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Post by brian on Jun 15, 2013 18:48:44 GMT -5
Plan on riding FATS tomorrow with two kids. They have ridden trails before, but complain abt inclines...which loop out there would be best. I am also a first timer...so hook me up! Btw kiddos are 9 & 6
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Jun 15, 2013 19:34:14 GMT -5
Plan on riding FATS tomorrow with two kids. They have ridden trails before, but complain abt inclines...which loop out there would be best. I am also a first timer...so hook me up! Btw kiddos are 9 & 6 Ummm, don't usually see a whole lot of kids out at FATS; even fewer 6 year old kiddos. Of the four lower loops, Skinny will be the shortest loop with the least amount of uphill. However, it ain't flat. Should be just over 6 miles round trip with ~300 ft. of elevation gain. The deceiving part about the four lower loops is that the first half of each loop is generally downhill. Once you get near the river, it is generally uphill to get back to the car. Good luck. |
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Post by brian on Jun 15, 2013 19:38:37 GMT -5
The six year old is the easy one...he loves to ride trails...it is my nine yr old girl that would rather be a couch potato...she used to love it but as she has gotten older is not as interested.
We will just give it a whirl...worst that can happen is some whining!
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Post by brian on Jun 15, 2013 20:09:31 GMT -5
Is there another trail in the area that might be better for this purpose? Just dont wanna miss a better opportunity if it is out there.
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Post by dgaddis1 on Jun 15, 2013 20:42:07 GMT -5
Is there another trail in the area that might be better for this purpose? Just dont wanna miss a better opportunity if it is out there. Bartram! Start at Petersburg and head east towards west dam. Wide, smooth, very flat. Perfect for kids. |
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Post by jtaylor on Jun 15, 2013 20:46:39 GMT -5
ditto what Dustin said. Go west towards Wildwood from the Petersburg parking area for a slighty more difficult trail. FATS is not a beginner trail by any means. It is very popular and thus lots of beginners ride it, but I would think it would discourage a new rider because of the climbing and short but steep sections.
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Post by brian on Jun 15, 2013 20:53:58 GMT -5
May just take yalls advice...I am itching to get on FATS and I ride a lot so it sounds like fun...but I am afraid I will make my daughter hate mtn biking if I do that...
any other tips on bartram...things a newbie should know etc. are there parking fees or anything?
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Jun 15, 2013 21:02:15 GMT -5
May just take yalls advice...I am itching to get on FATS and I ride a lot so it sounds like fun...but I am afraid I will make my daughter hate mtn biking if I do that... any other tips on bartram...things a newbie should know etc. are there parking fees or anything? Park at Petersburg (free). If you get to the gate with ranger/pay station, you went too far. Head east towards west dam. Ride along the lake. Swim at west dam or stop along the way. Here is a map |
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Post by jtaylor on Jun 15, 2013 21:08:57 GMT -5
no parking fee, trail marked every 0.5 mile, pit toilets at the parking area but no water pump; all on Corp land. You will want to stop and look at the lake several times. I think you are making a wise choice.
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Post by brianW on Jun 16, 2013 5:34:16 GMT -5
I ran into a dad and son at Bartram yesterday morning. While speaking with him he mentioned it was their second time on trails, the first was Skinny. He also mentioned Skinny was to much for his 10 year old. That being said, I take my 11 year old daughter on Skinny and Brown Wave. She enjoys it but Bartram is still more her speed and skill level. Park at Petersburg and ride towards the Dam. This section is the more family friendly section. I feel riding FATS for their first trail experience may not be the best choice. This being said from a father of 4 girls that all ride mt bikes (well the 6 year old still does the third wheel) and they enjoy it. 3/4th of my girls on Bartram last fall, notice the smiles.  |
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Post by brian on Jun 16, 2013 8:25:04 GMT -5
Great pic...
One last question...is there cell service up at bartram...just curious?
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Post by kconner on Jun 16, 2013 10:23:12 GMT -5
One last question...is there cell service up at bartram...just curious? Yes....there may be one or two bad spots, but if there is they are few and far between. |
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