Hi! It's Mackenzie Again
The same adrenaline addicted cyclist from the last two weeks who hurls her body around corners at 30+mph wearing spandex. I’m also an author and poet. The past few weeks I have been sharing my experiences from Spin The Ditrict 2024 (SPIN) cycling event. SPIN is a three-day series for professional and amateur cyclists alike and takes place in the ATL Airport District in the Downtown districts of Union City, Hapeville and College Park. This is the last article in the series.
The first day of Spin The District took place in Union City and was critical in setting the tone for the week. Union City didn’t disappoint – there was music, food trucks, free kids races and a bike valet – but the best part was the disco party. The course even mirrored the vibe with a unique triangle lap featuring three sharp corners, which really forced the riders to stay on their toes. We knew it was coming each time around but it still seemed to catch some riders off balance. If you think you know how to corner, you should check out Union City: see if you can keep up with the beat!
We had a few days off before the next race so we touristed around the area. I’ve done a lot of bike races in a lot of different places and it’s surprising how rare it is to go check out where you are. Usually, you get to the bike race and get home as quickly as possible. Luckily, the Airport District is pretty bike-friendly and we rode to a whole bunch of different places.
What does a cyclist want more than anything? A coffee. A short, sweet, morning coffee ride after a hard night of racing. We started the day at Drip Thru Coffee in College Park and yes, we did ride through the drive thru – no questions asked. Was I very stereotypical getting a Georgia Peach smoothie in Georgia? Yes, I was. And it was delicious.
After that we went to check out Downtown Hapeville. Hapeville is a budding arts district and there are some beautiful murals that are definitely Instagram-worthy. If you didn’t get a selfie at Drip-Thru you can get an even better one here. #ARTSY
Next, we rolled over to downtown College Park. College Park is one of the largest urban historic districts in the state with about 850 structures. The collection includes homes, businesses, schools, churches and a railway station. To be eligible for the National Historic Register, buildings must be at least 50 years old; retain historic integrity in location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association.
The community that became College Park was founded in 1890 as a train depot and was officially named College Park in 1896.
Named for Cox College and the Georgia Military Academy, it is now fitting that College Park is the home of Woodward Academy – with over 2,700 students, it is one of the largest private schools in the US. We rolled into the main courtyard and it was gorgeous. The community is lucky to have such a beautiful institution.
College Park is also home to The Georgia International Convention Centre – Georgia’s newest and second largest convention centre. It is directly connected to the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport via the SkyTrain where you can almost literally be teleported to the biggest events of the year. They also very kindly opened the whole building so I could use the restroom during our photoshoot outside. Me. Literally just me. Southern hospitality doesn’t get much better than that. THANK YOU GICC!
After lunch at The Corner Tavern in Hapeville (outside, with fans, in full view of beautiful Main Street), we rolled back to our hotel. It was time to take a nap and enjoy the air conditioning. Did I say air conditioning? In April? Yes, please. Folks coming from farther north, you will LOVE a break from the dreary spring you’re having. I know you are. Remember where I grew up? April is terrible. Atlanta is not. Come on down, you won’t regret it.
I wasn’t kidding about taking a nap either: with so much going on it’s important to recover when you can. When Wednesday night rolled around, there would be even more excitement!
The Omnium is the first pro series track race of the year at Dick Lane Velodrome in East Point, just five minutes from College Park. The team has a few VERY accomplished track racers, so we had expert commentary – as our trackies were delighted to share this discipline with the rest of the team. I don’t think I’d ever seen a track race in real life before and it was super fun. I definitely caught the bug!
Never mind it was such an actual party. Pizza, beer, soda and cookies - does a cyclist need anything else?
The races were even commentated by SPIN’s Marketing Director – Wayne Whitesides and former Tour de France finisher Frankie Andreu.
That’s pretty cool but I would be missing something even better if I didn’t mention there was also a local cyclist selling her first book. If you’re looking for inspiration for yourself or for a junior rider, look no further than Mackenzie Myatt’s In Defense of Big Dreams. (That’s me, I’m Mackenzie).
What’s it about? It’s my whole heart.
It’s a book of poetry and photography about the idiosyncrasies of chasing excellence in sport and in life. For girls. For everyone. You should get one. You can find it on StrongGirlPublishing.com.
Excerpt from Mackenzie’s book ‘In Defense of Big Dreams’.
On Thursday we hit up Drip Thru Coffee again. You can’t beat a good thing just a two-minute bike ride from the hotel. I think we went there almost every day. The owners started to treat us like regulars and came to expect a school of blue jerseys to show up right before their lunch break. It’s important to caffeinate when you have a local group ride to catch later!
Around 6pm we rolled over to Oz Pizza in East Point for the start of the Thursday Tango Ride with The Metro Atlanta Cycling Club (MACC). The MACC crew was very welcoming and friendly and I highly recommend joining them for a ride if you’re just starting out, visiting the area or just looking for some company on the road. After you wrap up the loop around the airport, if you have any energy left you can use it in the sprint back to Oz Pizza. You can brag that you got the first slice, but you better order a pitcher before everyone else shows up.
It ain’t called Thirsty Thursday for nothin’. Toast to your new friends and tired legs.
Friday played host to the second day of Spin The District in Hapeville. The theme was Friday Night Beats complete with an old school DJ to get the party started. Nothing gives you a shot of adrenaline like a blast from the past. The Hapeville course is a technical seven corner crit just a mile from the airport. If that’s not enough for you, you can check out the Porsche Experience Centre for some real speed. Though, with the right tunes, the right light and the peloton motivated by cash, I can’t think of anything more exhilarating than seeing the pros whiz by just inches from your nose. If you need something to slow you down, there’s the Train Depot Museum – the old train depot from 1890 was the reason anyone settled in Hapeville in the first place. So, you can thank the trains for the existence of this race!
Saturday saw the racing move further south to LaGrange, Georgia for one of the Speedweek races. Though not part of Spin The District, if you’re here anyway, we highly recommend taking the one hour drive. Just to keep the party going, you know? LaGrange is one of my favourite courses with a technical descent leading into the climb: the perfect place to launch an attack. It’s also a great warm up for the College Park race on Sunday.
The team was feeling pretty worn out by the time we got to College Park but there’s something about the last day that gives you wings. If you made a mistake earlier in the week, if you missed a move, or if you ‘just didn’t have it’ – now’s your moment. Redemption time, baby! It kind of feels like the last day of school, except you’ve been having fun this whole time. There’s also a realness to being completely and utterly exhausted. You’re toast, but you LOVE bike racing and you’re surrounded by hundreds of people who feel the exact same way. It’s part of the reason sport brings people together: you don’t have to talk to know you’re feeling the same thing. That was the vibe on the team as we were making ice socks in silence. But when you get to the start line – you’re smiling. It’s time to race for the crown.
There’s a street party next to the course, an Artist Market, and the smell of fried chicken you’re going to refuel with after the race. If you’re lucky, there might be a crawfish boil.
The College Park Criterium holds a special place in my heart. I can’t tell you exactly what it is but there’s something about it that just clicks. When you sail around that final corner and you’re halfway up the hill on the last lap – wishing you had a third lung and a second heart – you know you’re going to make it. It’s the best feeling. But what’s even better is getting to share your war stories afterwards while enjoying a juicy pulled-pork sandwich and a well-deserved ice cold beverage with some of your closest and newest friends.
I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did at Spin The District. We hope to see you at Spin The District 2025. Come say hi, I’ll be there!
