(A.1) How can I get an entry form?

For complete Information and Entry Form, call, fax, write, or e-mail a request to have it sent by U.S. mail, fax, or e-mail. Or, download from our web site.

Athens-To-Atlanta
P.O. Box 15482
Atlanta, GA 30033
USA

phone: +1 (404) 806-7251
fax: +1 (404) 806-7251

(A.2) There is no event-day registration.

You must pre-register to skate in Athens-To-Atlanta. Pre-registration ends at 8 p.m. the night before the skate. The earlier you register, the lower the entry fee.

(A.3) There is no field limit.

There is no field limit this year so you won't need to check whether we accepted your entry. If we receive your entry form by 8 p.m. the night before the skate, you're in!

(A.4) Do you send confirmation of my entry?

Entry forms postmarked by September 30, and mailed from the United States, will be confirmed by post card. Entry forms received by September 30 from other countries will be confirmed if a confirmation method (e-mail or fax) is indicated on the entry form. For entry forms submitted on or after October 1, there is no confirmation--just come on to Athens and pick up your packet by 8 p.m. the night before the skate.

(A.5) If I enter the Half Distance, can I continue on and skate the Full? If I enter the Full Distance but stop at the Half, what happens?

No event changes may be made after registration closes at 8 p.m. on Saturday the night before the skate. Even if it's raining Sunday morning and you'd now rather skate the half distance instead of the full. Results are tabulated for the event you enter.

If you enter the full distance and skate the half, you're DNF (did not finish) in your event.

If you enter the half and skate the full, you get a finish time recorded in the half, not in the full.

If you enter the half and skate the full, you're on your own for support. You will not be on the staff's rosters, so we won't know to look for you on the second half of the course. If you make a wrong turn, we're sorry. You are welcome to stop at the checkpoints for water and fruit, and volunteers will be kind to you.

It's too difficult to change people's registration on event day. We'll be focused on tabulating results for the 5 o'clock awards ceremony (which begins just 30 minutes after the full distance event ends).

(B.1) What are the distances?

86 and 38 miles.

(B.2) Is the full distance 85 or 86 miles?

We often say "85" because that's been the mileage for so many years. In 1996, the distance changed to a little over 86 miles, because we now have to get around the new Sugarloaf Parkway. This route change is after the half-distance point, near checkpoint 4.

(B.3) Will there be cars on the course? What does "open road" mean?

Yes, there will be cars and trucks and motorcycles and bicycles and skaters (us) on the course. "Open Road" means you will be skating on roads open to the normal flow of traffic. The route will not be closed to motor vehicles. Since 1997, major intersections have been monitored by County and City police.

Traffic will be minimal for the first 38 miles to the half-distance point. On the second half of the route, you will experience increasing traffic as you enter metro Atlanta. There will be some busy intersections and short stretches of state highway.

It's the best route we have found in this metro area that is growing without much concern for human-powered transportation. Your participation in A-to-A helps fund efforts to improve conditions for skaters.

(B.4) What is the pavement like? What kinds of roads?

The pavement varies from black ice to 6 miles of shake-and-bake. The route travels local, county, and state roads through five counties and several cities. The roads are open to normal traffic. Vehicle traffic will be light Sunday morning until church lets out. Some drivers will be kind, others may show disrespect. Please be polite in all circumstances.

(B.5) What are the hills like?

Rolling hills. Some long climbs, some steep descents, and relative flat sections. In the second half, for those going 85 miles, there is a steep "double-diamond" downhill with a flat bottom before it climbs again. Top speeds of 45 mph have been reached. Most skaters use a back brake to control their speed (recommended). Some have bailed into the grass (not advised).

(B.6) What route do you take?

The route is almost the same every year, following the least-trafficked way possible. There are 7 turns to the Half Distance finish. There are 53 turns over the entire Full Distance. The route is marked with yellow arrows that have an "S" (for "Skate", not "stupid") painted on the right side of the road. Don't confuse our arrows with bus marks, which have smaller yellow arrows and no "S".

(B.7) Can I get a map so I can drive the course?

We distribute maps, turns lists, and driver's directions at the mandatory skaters/drivers meeting Saturday night. These are not available prior to that time as we may make last minute changes to the route.

To drive the course, begin in Athens and follow the yellow S's and arrows... Come on folks, driving a course tells you very little about what it will feel like to skate it. Save your fossil fuels for better things. Let it be an adventure on skates.

Bicycle the course to get a better feel for it.

If you insist on driving the course, follow our pavement markings (yellow S's with arrows) painted on the road, near the right shoulder. Beware you may not see the marks from your car as well as you would from your skates. And some arrows may not get freshly painted until the day of the skate.

We don't distribute "official" maps until the night before the skate, at the Skater's & Driver's Meeting. An un-official map is available from our web site. Bear in mind that the final route we skate may be different from the web site map, or a prior year's map.

Perhaps the best way to follow the course is using the turn list. (See next question.)

(B.8) What is a turn list?

A turn list is a list of all the turns you will make to follow the Athens-To-Atlanta route. Skaters receive a turn list with their map at the skaters meeting Saturday night. The most recent turn list is available on our web site.

(C.1) How do I get to Athens before the event?

