2019-02-28

Posted on February 28, 2019 by Paulie [eatl/ga]

Too busy to blog.

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26 Responses to 2019-02-28

  1. HamWithCam says:
    February 28, 2019 at 10:34 am

    I’ve been productive this week:
    – Monday: Shotting with Ham buddies up in North Georga. I finally got to shot my WWII M-1 Garand. A big reason we won.
    – Tuesday: Gibbs Gardens, 20 MILLION daffodils. Get up there if you can.
    – Wednesday: Impromptu bicycle tour of the Beltline, at least the Eastside Trail. Piedmont Park to Krog Street and back.

    I was going for the 4 for 4 “Grand Slam” today, Atlanta History Center to see the Cyclorama. However, the AHC seems to be pulling an “Infinity Mirrors” deal, You don’t have to pay extra to see the Cyclorama, but you do have to sign up for a “time slot”, in advance. I think I’m going to wait.

    Two questions…

    1) Lurker, can you help me figure out how to get from the South end of the Eastside Trail (at Krog Street) to the start of the Westside Trail (which I think is open/operational, right)?

    Ideally, I like to do both, in one “all Beltline” ride.

    2) What pressure should I be running in my “2004 K2 Arcadia” hybrid bicycle?
    (Rims: Weinmann Zac 19, 32-hole, Tires: 26 x 1.50inch multi-terrain)

    I’m running like 45-ish now, but I’m a “big boy” (6″2, 220). I carry irons, a tube, patch kit, CO2 inflator, but….the best way to fix a flat is to avoid getting one.

    • bob says:
      February 28, 2019 at 10:52 am

      I’ll help for Q#2, if you are trying to avoid flats then higher pressure is what you need. If you are wanting more traction then you can go lower but risk flatting. I’m heavier than you and I run 30PSI on my mtn bike tires but they are tubeless and are 2.4 tires. 45 seems like a good number for your tires.

      • HamWithCam says:
        February 28, 2019 at 11:02 am

        Many thanks Bob.

        My “off roading” consists of going off the paved surface (Beltline, PATH, etc)…to avoid the occasional puddle or muddy area. So traction is not a priority. 🙂

        Back in the day, I had an “English” Raleigh SuperCross. Skinny tires, Presta valves, high pressure, etc. Even though I ran a “front tire sweeper”, I seemed to get a flat every time I went out.
        I rode it every day after work. Until I got hit by a car.

        (I still have the SuperCross.)

        TX es 73 JG/HamWithCam

      • ITP Lurker says:
        February 28, 2019 at 11:10 am

        This is helpful to me, too, Bob. Thanks!

    • ITP Lurker says:
      February 28, 2019 at 11:09 am

      From Krog Street you’ll go through the tunnel, after which the Beltline takes an immediate left. Follow the Beltline along Wylie until it turns right. You’ll see an bench with some oversized flowers. It’s one of my favorite pieces of art on the Beltline. You’ll be able to go for a block or two on a nice little stretch until you hit a construction zone. The Beltline doesn’t connect between Kirkwood and Memorial yet. Hopefully by spring.

      What I presently do is turn left when I hit the construction at Kirkwood, and turn right on Holtzclaw. That gets me to Memorial, and then I turn right for a block or so. Turn left onto Bill Kennedy. A bike lane materializes on the other side of I-20. Bill Kennedy ends at Glenwood, but you’ll ride straight on the gravel trail to follow the Beltline. This will take you around to Boulevard, and you can then continue on over to the west side trail. That part is straight forward. What gets tricky is finding the concrete of the Westside trail.

      I’ve only made the trek all the way over to the west side trail from the east once, and that was on foot. I made the mistake of following the former railroad tracks to their end, I think at Murphy Avenue, which dumped me out in an industrial area maybe a half mile or more from the concrete trail of the west side off of Lee Street. You can work your way over to Lee Street, but it’s a bit of a no-man’s land.

      On a later trip I rode my bike over to the Westside on city streets. When I got to the south end of the concrete, I saw where the former tracks go, and how I could have picked up the concrete there. I don’t have a specific landmark, apart from a rundown set of apartment buildings. You’d have to go through some weeds, but then you’d pick up the concrete and would be able to ride the first stage of the Westside Trail. It’s going to be 90 degree turn from the rail road tracks to the current Beltline. I think if you know to look for it you’ll be able to find it.

      Regarding the Westside trail itself, meaning the paved part, it took me 3 or 4 attempts to find the second part of the paved trail. May be I’m map challenged. When you get to the end of the part of the trail that runs under Lee Street, follow the ramp and go to the street above. Turn right, cross over a bridge, and on the other side of the bridge the trail takes an immediate right. Follow the trail down that hill to White Street. When you get to the street, turn right eventually you’ll see signs for the Beltline. When you get near Lean Draft House, the Beltline crosses over White Street, and then you’re on the second stage of the paved path.

      Regarding the unpaved part of the trail, parts of it get *really* muddy when it rains, so be prepared to carry your bike through some muddy parts. It’s only certain sections, but when it’s muddy, it’s really muddy.

