4 Reasons To Try Bicycle Tours of Atlanta
Last year, I was invited by the owner of Bicycle Tours of Atlanta to take a free tour! I’ve only been on a couple of city walking tours (not in Atlanta) – and never a bike tour…especially of what’s basically my own neighborhood. Here’s what I took away…
A Bike Is The Perfect Tour Vehicle
Unless you are in a tight, compact city with lots of shade and history (e.g., Savannah or Boston), it’s hard to see a lot of things on foot. With a group, you’re moving a max of 1.5 miles per hour, and even slower when you factor in stops.
Even a slow group can move 8 to 10 miles per hour on a bike, and it is only slightly slower when you factor in stops. Bicycles are highly efficient for getting around a city.
But it’s also effective because, unlike a tour bus, you are physically in the city—you are outside and taking everything in with your own senses. In between stops, you see the back alleys, the architecture, the yards, signs, making eye contact, etc.
A bike tour perfectly combines seeing the city and a lot of the city.
It Takes Serious Skill To Plan A Good Tour Route
While Atlanta is becoming more bike-friendly, it still has a ways to go. Add in the fact that much of Atlanta’s current and past history is located all over the place, and it’s a tricky job to design a route that is interesting, varied, and achievable.
The tour I took started near Krog St in east Atlanta, circled through Inman Park, then to King National Historical Park then over to Oakland Cemetery.
It’s all near where I’ve lived for 10+ years, but we still had stops that I didn’t know about and cut-throughs I’d never seen. I felt safe and impressed with the route. It’s an A+ tour.
To Be a Young City, Atlanta Does Have a Lot of History
Atlanta is no Savannah, Charleston, or Boston. But we do have a lot of history. And I think the history that happened in Atlanta matters more in daily life. Bicycle Tours of Atlanta does an excellent job structuring and keeping the tour enjoyable.
Bicycle Tours of Atlanta Is Absolutely Worth It
The tour is perfect for anyone living, visiting, or moving to Atlanta. I was impressed by even the important details like keeping the bikes in excellent condition, in spite of Atlanta’s infamously tire-unfriendly streets. The groups are welcoming. The route had perfect logistics (bathrooms, water, shade, etc). It’s absolutely worth it when visiting.
I’d recommend (like most small businesses) booking through their website rather than a booking platform for more convenient scheduling, communication, fees, etc.
