I looked over the map during hotel breakfast on the morning of departure from Athens, GA at the end of CVMA Nationals 2025. My eyes jumping back and forth between the different blue lined routes my phone navigation app was offering me. As usual, I looked past the dark blue “fastest route” to my destination and zoomed in on the more squiggly looking paths outlined in a paler blue.
Oh look, a scenic byway I haven’t ridden yet!
Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway
This 40-mile loop through the Chattachoochee-Okonee National Forest winds through the valleys and mountain gaps of the southern Appalachian Mountains. The byway passes right by the town of Helen in north Georgia, so I started my exploration there.
I rolled along main street of downtown Helen, Georgia looking for a parking space so I could make a coffee stop. Not a single parking spot was marked along the road, which was my first indication that the village of Bavarian-style buildings had a primary focus of tourism. The streets were purposefully devoid of vehicles that might detract from an Instagram-worthy photo. But hey, I do a travel blog full of social media-worthy photos (hopefully), so I rolled with it 🙂 Meticulously manicured landscaping and alpine town themed architecture ran uninterrupted for the 1-mile stretch through downtown. I appreciated the aesthetics of the whole scene, but it felt wholly out of place in a location at only 1,400 feet of elevation. . . and in north Georgia.
Bunk-a-Biker Homestay with Duane and Ann
Now that I found myself amongst some beautifully twisy mountain roads, I wasn’t ready to go home just yet. I knew that riding the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway would prevent me from making it all the way home the same day, so I had reached out to a Bunk-a-Biker host before rolling out to inquire about a homestay. Duane and Ann immediately said “yes” to my request, so off I went.
If you ride and haven’t used Bunk-a-Biker yet, you really should check it out! The thought of contacting absolute strangers and staying overnight at their home can be scary at first. But my experience has been that, once you meet your hosts, apprehension quickly turns to ease. More than just a free place to stay, every Bunk-a-Biker connection I’ve made over the years has turned into friendship and insight into some of the best riding areas I never would’ve found without their local knowledge. So, jump out of your comfort zone and find a host along your route at BunkaBiker.com.
Stay tuned, a new adventure is coming soon 🙂
FitHippie Adventures 
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