A new route this year! Two routes to ride: a 65.8 mile route with 5,500 feet of climbing and a 30 mile route. The ride starts at the top of Fort Mountain at Cohutta Lodge. Warning: this 65.8 mile route is hard. Cyclists need to have some time on the bike before trying this route. The 30 mile route is the alterative route for starters.

The Rule of Cycling Ethics for North Georgia Road Riding

Please be nice to the motorist and motorcycle riders. Example: if you have an automobile coming up from behind, please move into single file so traffic can pass safely. Try to work with the motorist by waving the traffic around you when it is safe to do so. Remember you will not win the battle if a motorized vehicle hits you. When a vehicle is coming up from behind in a curve, hold your left hand out to slow down the vehicle or stop the vehicle from causing a dangerous situation while trying to pass you in a curve. Remember, work with these motorists by using hand signals, and hopefully in the future we can all share the roads in peace!

The Route

(Click to enlarge)

Cohutta Lodge is the start and the finish. Turn right from Cohutta Lodge onto Georgia Hwy 52 East. Go 4.5 miles mostly downhill to Pleasant Hill road and turn right. Be prepared to turn! Pleasant Hill road will take you to Mountaintown Road, turn left onto Mountaintown Road. This is the 6.4 mile mark. Mountaintown Road will take you around to Craig Town Road crossing over Mountaintown Creek bridge! Craig Town Road is rough for awhile. Craig Town Road will dead-end into Roberts Ridge Road. Turn right onto it if you would like to do the 65.8 mile ride! Turn left if you want to do the 30 mile ride. Once you turn left on Roberts Ridge, be prepared to turn left onto Georgia Hwy 52 West back to Fort Mountain. Be ready for Sunday traffic! Once you turn right on Roberts Ridge, you will be headed toward Ellijay. Roberts Ridge Road will fork left and turn into Tails Creek Road. Be careful at this intersection; slow down before making the left turn onto Tails Creek Road. Tails Creek Road will descend down into Ellijay town square. Sharp curving descent! Tails Creek Road will spit you out beside the old courthouse. Yield to your right through the square and stay right. The next road is Old Hwy 5 South. The next 6 miles, please stay in single file; traffic might be heavy. The only traffic light you will come to is Old Hwy 5 and Hwy 282. A service station on your right if you would like to refuel or a DQ on your left if you would like a famous Foot Long Slaw Dog! Stay straight on Ga Hwy Old 5 South. A service station will be down a few miles at Ga 382 on your right if you would like to refuel. The next service station is a long way. Make sure you are prepared with water and food before passing Ga Hwy 382. Once you pass 382, you will go up a small incline and start your descent to Round Top Road. Turn right onto Round Top Road and be ready to climb for a couple of miles. Next turn is at Knight Road. Turn right onto Knight Road, and, after your descent on Knight Road, please watch out for a few dogs on your left in the first or second curve. Knight Road will dead-end into Ga 382; turn left. When turning left onto 382, please watch for traffic! 382 has some good steep climbs so save your energy for the 7 mile climb back up to Cohutta Lodge! Remember, part of this route is used in the Famous Tour Day Georgia! Ga 382 will dead-end into Ga 136. Turn right onto Ga 136. Go up the hill and watch out for a fun descent. 136 will give you a nice view of Carters Lake. Ga 136 will take you to Ga Old 411; turn right onto Ga Old 411. It is a beautiful ride there, so bring your camera if possible. Old 411 will bring you up to Ga 282. Turn right onto Ga 282, and, as soon as you turn on Ga 282, be prepared to turn left onto Dennis Mill Road. Dennis Mill Road will dead-end into Old Federal Road. Turn right onto Old Federal Road. Old Federal Road will take you to Ga Hwy 52, and the opportunity for your last service station stop. Turn right onto Ga Hwy 52 and start the long climb back to Cohutta lodge.