burkbuilds
04-26-2011, 09:46 AM
Last Friday I decided to take a "sideroad" route home from Atlanta to Chattanooga. I googled some roads and took off with a short list of turns in my pocket. Well, not
exactly the best strategy, but I had a great time. Just north of Atlanta highway 41 runs through Emerson where I got off on 293 (Kingston Highway). I was looking for Ward
Mtn Road, but I had not "Googled" closely enough to see that it intersects with 293 as Morrison Camp Creek RD NE, so I missed that turn and just kept going for a while.
However, along the way I went through the Historic District of some small towns and it was like I stepped back in time to Mayberry. I also came across a field full of
Camels. I've never seen Camels up close before and I didn't realize how large they actually are. The largest ones in this field appear to have humps topping out around 8-9'
high. Well, I eventually just got back over on 41 and headed north into the Adairsville area where I cought 140 W for about 10 miles and then turned north on Old Dalton
Road. This was the best part of the ride. Old Dalton Road passes up through a lot of farm land, Black Angus Beef Cattle farms are all over the place and it is simply
beautiful country. Old barns and outbuildings all over the place, green pastures and those beautiful Black cows dotted the landscape. Eventually Old Dalton Road changes
names and becomes Everett Springs Road. The peaceful atmosphere continues and now a few "Mansions" of the modern day era are beginning to make their presence felt.
Some beautiful homes with professional landscaping, interspersed with farms and a few trailers along the way. After a few miles, the name changes to Pocket Road and
you enter part of the Chattahoocee National Forest particularly the "Johns Wildlife Preserve". This is simply gorgeous territory. The North Georgia Mountains begin to make
their presence felt and the ride is through woodlands with a picture perfect little stream running along the side of the road. The stream has a pretty good flow to it, lots of
little rapids and it probably averages about 15' wide. Fishermen were out along the roadside and there were spots where tent camping was allowed and several of them
were filled. Pocket road eventually climbs up the ridge line and ends at highway 136 near the top at Villanow. Side roads from 136 can lead you to even more scenic
beauty including several water falls, but I was ready to head on home today, so I stayed on 136 and headed West. If you like riding mountain twisties, this section of the
road will not disappoint you. Nice wide curves would allow even less experienced riders to feel comfortable and the curves seem to all be banked correctly, which is nice.
You will ride them up to the top of the ridge and then back down the other side on 136, which is nicely paved and even has a second truck lane going up from both
directions to keep traffic moving along around 45-55 mph. 136 hits 151 at the foot of the hills and I headed North towards Ringgold at that junction. I didn't want to go
into Ringgold where I would be forced back onto I-75 or 41 Hwy to get home, so I only went a little way and then turned off on 95 which connects 151 to Hwy. 27. 95 is
only about 5-7 miles long but it also goes through some pretty farm country with a little bit of residential development along the way. When I hit 27 I headed north into
Chickamauga, Georgia. If you are an American Civil War buff, Chickamauga is an essential visit for you. Downtown Chickamauga is full of old shops and stores and eateries
and the site of several major battles. I just kept heading north and turned off on old highway 27 when it went into the Historic Chickamauga Battlefield. Lots of
monuments and plaques to read about the war and even a great Civil War Museum to visit. My favorite spot in the Battlefield is Wilder's tower, built on the location where
Wilder and his men made a successful stand against Confederate soldiers. His men returned after the war and build this limestone tower that you can still climb the spiral
stairs to the top and look out for miles above the forest canopy. It is worth the climb just to take in the view. Wilder returned after the war and actually became the
Mayor of Chattanooga Tennessee. I was getting close to home though and I've seen all this dozens of time, so I stayed the course and cruised into the big city of Fort
Oglethorpe and headed to the house. All told I spent a little over 3 hours on this run and I reached the house feeling like I'd spent the afternoon in a spa relaxing. I think
this was the most enjoyable ride I have taken to date. :2tup: If you get a chance to ride Old Dalton Road up to 136 and down to 151 I think you will not be disappointed.
By the way, I turned 34,000 miles on the 500 during the ride, not to shabby for a bike I bought new less than 2 years ago.
