Trails 17 & 18: Turner Lake & Heritage Park

1996 Olympic MTB course Conyers in riding after goes East to continue however, Turner Lake complex, ?? more. Feel you are right there on the road from just behind the first shopping center - 20, they have hundreds of miles away on the South side of highway.

Beware of poisonous snakes-are the most dangerous thing to find this path.

To ride because I seem to singletracks all these wonderful "beginners" bike paths that agree Turner Lake was interested. Newbie me since I type new mountain trail for a while since feel to ride a bicycle like would like to.

I hurried to get going in the Park, car park management office) in after all the wrong places. I rode around the Park a little, and is in utility easement went nowhere soon saw-has risen to the first dirt road. And made my way to paving the way, a leader in the Woods (signed) nature trail up ??????? back on track.

Nature covered path "trail" the entire leaves and pine almost inconspicuous quite flat needle the. Thanks to signs for beginning riders - good - but to me it's excitement level further to about back to newbs might be missing. I was the only one beautiful Friday afternoon, save young children and women on the sidewalk. There is no plan to get if you happen to live in areas, trails, check out the scenery, but too many miles.

Heritage Park

Running another favorite, MTB race of circuits, Oconee County Heritage Park on the sidewalk is always fun to ride. I, around 17 on the sidewalk, and I was struck trail too, was concerned. Fortunately the hopped on my bike, and so booked in the Woods just saw another couple getting started.

These courses Mudhunny that I rode about two years ago, and are surprised that not much had changed. Have transferred some, but for the most part, all as much better flow and signs. After the majority of Red loop, at the intersection of the familiar, in different directions to enable little ride wanted to. After getting the sense of trying to ride 10 min. sink to go under the Sun, from the car got further reduces the trees behind.

Mile after the couple decided to call it quits, and bombed towards doubletrack trail, climb down. Back to the best route, on the trail in axe, see hacks, man surprised. I said I was going the wrong way, and I apologized. He was ok and I'm guessing local traditions. I think and I thank him for his work, took me away and said "I have gotten!" he Park employee guess in hard work, in the second half was a Friday afternoon.

Usually longer hours ride to the trailhead, I more a quandary internal gate evening and somehow my car during lock acquisition might be fear, raise the tempo to the excitement. I started a couple yet to trail but fortunately the it was 6: 15 pm. I did Athens from Heritage Park ass hat of my brother's trail to some time happy pile of BBQ to meet.

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Trails 20 & 21: RAMBO Mountain Bike Trails

Go Rambo Roswell, Alpharetta mountain bicycle organization and Bicycle Club acronym, as long as this is my favorite one. To the known big Creek Trail Club is here a short single-miles of the downhill course new pump track. Keep the Ming trail build Rambo, Central Park is my next stop, Dawson forest after sat months.

Less than half of the Central Park access to Super GA 400-mile. Two egg McMuffins interchange opposite McDonald's stop, and then promptly ate in both of those car trailhead during the three-minute drive. Sign indicating that was open to the actual ball fields and sea size car park trail and road map in the kiosk moves to the position.

3 Miles is based on the ish bike trail loop, week day direction. This is great idea in my opinion-but never faster than riders fear opposite direction traffic that can help minimize certain types of pedestrian damage in both directions, to to wear "road can. Only thing bothers me is that on the day of the week, rather than based on the many clubs with different odd and even. Signs are more confused (Tue / sat / Wed / Fri / Sun, for example), only is sidewalk still stuck riders can ride on a specific day every ride in the same direction, (one-way theoretically suffer is 15% more than in the other direction) Gets the uneven wear and tear. In my opinion, is not odd number / even number system tops, again I in trail management experts.

The first high speed within a mile of main loop start or so my own dirty, Orange clay horse riding to discover. To avoid power lines damage my speed to slow down and tips, and the lower section of the trail I was in better shape than "most appropriate" chose the road, through the mud's toes. Missed between network nodes turn back and utility easements and half mile ride ago I was off the track the emerging from section Highway realized was beside. On the trail I found a section of the new flag is set, the slope was twisted fun.

At some point along the sidewalk me staying on the trail to Walker and runner Director signs noticed. These look at recording, trail running, increasingly becoming more popular, this runner was closed was was the first time. I think time to organize their work party road runners.

Big Creek

Big Creek riding started about 12 years ago, and since we accessible trail parking area Mansell Road office building in those days, "Manning"). Trail and rough - totally informal - but the best riding was near my parents ' House in Alpharetta. Among them under several bridges and steep slopes run straight and interdict or downhill and we are constantly riding there, had a blast.

Today, excellent trail sign completely legit and novices from most difficult evaluated. These courses as the 1st direction you must scan the sections multiple times to get every single represents. Along the backside I found was a pleasant surprise run DH Groove on meandering fresh single.

Trail (fully packed) of starting point towards my's pump truck passing by was closed for the winter. Different types of rider is here to-newbs of weekend warriors and spandex wearing XC from dudes in DH adrenaline addiction review was awesome. Enjoy a special place of Rambo, Mayfield phantom who create models for community around the Southeast and beyond.

