Road Atlanta is 11 days out. Issue No. 6 is the most detailed Red Line has published — a deep dive on MotoAmerica with rider profiles and a class-by-class preview, a mile-by-mile breakdown of the Richard Russell Scenic Highway, the full North Georgia route guide, and the complete Southeast calendar through June. Get a coffee. There is a lot in here. Let's go.
Lawrence Johnson
Editor · Red Line · Atlanta, GA
✦ Race Countdown
🏁 Race Countdown
11
Days to Road Atlanta
MotoAmerica — April 17–19
50th anniversary AMA Superbike season. Camping almost gone. Full preview below.
🗺 North Georgia Route Guide — Pick Your Ride
Suches Loop / Wolf Pen Gap
GA-180 · GA-60
Georgia's Dragon. Tight, technical, dramatic elevation. Two Wheels of Suches at the GA-60/GA-180 junction. North Georgia's most iconic circuit — best at sunrise before the crowd arrives.
HIGH
Holiday crowd
Richard Russell Scenic Hwy
GA-348
This Issue
14 miles of sweeping curves through the Chattahoochee National Forest. Connects to Suches Loop at Hogpen Gap. Light traffic even on holidays. Mile-by-mile breakdown below.
LOW
Underrated gem
GA-52 Ellijay Corridor
Issue No. 3
Apple country, ridgeline views, Fort Mountain overlook. Ellijay to Jasper, pairs with Blue Ridge for a full day. Relaxed sport-touring pace.
LOW
Light use
US-129 Blood Mountain
Issue No. 5
Neel Gap climb over the highest point on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia at 4,458 ft. Mountain Crossings outfitter sits on the trail itself. Spectacular but busy on holidays.
MED
Go before 9 AM
Warwoman Road
Issue No. 2
Clayton east along Warwoman Creek toward SC. Tight, shaded, technical. 234+ curves, waterfall trailheads, creek crossings. Best-kept secret in Rabun County.
V.LOW
Best secret
✦ Deep Dive — MotoAmerica Road Atlanta: The Full Preview
"50th Anniversary AMA Superbike Season. Our Backyard. 11 Days."
11 days. The most significant American motorcycle road racing event to hit Georgia in years takes place 35 miles north of Atlanta on April 17–19. Road Atlanta hosts Round 2 of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship — and 2026 carries extra weight because this is the 50th anniversary of AMA Superbike racing. The first official AMA Superbike race was held at Daytona in 1976 when Reg Pridmore claimed victory. Five decades later the championship comes through our backyard. Book tickets and camping at motoamerica.com.
The 2026 Season Context
MotoAmerica announced a nine-round, 20-race Superbike Championship stretching from mid-April at Road Atlanta to a season finale in late September at New Jersey Motorsports Park. Road Atlanta is where the Superbike championship season truly opens — Daytona ran in March, but Road Atlanta is the first full Superbike round. Championship pictures clarify here. Form tables get set here. Rivalries ignite here. For Harley-Davidson's Factory Race Team, this is where they begin defending the Bagger title on home-region tarmac.
Six Classes — What's Racing at Road Atlanta
Class 01 · Headline
Steel Commander Superbike
The headline class. Factory-supported 1000cc machines running 170–190 mph on Road Atlanta's back straight. The fastest road racing machines in America.
Class 02 · Doubleheader
Mission King of the Baggers
Two Bagger races in one weekend. Purpose-built touring machines at race pace. The crowd favorite and Red Line's personal pick for most electric racing.
Class 03 · Next Gen
Supersport
600cc class with incredibly close racing and the future stars of Superbike on display. The riders who will be running Superbike machinery in two seasons are in Supersport right now.
Class 04 · Twin Cylinder
SC-Project Twins Cup
Twin-cylinder machines, fiercely competitive racing, and some of the most passionate club-level riders making the jump to professional competition.
Class 05 · Development
Parts Unlimited Talent Cup
Future champions racing alongside the veterans. The paddock's most exciting next-generation talent. All Superbike rounds.
Class 06 · Women's Series
Royal Enfield Build.Train.Race.
The women's championship series continues here. Eight races total for the 2026 season — competitive, skilled, and one of the most compelling developmental programs in American motorsport.
Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team — Riders to Watch
Harley-Davidson is back to defend the crown. In 2025, Kyle Wyman reclaimed the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers title at Circuit of the Americas. The full H-D Factory Race Team for 2026:
#1
Kyle Wyman
H-D Factory · Defending Champion
25 career victories. 2025 Mission King of the Baggers Champion. The winningest rider in class history. Carries the #1 plate into Road Atlanta.
#38
Bradley Smith
H-D Factory · MotoGP Veteran
Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP veteran bringing world-class pedigree to the Baggers class. Three podiums in his debut 2025 season, including second at Daytona.
