MotoAmerica Road Atlanta Rider Entry Deadline — TODAY, March 26. Submit at motoamericaregistration.com before midnight.
Thursday Edition — Issue No. 4
Three Weeks Out. Road Atlanta Is Coming Fast.
The weekend is two days away and the mountains are calling.
Easter weekend is nine days out, the MotoAmerica countdown is on,
and today is the final day to submit a rider entry for Road Atlanta.
Issue No. 4 gives you the full Easter riding preview,
a deep dive into what you actually need to know about going to Road Atlanta,
a spotlight on one of North Georgia's most satisfying approach roads,
and everything on the Southeast calendar through June.
Three weeks. Let's make the most of every day between now and the green flag.
Lawrence Johnson
Editor · Red Line · Atlanta, GA
✦ MotoAmerica Countdown — Road Atlanta
🏁 Road Atlanta — April 17–19, 2026
RV check-in opens Thursday, April 16 at 1:00 PM.
Friday is practice and qualifying. All-day racing Saturday and Sunday.
VIP packages include continental breakfast, catering,
escorted Superbike race grid access Saturday and Sunday,
and preferred podium viewing during the King of the Baggers and Superbike ceremonies.
The Cardo Parade Lap puts you on the circuit yourself —
sign the e-waiver at motoamerica.com before you arrive.
The Dunlop ECSTAR Suzuki Two-Seat Superbike Experience
puts you on the back of a professional Superbike at up to 150 mph.
Kids 12 and under free with a paying adult.
Camping spots and reserved RV spaces with power —
book now at motoamerica.com before they're gone.
Free motorcycle parking for all attendees.
Vehicle parking must be purchased in advance online.
This is Road Atlanta's 50th anniversary year. Don't miss it.
✦ Easter Weekend Preview — April 4–5
🌄 Easter Weekend Forecast — North Georgia
☀️
SATURDAY · APR 4
✓ Prime Riding Day
65°F
Mostly clear skies through midday. Light wind. Roads dry from Dahlonega to Blairsville. Go early — mountains fill up by 10 AM on holiday weekends.
Leave Atlanta by 7:30 AM
🌫️
SUNDAY · APR 5
⚠ Patchy Morning Fog
62°F
Fog in the mountain gaps before mid-morning. Burns off by 11 AM in most corridors. Plan a late start or take valley roads until visibility clears.
Best window: 11 AM – 3 PM
Fuel strategy: Fill up before you head into the mountains — stations in Suches and Dillard run slow on holiday Saturdays. Get your tank full in Dahlonega, Ellijay, or Clayton before you commit to the loop. Lower-traffic alternatives: GA-52 Ellijay Corridor and Warwoman Road out of Clayton beat the crowded Suches circuit on a holiday weekend.
✦ This Weekend — Atlanta H-D Final Events
Mar282026
Tonight · Free Dinner · RSVP
Harleys After Dark — Atlanta H-D
📍 Atlanta Harley-Davidson · Lithia Springs, GA
Free dinner and drinks tonight at Atlanta H-D —
RSVP required through the Atlanta H-D events page.
A good excuse to get out to Lithia Springs and connect with the local community
before the weekend.
Bring a riding buddy who hasn't been to an Atlanta H-D event before —
these evenings are exactly the right low-stakes introduction
to the Atlanta dealership and riding scene.
The Morning Workshop follows at 11:45 AM Saturday.
Mar282026
Sat Morning · Free
Emergency Roadside Maintenance Workshop
📍 Atlanta Harley-Davidson · Lithia Springs, GA
11:45 AM Saturday. Hands-on roadside prep —
tire management, electrical basics, fluid checks,
and what to do when the bike goes down somewhere it shouldn't.
Free to attend. RSVP recommended.
With Easter weekend nine days out and mountain season in full swing,
this is the right time to close any knowledge gaps you have about
roadside emergency situations.
The riders who skip these workshops are the ones standing on the shoulder of GA-180
wondering what they should have done differently.
✦ Feature — Road Atlanta: What You Actually Need to Know Before You Go
"Braselton Is 35 Miles From Atlanta. It Feels Like a Different World. Plan Accordingly."
Three weeks out from the MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest,
here is everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on April 17–19.
Getting There — Ride It
Road Atlanta sits just off GA-53 near Braselton —
take I-985 north from I-85 and follow the signs.
From downtown Atlanta it's about 52.9 miles, roughly 55 minutes on a clear day.
