Lets try a Ride Party:Putnam Trails

[jag3]

Sat 7/14 9am til
Sun 7/15 9am til

Seems its been a while since anyone posted a 'work party'. How about a Ride Party?

Seriously, Hawk Effigy needs a little deadfall picked up, a few stones shuffled off the edge, and more than anything, riders. Thought I'd invite the Augusta Crew over for a little bending over to pick up debris and a lot of good riding. Either day will be great, though I think the majority of the Eatonton Crew will be there on Sunday. The trailhead will have a grown up Tonka Toy parked in it by 9am and that'll be me. Come join us.

[Angela]

We drove to Atlanta on Friday and were trying to remember the directions to the trail! We are very intrigued after seeing the pictures of the trail and if we can keep our calendar uncluttered would love to come out and take a spin on Sunday. Is the trail well enough marked for unfamiliar riders to find their way around it (after some trail work of course!)

[jag3]

Absolutely, a little confusion can arise at speed as there are a couple of turns that come up fast but other than that its well marked and for the most part, well defined. There are several options depending on the preferred mileage and several trailheads for parking. We're still learning ourselves. There is a better route from Augusta. I'll post later as I've got to beat the traffic. Look forward to seeing you.

J

[Angela]

Looking at the weather prediction we will probably not plan to ride Putnam this Sunday so don't wait on us if you ride anyway. We will make a trip over to ride for sure because it looks extremely intriguing!

[jag3]

Angela, I'm liking the CSRA folks better and better. You name the time and I'll be as hospitable as possible. Look forward to your, and others from the CSRA, future visits and if I can be of any help in the endeavors of your chapter, I'll certainly try to make it happen, as my FATS experience has all but ruined me for most courses close to home, PHENOMENAL RIDE.

Thanks for the support and more importantly, the interest. This side of the state seems a little like the 'Georgia Step-child' sometimes, based on my brief experience, but you and seenvic have helped convince me with your efforts, responses, & PM's to keep the spirit strong.

I'm expecting several tomorrow & will post some pic's of tomorrows ride party & as far as Sunday goes, we'll play the dice as they roll.

Thanks again, & when needed, I'm here.

Joe

[Angela]

Joe - We have a great group of mountain bikers in our area and well over a hundred miles of singletrack that we try to maintain - most of the trails we ride are actually in western South Carolina!

We hold events during the year (just finished with our annual July fireworks ride, picnic, and nightride out to see the fireworks). We'll start an Explore the Trail Series again this fall and we try to hold a ride at a different trail all through the fall, winter, and spring so riders can come out socialize and maybe try a trail they have never ridden. We host a Fall Bikefest in November that again involves a day ride, cookout, some time of added event, night ride and a lot of great fellowship.

We will definitely be over to ride your trails - there are quite a few of us that like road trips and heading off to ride trails elsewhere so we will be there!

One thing you can do to help if you'd like to is to talk to other mountain bikers who enjoy riding the FATS and encourage them to send a donation in so we can match our portion of the grant and add 9 more miles to the FATS between fall 2007 and spring 2008! Anyone can send a donation to SORBA-CSRA C/O B. Drawdy, 1825 Birch Dr, North Augusta , SC 29860 Doesn't have to be a mountain biker, plenty of folks use the trail - cross country runners, dog walkers, etc.

We hope to see you soon!!

[jag3]

7/14 Ride/Work Party Report:

With rain all around us, several die hards risked a rain out and scrambled their way to Lawrence Shoals, Rock Hawk this morning. The rain quit after 10-15 minutes and off we went. Mary & Jenny from Madison, Jay from Eatonton, and Benny from Milledgeville along with myself were each rewarded for our risk and given the perfect day for a small ride/work session. Pictures coming.

We removed a significant amount of dead-fall from the trails, numerous loose stones were relocated, and shuffled several downed trees off to the side. There is more to do and tomorrow looks a little sketchy regarding the weather but Carl, DoctorJD, myself, and a couple others that may make it will continue the efforts.

A big thanks to those that attended.

J

[jag3]

7/15 Report:

Had but one trouper join me yesterday, Carl, and did we ever pull off some work.

Walked nearly 6.5 of the 11+ miles sherpa-like, toting tools and clearing single-track as we went. Removed all but one, I think, downed trees covering trails. Shuffled additional stones and hazards out of the trail and then for some crazy reason with blisters on our feet & arms shaking from tool usage, we rode another 7+ miles checking out what we had done.

Needless to say, we did some damage and the trails are better because of it. Thanks to all that helped. We do however, need to make some corrective banking to some of the corners and that will be done soon. It's fast.