Speed up the Talladega national forest mountain bike trails

I thing do not my to-do 3 course 29 20, early in the list struck challenge trail the. Address: East Central Alabama, Talladega national forest.

Sylaward

Sylaward trail Sylacauga, Al near located along the shores of Lake Howard. Forecast for the day, high to low mid-50s is in reading thermometer 27 degrees my car arrived, glazed frost on the grass and puts. I just make threw a pair of tights shorts under my on the sidewalk at 7: 30 am (Alabama State Central time zone as I had gotten time). Low, laying down on the glass surface of the Lake, eerie fog and looked like the only people for miles around.

Because it rains hard to review day I of sloppy is also worried a little at below freezing temperatures, mud temporarily transformed on hardpack. Sylaward trail are a few I've ridden ever best of buffest serves to damage it in any way the shame no slip.

Trail is smooth and the slight changes in altitude, because despite the photos to take and adjustment to stop my bike was able to average about 10 miles. Temperatures on the way back and previously across the muddy especially the short access road frozen trail bits that had started to top dam thaw. By car approximately 15 miles to clock at 9 am. Great start!

Cheaha State Park

Apogee, Alabama, Cheaha State Park features Trek along on a ridge approximately 6 miles of mountain biking. To access to great (winter) per person entrance fee $ 2, but it is worth the view and rewarding, rock single.

After the ride Sylaward more buff leather, smooth single, but instead I found with a single, clear mountain rooty atmosphere. Only upcoming May 6 mile trail Snake Creek got a big gap TT # 2 rock garden movement.

I usually high Park and ride low despite the fact that prefer to mountain has a lot at the top of sidewalk Express,. Fast descent to the main gate seemed to some key aspects of trail on the right side road is paved. I stopped in places had fallen from the tree limbs from the wind on the ground destroying car windshield, someone like ice crystals, ice seemed to guess.

Climb back up to hard rock was certainly not as bad as you imagine can be made. Spring top and bottom of loop rhododendron tunnel featured and fast forward and I return times to make sure all hit me a few times. Course two before lunchtime.

Choccolocco admin area

With several Anniston, Alabama, and - 20-containing iron legs and mark loop in just a few miles north of great single Choccolocco admin area. Last year, mtb in Choccolocco, talk about Aniston work what discovery based on Cheaha there is definitely here (especially if you and Coldwater mountain projects when) if the.

I ride Choccolocco called gene loop trail to was intended, but searching around and ride down some ATV Trail muddy after I stumbled upon the single trail loop mark labeled was pretty simple – of trail started off fast, almost flat-is the mountain so it wound through challenging is. I also what blue survey tape is flapping in the wind appeared in single-fresh cut that part of me was happy to break things in coming.

Back continue for approximately 6 miles headed to the car, but I cannot find gene loop topo map details indicating the trails with me despite really I in feel. I cruise up and down gravel roads, some gate doubletrack road around Snoop and intercepts the couple of the best documented, all soon have disappeared was like. You have decided to call the day finally, get back on the road more in Choccolocco may know!

Progress

Yesterday - 3 course-of in my quest, broke the mark of the middle and great weather forecast next few days I some major catch plan. Today I, GA International racetrack (1996 Olympic MTB site), to Heritage Park and tuner Lake Road East Atlanta-becomes a hit. On Monday afternoon and all to taper for the finale of my big Snake Creek gap should be caught in the TT # 2!

Holding my gears next week to post updates happening far way I training methods. Please stay tuned.

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Speeding the MTB Trails of Talladega National Forest

On day 20 of my 29 Trail challenge I struck out early with 3 trails on my to-do list. Destination: east-central Alabama and the Talladega National Forest.

Sylaward

The Sylaward trails are located near Sylacauga, AL along the shores of Lake Howard. The forecast for the day put the high in the low to mid fifties but when I arrived the thermometer in my car read 27 degrees and there was a glaze of frost on the grass. I quickly threw on a pair of tights under my shorts and jumped on the trail at 7:30am (I had gained an hour since Alabama is in the Central time zone). There was an eerie fog laying low on the glassy surface of the lake and it seemed like I was the only person for miles around.

I was a little worried the trails might be sloppy due to the hard rains on Tuesday but with temperatures well below freezing, the mud was temporarily transformed into hardpack. The Sylaward trails feature some of the buffest singletrack I’ve ever ridden and it would have been a shame to damage them in any way.

Because the trails are so smooth and the elevation changes slight, I was able to average about 10mph despite stopping to take pics and make adjustments to my bike. On the way back the temperatures were rising and the previously frozen trails were starting to thaw a bit, especially the short, muddy access road across the upper dam. Back at the car I had clocked about 15 miles by 9am. Great start!

Cheaha State Park

The highest point in Alabama, Cheaha State Park features about 6 miles of mountain bike trails along the top of the ridge. There’s a $2 per person entry fee but it’s well worth it to access the great (winter) views and challenging, rocky singletrack.

After riding Sylaward I was expecting more buff, smooth singletrack but instead I found rocky, rooty singletrack with a distinct mountain feel. Even though there are only 6 miles of trail, I got a great workout for the rock gardens in upcoming Snake Creek Gap TT #2.

I parked at the top of the Mountain Express trail despite the fact that I usually prefer to park low and ride high. The descent to the main gate is fast and rocky and there seemed to be several side trails leading to the paved road on the right. I stopped in a spot where ice crystals on the ground looked like someone had smashed a car windshield and guessed the ice had fallen from tree limbs in the wind.

The climb back up wasn’t as bad as I had imagined but the rocks certainly made things difficult. The Upper and Lower Spring loops featured rhododendron tunnels and fast descents and I doubled back a couple times to make sure I hit everything. Two trails done before lunchtime.

Choccolocco Management Area

Just north of Anniston Alabama and only a few miles from I-20, the Choccolocco Management Area features some great singletrack including Iron Legs and Mark’s Loop. Last year there was talk about Anniston working to become a MTB mecca and based on what I found in Choccolocco and Cheaha there’s definitely a case to be made here (especially if/when the Coldwater Mountain project takes off).

I had intended to ride a trail called Gene’s Loop in Choccolocco but after searching around and riding down some muddy ATV trails I stumbled upon a singletrack trail labeled “Mark’s Loop.” The trail started off pretty easy – fast and mostly flat – but as it wound its way up the mountain things got more challenging. I even came across what appeared to be freshly cut singletrack with blue survey tape flapping in the wind and was happy to do my part to break things in.

After riding about 6 miles I headed back to the car but I was really bothered that I couldn’t find Gene’s loop despite having a detailed topo map with me showing the trail. I cruised up and down the gravel road, snooped around a few gated doubletrack trails, and sniffed out a couple singletrack trails but they all seemed to disappear quickly. I finally decided to call it a day but I know I’ll be back again to ride more trails in Choccolocco!

Progress

Yesterday I broke the halfway mark in my quest – 15 trails – and with great weather in the forecast for the next several days I plan some major catching up. Today I’ll be hitting trails to the east of Atlanta – The GA International Horse Park (site of the 1996 Olympic MTB competition), Heritage Park, and Tuner Lake. By Monday afternoon I should be all caught up and ready to taper for my big finale at the Snake Creek Gap TT #2!

Next week I’ll post updates on how my gear has been holding up and how my training is going so far. Stay tuned.

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