Ride it.
The stretch of GA-53 and surrounding country roads north of Gainesville
are smooth, open, and flowing —
worth building extra time into your route to enjoy them.
Bike parking is free and plentiful for all attendees.
Pull in early and walk the paddock before the crowds build around Friday qualifying.
The Racing — Six Classes, Three Days
Friday is practice and qualifying — lighter crowds, full paddock access,
and a chance to see the machines being dialed in before the intensity of race day.
Saturday and Sunday are all-day racing with six classes.
The King of the Baggers doubleheader runs one race Saturday, one race Sunday —
two full races in one weekend.
The Superbike class is the headline,
but the Bagger races are where the crowd energy peaks.
The sound of purpose-built touring bikes at 190 mph on the back straight
has to be heard in person to be believed.
The Open Paddock — Use It
The open race paddock gives you access to over 120 riders.
Walk up to team transporters. Ask questions.
Watch the mechanics prep the machines.
The MotoAmerica paddock culture is the most accessible
in American professional motorsport —
people are here to share their passion for the sport,
not to manage a velvet rope experience.
Friday qualifying is the best time to walk the paddock
before race day adds urgency to the crews' schedules.
Track Access for Fans
The Cardo Parade Lap puts you on the circuit during the Saturday and Sunday lunch breaks —
sign the e-waiver at motoamerica.com before you arrive,
not at the gate. Bring your own helmet and gear.
The Dunlop ECSTAR Suzuki Two-Seat Superbike Experience
is the next level — on the back of a pro Superbike at up to 150 mph.
All proceeds from the Two-Seat Experience benefit the
Roadracing World Action Fund, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to racetrack safety improvements.
You're riding a Superbike and supporting safety research simultaneously.
H-D Parade Laps on Saturday and Sunday let you ride
the actual circuit on your own Harley-Davidson.
Details at motoamerica.com under the Road Atlanta event page.
Camping and Logistics
Camping ranges from tent sites to reserved RV spaces with power hookups.
Restrooms and showers are conveniently located to all campsites.
RV check-in opens Thursday, April 16 at 1:00 PM.
Arrive Thursday and enjoy Friday qualifying as part of a full weekend —
this is the right way to do a race event at Road Atlanta.
Waking up on the circuit grounds to the sound of Superbikes warming up on Friday morning
is an experience that doesn't need any further selling.
Military ID required at check-in for veteran discounts.Vehicle parking must be purchased in advance online —
do not show up expecting to pay at the gate.
Free motorcycle parking for all attendees.
50th anniversary AMA Superbike season. Six classes including King of the Baggers doubleheader. Cameron Beaubier defending with Warhorse HSBK Ducati. H-D Factory Team: Kyle Wyman, Bradley Smith, James Rispoli. Open paddock, 120+ riders. Cardo Fan Lap — sign e-waiver at motoamerica.com. VIP, camping, RV. Kids 12 under free. Book now — camping goes first.
Nine days on the OBX — NC-12 along the barrier islands is one of the most unique motorcycle roads on the East Coast. Ocean on both sides, wildlife refuges, Cape Hatteras lighthouse corridor. Approximately 8 hours from Atlanta. A completely different kind of riding from the mountains but worth the trip.
MSTA season opener in the best-positioned rally location in North Georgia. Dillard puts you within 50 miles of the Dragon, 60 miles from the Cherohala, 30 miles from NC-28. Three days of guided and unguided riding. No MSTA membership required — all makes welcome. Register at ridemsta-ga.com.
SE Sportster and Chopper community pack ride through Toccoa — 20 minutes from the North Georgia Classic in Dillard. Natural add-on to a full northeast Georgia weekend. Check CycleFish for confirmed departure details.
Historic Sports Car Racing's premier vintage event the week after MotoAmerica. Legendary vintage machinery, open paddock. A great reason to keep the helmet out for a second straight weekend in Braselton.
Gulf Coast's biggest spring rally. US-98 along the Emerald Coast is the ride. Book hotels now — already at surge pricing. I-75 south to I-10 west, then US-98 from Pensacola for the full experience.
📍 Maggie Valley Festival Grounds · Maggie Valley, NC
Handlebar Corral's flagship event. Three days in the Smokies corridor — Dragon, Cherohala, Moonshiner 28, and Blue Ridge Parkway all within easy reach. Bike show, vendors, live music. Three annual iterations: Spring (May 1–3), Summer (Jun 26–28), Fall (Sep 11–13).
