CARTERSVILLE, GEORGIA
| RIDE TYPE Road | DISTANCE 44.3 Miles | ASCENT 1800 Feet |
| COURSE Loop | TERRAIN Rolling, Flat | SETTING Rural |
The 100% paved Taylorsville route starts a few minutes west of Cartersville GA on the banks of the Etowah River. Flat by north Georgia standards, this 44 mile road route loops through farms and pastures and includes the classic Taylorsville Rd so loved by locals.
The Etowah River Valley is a counterpoint to the Piedmont of North Georgia and relatively flat in comparison. Gently rolling terrain, farm fields and almost non-existent traffic makes the area west of the city of Cartersville popular with cyclists needing a break from climbing and perfect for Silver Comet Trail riders looking to broaden their repertoire. Route possibilities are endless and the Taylorsville route is just an example of what the area has to offer.
The route starts on the banks of the Etowah River at the Hardin Bridge boat ramp. The site was built adjacent to an old retired steel bridge but the bridge has been torn down and all that remains are the deteriorating stone supports. The boat ramp is popular with kayakers and can get quite busy in the summer.
The Taylorsville route averages 44 feet/mile elevation so climbing will be a limiter only for the most ardent flatlanders. Wind and sun in the open farmland are likely to be bigger issues. Several long stretches of flat road are perfect for pacelines. There are a few kickers and rollers but you won’t find any sustained climbing on this route.
Taylorsville Rd is one of the those classics cyclists wish would go on forever. Take a moment to look at the remains of the Aragon Mill before you start the road. The tiny hamlet of Taylorsville at the end of the road is a vestige of a bygone era – don’t look down at your GPS or you may miss it. Stop for a few minutes on a Saturday morning and you are likely to see a group or two come through.
Riders used to big miles will find this a great route for low volume days. Cyclists just getting into riding on the road will enjoy the Taylorsville route immensely. The Taylorsville route can be used as-is or any number of roads seen on the map can be used to shorten or lengthen the route to suit individual needs. Hardin Bridge Rd from the boat ramp north to the town of Kingston is popular. Rockmart and even the Silver Comet Trail are within reach.
- The route crosses a few railroad grades so mind the tracks as you cross.
- Much of the route is through open farmland and lacks shade - sunscreen is probably a good idea.
- Cool off in the Etowah river after a hot ride.
- The boat ramp has porta-potties and parking is free.
- The nearest full service town is Cartersville located five miles east of the route start.
- There are several store stops directly on the route including the convenience store at the Highway 101 crossing (mile 23) and Dollar General in Aragon (mile 29). The Dollar General has ice cream.
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.
Did it today. My elevation total was 2600
Beautiful beautiful ride. Almost no cars the entire way. Mostly smooth paved roads. A gas station stop is available at mile 23 and 28 (no bathrooms at the first). The elevation advertised however is not exactly right. We got almost 3,000 feet of elevation and there were several punchy climbs. Not a lot of rollers. The second half was a lot more rolling and flat.
This was a great route this morning! Legs were shot from weeks of training and needed an easy 40 to 44 mile ride. This was perfect – scenic and quiet with limited traffic. Much safer than the streets of Atlanta