Pack a helmet when you head to the ATL Airport District, because we’re going to get you rolling—even if you show up without a bike! You can chase speed, cruise for coffee, get a little dirty, or just give your legs a casual spin between meetings. From big-time races to neighborhood rides and beer crawls, it’s all happening right here!
Bike Paths and Lanes 🌳
Our bike paths are growing every year, with short multi-use paths and bike lanes connecting neighborhoods and town centers throughout the District. But the real charm lies in the oak-lined low-traffic streets of our many historic neighborhoods of Hapeville and College Park. These quiet, well-kept residential roads make it easy to pedal from your home or hotel to coffee shops, bars, and local eateries without braving fast traffic.
Bike Rentals 🚲
Didn’t pack your bike? Don’t sweat it! Outback Bikes Hapeville Hub provides rentals ranging from high-end road, gravel, and mountain bikes to slick in-town e-bikes. They’ll have what you need, whether you’re chasing watts or just chasing brunch.
Saddle Up and Grab a Cup ☕
Some of the most satisfying rides start with a hot cup of joe on a chilly day (or an iced cup on a hot one), and the District has plenty of coffee spots worth pedaling to:
- Café Belli, Coffee & Cocktail Bar Aesthetic coffee café by day, crafty cocktail lounge at night.
- C’est La Vie Cafe A cozy downtown College Park café with French flair, pastries, and strong espresso.
- Coffee Man A long-time Hapeville favorite known for its friendly service and creative brews.
- Drip-Thru Coffee A drive-thru (or pedal-thru) coffee shop serving up craft lattes, cold brew, and quick bites.
- JPresso A relaxed spot to meet up with your crew to fuel up before a group ride.
Bikes and Brews 🍺
Cyclists and craft beer go together like derailleurs and chains. Raise a glass to a great ride at one of the District’s quality watering holes:
- Beer Girl Growlers & Bottleshop A Southside institution with 20+ rotating taps, plus bottles to go.
- The Brake Pad Pump your brakes and grab a beer on their cyclist-friendly patio.
- The Brass Tap Good beer and good food make for an easy post-ride hangout.
- Chattabrewchee The Hanger Offering local brews—and a discount if you roll up on two wheels.
- Manchester Arms Pub Stop by for a pint, but don't pedal away on the wrong side of the road.
The Annual Revolution: Spin the District 🏁
Every spring, the District rolls out the red carpet—er, pavement—for Spin the District, a two-week cycling festival in Hapeville, College Park, and Union City. We’re talking block parties with handlebars: live music, food trucks, beer, and some of the fastest criterium racers in the country whipping around tight corners at 30+ mph. Whether you’re a diehard cycling fan or just looking for an excuse to drink beer in the midst of something thrilling, Spin the District delivers.
Southside Routes📍
We consulted local Southsider, Wayne Whitesides, the pedal-power behind well-known local cycling events like Homegrown Gravel and Spin the District for some expert advice. Wayne has been riding outside on the Southside since 2001 as a racer, commuter, and family man, and he knows every cycling-friendly road for miles around. As a Ride with GPS ambassador, he has curated a collection of routes in and around the ATL Airport District ranging from mellow neighborhood loops to epic 100-mile mixed-surface journeys—plus brewery tours masquerading as sightseeing rides. To see more of the District like a local, start with one of Wayne’s routes:
- Coffee and Roam A laid-back 9-mile café crawl through College Park and Hapeville, connecting the Southside’s best coffee stops.
- Planes, Trains & Chainrings A smooth road loop around the world’s most traveled airport, featuring bike lanes, skyline views, and a finish onto the Gateway Center Campus.
- Southside Dirt A mixed-surface adventure linking the Sykes Park Ride & Fly and Southside Park mountain bike trails with a dash of urban grit.
- Southside Brewery Tour A low-key pedal linking local breweries and taprooms—great beer, great food, and easy-rolling back roads.
Group Rides 🚴♀️🚴♂️🚴♀️🚴♂️
The Southside loves to roll with the homies, and that includes you! Join us on casual community spins and brag-worthy hammer-fests.
- Tuesday Tap-Out (April–October) Hosted by the Metro Atlanta Cycling Club, these 22–30 mile no-drop rides start at 6:30PM and split into A, B, and sometimes C groups. It’s one of the friendliest ride scenes around, and you’ll be part of the crew by your second ride. More info here.
- The Airport Ride (November–March) Atlanta’s legendary drop ride blasts through Downtown College Park and Union City at breakneck pace every Sunday morning. Both the short and long options (35 and 55 miles) average well above 20 miles per hour, and you can either keep up or go home.
- Tri-Cities Neighborhood Rides (Spring–Fall) The Tri-Cities rides are the chillest rides in town. With weekly themes like the Farm Bike Tour and the Improv Ride, this one’s focused on community, not cadence. Join their Facebook group to join the next ride.
Mountain Biking - Southside Style 🚵♀️🚵♂️
If singletrack is your thing, the Southside has legit dirt nearby thanks to our friends at MTB Atlanta:
- Sykes Park Ride & Fly Trails Three miles of flow that ride like six, complete with short downhill runs.
- Southside Park Nearly 10 miles of urban MTB bliss, from beginner loops to gnarly black-diamond rock gardens.
- Cochran Mill Park Just a few miles from Union City, with five trail systems and three waterfalls. Equal parts workout and scenery.
From fast crit races to neighborhood coffee crawls, gravel grinds to brewery runs, the ATL Airport District has a ride to fit your vibe. Just clip in, roll out, and see where the day takes you. And make sure to let us know where you go! Upload your #ATLDistrict pics here.
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