Women-focused motorcycle event in the Smoky Mountains gateway. Group rides, skills training, community building. All experience levels welcome. Maryville puts you 30 minutes from the Dragon and the Foothills Parkway.
Four days on the grounds of a country music legend. National music acts, hill climbs, ADV trail riding, custom bike shows, creek-side camping. Hurricane Mills is approximately 3.5 hours from Atlanta. Arrive Thursday for the best campsite. One of the most complete rally experiences in the Southeast.
Five-day rally in Grundy County near the Fiery Gizzard and Savage Gulf corridor. Free camping on-site. Memorial Day weekend timing makes this a natural long-weekend destination from Atlanta.
📍 McDonough, GA · Henry County · 30 miles south of Atlanta
Custom motorcycles, military vehicles, and veteran community pride south of Atlanta. Red Line will be on site. If your club is attending or you're entering a build — reach out. This is a cornerstone of the Georgia veteran riding community.
📍 Maggie Valley Festival Grounds · Maggie Valley, NC
Indian Motorcycle's annual owner gathering at Maggie Valley. Guided rides through the Smokies, demo opportunities, community events. Pairs perfectly with a Dragon and Cherohala run the same weekend.
National veteran suicide awareness benefit ride — 22 veterans lost every day. Show up, ride a leg, shake a hand. You don't need to ride all 22 states. Red Line is tracking every Southeast stop. This one matters.
Annual Memorial Day weekend charity run through Bartow County. Allatoona Lake corridor roads, northwest Atlanta access. A solid local Memorial Day option if you're not heading to the Gulf Coast or Tennessee.
26th annual in Helen — dead-center in prime North Georgia mountain riding country. VIP guided rides, dinners, live music, vendors, negotiated hotel rates. GA-348, GA-180, GA-75 north all within easy day-ride reach. Rooms fill fast. Register at reunionrally.com.
Free admission rally in Maryville — gateway to the Smokies. Small bore and vintage focused but all bikes welcome. Dragon, Cherohala, and Foothills Parkway within 30–45 minutes.
Running continuously since 1985. Triumph, Norton, BSA, Matchless, AJS, Royal Enfield — all makes welcome for the rides. Hiawassee sits on Lake Chatuge in some of the finest riding territory in North Georgia.
One of Tennessee's oldest rallies in the Upper Cumberland region. Cookeville is centrally located for Middle Tennessee riding — Standing Stone State Forest, Dale Hollow Lake corridor, and East Tennessee approaches all accessible.
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club East Coast Rally in Blairsville — gateway to Blood Mountain, Wolf Pen Gap, and the full Suches Loop. Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki golden era on display. The roads alone are worth the trip.
📍 Maggie Valley Festival Grounds · Maggie Valley, NC
Second of three annual Thunder in the Smokies rallies. Same Dragon, Cherohala, and Blue Ridge Parkway access. Summer altitude keeps the mountain heat manageable. All bikes welcome.
✦ Road Spotlight — GA-60: The Road That Starts Every Great North Georgia Ride
The Approach That Makes the Mountain Loop Make Sense.
Every issue we spotlight a road. This week it's the one that starts it all —
GA-60 north from Dahlonega to Suches.
It's the on-ramp to the entire North Georgia mountain corridor
and one of the most satisfying approaches to a great riding day
in this part of the country.
Riders who know these roads intimately understand that the approach matters —
GA-60 earns that understanding.
1
Dahlonega, GA — The Launchpad
Georgia's Gold Rush town sits at the edge of the Appalachians —
75 minutes from Atlanta on GA-400 north.
The town square has solid breakfast options.
Fuel up here before heading north —
gas options are limited once you commit to GA-60's mountain section.
Leave Dahlonega before 9 AM on a weekend to get ahead of the day-tripper traffic
that builds on GA-400 by mid-morning.
2
The Transition — Farmland to National Forest
The first 10 miles of GA-60 north from Dahlonega are deceptively gentle —
rolling countryside, farms, small North Georgia communities.
Don't be fooled into the wrong pace for what comes next.
About 12 miles north of Dahlonega,
the Chattahoochee National Forest boundary begins and the character shifts.
Grades steepen, curves tighten, canopy closes in overhead.
This is where GA-60 becomes the approach road it was meant to be.
Let the landscape settle your pace before the technical sections begin.
