Looking for NO interstate highway scenic ride from Athens, Ga area to Helen, Ga.
To be specific : from University Pkwy/ Oconee Conn in Athens west, Ga area.
Basically Starbucks - Coffee shop 1761 Epps Bridge Pkwy Athens, GA 30606..just picked that address at random from google earth.
My maps have a suggestion from further north in Gainesville, Ga to Helen by use of 129 to city of Cleveland and then 75 or alt 75 to Helen, Ga but i do not have other information from Athens west to Gaineville, Ga.
Can someone suggest roads?

 

Athens to Gainesville, looks like 441 to 129 would work pretty well. Been awhile since I've been over there, but most non-highway roads up there are pretty good.

 

Thank you for the information !

 

An old thread, but for anyone interested in the route:

We ride from south of Athens, our preferred route is to go north on 441 through Athens. Just after mile marker 14 north of Banks crossing (I-85) we turn left on Apple Pie Ridge Road. When it dead ends hang a right for 200 yards and then turn left on Duncan Bridge. 15ish miles later you can turn left on 115 at Leaf Grocery to go to Cleveland (pickup 129 from there to make Blood Mountain, our favorite ride) or stay straight and drops you just outside Helen. Leaf is a good stop with a very tasty BBQ sandwhich and non-ethanol gas.

441 is kind of interstate-like but a better ride than 129 through Gainesville. There's probably some back roads to make the same trip, this is the worst part of it but you can make good time if inclined. If you cross Blood Mountain be sure to stop at Sunrise Grocery on the other side - more non-ethanol gas and the best roasted or boiled peanuts you'll ever have, a really cool country store with local jams, homemade soaps etc. Great people who own it.

Road Kill Cafe, Turners corner Cafe, Two Wheels Over Suches - good motorcycle friendly spots to eat and great twisty roads. The pile of rocks at Suches is cool and a historical plaque tells (some of) the story of Blood Mountain. The Appalachian trail crosses 129 at top of Blood Mountain and that's a nice stop also, can hike 50 yards of the Appalachian to remind yourself why you ride instead of hike lol