The basic idea is you leave your car in Atlanta, get yourself to Athens, and skate back. Plan your own travel from Atlanta to Athens on Saturday, spend the night in Athens, then skate to Atlanta early Sunday morning (half Distance skaters are transported from their finish line in Dacula to Atlanta, or back to Athens). If you don't have someone to drive you to Athens on Saturday, ride the Greyhound Bus or AAA Airport Express (current schedules are in our flyer/entry form packet). If you're skating the full distance, Don't drive yourself and leave a car in Athens--you'll be too tired Sunday evening to go back to Athens to get your car. Bring an overnight bag to Athens with your skate stuff, and warm, dry clothes to wear after the skate. We transport your bag on Sunday from Athens to your finish line, Dacula or Atlanta.

(C.2) How do I get back to Atlanta? How does my overnight stuff get back?

You'll skate, if your doing the 85 miles. If you're going 38 miles, we offer a shuttle from the half distance finish line in Dacula to the full distance finish line in Atlanta. Request this complimentary transportation service on your entry form.

We transport your bag on Sunday from Athens to whichever finish line you choose, Dacula or Atlanta.

(C.3) How do I get back to Athens after the skate?

If you're skating the half distance, we offer complimentary transportation back to Athens. You must reserve this service on your entry form. We do not provide transportation from Atlanta to Athens.

(D.1) Are support vehicles allowed?

Private support vehicles on the Athens-To-Atlanta route endanger the safety of our skaters-- and are forbidden. Maps and directions for alternate routes, which intersect the skate route at frequent intervals, will be available so drivers may meet with their skaters. Skaters will be disqualified if their support vehicle does not abide by these rules.

(D.2) What if I need a private support vehicle?

Route Permits for special circumstances may be obtained by registering the vehicle and paying a fee. To request a Route Permit, call or send e-mail stating the special circumstance. Route Permits are issued at the discretion of the event directors. Route Permits must be displayed on the vehicle as instructed. Permitted vehicles may NOT follow a skater. Vehicles must pull completely off the road and stop to hand items, or talk to skaters. No vehicles except Officials will be be allowed on first 15 miles of course. Skaters will be disqualified if their support vehicle does not abide by these rules. Local authorities may ticket drivers for traffic violations.

(D.3) Can I have bicycle support?

Updated 7/26/98: As of 1998, we no longer allow bicycle support, due to problems that occurred during the 1997 event.

(E.1) How should I train?

Train for the number of hours you'll be on your skates. For the half distance, 2-1/2 to 5 hours. For the full distance, 4-1/2 to 9 hours. Estimate what your average speed will be, judging by how long it's taken you to compete your longest distances. If you expect to average 10 mph, then you'll be on your skates for 8-1/2 hours (85 miles divided by 10 mph is 8-1/2 hours). You'll have nine hours to complete the 85 mile event, which is an average of 9.44 mph.

A rule of thumb is you can at least double your best distance. Try to train for at least half the distance you're planning to do. Atlanta skaters have had success using 30 mile training skates for the 85 miles, and 15 mile training skates for the 38 miles.

(E.2) Do I need 5-wheel skates and a racing boot?

The majority of skaters use recreational skates, i.e. 4 wheel skates and non-racing boots. Use racing boots and 5-wheels only if that's what you're used to. 5-wheels are a disadvantage on the uphills, especially the steeper climbs. 4-wheel skates usually have a more effective brake.

(E.3) What equipment is recommended for this long haul?

Helmet required. Wear a properly fastened helmet (ANSI, ASTM, or Snell approved), at all times you are on your skates.

Wrist Protection required. Wrist guards or gloves with hard plastic palm protection.

Personal I.D. required (a driver's license or official state i.d.)
Carry on your person during the skate.

Back brake highly recommended, even for 5-wheel skates. You'll have to stop at stop signs and red lights. Your brake will also be used to control your speed on the steep downhills.

Knee and elbow pads are also recommended.

CamelBak for water.
Fanny pack for food, map, tools.
Tools e.g. to tighten wheels or brake.
Blister stuff like Second Skin, moleskin.

Make sure your skates are comfortable. Don't wear new skates or you may have unexpected pain. Wear smooth synthetic socks. Ribbed and wet cotton socks will rub blisters pretty quick. Before putting on your socks, patch areas on your feet prone to blisters with thin moleskin.

(E.4) Will you have the event if it rains?

Yes. It's a rain or shine event. We'll have an event even if it's pouring rain. We may delay the start if there's lightning, but we won't reschedule to another day. Our date is determined by the Georgia Bull Dogs (University of Georgia football team). Often it's the only weekend in October when they don't have a home game. Besides, skaters travel long distances for this skate, and we can't ask them to come back a week two later. October is, on average, the driest month of the year in Georgia.

(E.5) How should I prepare to skate in the rain?

One veteran of multiple rain skates suggests to lube bearings with vaseline. It doesn't wash out while skating.

Plan to be skating longer. You'll go slower to avoid slipping. Give everyone extra space to avoid contact, which might cause a fall. When you first start skating in the rain it will feel very slippery. Once the oils have washed out of your wheels, you'll get a better grip.

Wear stuff to make you more visible--brightly colored clothing, reflective vest, blinking lights. Dress warm to prevent hypothermia. Wear synthetic fabrics like polypropylene. Don't wear cotton.

Have warm, dry clothes prepared to put on at the finish line. Pack your clothes in plastic and put your bag on the baggage vehicle going to your finish line.

After the skate take your bearings out ASAP and soak them in a solvent until you have time to clean them properly. Prepare a container with tight-fitting lid ahead of time. If it's a plastic container, make sure the solvent won't eat through the container! Glass works well if you take care not to break it.

Maybe you'll win a set of new bearings as a prize!