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As a motorcyclist and long time resident of Atlanta, GA., I have
the good fortune to have one of the better riding locations in the SE US within
an hour's ride of my house, specifically, the North Georgia mountains, but also
areas into southern Tennessee and North Carolina.
This article is more of a straight ahead "travel piece" about a well-know
motorcycle riding area there known as the "Georgia Triangle". It was
originally published in Motorcycle Tour and Cruiser magazine in May,
2000. Riding the Georgia Triangle
Philip A. Buonpastore, May 2000
Almost any motorcycle rider who lives in the southeastern United States knows
about the challenging roads of North Georgia. If a pilgrimage hasn't been made
by a rider themselves, any gathering where the conversation goes to the best
riding roads will include North Georgia and the Georgia Triangle.
The triangle is formed by the connecting of US Highway 19 to Georgia State Roads 60,
and 180, and contains some of the most challenging roads and best scenery that
this area has to offer. The three-road loop is located entirely within the
Chattahoochee National Forest, and the roadsides are densely populated by
forest, streams and the occasional waterfall, and signs indicating historical
sites as you ride. Having the advantage of living in a suburb north of Atlanta,
travel time for me to this area less than an hour, so I have had the opportunity
to ride these roads many times. Still, I never get tired of "riding the
triangle" as it is called, and the roads in this area in general. Here, the
opportunity to explore the best of what motorcycling has to offer is available
to riders at every turn. Challenging roads, incredible scenery, tourist
attractions, good places to have lunch, camp, meet other riders; it's all here.
As these roads can be a sure bet on carsickness if one is pre-disposed,
automotive traffic is usually light to moderate.
Six miles north of
Dahlonega, the triangle begins in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains
where Hwy 19 meets GA-60. At the intersection of these two state roads, a pile
of stones marks the legendary burial spot of Cherokee Princess Trahlyta.
According to legend, Trahlyta was a beautiful Cherokee Princess kidnapped by a
Cherokee Warrior whom she refused to marry. Her dying wish was to be buried near
her home on the mountain, and this is supposedly that site. It is said that
dropping a stone on her grave brings good luck. This area abounds with Native
American culture, Revolutionary and Civil War battle sites, and other historic
locations and legends that make it an interesting visit.
Proceeding north on 60
toward the town of Suches, Georgia launches you into the first leg of the
triangle. If you have not been practicing your lean angles and taking the "twisties"
at speed, be cautious. These roads are not for the faint-of-heart, and can be
either hell-raising or hair-raising, depending on the motorcycle you ride, your
skill-level, and your comfort with tight 'S' curves and diminishing radius
turns. In the hands of an alert confident rider, however, these roads can return
some of the best riding experiences you are likely to have on a motorcycle. The
scenery is gorgeous, the road is well paved and maintained, and the ride
exhilarating. If you have decided on a more leisurely pace, selected stops offer
spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and valleys. Approximately five
miles up GA-60 in the area know as Woody Gap, a look to the left and down into
the valley will reveal a great expanse of open land with Springer Mountain
rising on the other side. This mountain marks the start of the Appalachian
Trail, the hiking trail that runs through this entire mountain chain and ends in
Maine. Other stops on the road display signs and information indicating historic
Civil War battles, gold mining sites and area hiking trails.
Although the automobile
traffic is usually light, the towns of Dahlonega and the Alpine-style town of
Helen close by, are prime tourist locations, so vigilance is always necessary.
On a recent ride on GA-60, I came around a tight curve to find a 'sport-ute'
entirely in my lane of travel. It seems the driver of the vehicle was attempting
minimize the curves Indy 500 style, by using the oncoming lane… in a blind
curve, no less. He jerked the vehicle back in his lane while I hit the binders,
and I only had time to 'voice my irritation' at him as I passed. Some people
seem to have no sense behind the wheel.
Seven miles up on GA-60
is the town of Suches (one gas station-convenience store, and a few country
houses) and here you will find the motorcycle-only lodging and campground known
as TWO, or Two Wheels Only. Owned and operated by riding enthusiasts G.T. and
Britt Turner, this is a favorite stopping point for all who ride in this area
and any clear weekend day will find the gravel parking lot filled with bikes of
all styles and vintage - one weekend I saw a 1945 Indian. Sport riders in full
leathers and Harley rid ers in leather vests all congregate, camp for a few days
or rent a room, and get a good meal, great coffee, and good conversation. The
large lodge area features tables and couches to sit and socialize, a regulation
size pool table (3 games for a dollar!) and interesting or humorous memorabilia
relating to motorcycling or local area history lining the walls, making the
lodge a great place for a break. Rates for lodging ranges from a ridiculously
low $10 per night for a solo camper to a complete floor of the lodge - which
sleeps 12 - for a very reasonable $200 per night (do the math folks, that's
cheap!). Also available are mobile homes priced by the bedroom, and all
per-night prices are extremely affordable. This establishment is known
nationwide, and I have met riders camping here from as far away as Indiana.
