at 18.9 miles per hour -best time since June 2004.
6/27 9 mi. (three times up and down Kennesaw Mtn.); once at 12:20
6/24 26 mi., 18.18 miles per hour. Rode Kennesaw Mtn. 6/20
6/17 26 mi., 17.85 miles per hour.
6/13 24 mi., 18.00 miles per hour. Stopped awhile to watch doe and two children 1/3 her size. She led them into the woods, but they turned back and ran at me, stopped and stared one on my left and one on my right, then ran on behind me and up into the woods on the other side.
6/12 3 trips up and down Kennesaw Mtn. Times over 13minutes - but saw a big loping pine snake.
6/11 26 mi., 17.8 m.p.h.
6/08-6/09 5 trips up Kennesaw in two mornings - under 12 minutes 30 seconds once each time.
6/07 18 mi., 16.3 m.p.h.
6/05 18 mi. at 16.9 m.p.h.
Six or more trips up Kennesaw Mtn., aiming for a time of 12 or less uphill. Not there, yet.
5/29 22.4 mi. at 16.6 m.p.h.
5/28 18 mi. at 17.4 m.p.h.
A record of average speeds, 2005. (most recent rides listed first)
9/11 17.2 mi. at 18.2 m.p.h.
8/28 - 9/10 17.2 mi. with times of 17.0, 17.4, and 34 mi. at 16.2
8/27 30 mi. at 16 m.p.h.
8/08 19 mi. at 16.9 m.p.h.
8/07 17.0 mi at 17 m.p.h.
8/14 - 17.4 mi. at 17.4 m.p.h.
8/05 (?) - 34 mi. at 17.0 m.p.h.
7/27 - 25 mi. at 17.2 (interrupted by 4 wild turkeys, black cat and turtle - 1 each -- and smog-smarting eyes)
7/24 - 46 mi. at 17.3, Silver Comet (annual birthday ride -- delayed this year by sinusitis and then anaphylactic shock from inhaling a bug in a ride on Wednesday.)
7/16 - 30 mi. at 15.8 m.p.h. in hills around Ellijay
7/? - times of 16.8 m.p.h. and 17.2 m.p.h.
6/29 - 7 /11 Easy rides around Chanhassen, MN
6/28 22 mi. @ 17.7 m.p.h. Silver Comet, from Florence Rd.
June - average speeds around 16.5. Best average was 17.1 in mid-June. Have added Kennesaw Mountain rides to the mix - up and down three times each when I go.
Few rides in May.
4/4 Bought my first new helmet since 1994. They come with visors, now!
4/4 35 mi. @ 16.5 m.p.h. Silver Comet, Powder Springs
A record of average speeds, summer 2004.
5/29 20 mi. @ 17.9 m.p.h. Silver Comet, Powder Springs (I've been riding off an on for two months, maybe three times a week)
6/01 20 mi. @ 18.1 m.p.h. Silver Comet, west from Powder Springs
6/03 28 mi. @ 18.2 m.p.h. Silver Comet
6/0? 19 mi. @ 19.0 m.p.h. Silver Comet (west from Powder Springs)
6/? 28 mi. @ 18.0 m.p.h. Silver Comet "
Two days' rides at Kennesaw Mtn., twice up one day, thrice the other
6/13 18 mi. @ 17.7 m.p.h. Silver Comet, east from Powder Springs
6/22 28 mi. @ 17.4 m.p.h. Silver Comet, west from Powder Springs
Many more rides, all between 16.9 and 18.1, mostly 17.3, mostly 30 miles, with one ride of 20, one of 46 (I forgot where I parked), and one in the mountains around Ellijay. (posted July 11)
7/15 45 mi. @ 18.1 m.p.h., Silver Comet, west from Florence Road
7/17 36 mi. @ 18.1 m.p.h., " - and so on, unless otherwise noted
7/18 10 mi. @ 17.1 m.p.h. (okay, I'd just given blood on Saturday)
7/22 36 mi. @ 17.8 m.p.h.
7/24 31 mi. @ 17.9 m.p.h.
7/28 36 mi. @ 18.1 m.p.h.