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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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Trails 20 & 21: RAMBO Mountain Bike Trails

RAMBO is the Roswell Alpharetta Mountain Bike Organization and as far as bike club acronyms go, this is one of my favorites. The club is best known for the trails at Big Creek where there’s miles of singletrack, a short downhill course, and even a new pump track. But RAMBO also builds and maintains the trails at Central Park in Cumming which was my next stop after Dawson Forest on Saturday.

Central Park is located less than half a mile from GA 400 which makes it super accessible. I stopped off at McDonalds on the opposite side of the interchange for two Egg McMuffins and promptly ate them both in the car during the 3 minute drive to the trailhead. Navigating the ball fields and ocean-sized parking lot I located the kiosk with a map of the trail and a sign indicating that the trails were in fact open.

The 3-mile-ish bike trail loop is directional based on the day of the week. This is a great idea in my opinion – it allows riders to go faster, without fear of encountering traffic traveling the opposite direction and it also allows the trails to “wear” in both directions, minimizing certain types of trail damage. The only thing that bothers me is that many clubs choose to alternate based on the day of the week rather than odd/even days. Signage is more confusing (Tue / Thur / Sat and Mon / Wed / Fri / Sun, for example), riders who can only ride certain days of the week are stuck riding the same direction every time, and the trail still gets uneven wear and tear (one direction is theoretically ridden 15% more than the other direction). In my opinion the odd/even system is tops but then again I’m no trail management expert.

The main loop started off fast but within the first mile or so I found myself riding in mucky, orange clay. I slowed my speed and tip-toed through the mud to avoid damaging the trail in the lower sections and at the powerline I chose the “moderate” trail which was in much better shape. Emerging from the section beside the highway I missed the turn back across the powerlines and ended up riding a utility easement for about half a mile before I realized I was off track. Back on the trail I found a newly flagged and raked section that was twisting and fun.

At a couple points along the trail I noticed signs directing walkers and runners to stay off the trail. These days trail running is becoming more and more popular and this was the first time I had seen a trail that was closed to runners. Guess it’s time for trail runners to organize their own work parties.

Big Creek

I started riding Big Creek about 12 years ago and in those days we called it “Mansell” since we accessed the trails from an office building parking lot off Mansell Road. The trails were rough then – completely unofficial – but it was the best riding close to my parents’ house in Alpharetta. Even in those days there were a few bridges and some downhill trails running straight down the steepest slopes and we always had a blast riding there.

Today the trails are completely legit with excellent signage and are rated from beginner to most difficult. These trails are also directional by day and to ride all the singletrack you’ll need to traverse some sections more than once. Along the backside I found fresh singletrack winding its way to the top of the DH gully run which was a nice surprise.

Heading back to the (completely packed) trailhead I passed by the pump track which was closed for the winter. It was great to see so many different types of riders here – from newbs to weekend warriors and from spandex-wearing XC dudes to DH adrenaline junkies. RAMBO has created a special place in the ‘burbs for everyone to enjoy, a model for communities around the southeast and beyond.

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Lucky 13: Three More Trails

Yesterday was day 13 of my 29 Day / 29 Trail challenge and I managed to bag three – count ‘em – three mountain bike trails, including one that wasn’t even listed on singletracks yet! Things are still drying out here in the Atlanta area and after driving nearly an hour west of the city to Paulding County yesterday, there was a foggy mist in the air which had me worried. Paulding SORBA does a great job maintaining their trails and like most clubs they’re serious about keeping riders off wet trails. Based on the weather overhead I was sure I’d find the trails soaked, though it hadn’t rained in a good 36 hours so I was cautiously optimistic.

Sara Babb Park

The Paulding SORBA website describes the 1.5 mile loop at Sara Babb Park a “Gateway Trail” and I assume they’re referring to the IMBA designation for trails that are located close to where folks live (often in urban areas). I couldn’t find any mention of the park on IMBA’s list of Gateway projects but apparently the club has already put 1,000 volunteer hours into creating the first loop which is a big deal.

The trailhead was well marked with an official sign but beyond the sign I wasn’t really sure where to start. I rode across the field directly behind the sign past the tennis courts, around the volleyball pit, and beyond the baseball field until finally I saw it – singletrack! While the field itself was pretty wet, the trails were actually in great shape thanks to fresh leaf cover (does anyone ever ride here?).

I followed the yellow arrows around the loop (even days) and almost lost the trail a couple times. It seems like this system may have started out unofficially and now the volunteers are working to reign in the sprawl. There were several small trees down across the trail and at first I thought it was due to the recent snow but after a while I got the feeling the trees had been placed intentionally. I cleared the trail the best I could, rode a second time around the loop to make sure I didn’t miss anything, and jumped in the car for trail #2.