      I’ve been astounded how much ground I can cover on the unpaved Beltline, because it takes me as the crow flies. The railroad companies definitely chose the best way to get from point A to point B.

      Oh, and a pro tip. If you’re going west beyond Boulevard, you’ll see the Beacon complex. It’s a bunch of retail, and there’s a bunch of new construction going on. You can follow a little dirt trail from the Beltline down to the Beacon. There’s a nice public bathroom in the main Beacon building if you find yourself in need. Plus a little grocery store has opened if you need provisions.

      Enjoy your ride!

      • Stacy Fox says:
        February 28, 2019 at 11:30 am

        Sorry Lurker. 🙂 Apparently I just jump in and answer to your “name” now. 😉

        • ITP Lurker says:
          February 28, 2019 at 11:34 am

          Oh no worries, I felt a little bad comparing my Beltline manifesto to your brief response. I kinda got on a roll there. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

          It is amusing to me that you periodically lurk now…clearly I’ve set a bad example. 😉 Jump right in, it’s all good!

      • HamWithCam says:
        February 28, 2019 at 11:35 am

        Great info — many thanks Da…”Lurker”!

        It sounds kind of “complicated” (that is not my neck of the woods) but I’m going to see if I can sketch out your route on a map.

        I wonder if I can practically scout much of that by car? Identifying and noting landmarks, features, etc. Hmmm…

        Given folk’s time/availability, I’d be up for some sort of “organized Beltline exploration” via bicycles or even on foot.

        Riding my bicycle, on a weekday, on the Beltline really…sparked joy for me. — Marie Ham Kondo . 🙂

        Is anybody else interested?
        Cough, cough…Paulie, Lurker, Stacy, Bob, et al?

        I’m a long-time Atlanta resident. The Beltline is the single most profound change I’ve seen in Atlanta, since I’ve lived here. Except maybe for I-20 cutting the City in half.

        You’ve but to witness the revitalize of all the light industrial all along the Eastside Trail (now apartments, condos, trendy shops, restaurants, breweries, etc) to see the change first hand.

        Our niece lives in Ponce City Market. I’d love to live adjacent to the BeltLine. Or at least a side trail.

        73 de JG/HamWithCam

        • ITP Lurker says:
          February 28, 2019 at 11:47 am

          It sounds complicated, but it’s really not if you know what to look for. That’s why I wrote out all of the turns. You can scout from Krog Street to Memorial by car, but there’s no way to scout from Glenwood over to the Westside trail by car.

          I’ve “only” been in Atlanta 33 years now, and yes the Beltline is profound. I wish they’d expedite it. There is at least talk of making the “southeast” trail be a provisional hiking/biking trail until the concrete gets poured. So that’s hopeful.

          Even on the busy weekends the Beltline sparks joy in me. I treat it like a puzzle navigating through the people. I really like the bike lane that runs up 10th Street along Piedmont Park. I’ve gotten strong enough/fast enough that I can make it to the top of the hill and back down during a single cycle of traffic light. Sometimes I get lucky and catch the light right crossing Monroe, so it makes for a nice continuous ride.

        • Bonnie says:
          February 28, 2019 at 12:30 pm

          HWC, I know we haven’t met, but I’d be in, schedule permitting. 🙂 And I basically know the route as well, though I’m a bit rusty as I’ve been a lazy sack this winter. The Beltline (usually) sparks joy in me as well. I live on the (future) Beltline off of Bill Kennedy Way (in-between the Eastside Trail and Southside Trail). When house hunting 1.5 years ago, one of my wish-list items was to live on or near the Beltline. And oh-my-god I need to get on a bike, sheesh.

          Walkers, I’d also be up for a walk sometime. 🙂

    • Stacy Fox says:
      February 28, 2019 at 11:10 am

      I can help with #1 — you can’t just yet. There’s a tiny portion yet to be opened between Kirkwood and Memorial (by the Golden Eagle). That is, unless it just opened in the last week or so! If not, you can use Chester Ave. to get to Bill Kennedy Way, but you’ll be on that busy street (past Krobar) until you can pick it up again south of Glenwood. I only know this from a walking tour I recently did. 🙂 It’s actually pretty cool the plans they have for that little stretch of on-the-street Beltline south of I-20 past that Kroger, but plans I don’t think are going to come into fruition for a while cause it’s going to take some tear up.

      I learned on another tour that the Westside start is only a few blocks due west from the Ashby MARTA and is pretty much complete up to a few blocks south of West End MARTA. Nice little walk, probably even easier by bike.

      • HamWithCam says:
        February 28, 2019 at 11:18 am

        Many thanks, Dixie Che…errr…Stacy!
        I was looking at a map, and that was kinda what I had concluded.

        I had been under the impression Eastside Trail and Westside Trail…connected like at Krog Street, but logically you need some “SouthEast” something section to join them.

        Ideally, I like to ride from Piedmont Park, or somewhere on the Eastside Trail, down to the “Bellwood quarry” etc, etc.

        One day.