7/29 10 mi. @ 18.5 m.p.h. (first five @ 19.2 -- following someone)
8/04 24.5 mi. @ 18.2 m.p.h.
8/07 27.5 mi. @ 18.2 m.p.h.
8/08 30 mi. @ 16.9 (Ellijay - Talking Rock loop in mountains)
Several rides, mostly 17 - 19 miles @17.1 m.p.h.
8/24 17.4 mi. @ 17.4 m.p.h.
8/26 18.8 mi. @ 17.8 m.p.h.
8/29 30 @ 18.6 m.p.h.
8/30 17.4 at 17.6 m.p.h.
9/2 10 @ 16.6
A record of average speeds, spring and summer 2003.
4/12 8.3 mi. @ 14.8 m.p.h. Allatoona-Emerson loop
(slowest speed since Bill Clinton was Gov. of Ark.)
4/14 10 @ 16.3, Silver Comet Trail, Powder Springs
(slower than last summer's slowest speed!)
4/15 17.1 @ 17.1, Silver Comet, Powder Springs
4/17 8.3 @ 16.2, Allatoona-Emerson loop
4/18 8.3 @ 16.6, Allatoona-Emerson loop
4/19 13.2 @ 17.1, Silver Comet, Powder Springs
5/10 32 @ 17.0, Silver Comet, Powder Springs
5/12 8 @ 17.5, Silver Comet, from Florence Rd. Click here for directions.
5/14 16.2 @ 17.7, Silver Comet, from Florence Rd.
5/20 Twice up & down Kennesaw Mtn, 10.9 m.p.h. (12:30 minutes up each time)
5/23 Twice up & down Kennesaw Mtn, 11.0 m.p.h.
5/24 24 @ 18.0, Silver Comet, from Florence Rd.
5/25 28 @ 18.6, " " "
(rides during this period include 30 mi. @ 16.1 around Ellijay, some more Kennesaw rides, a couple Allatoona rides, and a relaxed ride with J.S. on the Silver Comet)
6/05 25 @ 18.1, " " "
6/07 35 @ 18.2, " " "
6/08 30 @ 16.5, Talking Rock-to-Ellijay loop
6/10 Twice up & down Kennesaw Mtn
6/09 17.5 @ 18.0, Silver Comet, from Florence Rd.
6/12 30 @ 18.2, " "
6/14 36 @ 19, " " Ties 8/22/02 personal best for that course.
6/15 30 @ 17, Talking Rock-to-Ellijay loop Ties 7/22/2001 personal best for that course.
6/16 30 @ 18.7, Silver Comet, from Florence Rd.
6/20 24 @ 17.2, " " (The evening sun was in my eyes -- honest! Big Mexican lunch didn't help.)
6/21 37.4 @ 18.8, " "
6/23 37 @ 18.5, " "
6/24 23 @ 17.9, " "
6/25 20 @ 18.3, " "
6/26 30 @ 14, Talking-Rock-to-Ellijay loop with J.S., who acquitted himself admirably on the "Wal-Mart" Hill and who sprinted up the next biggest one (after the dogs attacked). It was delightful.
6/28 47 @ 17, Indian Hill (NE of Cincinnati) to Morrow, Ohio.
7/02 27 @ 17.9, Silver Comet from Florence Rd.
7/03 37 @ 17.7, " "
7/04 30 @ 16.6, loop from Talking Rock to Ellijay
7/07 18 @ 16.7, Silver Comet
7/08 37 @ 18.6, " "
7/09 20 @ 17.6, " "
7/14 17.6 @ 18.9, " "
7/15 44 @ 17.7, ""
7/20 30 @ 16.7, Talking-Rock-to-Ellijay loop
7/21 14 @ 18.5, Acworth-to-Emerson loop
7/23 30 @ 18.7, Silver Comet
7/24 21 @ 17.9, Kennesaw-Acworth-Emerson
7/26 19 @ 18.7, " " (the average not including the first and last miles)
A record of average speeds, spring and summer 2002.
Prior to 4/14, I rode several times at Kennesaw Mtn. Park (up&down, up&down) and on the Acworth/Emerson loop.
4/14 14 mi. @ 18.1 m.p.h.
4/15 14 mi. @ 18.6 m.p.h.