#43
James Rispoli
Big Diehl x H-D · "Hogspoli"
2025 Super Hooligan National Champion. 14 Bagger podiums and two wins. Two-time AMA Pro Supersport champion. Appointment television.
Road Atlanta By The Numbers
2.54
Miles · Track
190+
MPH · Straight
12
Turns
120+
Riders
The Fan Experience — What To Actually Do
The MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Road Atlanta includes six classes of road racing. Meet over 120 riders in the open race paddock. VIP and camping packages available. Kids under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult.
Walk the paddock during Friday qualifying — lighter crowds, full team access, and the ability to stand at the pit wall and watch Superbikes come through Turn 12 at race pace from arm's length. The sound and speed from the infield at close range is something no broadcast captures. Go on Friday if you can.
The Cardo Fan Lap puts you on the circuit itself — available during qualifying and lunch breaks on Saturday and Sunday. Sign the e-waiver at motoamerica.com before you arrive. You cannot sign it on site.
Getting there: Road Atlanta sits just off GA-53 near Braselton — take I-985 north off I-85. From Atlanta it's 52.9 miles, roughly 55 minutes. Ride it.RV check-in opens Thursday, April 16 at 1 PM.
✦ Road Spotlight — GA-348: The Richard Russell Scenic Highway
14 Miles. Light Traffic. The Most Underrated Road in North Georgia.
Every rider who's done the Suches Loop knows GA-180 — Wolf Pen Gap, tight and technical, the crowd-pleaser. But the road that quietly anchors the other end of the Suches circuit — GA-348, the Richard Russell Scenic Highway — cuts through the Chattahoochee National Forest northwest from Helen toward Blairsville and delivers 14 miles of mountain riding that should be on every serious Georgia rider's regular rotation.
What Makes It Different
GA-348 doesn't reward aggression the way Wolf Pen Gap does. What it does is flow — long sweeping curves with progressive radius changes, dramatic elevation swings, and dense National Forest canopy that breaks open into mountain views as you crest the upper sections. Traffic is light — significantly lighter than GA-180 or US-19, even on holiday weekends.
Mile by Mile — The Four Waypoints
1
Helen, GA — Eastern Start via GA-75 / GA-348 Junction
Fuel up in Helen before starting — there is no gas on GA-348. From Helen's main strip, take GA-75 north briefly, then pick up GA-348 heading northwest. The canopy closes in. The temperature drops. The road narrows. You're in it.
2
Tesnatee Gap / Brasstown Bald Approach — The Elevation Climb
GA-348 passes Tesnatee Gap — one of the six gaps in the famous Six Gap Century loop. Georgia's highest point at 4,784 feet is nearby. The curves tighten, the grade steepens, and the ridgeline views open to the northwest. Smooth throttle discipline pays off here.
3
Hogpen Gap — Intersection with GA-180 (Wolf Pen Gap Road)
The natural decision point. GA-348 meets GA-180 at Hogpen Gap — turn right for Wolf Pen Gap and the Suches circuit, or continue northwest on GA-348 toward Blairsville. Two Wheels of Suches is 12 miles west at the GA-60 intersection.
4
Blairsville, GA — Western Terminus
Fuel, food, and access to the full North Georgia corridor. US-76 east, US-19 south, GA-60 south. Every direction from Blairsville is a good ride. You cannot make a wrong choice at this junction.
✦ April Through June — Full Calendar
Apr17– 19
11 Days · Camping Almost Gone
MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest — Road Atlanta
📍 Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta · Braselton, GA
Full deep dive above. Book camping now — motoamerica.com. RV check-in Thursday April 16 at 1 PM. Six classes, 120+ riders, open paddock. 50th anniversary AMA Superbike season.
Apr24– 26
North Georgia Rally
North Georgia Classic 2026 — MSTA · Dillard
📍 Dillard, GA · Rabun County
MSTA season opener in the northeast corner of Georgia — three days of guided and unguided mountain riding. Warwoman Road, Moonshiner 28, and the Tail of the Dragon all accessible. All makes welcome. Register at ridemsta-ga.com.
Apr24– 26
Free Admission · Florida
Leesburg BikeFest
📍 Downtown Leesburg, FL
30 blocks of downtown Leesburg closed to cars. 60+ live bands — all free admission. 200+ vendors, stunt shows, bike show, poker runs, and veteran tribute. Best-value motorcycle event in the country.
Apr29– May 3
Gulf Coast · Final Call
Thunder Beach Spring Rally
📍 Panama City Beach, FL
The Gulf Coast's biggest spring moto gathering. Hotels at standard rates are nearly gone. Book now or accept surge pricing.
May172026
Charity Ride · May 17
Distinguished Gentleman's Ride — Atlanta Chapter
📍 Atlanta Metro · Multiple Start Points
Classic and vintage-style riders raising funds for prostate cancer research and men's mental health. Register at distinguishedgentlemansride.com.