3
Suches — Two Wheels of Suches at GA-60 / GA-180
The intersection of GA-60 and GA-180 in Suches is the crossroads of
North Georgia motorcycle culture.
Two Wheels of Suches sits right here —
fuel, food, and the kind of parking lot gathering
that adds an hour to every visit without any effort.
Stop here before committing to Wolf Pen Gap.
It's your last solid fuel option and the community checkpoint
for every rider running the Suches circuit.
The conversations that start in that lot have launched more great riding days
than any other location in North Georgia.
4
GA-180 East / GA-348 — The Full Loop
From Suches, the choice is yours:
GA-180 east to Hogpen Gap and then GA-348 east to Helen for the full Suches Loop,
or GA-180 west to complete the Wolf Pen Gap technical section before returning to GA-60.
Either direction delivers.
GA-60 as an approach road simply positions you perfectly
for whatever direction you choose from the Suches intersection.
Easter Weekend Application
GA-60 north from Dahlonega is the Easter Saturday approach.
Leave Atlanta by 7:30 AM, fuel in Dahlonega,
and you're at Two Wheels of Suches before 9:30 AM.
That's the window where this road belongs to riders —
before the day-tripper traffic, before the holiday crowd,
before the Suches parking lot becomes the social event it turns into by 11 AM.
The morning window on a holiday weekend is everything.
Miss it and you share the road. Make it and the mountain is yours.
✦ Rider Intel — Fast Notes
⚡ Fast Intel — March 26, 2026
MotoAmerica rider entry closes TODAY, March 26.
If you're racing Road Atlanta, submit at motoamericaregistration.com before midnight.
Credential Request Deadline is April 12.
Media credentials, team credentials, and rider entries all require advance submission.
Atlanta H-D this weekend — final call.
Harleys After Dark tonight (RSVP required),
Emergency Roadside Workshop Saturday 11:45 AM, Lithia Springs.
Two reasons to make the drive west this weekend.
Easter weekend — April 4–5. Nine days out.
Mountains will be busy.
Saturday morning before 9 AM is your window on the Suches Loop.
GA-52 Ellijay and Warwoman Road are lower-traffic alternatives.
Fill up in Dahlonega, Ellijay, or Clayton before heading deep into the mountains.
Full Easter guide in Issue No. 5 on Monday.
Leesburg BikeFest — April 24–26, Leesburg FL.
Free admission. 30 blocks. 60+ bands. 200+ vendors. I-75 south from Atlanta.
Start lining up Leesburg-area accommodations if you're making the trip south.
Thunder Beach — April 29–May 3, Panama City Beach.
Gulf Coast hotels at reasonable rates are mostly gone.
Book immediately if you're riding to Thunder Beach.
US-98 along the Emerald Coast justifies the trip on its own.
Riding 22 States — Madison, TN stop May 23.
The veteran suicide awareness benefit ride makes a Tennessee stop at
Boswell's Ring of Fire H-D in Madison on May 23.
If you want to ride a leg of this mission through Tennessee,
that's your stop. No registration required. Show up.
Bike night season is starting around Atlanta.
Spring brings the regular bike night circuit back to Atlanta-area dealerships.
If your dealer or club runs a regular spring/summer bike night,
email and we'll get it on the calendar.
The community wants to know where to show up.
Vehicle parking at Road Atlanta must be purchased online in advance.
Do not show up expecting to pay at the gate.
Free motorcycle parking available for all attendees.
Buy your vehicle parking with your tickets at motoamerica.com.
✦ New Iron — What's Rolling Into Dealerships
Harley-Davidson · Now Shipping
2026 STREET GLIDE & ROAD GLIDE LIMITED
$32,999
Starting Price
New Milwaukee-Eight VVT 117 — 106 hp, 131 lb-ft, variable valve timing. Street Glide Limited sheds 24 lbs. Road Glide loses 13 lbs. Both get Skyline OS infotainment, embedded navigation, Rockford Fosgate audio, and cornering ABS. Road Atlanta timing: H-D Factory Race Team has the King of the Baggers platform on track April 17–19 — see what the Street/Road Glide looks like at race pace.
