{"id":94809,"date":"2019-11-12T06:10:03","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T14:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=94809"},"modified":"2020-05-22T12:57:10","modified_gmt":"2020-05-22T19:57:10","slug":"welcome-to-the-mountain-bike-capital-of-georgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/welcome-to-the-mountain-bike-capital-of-georgia","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to the Mountain Bike Capital of Georgia"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s breakfast time at <\/span>Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Getaway<\/span><\/a> and the final day of the third annual <\/span>Bikepacking Summit<\/span><\/a>, a three-day grassroots event that\u2019s equal parts summer camp and bikepacking seminar. Mulberry Gap co-owners Kate and Andrew Gates stand behind a counter flipping pancakes while greeting a steady stream of cyclists.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my dream come true having this event here,\u201d Kate says. \u201cWe\u2019re bringing nationwide recognition to this tiny little dot on a map.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That tiny little dot is the town of Ellijay, Georgia, population 1,719. Situated 80 miles north of Atlanta in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this rural community is the seat of Gilmer County, the state-designated \u201cMountain Biking Capital of Georgia.\u201d (It\u2019s also known as the \u201cApple Capital of Georgia.\u201d) Hikers have long known Gilmer County as home to the southern terminus of both <\/span>the Appalachian Trail<\/span><\/a> and the <\/span>Benton MacKaye Trail<\/span>. But in 2005, when the 355-mile multiuse <\/span>Pinhoti Trail<\/span> was finally completed in Gilmer County, mountain bikers started showing up in droves.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEllijay is the perfect small mountain town,\u201d says Dondi Fontenot, who co-owns Cartecay Bike Shop in town. \u201cIt\u2019s still a diamond in the rough, but agritourism and outdoor tourism has really driven the development of downtown.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Jess Daddio<\/p><\/div>\n

Surrounded by over 100 miles of singletrack and gravel roads, Ellijay has blossomed into its own as a mountain bike destination. Not long after opening in 2007 as Mulberry Gap Bunkhouse Inn and Camping, the Gateses changed the name to Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Getaway and began catering specifically to the influx of mountain bikers coming to Ellijay. And while cycling events like the Bikepacking Summit are still relatively small compared to Ellijay\u2019s signature Georgia Apple Festival (which annually brings in upwards of <\/span>20,000 people per day<\/span><\/a>), they give visiting cyclists an intimate portrait of an oft-overlooked region and its unique riding.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt kinda felt like I was riding through the jungle,\u201d says Lael Wilcox, a pro endurance cyclist from Alaska who rode part of the 357-mile Trans North Georgia route prior to the Bikepacking Summit. \u201cIt was really humid and there were lots of stream crossings. <\/span>The Appalachians are super steep with nonstop climbs. But for me, any race or route that has a ton of climbing is exactly where I want to be.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether or not you appreciate steep terrain as much as Wilcox does, Ellijay offers plenty of riding for mountain bikers of all skill levels. With mild year-round temperatures, crowd-free singletrack and <\/span>more trails on the way<\/span><\/a>, Ellijay is on a quest to become the Southeast\u2019s premiere mountain biking hub. Here\u2019s where to eat, play and stay in Ellijay.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Jess Daddio<\/p><\/div>\n

EAT AND DRINK<\/b><\/p>\n

Ellijay Coffeehouse<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

This downtown cafe is tucked away on a quiet part of North Main Street. Filled with an eclectic mix of couches and cozy seating areas, this cafe feels less like a coffee shop and more like your family\u2019s living room. Fuel your ride with an espresso and an Appalachian Sunrise panini served on homemade bread.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellijay Wood Fired Pizza<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Based out of a 19th-century-era hotel at the corner of River and Main Streets, this pizzeria\u2019s Springer Mountain BBQ Chicken Pizza, named for the southern terminus of the AT, is the perfect way to recharge after a big day on the trail.<\/span><\/p>\n

MooBears Ice Cream and Hot Dogs<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Located on River Street, this family-owned ice cream joint is only open from March to December, but with over 20 flavors of ice cream, craft soda, chocolates and a lot of candy, it\u2019s the ultimate one-stop sweet shop.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

PLAY\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Amadahy Trail<\/b><\/p>\n

Best for Novice Riders<\/b><\/p>\n

Mileage: <\/b>\u00a03.6<\/span><\/p>\n

Elevation Gain: <\/b>293 feet\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Located in the 5,626-acre <\/span>Coosawattee Wildlife Management Area<\/span><\/a>, the flowy Amadahy Trail is tucked into the woods surrounding the 3,200-acre<\/span> Carters Lake<\/span>. Fun and mostly flat, it\u2019s a great non-technical loop for families and novice riders looking to get out for a quick ride. Cartecay Bike Shop leads weekly Saturday social rides and regularly includes the Amadahy Trail in its rotation. There is no fee for riding here, but donations to the <\/span>North Georgia Mountain Bike Association<\/span><\/a> are encouraged.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bear Creek, Pinhoti 1, Pinhoti 2<\/b><\/p>\n

