Week of Events

USA Speed Week 2022 is close at hand. Some of us will push our pedals to win medals all over the Southeast for ten days, but of course, we aren’t all lucky enough to travel to all seven events. We’d hardly call the rest of us unlucky, though, because while we’re keeping up with the action from a distance, there won’t be a dull moment here in the ATL Airport District! We’ve assembled a special weeklong schedule of local cycling events in celebration of Speed Week.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

Spartanburg Regional Classic, Spartanburg, SC or

ACR Cycling Friday Social Ride and
ATL Airport District/Beer Girl Handlebar Crawl

ACR Ride: If you can’t make it to Spartanburg, the other cycling party will be right here in the ATL Airport District. Our friends at ACR Cycling will be hosting a 20-ish-mile ride around the airport. The pace is about 17mph, with a few Strava sprints to get your heart rate (and thirst) up.

Where: Outback Bikes Hapeville Hub 3409 Estelle St, Hapeville, GA 30354
When:  6:00 PM


Beer Girl Handlebar Crawl: Stay after the ride for a Handlebar Crawl and Packet Pickup Party. We’ll be rocking out behind Beer Girl Growler & Bottle shop. Come get registered for Hapeville, pick up your exclusive Spin swag bag (if you’ve booked a District hotel), and stay for some great food, drinks, and tunes.

Where: Hapeville Arts Alley – 591 N Central Ave, Atlanta, GA 30354
When:  7 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Brought you by:


SATURDAY, APRIL 23

Spin the District – Hapeville Crit and Block Party

Head over to the Hapeville Crit page (link) for times and complete details. One of the fastest criteriums in the series includes a local artist and street market, great food trucks and fun activities for all ages.

Where: 612 College St, Hapeville, GA 30354
When:  9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Everything you need to know can be found here >> Hapeville Criterium

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

LaGrange Cycling Classic, LaGrange, GA

LaGrange is 45-minute drive south of the ATL Airport District. We’re all staying in the District Saturday night but heading down to watch the races in one of the newest Speed Week events. There are plenty of hotel options right here in the District, including incredible rates from our host hotel. Wake up refreshed, make the short trip south and rip up the streets of LaGrange.

Hapeville Criterium Weekend Lodging>> Hapeville Lodging


MONDAY, APRIL 25

CANCELED –
ATL Airport District – Cruise and Brews

Sorry, we’ve run out of volunteers for this one. We’ll bring it back in the fall for the Spin the District Gran Fondo and Gravel Grind.


There’s no racing on Monday, but don’t let that shorten your visit. Our Cruise and Brews social ride will start from Arches Brewing, with another chance to taste Spin All Day Lager (or anything else from their vast selection of Southside favorites). We’ll then hop—pun intended—on our bikes and head up to Atlanta to visit a few of our brewery friends. The final crawl isn’t fully mapped out yet, but it’ll be about a 15-mile ride and we’ll up some of the region’s best.

Where: Arches Brewing – 3361 Dogwood Dr, Hapeville, GA 30354
When:  Canceled


TUESDAY, APRIL 26

Soul City Criterium, Augusta, GA or

Metro Atlanta Cycling Club Tuesday Tap-out and post pizza party at OZ Pizza

Not racing in Augusta? Join us and our good friends at the Metro Atlanta Cycling Club’s Tuesday Tap-out. (https://maccattack.com) This group ride starts in East Point, GA only a few miles away from either Criterium. There are two groups rolling out together: one super fast, and one pretty fast. Be there on time because they don’t wait for anyone.

Stay after the ride for a slice and a beer at Oz Pizza, courtesy of our marketing partners at Ethic Creative Works. We will also be giving away a signed Caleb Wiley Atlanta United Jersey. His dad is partners at OZ and we’re all super stoked to see his 17-year old sun play with the big boys!

Where: 2833 Main St., East Point, GA 30344
Start Time: 6:30 p.m. sharp
Distance: 29 Miles
Downloadable GPX/TCX File: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/32070012

Post Ride Pizza Party at OZ Pizza
Where
: 2805 Main St., East Point, GA 30344
Start Time: 8:00 -10:00 p.m.


WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27

Walterboro, SC, or

Dick Lane Velodrome Wednesday Racing

If you’re not making the trek down to Walterboro, hit the Dick Lane Velodrome for our Wednesday night racing, put on by the East Point Track Club. Track-certified riders are invited to race with us, and everyone else is encouraged to come hang out and watch, because the DLV has turned into the place to be on Wednesdays. It’s a good time no matter which side of the boards you’re on, with our Wednesday night DJ to keep the energy high, an announcer to make sure you know who’s crushing whom, tasty beverages and some hot slices of pizza. All ages. Racing categories, rules and regulations can be found on the DLV website https://www.dicklanevelodrome.com/.

Where: Dick Lane Velodrome – 1889 Lexington Ave, East Point, GA 30344
When: 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.


THURSDAY, APRIL 28

Metro Atlanta Cycling Club Thursday Tango

It’s another MACC Attack (https://maccattack.com) featuring a lot of really fast dudes and dudettes. The ride starts in the same place and time as the Tuesday Tap-Out. Like Tuesday, the ride splits up into two groups that average 17+ and 15+. It’s a fast route around the airport with plenty of one-two punches.

Afterward, we’ll head over to Manchester Arms in College Park to hang out on the patio with drink and food specials.

Where: 2833 Main St. East Point, GA 30344
Start Time: 6:30 p.m. sharp
Distance: 26 miles
Downloadable GPX/TCX File: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/33757349

Post Ride Drinks at Manchester Arms
Where
: 1705 Virginia Ave, College Park, GA 30337
Start Time: 8:00 -10:00 p.m.


FRIDAY, APRIL 29

ACR Cycling’s Friday Social Ride,
and ATL Airport District/Arches Brewing Party

ACR Cycling Ride: There’s no racing on Friday, so again the party is right here in the ATL Airport District. Our friends at ACR Cycling will be hosting a 20-ish-mile ride around the airport. The pace is about 17mph, with a few Strava sprints to get your heart rate (and thirst) up.

Where: Outback Bikes Hapeville Hub 3409 Estelle St, Hapeville, GA 30354
When:  6:00 PM


Arches Brewing –  Spin All Day Lager Get Together: After the ride, head on over to Arches to hang out and enjoy some Spin All Day Lager or any of their other tasty treats. Pick up a sixer to go!

Where: Arches Brewing – 3361 Dogwood Dr, Hapeville, GA 30354
When:  7 p.m. – ?


SATURDAY, APRIL 30

Athens Orthopedic Clinic Twilight Criterium, Athens, GA

This one’s the granddaddy cycling event of the South, so that’s where we’ll all be. We recommend staying here in the ATL Airport District, though. We have great rates – tough ones to beat, honestly –plus you get to unpack for a few days and spend more time chilling and less time checking (in, out, in, out). The racing starts at 11 a.m. and Athens is only about 90 minutes’ drive, which gives us plenty of time for a leisurely wake-up before heading over. Then we’ll all rest up right here for the big Speed Week finale the next day.

College Park Weekend Lodging>> College Park Lodging


SUNDAY, MAY 1

Spin the District College Park Crit

This is it! The Speed Week grand finale. We’re holding nothing back. Our webpage has all the specifics, but you can expect one heck of a big sendoff. Great racing, great food and drink, plus a killer artist market.  Riders, we’re throwing you a little after-party to say thanks, so plan on staying a little longer.

Where: 3720 College St, College Park, GA 30337
When:  9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Everything you need to know can be found here >> College Park Criterium

Let’s all get to the Velodrome

Spin the District race #3 is Saturday, September 17th at the Dick Lane Velodrome.

You can always drive to the velodrome, most people do, but on a big race night, parking can be a little limited and honestly, we’ll have great craft beer. So… what other options do you have so can fully partake in the festivities?

Car Share, of course!
Just give them this address:
Dick Lane Velodrome
1889 Lexington Ave
East Point, GA 30344

Google Directions


By MARTA! ’cause it’s smart-a
The Dick Lane Velodrome is in beautiful Sumner Park, which is only a mile from the East Point Marta stop.

How to do it:
Get off on in East Point on the Main St or Western side of the tracks. Head west on Thompson Ave for 0.4mi. Turn Right on Semmes St. and travel 0.3mi. Turn Left on Neely Ave, then take the 2nd right onto Lexington Ave and the velodrome will be on your right. Easy Peasy.


Ride your bike:
The most direct and fastest way to the velodrome coming from downtown is to come straight down Main Street, but for many riders, the traffic on Main Street can be a little much, so here are a few alternatives that our marketing team uses to get a tasty beverage at their second favorite brewery – Best End – after working at the velodrome. Note: See additional directions below to our favorite local drinking holes.