Engine
M-8 VVT 117
106 hp · 131 lb-ft
Weight Drop
Up to 24 lbs
vs. outgoing models
Infotainment
Skyline OS
Nav · Rockford audio
Indian Motorcycle · Limited Edition · Shipping Now
125TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
Founded 1901
125 YEARS
Four limited-edition models marking 125 years as America's first motorcycle manufacturer. Hand-applied Indian Motorcycle Red with metallic microflakes, pinstriping, and a unique serial number per bike. All four include Ride Command+ with navigation. The Challenger 125th — built on Indian's King of the Baggers championship platform — will be all over The Gathering at Maggie Valley (May 29–31).
Scout Bobber 125th
450 units · $17,499 · 111 hp V-Twin
Chief Vintage 125th
250 units · $24,999 · Thunderstroke 116
Challenger 125th
250 units · $41,999 · PowerPlus 112
Roadmaster 125th
100 units · $43,999 · PowerBand audio
Ducati · 5th Generation · Available Now
2026 DUCATI MONSTER
Ducati's 100th Anniversary Year
111 HP · 175 KG
New 890cc V2 — same powerplant as Panigale V2, Streetfighter V2, and Multistrada V2 — 111 hp at 9,000 rpm. Weight: 175 kg without fuel. Monocoque frame, quickshifter standard. The most accessible entry into the Bologna catalog gets meaningfully better. Ducati's 100th anniversary year. Cameron Beaubier's Ducati is the Road Atlanta headline on April 17–19 — the V2 family powering the new Monster is the same platform Ducati is betting its racing future on.
Engine
890cc V2
111 hp · 91 Nm · IVT
Weight
175 kg dry
Lightest 4-valve ever
Seat
32.1 in.
28k mi service interval
Kawasaki · In Dealerships Now · $14,999
2026 KAWASAKI Z1100 SE
$14,999
Starting Price
The Z1000 is back — reborn as the Z1100 SE. The 1,099cc inline-four (shared with the Ninja 1100SX) produces 134 hp at 9,000 rpm. US-only SE gets Brembo M4.32 monobloc calipers, Öhlins S46 rear shock, braided steel brake lines, and Dunlop Sportmax Q5A rubber. IMU-aided cornering ABS and TC, bidirectional quickshifter, cruise control, and a 5-inch TFT with Rideology connectivity. The Z1000 went dark in the US in 2016. This is a decade's worth of development landing at once.
Engine
1,099cc I-4
134 hp · 83.3 lb-ft
Suspension
Showa + Öhlins
S46 remote preload
Brakes
Brembo M4.32
Monobloc · IMU ABS
Suzuki · Arriving Dealerships August 2026
2026 SUZUKI GSX-8T & GSX-8TT
82 HP
776cc Parallel-Twin
Two new retro-inspired standards on Suzuki's proven 776cc parallel-twin platform. The GSX-8T ($10,649) draws from the T500 "Titan" — naked, round headlight, bar-end mirrors. The GSX-8TT ($11,149) adds a GS1000S AMA Superbike-inspired quarter fairing and undercowl. Both: 82 hp at 8,500 rpm, 57.5 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm, bidirectional quickshifter, TC, ABS, 5-inch TFT. The GSX-8TT's repositioned footpegs make it the most all-day comfortable GSX-8 variant. Middleweight sweet spot for Southeast touring — light enough for the mountain roads, comfortable enough for the run to Maggie Valley or Tellico Plains.
GSX-8T — Naked Standard
$10,649 · T500 Titan inspired · Gold or Matte Black
GSX-8TT — Quarter Fairing
$11,149 · GS1000S AMA inspired · Matte Green / Black
KTM · Significantly Updated · 693cc LC4
2026 KTM 690 SMC R & ENDURO R
79 HP
693cc Single
KTM's LC4 693cc single takes its biggest overhaul in years — the engine is approximately 50% changed (new crankcase, clutch, stator, oil system, airbox) to meet Euro5+ while bumping output to 79 hp and 73 lb-ft. Both the 690 SMC R (supermoto) and 690 Enduro R (dual-sport) get a new 4.2-inch TFT, lean-angle TC and ABS, two ride modes, and extended service intervals. For Southeast riders: the Enduro R is the weapon for Cohutta Wilderness double-track on the same machine you ride to the trailhead. The SMC R is pure supermoto street performance — one of the most involving single-cylinder motorcycles you can buy.