        Maybe an organized Beltline tour is what I need.

        73 de JG/HamWithCam

        • Stacy Fox says:
          February 28, 2019 at 11:30 am

          I’ve been doing walking tours of the Beltline for months now and it’s been absolutely fantastic in helping my knowledge of how things connect. Each day has been focusing on a specific “subarea” of the Beltline (https://beltline.org/progress/planning/master-planning/) — I’ve done 1-6 so far; each new one started almost where the last one ended so it really completes the knowledge (there’s a little map on that site so you can see where they are –essentially from the west side on up to Ansley Park now). Been taking a whole bunch of pictures too; go figure. 🙂

          The Beltline does offer a bus tour around the whole shebang too (or as close as it can get at current stage). It used to be free, first-come-first-serve to sign up and I did it twice (three years apart) then. So cool to see how much had changed in that little time! The tour guides are super great too, have a lot of stories and before-and-after-and-future photos and renderings. Now they still offer it but it costs $25. Even at that price I’m thinking it might be fun to do again after I’m done with all my subarea walks. https://beltline.org/visit/atlanta-beltline-tours/#bus-tours

        • ITP Lurker says:
          February 28, 2019 at 11:35 am

          You can do that now, if you catch a spell where the ground dries out.

  2. HamWithCam says:
    February 28, 2019 at 10:37 am

    Addendum (premature Enter):

    Claim to fame: Paulie and myself (and another friend) rode the “Beltline” in its infancy, mid-construction, what, 6-7 years ago?

    Good times.

    Thanks es 73 de JG/HamWithCam

    • Bob says:
      February 28, 2019 at 10:53 am

      I too have ridden the beltline way before it was the beltline but I did it on a motorcycle. The looks we got were priceless!

      • HamWithCam says:
        February 28, 2019 at 11:12 am

        Paulie (I think it was Paulie) and I have walked that section from Sweetwater to Ansley Golf course, etc.

        We literally walked the abandoned rail bed.

        I think that’s going to be nice when it gets completed.

        73 de JG/HamWithCam

        • Stacy Fox says:
          February 28, 2019 at 11:37 am

          My tour was at this part last Saturday! It is the next section that’s slotted to be paved! (from the golf course up to I-85)

  3. HamWithCam says:
    February 28, 2019 at 11:07 am

    Trivia question:

    What is the most prevalent vehicle seen on the Beltline (and in Piedmont Park)?
    a) baby strollers
    b) bicycles
    c) Bird and Lime electric scooters (prohibited on the Beltline and in Piedmont Park)
    d) gas operated service vehicles (Trees Atlanta, etc.)

    Answer: Bird and Lime electric scooters

    73 de JG/HamWithCam

  4. Steve says:
    February 28, 2019 at 12:18 pm

    Wonder why the scooters are prohibited? If I owned an electric scooter, couldn’t I use the Beltline?

    Regarding Q2- don’t let Bob fool you- tubeless can handle MUCH less air pressure than a tube tire. I think your current pressure is about right.

    I’d be all over a bloggers Beltline exploration.

    I’m feeling a bit better but still too busy to slow down and actually rest and heal.

    -FP

    • Paulie [eatl/ga] says:
      February 28, 2019 at 12:28 pm

      I believe all motorized vehicles are verboten on the Beltline? I assume exceptions exists for wheelchairs, etc.

      I’m in for riding, but finding a free day often proves to be more difficult than expected.

    • HamWithCam says:
      February 28, 2019 at 12:55 pm

      Many thanks Steve.

      So tubeless is less prone to flats? I’d like that.
      But the only thing I dislike more than flats…is spending $$.
      🙂

      As I recall, the Bird smartphone APP shows Piedmont Park, etc. in…red. I figured the GPS-enabled Bird’s just “wouldn’t work” in red areas. But they do.

      Funny, I saw numerous Bird and Lime scooters, (apparently) abandoned, on some of the lesser traveled and not-as-easily-accessible sections (Piedmont Park to Ansley Mall). Good luck scooter chargers.

      The route of choice seems to be sidewalks (prohibited), Piedmont Park, the Beltline, etc. And I didn’t notice a helmet on any Bird, Lime riders.

      BTW, the City of Decatur has effectively “banned” Bird. Signing an agreement, onerous requirements, etc. was too much for Bird. Lime signed and remains in Decatur.

      73 de JG/HamWithCam

      • Steve says:
        February 28, 2019 at 1:30 pm

        The common source of flats is a “pinch flat” where the tube gets pinched between a rock and the rim. Tubeless, not having a tube (duh), eliminate that. Punctures are still an issue, though.

        And something you mentioned I’m sure these “kids” have never seen- tire savers.

        • barb says:
          February 28, 2019 at 4:28 pm

          my mountain bike has tubeless – I “never” have flats. (knocking on wood)
          My road bike has tubes – but those skinny tires, I don’t thenk they really make the tubeless thing – or Allan would get me them.

          We were looking at my Ebike at Atlanta Cycling last weekend – just now to have an extra $7000…….

          FYI – crazy busy day – damn EOM

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