January 2015 EtTR - Hickory Knob CANCELLED

[Angela]

Come join us for our first Explore the Trail ride for 2015 at Hickory Knob State Park.

We'll meet at the big red barn at 130pm on Saturday, January 3rd.

The shoreline vistas are fabulous on the Lakeside Loop at HKSP during the winter!

SORBAcsra EtTRs are monthly guided rides (free to both members and non-members) designed to provide new and seasoned riders opportunities to try new trails, meet new people, socialize with new and old friends, as well as commune with other mountain bikers. These are no drop rides, so no one is left behind. Come check it out and show some support. For directions or questions!

Here is the link to the SORBA-CSRA information on the trail:

Hickory Knob State Park Trails

Keep an eye on the website or forum, we will not ride if weather or trail conditions are not good.


This ride is cancelled due to wet trail conditions!

[Angela]

A small work party went out today to get the Lakeview Loop cleared for the upcoming EtTR at Hickory Knob State Park (January 3rd).  10+ trees were removed off the trail (this is a followup to the work party a few weeks back by the Drawdys when they removed multiple trees off the trail).

This trail is ready, mark it on your calendar and come join us! The trail is in such great condition (except for the trees that were down) it just needs some wheels. The views of the lake are stunning.

I have included a few pictures from our work party below:

Unless the trees are down on the trail close to the trailhead, a backpack designed for carrying a chainsaw, an attachment to the bike itself or a bob are the best way to get in and out of the woods quickly. Today we had the bob and a backpack chainsaw carrier:



The views of the lake are stunning right now with the foliage off the trees:











At near the midway point was this tangle of trees that needed to be removed:



Here is the before and after from the opposite side:



Ended up not having to muster both saws on this tangle, Michael Drawdy manned the saw and we cleared the debris, logs, etc:





Unless the tree is flat on the ground it usually takes experience and training to get them out safely - so glad we have some committed US Forest Service certified sawyers in our chapter:


Hope to see you in January!

[Angela]

January's EtTR at HKSP is cancelled due to wet trail conditions, please pass the word along!