Engine Change
~50% revised
Euro5+ · 693cc
Output
79 hp
73 lb-ft torque
Tech
4.2" TFT
Lean-angle TC + ABS
Triumph · Available March 2026 · $6,295
2026 TRIUMPH THRUXTON 400
$6,295
Starting Price
Triumph revives the Thruxton name on a new platform — a partially-faired café racer built from the TR-series 400cc foundation, in US dealerships now. At $6,295 it's the most accessible Thruxton in the brand's history. 29 new or updated Triumph models for 2026 is the broader headline — the Thruxton 400 is the most interesting entry point. If you've been watching Triumph's Modern Classics from the sidelines, this is the one worth a test ride.
✦ Veteran Riders — Vet Corner
🎖 Vet Rider Corner — Issue No. 4
Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom — Washington D.C., May 24, 2026.
The largest veteran motorcycle event in the country rolls through
the nation's capital on Memorial Day weekend for the annual POW/MIA tribute ride.
Hundreds of thousands of riders converging on D.C.
to honor those who never came home.
Atlanta riders make the trip every year.
It's a long haul — 9+ hours from Atlanta — but riders do it for a reason.
If you're going in 2026,.
We want to cover the Georgia contingent and tell that story.
Closer to home — Brave and Bold Veteran Motor Show, McDonough, May 23.
30 miles south of Atlanta. Red Line on site. Full coverage.
And the Riding 22 States Georgia stop hits Buford on May 29.
Mark it. Show up. Bring your brothers and sisters.
At Road Atlanta — Military ID gets you veteran discounts at check-in.
Bring it. You earned it. And if you want to be visible as part of
the Georgia veteran riding community at the event —
reach out to Red Line.
We will connect you with the right people and make sure that community is seen.
✦ Maintenance & Seasonal Advice
Easter weekend and the Road Atlanta run are on the horizon. This is the time to sort out any issues your bike has been quietly holding onto since last fall — not on the road to Braselton or in the Suches lot on Saturday morning.
🛞
Tire Condition & Pressure
Check tread depth and look for cracks or flat spots from winter storage. Cold-weather sitting hardens compound and degrades sidewalls. Set pressure to spec cold — not at the pump after a ride. Pressure drops 1 PSI for every 10°F of temperature change; spring mornings can be significantly cooler than your last check.
Do This First
🛑
Brakes & Pads
Visually check pad thickness on both calipers. Check for glazing on the rotors — a symptom of long-term light braking or storage. Squeeze the lever slowly and feel for sponginess, which signals air in the line or degraded fluid. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time — if you haven't flushed it in two years, do it before a mountain run.
Non-Negotiable
⛓️
Chain & Drive
Check chain slack against your service manual spec — most bikes want 1–1.5 inches of free play at the tightest point. Clean with a dedicated chain cleaner, dry, then apply quality chain lube to the inner rollers while the wheel spins. A dry or tight chain loses power and will fail without warning on a mountain pass. Belt-drive riders: inspect for cracking along the edges.
Check Weekly
🔋
Battery & Electrical
Batteries that sat all winter may show surface charge on a meter but fail under load. Test with a load tester, not a multimeter. Check all lights — brake light activation from both front and rear, turn signals, high beam. A bike that starts fine in the driveway can leave you stranded when the electrical system is stressed at operating temperature.
Load Test It
💧
Fluids: Coolant & Oil
Check coolant level in the reservoir and look for any discoloration or scale that suggests a compromised system. Check oil level on the sidestand on flat ground — don't rely on the sight glass reading if the bike has been sitting at an angle. Spring mountain riding means rapid temperature swings — fresh oil and a properly functioning cooling system matter more than they do on a flat highway commute.
Spring Critical
🌡️
Spring Riding Conditions
North Georgia mountain roads in early April still have sand and grit from winter maintenance near intersections and on outer edges of corners. First lap on any unfamiliar road should be treated as a reconnaissance run. Tire temperatures need 10–15 minutes of riding to reach proper operating range — cold tires on cold tarmac in the shade require patience. Water runoff crosses roadways in multiple spots through mid-April.
Know Before You Ride
✦ Until Monday
Issue No. 4 in the books.
Tonight — Atlanta H-D, free dinner, go connect with the community.
Saturday morning — the Roadside Workshop.
Saturday afternoon and Sunday — your call,
but the mountains are clean and the window is open.
Three weeks to Road Atlanta.
If you're going, get your camping booked this Easter weekend.
If you're racing, the entry window closed today —
that submission needed to go in before midnight.
Much love to everyone riding with Red Line.
Keep sharing it. Keep sending events in.
And as always — much love to you all.