Best for a Singletrack Sampler<\/b><\/p>\n

Mileage: <\/b>23.6<\/span><\/p>\n

Elevation Gain: <\/b>3,002 feet<\/span><\/p>\n

This ride starts and ends at Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Getaway, which offers day parking, WiFi, restrooms and showers, all for $10 per person. The gravel climb up Potato Patch Road to the Bear Creek<\/span> Overlook is relatively mellow, but if you want to save your legs, Mulberry Gap will <\/span>shuttle you<\/span><\/a> to the top (prices vary from $10-$30 depending on the size of your group). Be on the lookout for wildlife as you cruise through the lush rhododendron forests. Dropping in on Bear Creek, riders are rewarded with everything from tight switchbacks to fast doubletrack. Keep an eye out on your right for a sign recognizing the Gennet poplar, a 400-year-old tree that still stands as testament to the forest of centuries past. Give the poplar a hug before heading up Pinhoti 1 for a mile-long climb. From here, you\u2019ll roll up and down along everything from singletrack to doubletrack and gravel roads, eventually tracing one last ridge and descending Pinhoti 2 to Mulberry Gap.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Cohutta Cat<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Best for Gravel Grinders<\/b><\/p>\n

Mileage: <\/b>291<\/span><\/p>\n

Elevation<\/b>: 33,746 feet<\/span><\/p>\n

Named after a furry member of the Mulberry Gap family, the Cohutta Cat blends smooth singletrack, doubletrack and gravel roads together to create a nearly 300-mile-long figure-eight bikepacking route that straddles the Tennessee-Georgia state line. Highlights along the way include brewery stops, the Ocoee River Whitewater Center used for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and a 270-foot-long suspension bridge over the Toccoa River. On average, the Cohutta Cat takes intermediate riders four days to complete, but REI Regional Experiences Manager and Cohutta Cat route developer Daniel Jessee says the route is an adventure no matter how much of the Cat you tackle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt has some great progression for people of varying skill sets,\u201d Jessee says. \u201cThe eastern loop is shorter with less climbing, while the western loop is hard all by itself and much more remote. Even the strongest riders will feel it.”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Trans North Georgia Adventure (TNGA)<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Best for a Suffer Fest<\/b><\/p>\n

Mileage: <\/b>357.4<\/span><\/p>\n

Elevation Gain: <\/b>56,000 feet<\/span><\/p>\n

The woods in North Georgia might be lovely, dark and deep, but the trails are brutally steep. So riders who attempt the Trans North Georgia Adventure (TNGA), which bisects the state from South Carolina to Alabama, should be prepared for adversity in all of its capricious forms including mind-melting humidity, rampant poison ivy, trench foot and plenty of hike-a-bikes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think people know that there\u2019s this much climbing in Georgia or the Southeast, so they get here and they\u2019re shocked,\u201d says TNGA veteran Audrey Tangye. \u201cThe climbing never ends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountain views, crystal-clear waterfalls and verdant hardwood canopy make all of that punishing singletrack worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

STAY<\/b><\/p>\n

Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Getaway<\/b><\/p>\n

This backcountry retreat is just what it sounds like\u2014a dreamy mountain bike oasis surrounded on all sides by the <\/span>Chattahoochee National Forest<\/span><\/a>. Post up in a rustic cabin (from $65 per person per night) or pitch a tent (from $19 per person per night), and your stay will include the use of bath houses, WiFi and bike wash stations. Though you can bring your own food and cookout, eating at Mulberry Gap is highly recommended. Ginni Taylor, mother of co-owner Andrew Gates, whips up fabulous Southern fare three times a day (from $12 per adult). Stay up late at The Barn, a communal dining hall and hang zone where visitors can connect with new friends around a campfire or over a game of mini-bike Jenga (it\u2019s harder than it sounds).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s breakfast time at Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Getaway and the final day of the third annual Bikepacking Summit, a three-day grassroots event that\u2019s equal parts summer camp and bikepacking seminar. Mulberry Gap co-owners Kate and Andrew Gates stand behind a counter flipping pancakes while greeting a steady stream of cyclists. \u201cThis is my dream […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":94812,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1127,406,727,110],"internal-tag":[],"class_list":["post-94809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cycle","tag-cycling","tag-georgia","tag-latest-posts","tag-mountain-biking"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/welcome-to-the-mountain-bike-capital-of-georgia","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Welcome to the Mountain Bike Capital of Georgia","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/welcome-to-the-mountain-bike-capital-of-georgia","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/cycle\/welcome-to-the-mountain-bike-capital-of-georgia"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/11\/5P4A6147.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/11\/5P4A6147.jpg?fit=2048%2C1365"},"articleSection":"Cycle","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Michelle Flandreau"}],"creator":["Michelle Flandreau"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["cycling","georgia","latest posts","mountain biking"],"dateCreated":"2019-11-12T14:10:03Z","datePublished":"2019-11-12T14:10:03Z","dateModified":"2020-05-22T19:57:10Z"},"rendered":"