May232026
Veteran Motor Show
Brave and Bold Veteran Motor Show
📍 McDonough, GA · Henry County
Custom motorcycles, military vehicles, and veteran community pride 30 miles south of Atlanta. Red Line will be on site covering this event in full.
May292026
Veteran Suicide Awareness
Riding 22 States in 22 Days — Georgia Stop · Buford
📍 Buford, GA · Gwinnett County
The number — 22 — represents the veterans we lose to suicide every single day. Show up. Ride a leg. Buy a shirt. Bring your crew. This is the ride Red Line was built to cover.
Jun4– 7
Georgia Mountain Rally
26th Biker Nation Reunion Rally — Helen, GA
📍 City Park · Helen, GA
26th annual in Helen — VIP guided mountain rides, VIP dinners, door prizes, vendors, live music, and negotiated hotel rates. Register at reunionrally.com before VIP spots are gone.
✦ Rider Intel — Fast Notes
⚡ Fast Intel — April 6, 2026
MotoAmerica Road Atlanta — 11 days, camping nearly gone. Credential Request Deadline is April 12. Book now at motoamerica.com.
Distinguished Gentleman's Ride — May 17, Atlanta. Register at distinguishedgentlemansride.com. Classic and vintage style. Raising funds for prostate cancer research and men's mental health.
Leesburg BikeFest — April 24–26, Leesburg FL. Free admission, 30 blocks, 60+ bands, 200+ vendors. I-75 south from Atlanta straight down.
Thunder Beach final call: April 29–May 3, Panama City Beach. Standard-rate inventory is gone or nearly gone. Book today or accept surge pricing. This is the last time Red Line says it.
Harley-Davidson Parade Laps at Road Atlanta: H-D owners can ride the Road Atlanta circuit during H-D Parade Laps on Saturday and Sunday. Details at motoamerica.com.
Biker Nation Reunion Rally — registration open. Helen, June 4–7. Register at reunionrally.com before VIP spots are gone.
Red Line is covering Brave & Bold on May 23 and Riding 22 States on May 29. If your organization, club, or build shop is participating and wants coverage in the newsletter — reach out.
✦ Veteran Riders — Vet Corner
🎖 Vet Rider Corner — Issue No. 6
The May veteran calendar is the richest Red Line has seen in one month: Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day weekend, May 24. Brave and Bold Veteran Motor Show in McDonough on May 23 — Red Line on site, full coverage. And Riding 22 States in 22 Days hits Buford on May 29.
A note on Road Atlanta and veterans: MotoAmerica has a strong tradition of honoring veterans at its events. If you are a veteran attending Road Atlanta April 17–19 and want to be visible as part of the veteran riding community, reach out to Red Line. We will connect you with the right people.
✦ Southeast Radar — Full Calendar Through June
GA
Apr 17–19
MotoAmerica — Road Atlanta
50th anniversary AMA Superbike season. 11 days out. Book now.
GA
Apr 24–26
North Georgia Classic
Dillard, Rabun County. MSTA opener. All welcome. ridemsta-ga.com.
FL
Apr 24–26
Leesburg BikeFest
Free. 30 blocks. 60+ bands. 200+ vendors. Best value rally in America.
FL
Apr 29–May 3
Thunder Beach Spring Rally
Panama City Beach. Final call on hotel rooms.
TN
May 14–17
TN Motorcycles & Music Revival
Loretta Lynn's Ranch. Music, hill climbs, ADV trails, creek-side camping.
GA
May 17
Distinguished Gentleman's Ride
Atlanta chapter. Classic style. Raising funds for prostate cancer research and men's health.
GA
May 23
Brave & Bold Vet Motor Show
McDonough. 30 miles south of Atlanta. Red Line on site.
DC
May 24
Rolling Thunder — D.C.
Memorial Day weekend. Hundreds of thousands of riders. POW/MIA tribute.
GA
May 29
Riding 22 States — Buford
Gwinnett County. Veteran suicide awareness. Show up.
Hiawassee. Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. British iron, mountain rides.
✦ Road Atlanta Is 11 Days Out
Issue No. 6 — the most detailed one Red Line has published. If you made it this far, you are more prepared for the next six weeks of Georgia and Southeast riding than anyone in your group chat. Share that knowledge. Share this newsletter. The community grows when riders help each other ride better and plan smarter.
Next issue is Thursday April 9 — the 8-day Road Atlanta countdown, and everything coming out of Road Atlanta week. Much love to all of you. Ride safe. Ride hard. Look out for each other on those mountain roads.
Lawrence Johnson
Editor · Red Line · Atlanta, Georgia · Est. 2026
SET THE ALARM. FUEL IN DAHLONEGA. GA-348 AT SUNRISE IS WAITING. FULL THROTTLE. NO APOLOGIES.
Charity Ride · May 17