Atlanta-Birmingham Civil Rights Tour

Atlanta, GA

SC
Senior Cycling
  • Email address verified
14 reviews
Apr 27 - May 2, 2025
Group size: 6 - 13
Atlanta-Birmingham Civil Rights Tour
Atlanta, GA

Senior Cycling
  • Email address verified
14 reviews

Apr 27 - May 2, 2025
Group size: 6 - 13

About this trip

 This tour begins with a day in downtown Atlanta in the vicinity of the MLK National Historical Park and Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, and ends with an afternoon/evening/morning stay in downtown Birmingham at the historic and elegant downtown Tutwiler Hotel, just blocks from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the 16th St. Baptist Church. In between we'll ride the magnificent Silver Comet and Chief Ladiga Rail Trails, which together stretch almost 95 miles across western Georgia and eastern Alabama, among the longest paved pedestrian paths in the country.

These two trails are rich with tributes to the glorious age of passenger rail, with three trestles and a railroad tunnel integrated into the trail designs, as well as numerous train depots restored as resting places for trail users. Both are remarkably flat and smooth,and pass through small towns that embrace the trail with welcome centers, ice cream and sandwich shops, as well as long stretches of protected wilderness and alongside enchanting wetlands. where you may spot fox, deer, and numerous species of birds.

We'll cover 94.5 miles in 3 days of riding on the Silver Comet & Chief Ladiga Trails; the mileage in Atlanta and Birmingham will depend on your desire for cycling on trails/local streets vs. touring museums and memorials in the area. 

Tour Leaders: Jack Pettry & Tony Palmer

What about E-bikes?

Senior Cycling does NOT have E-bikes available for rent, but you are welcome to bring your own Class 1 (Pedal-assist only) E-bike on this tour.  

Difficulty rating of this tour:

On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being most difficult, this tour is rated a 3.5 due to the distances of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's rides: 31.4 mi., 36.4 mi., and 37.5 mi. respectively. 

Cancellation Policy

Please  Please review Senior Cycling's Cancellation Policy here.  


And, Please purchase trip insurance. Especially at our age, even though no one expects or wants it, health issues arise and accidents happen.  At Travelinsurance.com you can get quotes for coverage from several different providers and get all your questions answered about different levels of coverage, such as "Cancel For Any Reason (COFR)" polices and Pre-Existing Condition waivers. Allianz Travel Insurance and TravelGuard by AIG are also well-known companies with reasonable rates. Please check it out and protect your travel investment.

What’s included

  • 5 days of riding
  • Accommodations
    5 nights lodging
  • Tour leaders
    Experienced and cycling expert tour guides
  • Meals
    5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
  • Full support
    Van/sag support including provisioned snack breaks (+ mechanical assistance and van ride, if needed)
  • Luggage Transportation
    1 carry-on sized suitcase + 1 daypack/other satchel
  • Post-ride
    Daily post-ride informal gathering with light snacks (fruit, cheese, crackers, chips, nuts etc.) and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Detailed Itinerary
    Turn-by-turn directions via free use of RideWithGPS app

What’s not included

  • Transportation
    You must make your own travel plans to and from Atlanta.
  • Alcohol with meals
  • Personal items/services
  • Gratuities for guides
  • Travel protection plan
    We highly recommend that you purchase trip insurance (not included with tour price) to protect against unexpected emergencies. Please see Travelinsurance.com
  • Pre- and post-trip hotel
    (if desired)
  • Bike rental
    (if needed)

Available Packages

Individual Rider
Deposit:$1,200
Available until February 25, 2025

Based on double occupancy

$2,400
Deposit:$1,200

Available options

Single Supplement
$400
8 left

 Cost to have your own room each night 

Bike Rental
$150

Our bikes are well-maintained hybrid style, upright posture, most are Trek FX2 or Verve 2-3 models. Helmet, pannier and cable lock included. 

Extra night before the Tour (Sat.)
$141
Available until February 27, 2025

An extra night before the tour starts (Saturday April 26) at our group rate, including tax.

Extra night after the Tour (Fri. night)
$141
Available until February 27, 2025

An extra night at the conclusion of the tour (Friday May 2) at our group rate, including tax.

We'll be returning to our starting hotel between 3-4 p.m after a 2+ hour van ride.  If you don't want to be stressed about making an evening flight home, or prefer not to set out on your drive home in late afternoon, this is a good option.  To secure our group rate, you must include this no later than 60 days prior to the tour; it will no longer be available within 60 days of the tour. 

Itinerary

Day 1 - Sunday
Arrival in Atlanta

Meet riders in Atlanta at our starting hotel, the Hampton Inn Atlanta NW Cumberland for our introductory meeting and social hour. Then we'll go to dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Your Organizer


SC
Senior Cycling
14 reviews
Senior Cycling provides active vacation multi-day bicycling tours, averaging 25-35 miles/day, primarily on Rail-Trails, for folks 50+ in scenic, interesting and fun locations around the United States and Canada

Reviews

I could have done longer days. But then I'd probably not have enjoyed it as much. Distance is nice for training but not when you want to gawk. Some of the night arrangements were so full of character. Not your normal boring hotel. The company (other riders and leaders) was enjoyable and added to the enjoyable atmosphere. The leaders adjusted to circumstances. The most notable was lunch at Pilot Grove. The eatery closed early for the season due to the birth of a grandchild. While other groups without a leader ended up doing roller food, Jack got food elsewhere and we had a nice picnic. I intended to do a self-contained ride but my wife was hesitant to that plan. I hope to repeat the KATY next year with Senior Cycle but this time with my wife. She can handle the pace, probably on an e-bike though.
By Wrede B for Best of the Katy Trail on Oct 29, 2024
Thank you Wrede! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much that you'd like to do it again, next time with your wife! No problem accommodating an E-bike for her. And yes Jack is a wonderfully experienced, unflappable and resourceful Tour leader! - Ned
By Senior Cycling on Oct 29, 2024
SC
Trip was a lot of fun, very nice accommodations at every stop. Excellent establishment choices for the provided meals. May have been overly optimistic for a picnic right of Lake Ontario in October. The wind was brutal and chilly. A week of excellent upper NY diners. A great trip and highly recommended. Nick and Michael are excellent guides!
By Gary J for Niagara Falls-Erie Canal #2 on Oct 21, 2024
Upstate New York is beautiful. The Niagara Falls area is full of spectacular vistas. It is truly amazing. Our guides had local knowledge that was interesting and informative, especially where Toronto, Canada was located (inside joke). Everyone was friendly and eager to share. I highly recommend this trip.
By Rebecca M for Niagara Falls-Erie Canal #2 on Oct 14, 2024
Wonderful people, great experience.
By Neil A for Cape Cod 2024 #2 on Oct 08, 2024
Thank you Neil, we look forward to having you back!
By Senior Cycling on Oct 09, 2024
SC
The leaders, Mike & Ned were fabulous. Understanding, accommodating and knowledgeable. The hotels we stayed in were lovely and the restaurants chosen for lunches & dinners were excellent. I was not as prepared as I should have been for the miles in the saddle everyday, but there was no problem taking the van when I was done for the day.
By Pamela D for Cape Cod 2024 #2 on Sep 30, 2024
Thank you Pamela, we're so glad you enjoyed everything!
By Senior Cycling on Oct 09, 2024
SC
Show More Reviews