DALLAS, GEORGIA
| RIDE TYPE Mixed-Surface | DISTANCE 31.1 Miles | ASCENT 2112 Feet |
| COURSE Loop | TERRAIN Hills | SETTING Rural |
Horse farms. Strava segments. Dog chases. 30 miles. 2200 feet. 40% gravel. A little over two hours ride time. Perfect. This route is a jewel in Atlanta’s backyard.
The Lucas Loop grew out the local Northwest Atlanta road scene where gravel roads were simply a hindrance. The route came into its own as gravel gained popularity and now it isn’t uncommon to find someone riding this route on a summer evening after work.
The route is quite beautiful, passing the Foxboro Horse Farm, Benson Lake and quirky Saggus Rd. Riding this route fast requires good bike handling skills. The outbound Lucas Rd gravel sector can be ridden very fast if you choose the right lines and there are some tricky spots such as the bottom of the hill on School Rd where the road descends, transitions to gravel and then turns…
Longer mixed surface routes can be built off the Lucas Loop by utilizing nearby Sheffield and Paulding Forest WMA roads, GLCP access roads, and gravel/paved sectors to the south which link to the Silver Comet Trail. Ride two laps of the Lucas Loop for a Deuce Lucas.
Expect quiet country roads, excellent quality gravel and a little bit of nicely deteriorating recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). There is enough variation in surfaces to keep it challenging. Speaking of challenges, there is a fair bit of climbing on this route and aptly named Mountain Road kicks up to nearly 9%. What goes up, must come down and there is a fair bit of descending too.
- Harmony Grove Church Road can be busy when school is in session or when the local high school football games let out.
- Dogs can be a nuisance. Paulding County Animal Control has recommended pepper spray.
- Park at the Sammy McLure Middle School when school is not in session. Please be courteous and park out of the way.
- A convenience store is available at mile 20. Another is just off the route at mile 27.3
- Big’uns Biscuits at mile 2.5 is excellent.
Terms of Use: Use of this route is at your own risk. This route map and associated route descriptions are believed correct at the time of publication but accuracy cannot be guaranteed. You assume all responsibility for 1) checking weather and road conditions, 2) knowing and obeying land use rules and restrictions, 3) knowing and obeying all rules of the road, 4) carrying and using proper safety and navigation equipment and, 5) knowing the limits of your physical ability. SoutheasCyclingRoutes.com, contributors and Timothy Hollingworth are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other loss to individuals following this route or using information contained in the route map or description.
Rode this 7/29/21 for the first time in over six months.
The entire length of Lucas Lane has been graded. It’s hard and FAST. The ruts from washout are gone. The Paulding side is a dust bowl but the Bartow County side in the trees is slightly moist and dust free.
Saggus Rd has been re-paved. The big hole and puddle at the bottom are gone.
The recycled pavement on Mountain Rd is deteriorating nicely. It has a bit of character now.
-Tim-
Great ride! School was in session so we parked at Big Un’s biscuits (tragically, it was closed when we finished ride). Dogs were all bark no bite. Thanks for the awesome route!
Your description sounds accurate LOL. Big-Uns is good but biscuits ends at 11. Glad you enjoyed it Gregg!