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Post by Angela on May 22, 2011 15:16:28 GMT -5
SKINNY - Took out the limbo tree just past the fast start (after the intersection of Skinny and Great Wall). You used to could ride under it if you were less than 5'10" but it sunk down more and the trail was getting wider as riders were trying to drag themselves and bikes under it. GREAT WALL - There has been a four-wheeler out on the Great Wall - not sure if they hit other trails. Please report it if you see any suspicious looking activities or can get a license plate, etc - it tears up the singletrack when something like a four wheeler goes drifting around the corners at a high rate of speed. CICADAS - and yes I realize they are not quite gone - the late bloomers are still out and singing, calling, buzzing, whatever - they must quiet down just before we hit the trail at night around 7pm
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Post by brianW on May 22, 2011 17:08:54 GMT -5
I rode Skinny and Brown Wave this morning (must of been before you took the tree out). I did not see any signs of 4-wheelers on them. The tree on BW that you go under should be looked, and possible dropped since the burn. It is further down but the burn has made it look possible unsafe.
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Post by neal1975 on May 22, 2011 21:30:44 GMT -5
Angela, thank SO SO SO much for taking out that low tree on skinny. i hated that thing.
and yes someones been riding four wheelers on great wall. shame on you it really tore up the trail in some parts
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Post by Angela on May 22, 2011 21:51:51 GMT -5
Brian we know the one you are talking about it and it is being discussed. Neal I agree, that is such a fun, fast area of the trail that low hanging tree was definitely a nuisance (once I could no longer get under easily - I actually appreciate my helmet most in avoiding the overhead conks to the head thanks for the kudos but alas I was merely the log roller and assistant equipment handler. Daniel actually was the sawyer on this job!
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Post by brianW on May 23, 2011 5:31:44 GMT -5
I know seenvic wanted to notch it but i am not sure if there is enough for that. Looked liked the burn hollowed it out.
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Post by bikerpanda on May 23, 2011 12:03:40 GMT -5
i rode Great Wall Friday evening and didnt notice any 4 wheeler tracks. Some people are such d-bags.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on May 30, 2011 11:43:04 GMT -5
GREAT WALL - There has been a four-wheeler out on the Great Wall - not sure if they hit other trails. Please report it if you see any suspicious looking activities or can get a license plate, etc - it tears up the singletrack when something like a four wheeler goes drifting around the corners at a high rate of speed. Definite four-wheeler activity on Great Wall. A mess on either side of, and frequently including, the tread. In a few spots where the four-wheeler couldn't get by trees/rocks they detoured through the woods, around the choke point, and back onto the trail. Also, four-wheeler activity on Deep Step (at least on the South side of Deep Step Road). Not as bad as Great Wall.
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Post by ehscott on May 30, 2011 11:55:16 GMT -5
I noticed it too when I was on Great Wall on Saturday. I also noticed that it looks like a fire road got cut in near the hand build section, I wonder if they are getting on there as I didn't see any signs after the hand built section going clockwise.
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Post by Angela on Jun 18, 2011 21:03:09 GMT -5
Went to FATS this morning for the ladies ride not sure what condition we'd find the trail in after the storm on Friday night. Spoke to people coming off the trail who reported no mud or standing water on Brown Wave or Skinny. Trail was in excellent condition - just enough moisture to settle the dust and calm the sand. At least two trees down on Great Wall that need to be removed (not riders from the report).
Not sure what tonight's storm will bring - appeared to be a strong line of thunderstorms that came across rather than localized showers.
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Post by syndicate on Jun 21, 2011 23:41:30 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I'm new to this board, I live in Nashville, TN and am planning on heading down there Sunday to ride FATS maybe Sunday evening but def Monday and maybe Tuesday, sounds like the trails are in pretty good shape, any advice or suggestions on certain trails to avoid or recomend?
Also, I've never been to the area, any suggestions on the best area to look for a hotel or any particular hotel suggestions? Not looking for the Hilton, but also not the Family Inn! Something nice and clean and affordable! Thanks for any help!
