5 Places to Ride Within 30 Minutes or Less of Downtown Atlanta

Now that the days are longer and the weather is warmer, it's hard to stick to the trainer for workouts but getting outside with a busy job, family commitments and Atlanta traffic can be a nightmare. Fortunately, we can get in some great riding without spending hours in the car.

1. Stone Mountain Park. If you've never ridden 'the mountain', Stone Mountain Park has two bike options, an inner (approx 5 miles)  and outer loop (approx 7 miles) around the park. Both go around the mountain so you'll get a some nice climbing and descending. The inner loop will be much more traversed by walkers and joggers and you'll find some steeper climbs on the outer loop. The nice thing is that even though cars are allowed into the park, it's cut off from any through traffic and you can easily find restrooms. You'll have to pay a $15 parking fee but if you get there at the right time, you can park downtown Stone Mountain or Stone Mountain Trail parking lot and bike into the park.  Feeling ambitious? Start in midtown Atlanta (Boulevard and Freedom Parkway) and ride the trail all the way out to Stone Mountain. It's about 19 miles of mostly paved trails. You'll follow the road for a few miles as you cross into Clarkston but will get to see some of Atlanta's most popular neighborhoods along the way.
2. The Silver Comet Trail. The Comet is a favorite for cyclists in the Atlanta area. With it's trailhead in Smryna, a rider can make his/her way all the way to Alabama on this trail.
3. Columns Drive
4. Roswell River Road
5. Arabia Mountain Park