The basic mandatory ride from T.W.O. is the rock pile loop, also known as the "Cooler Run." Frank Cheek (founder of T.W.O.) is said to have coined the name for this route. It's a brief (less than an hour) ride that includes three of the best roads in Georgia, with a mix of sweeping curves, brief straights, and tight, steeply banked turns. Although pavement is generally excellent along this entire route, as with all mountain roads, there are many blind curves, some with decreasing radii, and always the possibility of sand or gravel, or worse, an oncoming truck, perhaps towing a trailer, on your side of the double yellow line. Ten tenths riders don't survive long in the mountains.
Go south on highway 60 from Suches to the rock pile (a stone monument at the intersection of 60 and 19). There is only one legal passing area in this stretch of road, about a mile south of Suches, just after exiting a deceptive double radius right hand turn, and before Woody Gap, where the Appalachian trail crosses 60. There are several viewpoints along 60 , including Woody Gap nad Dockery Lake. Turn left at the rock pile and continue on 19 until it intersects highway 129 at Turners Corner. Turn left on 129. After a short while, this stretch of road starts climbing steeply. There are several areas with passing lanes; wait for them, but be on the lookout for downhill traffic that may stray over the double yellow. For a breather, stop at either the Blood Mountain general store, or at the Walasi-Yi Center, about a quarter mile further on (yet another crossing of the Appalachian Trail).
After Walasi-Yi the road descends steeply, with no passing zones. Just past Vogel State Park, turn left onto highway 180. This is a sharp left, and can sneak up on you. Highway 180, also known as Wolf Pen Gap road, packs 125 turns into 11 miles. There are no legal passing areas on the eastern side of the mountain. There are two legal passing zones on either side of Lake Winfield Scott, on the western side of the mountain. At the very top -- Wolf Pen Gap -- there is a sharp and dangerous turn. It is marked 15 mph -- heed the sign. This road can be intensely enjoyable. It also claims many bikes, and often a few lives, each year. Know your limits. Past Lake Winfield Scott population density starts to increase as you approach the community of Suches. Please observe speed limits through here, and watch out for cars and trucks coming out of driveways, as well as for children and other pedestrians. Highway 180 ends at 60, where a left turn takes you back to T.W.O.
For variety, repeat in the opposite direction.
Copyright © Selden Deemer, 2006