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Post by Angela on Jun 22, 2011 6:26:18 GMT -5
Riding all the FATS loops will give you just under 40 miles of riding - all are great riding - I would make a point to ride them all while you are here...........if you need more miles post back we have 150 miles of singletrack in this area.
Someone else might recommend a specific hotel but if you will go to Google Maps and type in Hopewell Church Road, SC as a starting point (this will place you very close to the FATS trailhead) and then type in hotels as the next point it will give you several choices that are less than 10 miles from FATS.
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Post by kconner on Jun 22, 2011 11:55:30 GMT -5
Rode Great Wall today, and the tread is in great shape. Tread was damp, but no places holding water. 2 trees down, one between the first and second set of rock gardens traveling CCW and is a trunk and canopy that is covering about 30' of the trail. A substantial ride around has already formed. Second tree is down between the halfway and 3/4 mark traveling CCW and is a canopy about 5' off the ground with branches hanging down to the tread. Riders can easily walk through without leaving the trail, but it should probably be removed for safety reasons. Also be on the lookout for sticks, they're everywhere and one took out my derailleur hanger
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Post by syndicate on Jun 22, 2011 23:35:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the help, I think I will spend two days there at least! Are there signs with the recommended riding direction (i.e. CCW or CW) on each trail or does the ride direction alternate by day or do they all just ride good both ways?
I had no idea there was that much trail there, 150 miles is awesome! I see there's a pumptrack and skills area too, that's sweet, gonna check that out too!
I found the CSRA google maps page with all the trails, that's very nice, and very helpful, thanks for making that available!
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Post by brianW on Jun 23, 2011 5:47:17 GMT -5
There are signs at the intersections. They do not mention if it is cw or ccw. Except for rare occasions you can ride the trails in either direction. I enjoy the trails in either direction (besides Deep Step ccw) However i would recommend riding all the trails ccw the first time.
Make sure you bring a cooler and plenty of liquids. It has been very hot.
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Post by Ted S. on Jun 23, 2011 8:05:11 GMT -5
Big tree down the tower trail. Was going CW it was just after the section with pump track like whoops. Besides that trail is in great shape.
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Post by syndicate on Jun 26, 2011 0:49:26 GMT -5
Thanks for all the info everybody. Are there maps at the trailhead or parking lot by any chance? My printer won't print the map on the CSRA website good at all.
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Post by dgaddis1 on Jun 26, 2011 8:17:40 GMT -5
You can print from the google map.
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Post by axelten on Jun 26, 2011 12:36:53 GMT -5
Big tree down an deepstep on the left side of the road section if coming from GA hwy 28. Right side of the road trail section (opposite side of road from south parking lot). I think it is between the powerline crossings. Came up on the tree fast in the clockwise (CW) direction. Tree is a couple of feet iff the ground and diameter approx 1.5 - 2 ft. I see certified chaninsaw required for removal so posting the info. Also thanks for removing the other trees since last weeks storm. Also there is still one tree blocking lower skinny too high to get over. Thanks for your hard work and consideration.
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Post by Angela on Jul 4, 2011 21:09:32 GMT -5
Rode Brown Wave and Skinny this afternoon and stopped several times along the way to prune limbs that had encroached the trail. It's that time of year when all things green are growing rapidly and it really is great if riders will invest in an inexpensive set of hand pruners and maybe lend a hand as they are riding along the trails.
A nice pair of hand pruners tucked in next to your multi-tool and maybe the commitment to stop just twice per ride to take care of something would be greatly appreciated. Doesn't have to be when your whole group heads for a ride, maybe just on one of those casual ride days.
We ran into a serious tangle of vines that were taken care of with just three clips but obviously they had been there for a while since everyone was riding around them and the trail was being widened as a result!
Another important benefit is limiting rider access to the ticks. They don't leap onto riders you have to brush against those things along the trail and then they tuck in for the ride (and possible feast).
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Post by Mark Y on Jul 5, 2011 9:12:18 GMT -5
They don't leap onto riders Semi OT No, but they will dang sure fall on you! We had them so bad at the sailing club one year that you could get two or three in an afternoon just blowing out of the pine trees. Gave me the heebie jeebies so bad that I didn't even go up there for weeks. (these were the tiny ones so I assumed there was a big hatch)
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