Next pretty Friday, I plan to find Morrison Camp Creek Road and do the rest of this run. I'll let you know what I find.
exactly the best strategy, but I had a great time. Just north of Atlanta highway 41 runs through Emerson where I got off on 293 (Kingston Highway). I was looking for Ward
Mtn Road, but I had not "Googled" closely enough to see that it intersects with 293 as Morrison Camp Creek RD NE, so I missed that turn and just kept going for a while.
However, along the way I went through the Historic District of some small towns and it was like I stepped back in time to Mayberry. I also came across a field full of
Camels. I've never seen Camels up close before and I didn't realize how large they actually are. The largest ones in this field appear to have humps topping out around 8-9'
high. Well, I eventually just got back over on 41 and headed north into the Adairsville area where I cought 140 W for about 10 miles and then turned north on Old Dalton
Road. This was the best part of the ride. Old Dalton Road passes up through a lot of farm land, Black Angus Beef Cattle farms are all over the place and it is simply
beautiful country. Old barns and outbuildings all over the place, green pastures and those beautiful Black cows dotted the landscape. Eventually Old Dalton Road changes
names and becomes Everett Springs Road. The peaceful atmosphere continues and now a few "Mansions" of the modern day era are beginning to make their presence felt.
Some beautiful homes with professional landscaping, interspersed with farms and a few trailers along the way. After a few miles, the name changes to Pocket Road and
you enter part of the Chattahoocee National Forest particularly the "Johns Wildlife Preserve". This is simply gorgeous territory. The North Georgia Mountains begin to make
their presence felt and the ride is through woodlands with a picture perfect little stream running along the side of the road. The stream has a pretty good flow to it, lots of
little rapids and it probably averages about 15' wide. Fishermen were out along the roadside and there were spots where tent camping was allowed and several of them
were filled. Pocket road eventually climbs up the ridge line and ends at highway 136 near the top at Villanow. Side roads from 136 can lead you to even more scenic
beauty including several water falls, but I was ready to head on home today, so I stayed on 136 and headed West. If you like riding mountain twisties, this section of the
road will not disappoint you. Nice wide curves would allow even less experienced riders to feel comfortable and the curves seem to all be banked correctly, which is nice.
You will ride them up to the top of the ridge and then back down the other side on 136, which is nicely paved and even has a second truck lane going up from both
directions to keep traffic moving along around 45-55 mph. 136 hits 151 at the foot of the hills and I headed North towards Ringgold at that junction. I didn't want to go
into Ringgold where I would be forced back onto I-75 or 41 Hwy to get home, so I only went a little way and then turned off on 95 which connects 151 to Hwy. 27. 95 is
only about 5-7 miles long but it also goes through some pretty farm country with a little bit of residential development along the way. When I hit 27 I headed north into
Chickamauga, Georgia. If you are an American Civil War buff, Chickamauga is an essential visit for you. Downtown Chickamauga is full of old shops and stores and eateries
and the site of several major battles. I just kept heading north and turned off on old highway 27 when it went into the Historic Chickamauga Battlefield. Lots of
monuments and plaques to read about the war and even a great Civil War Museum to visit. My favorite spot in the Battlefield is Wilder's tower, built on the location where
Wilder and his men made a successful stand against Confederate soldiers. His men returned after the war and build this limestone tower that you can still climb the spiral
stairs to the top and look out for miles above the forest canopy. It is worth the climb just to take in the view. Wilder returned after the war and actually became the
Mayor of Chattanooga Tennessee. I was getting close to home though and I've seen all this dozens of time, so I stayed the course and cruised into the big city of Fort
Oglethorpe and headed to the house. All told I spent a little over 3 hours on this run and I reached the house feeling like I'd spent the afternoon in a spa relaxing. I think
this was the most enjoyable ride I have taken to date. :2tup: If you get a chance to ride Old Dalton Road up to 136 and down to 151 I think you will not be disappointed.
By the way, I turned 34,000 miles on the 500 during the ride, not to shabby for a bike I bought new less than 2 years ago.
Next pretty Friday, I plan to find Morrison Camp Creek Road and do the rest of this run. I'll let you know what I find.