Best End to the Velodrome via Murphy Street. (Uses a pedestrian bridge over Langford Pky)

Or if we’re feeling really mellow we take Brewer Street. (Uses a different ped bridge over Langford Pkwy)

START YOUR PRE-PARTY ON THE SOUTHSIDE WITH OUR SPONSORS

Here’s a handy-dandy map going from Arches/BeerGirl(ish) in Hapeville and heads past Chairs Upstairs in East Point to the velodrome. We highly recommend this bike ride!

Note: you can use the Brewer route to get to Arches and BeerGirl from downtown. Continue down Springdale Rd SW after you walk over the Ped Bridge and take it until it dead-ends (Walk around the barrier) turn left on Cofield Drive and then right on Dogwood… Voilà you’re in Hapeville.


Now if you have to drive. Here all you need to know.

FROM NORTH OF THE AIRPORT

From I-75/85 and I-20 (the easy way)
Head south and stay on I-85 at the split. Exit at Cleveland Ave and turn right. Go one mile to Norman Berry Dr. Turn Right. When you see the velodrome on left (one mile), take the next left and keep turning left.

From I-75/85 and I-20 the quickest way (save a minute)
Head south on I-75/85. Exit at Langford Pkwy (GA166). Bear right going west. Exit Fort McPhearson/N. Main St (route 29) Bear right onto N. Main St.(route 29) heading south. Travel approximately 1.2 miles staying in the far right lane, travel straight onto church St, just past the Amoco Station (N. Main St will bear left) Turn right onto Neely St. Continue past Semmes St and bear left at fork and turn right at the stop sign (Lexington Ave.) The Velodrome is on the right.

FROM SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT

From I-75 and I-285
Head north on I-75. Exit at Cleveland Ave and turn left. When you cross over I-85, go one mile to Norman Berry Dr. Turn Right. When you see the velodrome on left (one mile), take the next left and keep turning left.

FROM WEST OF THE AIRPORT

From I-285 West and I-20
Head south on I-285. Exit east on Langford Parkway (hwy 166). Exit at Delowe Drive and turn right. Go to Norman Berry/Headland Drive. Turn left. When you see the Velodrome (on right), take the next right and keep turning right.


Check Out These Top Merch Results

With only a few short days until Spin the District 2021 kicks off at the Hapeville and College Park Crits, Spin HQ has officially received all of this year’s merch and swag deliveries. We were going to surprise you, but that was before we saw this stuff in person. Turns out it’s too good to keep a lid on! Here’s what we’ve got, what you’ll get, and how to get your hands on the rest.

For purchase on race days: 2021 Event T-shirts and Hats

This year’s limited edition “I Want to Ride My 🚲” Spin the District t-shirt design is like the chic B-side to our 2018 smash hit “Get on Your Bike and Ride” shirt—but it’s the kind of B-side that ultimately upstages the original single. That shirt brought us fame and fortune and everything that goes with it, but this is one will rock you.

The hats? Truly a rhapsody. We highly recommend picking one up at your earliest convenience, because we can’t imagine they will stay in stock for long.

These items can be purchased at all Spin events, as well as during rider packet pickups and the HandleBar crawl. RIDER BONUS: One free t-shirt is included with every rider registration.

Free on race days: Cowbells and Stickers

Then there’s the stuff we all get just for showing up on Spin days (while supplies last)! This year we’ve got two awesome oversized sticker designs—our classic logo sticker and our new Friendship Circle design—plus a nice, loud red cowbell for your collection. Come on out, watch a race, snag some goodies, and ring that bell.

Free for all volunteers: Volunteer T-shirts

On race days, look for volunteers in these fun light blue shirts. This design is an exclusive gift just for volunteers. If you’re feeling covetous, it’s not too late to sign up for a Spinster shift at one of our upcoming events.

Free for winners: Belts, Medals and Patches

These are the toughest items to snag, but boy, are they worth it!

Spin the District medals are awarded to first, second and third place finishers in all races with paid registration.

Spin the District ribbons are awarded to all riders in our kids’ races on both Crit days (Hapeville and College Park). They look great on a backpack.

The Fondo event in October will offer embroidered Spin the District century patches for all Toughskin Open and Polyester100 finishers.

