My Mixed commute to Johns Creek

I've been taking a training class this week, located in
an office park in Johns Creek, Georgia. Since I live near Decatur,
getting to this class presents some challenges. I am a committed
bicycle commuter (or maybe I should be committed), so I have found a
non-car solution to this commute that works for the short-term.

The first challenge is rising at the terrible hour of 4
AM to leave the house by 5 AM. I cycle to the Avondale MARTA Station,
where I catch the train to Five Points. I transfer to the North line,
and catch the train to the North Springs Station. Once there, I load
my bike on the bike rack located on the front of all MARTA buses. I take the
140 bus up Georgia 400 to Mansell Rd, near North Point Mall. At this
point, I finally get to ride again. I take the Big Creek Greenway, a
multi-user path (MUP) that runs north along a creek to Old Milton
Parkway. From that point, I can take a combination of roads, bike
lanes, and a sidewalk I interpret as a MUP. I normally don't advise
the extensive use of sidewalks as bike paths, but on this stretch of it
really is more a bike path; wide enough for joggers and cyclists, and a
flowing design located at least 20 to 30 feet from the road. Also,
along this section is a speed radar sign. The speed limit is 40 mph,
but almost every vehicle passing me is going at least 45 to 50 mph.
After a mile or two of this, the street-scape changes. Many of the
major roads in this area have been re-constructed in the last few years
(to handle the increasing traffic load) and almost all have well-marked
bike lanes. I can easily pass a few hundred cars as they slowing inch
their way along. My final section takes me through residential areas
where the motorists share the road without too much problem.

I see a few other cyclists along my route, but most are
out for their morning exercise. A few folks walking their dogs, and
the always friendly (at least they nod and smile) construction crews
are the only people not in cars. I miss the interaction I get everyday
on my normal commute from Decatur to downtown Atlanta. It is possible
to make bike commuting work in this far-flung Atlanta suburb, but the
time spent just getting there on MARTA is substantial. My reward is
knowing that I can get somewhere without using a single-occupant
vehicle, and that I am not adding more pollution to our code-orange
alert air.