4/ 14 mi. @ 18.6 m.p.h.
4/ 14 mi. @ 18.1 m.p.h.
4/ 30 mi. @ 16.5 m.p.h. (Ellijay loop)
4/ 14 mi. @ 18.6 m.p.h.
5/2 14 mi. @ 18.1 m.p.h.
5/ 14 mi. @ 18.6 m.p.h.
5/ 14 mi. @ 18.9 m.p.h.
5/11 14 mi. @ 18.8 m.p.h.
5/26 30 mi. @ 16.8 m.p.h.
5/27 14 mi. @ 18.9 m.p.h.
6/3 14 mi. @ 18.0 m.p.h.
6/4 14 mi. @ 18.4 m.p.h.
6/5 14 mi. @ 18.6 m.p.h.
6/8 14 mi. @ 18.2 m.p.h.
6/10 31 mi. (Silver Comet) @ 17.3 m.p.h.
6/19 26 mi. @ 18.4 m.p.h.
6/20 18 mi. @ 18.1 m.p.h.
6/21 14 mi. @ 18.6 m.p.h.
6/24 14 mi. @ 18.5 m.p.h.
7/02 14 mi. @ 18.5 m.p.h.
7/04 30 mi. @ 17.7 m.p.h.
7/06 30 mi. @ 18.2 m.p.h.
7/23 30 mi. @ 18.3 m.p.h. (with M. Brown)
7/24 14 mi. @ 18.6 m.p.h.
7/ 30 mi. (Ellijay) @ 16.6 m.p.h.
7/ 30 mi. (Ellijay) @ 16.7 m.p.h.
7/30 31 mi. (Silver Comet) @ 17.7 m.p.h.
8/01 31 mi. (Silver Comet) @ 18.3 m.p.h.
8/02 20 mi. ( " ) @ 18.1 m.p.h.
8/ ? 26 mi. ( " ) @ 18.9 m.p.h.
8/ ? 32 mi. ( " ) @ 18.3 m.p.h.
8/22 20 mi. ( " ) @ 19.0 m.p.h.
8/24 26 mi. ( " ) @ 18.8 m.p.h.
A record of average speeds, summer 2001.
Until mid-June, my top average speed this year was 18.3 m.p.h. Last year's top average speed was 19.8 on a 19.3 mile route. Here are daily scores:
6/29 19.3 mi. @ 18.7 m.p.h.
6/30 19.3 mi. @ 18.8 m.p.h.
7/01 19.3 mi. @ 18.7 m.p.h.
7/02 19.3 mi. @ 19.1 m.p.h.
7/03 18 mi. @ 18.7 m.p.h. (thunder storm)
7/05 19.3 mi. @ 19.0 m.p.h.
7/07 19.3 mi. @ 19.3 m.p.h.
7/08 19.3 mi. @ 19.4 m.p.h.
7/10 19.3 mi. @ 19.4 m.p.h.
7/16 19.3 mi. @ 19.3 m.p.h.
7/17 19.3 mi. @ 19.4 m.p.h.
7/18 19.3 mi. @ 19.5 m.p.h.
7/22 32 mi. @ 17 m.p.h. (in mountains around Ellijay, GA.)
7/23 19.3 mi. @ 19.5 m.p.h.
7/26 19.3 mi. X 2 @ 19.1, 19.0 m.p.h.
7/30 19.3 mi. @ 19.0 m.p.h.
7/31 19.3 mi. @ 18.7 m.p.h.
8/02 19.3 mi. @ 19.4 m.p.h.
8/03 19.3 mi. I couldn't bear to look. Too soon after Mexican dinner, dark, etc. etc.
8/10 19.3 mi. @ 19.4 m.p.h.
8/11 19.3 mi. @ 19.1 m.p.h.
8/12 19.3 mi. 19.5 m.p.h.
8/16 19.3 mi. @ 19.0 m.p.h.; something less the day before.
8/21 19.3 mi. @ 18.6 m.p.h.
8/25 19.3 mi. @ 19.5
8/26 17 mi. @ 20.2 m.p.h. -- then had a flat tire. Finished on a patched tube @ 17 m.p.h.
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