North Georgia Loop

I finally had a chance to take a ride up to the mountains this weekend. Got up at 7:30, left by 8. Took 575 North to Jasper and on to Ellijay, over to Blairsville, got on 129 and carved the curvy road south over to Suches and Dahlonega, and circled back to Ellijay returning home again the same way down 515/575/75. 129 was quite a departure from my regular riding. I learned (well, was forced to learn) that the bike can really lean. Much of the road felt like a roller coaster and, being a newb, I was taking it slow compared to some of the sport bikes out there. I didn't witness any hooliganism either, which surprised me. It was such a nice day I figured every idiot in a t-shirt and shorts would be out there tearing it up. Instead all the bikes were well-mannered, keeping an appropriate (though super-legal) speed, and maintaining lane. I didn't even see a wheelie. I did see a few people who looked like they had no business being on a motorcycle... all older cruiser riders (Harleys I guess), braking all the way through the turns, riding 10 miles below the limit (creating a line of cars behind them), and weaving along the lanes. Of course they're not wearing full gear either... they opt for a standard pair of jeans, jean vest, t-shirt, and those ridiculous half-helmets. But to each his own.


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This was the original plan, though I modified it enroute by just following signs and asking people where things were.


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The route ended up being more like this.


I only took two pictures. Both at a gas station near Ellijay on the way back. Here is the bike waiting outside.


And here is a local form of transportation. Probably have to take out a loan to drive this around on a regular basis. I was paying $3.80-something a gallon for regular.

I didn't take more pictures because I didn't make hardly any stops. I was there to ride and see what the twisty mountain roads were like on a moto. Besides, all the scenic overlooks and places to pull off were packed with cars and motorcycles on such a nice day.