That big, shiny wrestling belt? We’ve got two of those for the overall winners (Men and Women) for both combined days of the upcoming Crits; two more for the overall winners (Men and Women) at the Omni; and four for the fastest Time Segment riders (Men and Women) for the Toughskin Open and Polyester100 rides at the Fondo. What is that, eight? Eight belts? Eight belts, y’all. And it only takes one to be branded a champion for life.

ATL AIRPORT DISTRICT ANNOUNCES RETURN OF SPIN THE DISTRICT

ATLANTA (April 23, 2022) – ATL Airport District is thrilled to welcome both cyclists and spectators alike to Spin the District – the community’s third annual cycling race series, providing an immersive experience for guests and transforming the area’s streets into a premier cycling destination. Following last year’s cancelation due to COVID-19, Spin the District is returning in full swing this year – offering food, entertainment and festivities for all to enjoy. The cycling events kick off with the Hapeville Crit on Saturday, April 23, followed by the College Park Crit on Sunday, May 1, and the East Point Omni on Saturday, September 17. The high-powered cycling action wraps up on Saturday, October 22, for the Union City Fondo and Gravel Grind, and as a bike-positive event, all Spin the District events will have a complimentary bicycle valet available to everyone arriving on two wheels.

“We’re really excited to bring Spin the District back to life this summer and fall,” said Cookie Smoak, president of ATL Airport District. “Having closed the chapter on a long year, we’re overjoyed to have the opportunity to bring the community together once again and showcase all that ATL Airport District has to offer – as a premier cycling destination and beyond.”

Union City Fondo Denim 60

Hapeville Crit | April 23

Kicking off at 11 a.m., Spin the District launches during USA Crits Speed Week with the Hapeville Crit – a fast-paced, 1.4-kilometer route in the heart of the city. Hapeville’s course will feature the first and fastest cycling adventure for participants – including a seven-corner course and 150-meter straight finish. The day will include racing for all ages and levels, finishing with the crowd favorite kid’s tricycle race and the best pro men and women racers from across the country. Friends, family and cycling enthusiasts can gather for a Saturday Block Party at Jess Lucas Y-Teen Park to commemorate the weekend with frothy drinks, food and festivities throughout the afternoon. Rider registration and details can be seen here.


College Park Crit | May 1

Wrapping up the initial Spin weekend and USA Crits Speed Week, the College Park Crit will last from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a block party scheduled from noon to close. The College Park course will feature a five-corner circuit, tight turns and an uphill finish, all located in the historic streets of downtown College Park. Spectators are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, tents and sunscreen – and can indulge in local food trucks throughout the afternoon, alongside family-friendly games and kid’s races. Cyclist registration and details can be accessed here.


East Point Omni | September 17

Calling all cycling enthusiasts – East Point’s Omni is the biking event of the season! A party for both riders and spectators, the race is located at Dick Lane Velodrome – the only concrete cycling facility in Georgia – and is an all-out race on bikes going 40+ mph with no brakes, no coasting and only one gear. Guests can enjoy live entertainment from a DJ, food trucks, local craft beer, Velodrome concessions, games and

beyond – all while enjoying a view of cyclists and the city’s historic Sumner Park. Admission for the public is free of cost, and cyclists can find registration details here.


Union City Fondo | October 22

Spin the District comes to a close with its highly anticipated finale – the Union City Fondo and Gravel Grind. Known as one of the best values in the country, the gran fondo is a high-energy finish to Spin the District, offering a variety of mile options and range of routes through South Fulton, Coweta and Carroll Counties. Cyclists can choose between 30-, 60- and 100-mile gravel and road routes, with a range of classic routes like the Polyester100, Rayon60 and Velour30. This year’s course includes an option to partake in challenging gravel rides, including the ToughSkin Open, a hard-wearing gravel blend, and the Denim60, made for a resilient, smoother ride. Guests can celebrate the conclusion of Spin the District with music, drinks and bites in Union City following the races. More information on rider registration can be seen here.


More details are forthcoming. For more information on ATL Airport District and Spin the District, click here.

About ATL Airport District:

ATL Airport District is the official convention & visitors bureau for the cities of College ParkEast PointHapeville and Union City, Ga. ATL Airport District CVB’s mission is to generate economic development for the cities mentioned above by effectively presenting the community as a preferred tourism, convention and meeting destination. For more information, please visit https://www.atldistrict.com.