CurBrwn79

Looking to possibly take the p-car up to the mountains over the holiday season, assuming that there is no ice or rain...Just checkin to see if anyone had directions from Atlanta. I believe there is a popular run on this forum? Thanks for the help in advance.

TMc993

I live in Dahlonega and can probably help you out depending on where you are and where you want to go. Let me know what interstate (GA 400, I-75, I-85) you plan to come north on and I'll give you a couple of routes to try.

It's a great time of year to drive up here...No ice yet but too cool for most bikers/cyclists and most of the Floridiots in their rolling roadblock motorhomes are headed back south. If you can come up during the week, all the better...The roads are virtually deserted Monday through Friday.

Regards,
TMc

cabrio993

When are you going? I may show you some cool roads up there.

CurBrwn79

I may try to head up next weekend, or even this friday...I could either come from 75 North or 400. I have heard that most take the 400 route...how bout the police? They pretty bad this time of year? Thanks for the responses. CB

cabrio993

Police is everywhere, but once you get to the mountains there are less as they don't have many places to use radar on the curvy sections of the road.

If you want to do a nice loop, head north on GA 400 until you get to the intersection to Hwy 19, turn left toward Dahlonega. Pass the town of Dahlonega and continue on Hwy 19. This is where to starts to get fun. Hwy 19 splits ahead on Hwy 60, so bear right and continue on Hwy 19, this is the point at which you'll return once you complete the mountain section of the loop.

Hwy 19 dead ends on Hwy 129, turn left at this intersection, there are many well banked and tight twisties here, this is one of my favorite parts.

Hwy 129 intersects Hwy 180, turn left at Hwy180. This is also a great section. Hwy 180 dead ends on Hwy 60, turn left toward Suches. Pass the town of Suches and this curvy road joins again Hwy 19 (same point you passed before when you went right on hwy 19). So, you could make a left for another 1/2 hr worth of curvy roads or continue straight back to Dahlonega and Ga400.

It sounds complicated, but it's not if you have a map handy when you read this.

007DT

I may be open next weekend for something like that??

joelb

I may be up for this as well!

Joel

TMc993

Or...From Dahlonega take 19/60 north then go straight at the 19/60 split and stay on 60 into Suches (60 has a lot tight switchbacks going up the mountain and gentler sweepers going down into Suches) then turn right onto 180, also called Wolf Pen Gap Road (180 is a narrow, two lane road, very technical and tight with no guardrails). 180 comes out on 19...Turn left and go toward Blairsville on 19, then in a few miles, turn right and pick up 180 again...Go about 2 miles and then take a right onto the Richard Russell Scenic Highway (wide roads and lots of sweepers and pulloff with incredible views). At the end of the Richard Russell, you have two choices....(1) cruise into Helen and find a place to get a sandwich and a beer or (2) turn around and re-run the route. Then when you get back to 19, you can run 19 back down towards Dahlonega as mentioned by Carbio993... 19 is very wide and can be very fast...If you go into Helen, you can go on to Cleveland then pick up 53 back into Dahlonega.

Cops:

Not so bad unless they happen to be running a sting...However, you need to understand that Lumpkin County (Dahlonega) has a strict no tolerance policy on speeding. If they get you, there's no getting out of it...Just bend over and spread 'em...Oh, and if you're in a black coupe, please make sure they understand that you're not me...I have to live with these guys on a daily basis

Places to eat in Dahlonega:

Breakfast:
Danny's or Crimson Moon

Lunch:
Wagonwheel - Suthern downhome cookin' like mama 'n 'em cook
Crimson Moon or Corkscrew Cafe- upscale sandwiches
Dantes - Sandwiches
Pueblo's or El Maguey - Mexican

Dinner -

Crimson Moon or Corkscrew Cafe

Have fun...

TMc

CurBrwn79

Thanks for the directions. Thinking about heading up on friday, but would be open to other days. Let me know if you guys are interested. Would think that a sting would be less likely on a week-day vs. weekend.

AtlJimK

I am one of those who regulary rides my bicycle up in "The Gaps" 29, 180, 129, 75 aka Neel's, Wolfpen, Hogpen, Woody's, Jack's and Unicoi. I have yet to try it in the new 993. Unfortunately I am out of town next weekend or I would defintely be in.

I have even been known to pass a car and even one motorcycle coming off of Neel's and Woody's on the bike. Will have to play it a lot safer with the new toy.

A dream come true.
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mstolo

After you go through Suches, I would keep going on Highway 60 and loop through Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge has some shops and would offer a nice break. You could then head back down Hwy 52 into Dawsonville. I ride my bike (road / pedal) a lot up here and there are some great mountain roads.

TMc993

I agree that any type of sting operation is fairly unlikely this time of year, particularly during the week. From March through November we are covered up with sport bikes and WRX/Evo rally wannabes and the cops stay after those guys (Sometime with good reason).

If there is any activity, it is more likely to be on 19 from north of Dahlonega all the way up 19 to the Union County line. As Cabrio 993 said, the curves make it more difficult to set up radar enforcement, but there are straight stretches on 19 particularly between the 19/60 split (Stonepile Gap) and Turner's Corner (Where you turn left towards Blairsville) and then from Turner's Corner north and they'll set up along through there just about anytime.

As for a best route, they're all good and there are hundreds of combinations of roads to run...Just pick a few and go for it!

TMc

dwe8922

Google tail of the dragon, and there is a website with the same name. I did the tail of the dragon, and the cherohala skyway two weeks ago, and it was a blast. You have to drive the tail of the dragon early in the day; the motorcycle guys told me it gets a lot of traffic for people taking shortcut to go shopping. The tail of the dragon is very tight, and loved by the motorcyclists; beware if you have a passenger, it made mine sick. My favorite road was rte 360? coming back from Vonore towards the skyway, as it wasn't as tight, and was higher speed. The tail is definately fun though.

CurBrwn79

Looks like the much needed rain threw a wrench in my plans. Maybe Sunday will be better...

Ed Burdell

I'm due for some vehicular mayhem this weekend as well. Let me know if you guys are gonna hook up somewhere.

And Terry, I promise to sign the disclaimer that my black coupe isn't you...