 It's
a definite must stop if you are visiting this area.
A hundred yards north of
TWO on GA-60, is the right turn to GA-180. This segment of the ride is without a
doubt the most challenging portion of the triangle. This road has the reputation
of having more sharp curves and steeper grades than any other paved road in
Georgia. It is truly a mind-boggling road, and one you would not want to miss,
but I would highly recommend taking it at a deliberately leisurely pace the
first few times through. The first few miles are a rather sedate primarily
straight two-lane blacktop, leading to Lake Winfied Scott, a small very scenic
lake that acts as a large reflecting pool the foothill Mountains that surround
it. Rimmed by overhanging trees, its emerald green color lends an instant
feeling of calm and serenity. In the summer months local residents fish and swim
off the banks, and the yellows and reds of fall make this area a particularly
great spot to stop and take in this yearly miracle of nature.
Once past the lake,
however, it's off to a roller-coaster of a road. The first indicator of what's
ahead is a sign that reads 'Sharp Curves and Grades Next 5 Miles'. This section
seems longer. GA-180 snakes through the Sosbee Cove Scenic Area with speed limit
signs on some curves reading as low as 10mph, with nary a straight-line section
to be had. Normally, I consider speed limit signs to be often overly
conservative, but not here. Ten miles per hour is too slow for most bikes to
remain entirely stable, but on curves like this I heed the warnings and keep the
speed down. I ride a cruiser, and this style of bike is not built for excessive
lean angles in curves, but after having ridden this road a few dozen times, I
manage to make a reasonable clip through the pass. For those on sport bikes,
however, I believe that this road becomes something of a personal challenge. I
have seen riders on sport bikes take some of these curves at what I consider
death-defying speeds, and there is not a curve in this section of the road with
a posted speed limit over 25mph. While I cannot recommend this type of behavior,
I can understand the adrenaline rush.
At the end of 180, the
road 'Ts' into Hwy 19, and at the intersection of these two roads is Vogel State
Park, one of the first state parks established in Georgia. It is a moderately
sized and very scenic park that offers camping and picnic areas, a small grocery
store, and a deep blue lake surrounded by mountains and trees complete with a
roped swimming area and facilities for patrons. The camping here is also first
rate, with everything available from basic tent camping to motor home sites that
feature water and power provisions at all locations. These rent from eight to
sixteen dollars a night, respectively. Rustic log cabins and cottages with up to
three bedrooms are also available at fifty-five to one hundred dollars a night
in 'peak season' which typically runs from late April through to the
Thanksgiving holiday and the changing colors of fall. Even if you are not
camping, it is another great place to stop for a break. I have ridden up here on
a hot summer day packing a bathing suit and towel in the saddlebags for a quick
change and swim. It goes a long way toward refreshing a body after a day's ride
in th e mid-summer heat.
Heading back south on Hwy
19 is the last leg of the triangle. Being a state highway, the road here is a
bit wider, with passing zones for more easily and safely getting around slower
traffic. Still, most of the highway - as almost all the roads in North Georgia -
are made up of continual series of 'S' curves all the way down the mountain. As
Hwy 19 is wider, has two-lane passing zones, and is better paved than the other
two segments, it would probably be considered the least challenging of the
triangle. It is, however, the one road that can claim my only (and hopefully
last!) motorcycling 'mishap'. Taking a curve too wide and getting into gravel
caused one wrecked bike, a considerable amount of road rash and bruises (even
through protective clothing) and an increased respect and heightened sense of
caution when riding up here. While that wasn't a great experience, it was better
to have learned the lesson with a relatively minor accident (as motorcycle
accidents go) rather than a more serious one, as it might have been had I been
riding the other two roads that make up the triangle.
