March 2015 EtTR - Mistletoe State Park Trails

[Angela]

Explore The Trails Ride

When: Sunday March 8th, 2015 at 1:30pm
Where: Mistletoe State Park - meet in main parking lot
What: Mistletoe has multiple loops for a total of about 13 miles

There is a $3 parking fee in Mistletoe.

Mistletoe State Park website: www.gastateparks.org/info/mistletoe/

This trail is an intermediate/advanced trail (based on area trails) but there will be a ride leader and all features (Rock Dam, etc have alternate lines or can be walked)! For more information!


How to get there> Mistletoe State Park


Are you always riding at FATS?........ Here is a chance to get out and explore one of the other trails in the area.

This ride is for SORBA & Non-SORBA members. There will be ride leaders. So come on out and join the fun and bring your Mom - Mistletoe is a great park for hiking and biking!

In the event the weather or trail conditions are not acceptable the ride will be cancelled so watch postings here!

Questions?? sorba.csra

[Angela]

Had perfect weather (temps in the 60's and low 70's) and good turn out for our March EtTR. Seventeen riders met at Mistletoe State Park to take on our most advanced local trail. This trail is regarded by some as the best trail in the CSRA, I would add that it is definitely a contender for most scenic.  While it is certainly not without it's challenges, it is a mountain biker's mountain bike trail with climbing, rocks, roots, challenging creek crossings and plenty of "goodies" to keep you on your toes.

Why do I say a mountain biker's mountain bike trail......because as much as I like FATS and Bartram due to their close proximity...they are truly starter/gateway trails compared to a trail like Mistletoe. They are good to learn to handle your bike when you are just starting out, good for a quick ride to get some exercise (the reason that takes me there so often), when you are short on time or just want the flow trail feel but there are only a few places you can really work to improve your bike handling skills (a switchback here and there, occasional rock gardens, etc) when you are past the novice stage. Too much time spent on Bartram and FATS and when you head to one of our other trails or even take an out of town bike trip you realize your skills need sharpening up!

Best to head out with another rider(s) who knows the lay of the land and where the challenges are if you haven't ridden there before but that is why these EtTR's are so great - to give you that chance to check out the many miles of singletrack that are beyond Bartram and FATS in our area.  Hope to see you at the next one - which by the way is Keg Creek, another one of our more advanced trails (and it is always easy to step off your bike and avoid any trail features you don't want to try).




Love the terrain along this trail!





Some of our advanced riders like to ride across the rock dam (where the waterfall is) -




Our Prez, David, lining up for one of the several creek crossing you will encounter -





This ravine had a pretty extreme drop in (steep and tight) and then your bike handling skills are tested since it is narrow most of the way down the ravine -

[brianW]

Great ride. Good write up Always have a fun ride at Mistletoe......might be a good bikepacking destination. One correction, parking is now $5