Mt. Tabor Park

This summer I rode a short time trial at Mt. Tabor and had a blast so I was stoked to get back on the trail. Yes, the trail is short (the main loop is just over 3 miles) but for some reason I really like this place. The Rocks of Doom section really flows well and the hardpack with rocks through the pine trees somehow reminds me of Colorado.

Yesterday I got a chance to ride the newest section – the Booger Trail – and I was amazed at how much mileage had been added since the summer. There’s a surprising amount of climbing here (about 100 ft/mile according to my GPS) and just enough rocks and roots to keep things interesting. The trail was a little sticky in places so I “tiptoed” through some sections to avoid damaging the trail. All told I clocked about 6 miles in 45 minutes and I was pretty spent. But trail #3 was calling my name…

Silver Comet Side Trails

The Silver Comet Trail is a paved rail trail that starts just west of Atlanta and runs clear to Alabama and beyond. Roadies and joggers love the trail for the scenery and the lack of traffic but mountain bikers quickly find themselves getting bored with the flat pavement. Fortunately, Paulding SORBA has us covered.

blue: SC Side Trail elevation; pink: paved SC trail elevation

Like most rail trails, the trail corridor itself is fairly wide and is buffered on either side with woods and fields. At some point, someone got the brilliant idea to construct an off-road path that parallels the paved one. Starting at the trailhead off Seaboard Ave. in Hiram, the side trails are well marked with blue blazes and white arrows as the trail leaves and rejoins the Silver Comet Trail. The mountain bike trail makes excellent use of the surrounding topography and as you can see from the chart above there’s a good bit of elevation gain/loss compared to the main path (pink).

I had ridden parts of the side trails before but today I decided to explore a different section heading west toward Alabama. For more than 3 miles the side trails stay off the paved path and alternated between wide, doubletrack to rocky, tight singletrack. As dusk approached I wished I could have continued on but I decided to hop back on the paved path when it seemed like the side trail disappeared for an extended period.

Augusta Area Trails

This weekend I’m heading to Augusta to notch at least 3 more trails which will bring me to 9 trails in 16 days. More precipitation is in the forecast for early next week so I need to get in as much riding as I can over the next 3 days if I’m going to meet my goal. No one ever said riding 29 trails in 29 days would be easy – I just wish it wasn’t the weather that was determining my pace!

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Trails 17 & 18: Turner Lake & Heritage Park

After riding at the 1996 Olympic MTB course in Conyers, I kept going east and hit the Turner Lake Complex Trails in Covington. The trails are located right off I-20 just behind the first shopping center you see on the south side of the highway but feel like they’re hundreds of miles away.

Beware of venomous snakes – they’re the most dangerous thing you’ll find on this trail.

I was interested to ride at Turner Lake because all the singletracks reviewers seemed to agree that these are great “beginner” bike trails. Since it’s been a while since I was a beginner myself, I wanted to get a feel for the type of trail new mountain bikers like to ride.

At the park I was in a hurry to get going and I ended up parking in the wrong spot (at the administrative offices). I rode around the park a bit and jumped onto the first unpaved road I saw – which quickly turned into a utility easement that went nowhere. Backtracking, I made my way to the paved path and sniffed out the (signed) nature trail leading into the woods.

The nature “trail” is a wide, leaf and pine needle covered path that is mostly flat and fairly nondescript. Signage was good – which beginning riders will appreciate – but to me it was missing any level of excitement that might make newbs want to come back for more. I was the only one on the trails on a beautiful Friday afternoon, save for a woman with a young child. If you happen to live in the area, check the trails out for the scenery but don’t plan on getting too many miles in.

Heritage Park

Another favorite on the MTB race/trail running circuit, Heritage Park in Oconee County is always a fun ride. I got to the trail at around 5pm and I was worried it was too late to be hitting the trail. Fortunately I saw another couple just getting started so I hopped on my bike and booked it into the woods.

Mudhunny and I rode these trails for the first time about 2 years ago and I was surprised to find that not much had changed. There are a few re-routes but for the most part, everything is still in place, though with much better flow and signage. After completing the majority of the red loop I wanted to ride a little more so at a familiar intersection I set out in a different direction. After riding for about 10 minutes I got a sinking feeling as I rode further and further from the car while the sun sank lower and lower behind the trees.

After a couple miles I decided to call it quits and bombed down a doubletrack trail back toward the trailhead. Back on the singletrack, I was surprised to see a man hacking at a root on the trail with an axe. He said I was going the wrong direction and I apologized; he said it was ok, just local tradition I guess. I thanked him for his work and as I rode away I think he said “I’m getting paid!” I guess he was a park employee, hard at work, late on a Friday afternoon.

The ride back up to the trailhead seemed longer than usual and I cranked up the tempo even more, fearing my car might somehow get locked inside the gate at dusk. Fortunately I made it back at 6:15pm while the couple I started with were still out on the trail. From Heritage Park I drove to Athens to meet up with my brother for piles of BBQ at the Butt Hutt, happy to be off the trail for a few hours.

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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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