Roadside stands along 19
sell the local delicacy, boiled peanuts, by the bag along with locally produced
jams, jellies, and honey. Continuing back towards Dahlonega returns you to the
starting point where Hwy 19 intersects GA-60, yielding a total mileage around
the triangle of approximately 36 miles. The travel time for a non-stop ride is
about 90 minutes at a reasonable rate of speed, although I would not recommend
hurrying through the area. The scenery and ride make moving at a leisurely pace
worthwhile.
If riding the triangle is
not enough to fill up your day, just about any of the roads making up the
triangle are also excellent riding roads in themselves. GA-60 remains
true-to-form with picturesque two-lane twisting blacktop all the way to Hwy 76.
From there you can head east to Hiawassee, the scenic town on Lake Chatuge, or
west to Hwy 5, which becomes I-575 and ends at I-75 north of Atlanta. If you're
looking to explore further, taking Spur 60 at Mineral Bluff into southwestern
North Carolina will lead you to NC Hwy 64, also called the Mountain Expressway,
a beautiful two-lane highway that snakes through the southern part of that
state. A number of roads connect NC64 back to the Georgia Triangle area, and the
total time to do the larger loop varies between four to six hours. GA-180 north
(Wolf Pen Gap Road) joins briefly with Hwy 19 before separating again, passing
GA-348, the Richard B. Russell Scenic Hwy, another gem of a road and 'must-ride'
in this area. Remaining on GA-180 leads to Brasstown Bald Mountain which, at
4784 ft., is the highest point in Georgia and offers a 360 degree four-state
view. Taking Hwy 19 further north leads to the North Carolina State line and
also connects to Hwy 64/74. Any of these roads offer a great ride and beautiful
scenery.
If you are planning a
stay in the area, the town of Dahlonega is well known for its history of gold
exploration and mining. In the 1540s, legend has it that Spanish explorer
Hernando DeSoto, searched this area for El Dorado, the legendary lost city of
gold. Although he never found it, Dahlonega was the site of the first major US
gold rush in 1828, and still features active mines where visitors can pan for
gold and gemstones. Nearby, the alpine village of Helen, Georgia is a well-known
tourist stop, and a regular destination for Harley riders. Most Sunday
afternoons will find a group on the front patio of Han's Restaurant enjoying the
live entertainment, or being part of the entertainment themselves, by virtue of
interesting riding garb and customized bikes. Both of these towns feature many
choices for lodging and restaurants, including quite a few major hotel chains,
locally owned cottages and 'bed and breakfasts'.
If you want to get off
the bike for awhile and appreciate a more 'active' way to spend your vacation,
warm-weather activities range from camping and hiking to lake and river sports
to areas designated for trail-biking (both motorized and pedal type) and ATV
use. Sedate canoeing and tubing on the Chestatee and Chattahoochee Rivers
originate from Dahlonega and Helen respectively, while more challenging
whitewater rafting and kayaking activities can be found on three different
rivers in North Georgia - the Nantahala, the Ocoee and the Chattooga. Besides
the Appalachian Trail, there are more than 20 registered hiking trails in this
area, ranging in lengths from three-tenths to 12.7 miles and with difficulty
levels from moderate to strenuous. Most hiking trails are within the boundaries
of the seven state parks located in this area, and offer scenic vistas,
waterfalls, gorges, and occasional glimpses of deer and other wildlife.
If history is your thing,
buffs can explore locations famous for Revolutionary and Civil War battles, and
this area was home to both the Cherokee and Creek Indians prior to settlements
of pioneers. It is said that both the Blood and Slaughter Mountains of North
Georgia were named for Indian battles between these two tribes. The forced march
of the Cherokee Indians, known as the "The Trail of Tears", which removed the
tribe from their native lands in Georgia and into Oklahoma began here.
So… If you're undecided
about what to do or which road to ride first, throw a dart at the map - chances
are wherever it lands you'll find a winner. North Georgia offers hundreds of
miles of great roads to ride, and the Georgia Triangle section is one of the
best, but as with most great riding roads, they are a double-edged sword. These
are rural roads up here and according to the Georgia DOT, for calendar year 1997
there were 11 reported motorcycle accidents including two fatalities. This
statistic does not include other more minor spills that I've seen which I'm sure
were not reported. As these roads run through the beautiful scenery of the
Chattahoochee National Forest, there are large trees growing near where the
pavement ends. So, like most of life's best challenges, a little common sense
and self-restraint go a long way, so enjoy it, but HEY! Let's be careful out
there. Copyright 2000, Philip A. Buonpastore
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