Sunday riding conditions?

[konagirl]

So I know the area got some rain the other day - do you think FATS will be open for riding on Sunday?

We are coming in from Charlotte and staying at Hickory Knob State Park and don't want to miss the chance to ride FATS.

Thanks!

[seenvic]

Should be fine with no more rain.

Will be crowded no matter what with the running event going on.

Would be a good day to ride the Long Cane Horse Trail - the districts best kept secret. But coming from Charlottle I understand you wanting to ride FATS.

Hope we don't get any more rain.

[konagirl]

Thanks. I'm always open to new trails. Tell me about this long cane horse trail.

[seenvic]

web.mac.com/ashby_stokes/Greenwoodmtb/Home.html

This site has the best info and contact info. If you can hook up with these Greenwood locals, you will be all set.

LCHT is between Abbeville and Greenwood. Old school trail with some new sections built to modern day specs. Fun ride for sure.

[seenvic]

I didn't ride out there Sunday.

How was the condition in terms of the rain we've had?

How did the running event go? Any major issues with runners and bikes?

[brianW]

I rode Tower and Big Rock (x2) and found the trails in good shape. Two trees down on Tower, one easy to ride the other gave me a challenge (riding up hill) There was a tree down near the log bridge on BR but 2 other riders and I managed to muscle it of the trail. No standing water or mud to speak about.

Just a note on the "split rock" on BR, that split, someone mentioned they looked like man made, looks to me like a freeze fracture. You see alot of rocks like that up north.

[konagirl]

Our little group (4) of Dirt Divas from Charlotte made it to FATS around 12:30 on Sunday and the runners had already been at it for nearly 5 hours. We came across quite a few of them on the trail and everyone was very cordial. I don't know how they ran 40 miles out there but they seemed to be enjoying it.

We rode Skinny and Great Wall and those trails were in pretty good shape - only a few muddy spots here and there. Hickory Knob was another story - not because of mud but because of trees down on the Lakeview and Turkey Ridge loops - we moved a few off the trail but several others will take a chainsaw. We enjoyed our ride out there and hope to return soon.

We had a mechanical issue Sat. while riding Hickory Knob none of us could fix so in the car we went to Chain Reaction in Martinez - the closest bike shop I knew of. My parents live in Evans so I have been in the shop a few times and they have always been nice and they did not disappoint us this time. We were riding FATS the next day so there was no way we weren't going to try and get this fixed. They took the bike right away and fixed the problem with the rear brake (something hit it and a spring came loose so it wouldn't turn). I didn't catch the young man's name who fixed it but it was very nice and even replaced some worn out brake pads. We started talking with Phil about the new trails at FATS and he printed out a map for us. It's always nice to go into a shop and receive wonder customer service like we did at Chain Reaction - thanks guys!

We'll have to check out the Long Cane trails next time - we did take a ride through Abbeville and noticed everything was named "Long Cane" but weren't sure were the trails were.

I can't wait to ride Big Rock and Tower on my Thanksgiving visit - let's hope it doesn't rain too much between now and then.

Thanks,
Melissa

[seenvic]

Thanks for the report!

Great story in Phil and Chain Reaction. I just had a similar experience with a shop in KY - great on the spot service that saved a ride.

Long Cane Horse Trail is great, but I'd try to set up a guided ride via that website I gave you. It will be worth your while to have someone with you who knows where to go.

I'd say when you come back to FATS, ride Deep Step, Big Rock and Tower for sure. Best out there, IMHO.

[bigtime]

Oct 14, 2008 13:18:38 GMT -5 konagirl said:

Our little group (4) of Dirt Divas from Charlotte made it to FATS around 12:30 on Sunday....

Pics? ;D

[tabussiere]

Just wanted to say thanks for sharing the trails with us Ultra Runners last Sunday. The FATS 40 miler was a big hit and heard a lot of positive feedback from runners on the excellent trail condition. Some of the local bike riders helped, including Paul, to keep an eye on runners in the later stages of the race for safety reasons. Race Director Terri Hayes will be posting her race report and results in the national magazine “ULTRA running”.
Awesome trails.
TAB
thomasbussiere.blogspot.com/

[konagirl]

Pics?

Unfortunately no pictures this time - we were having too much fun riding to stop and take any.

But I am planning a group ride/day trip for my fellow Dirt Divas next spring - we'll definitely get pictures on that trip. I'm hoping for a group of 15-20 to come down and discover the awesome trails at FATS. I keep telling them what they are missing out on.

[quiver]

How much rain has fallen out at FATS today? OK to Ride tomorrow?

[seenvic]

Rained all f'g day at FATS.
Started light, now it is pouring. We've lost our power at home (a mile from FATS as the bird flies) as my wife just called from her cell phone to ask me to check the weather to see if a tornado was in the area. She says the trees are almost pinned to the ground from the winds.

FATS will be wet on Saturday and prolly still on Sunday.

Sunday will be better than Saturday.

[money]

FATS has a lot of limbs (small & big) down as well as some trees. I rode Great Wall and SKinny this morning. We cleared the stuff that we could. Also a little bit wet in spots on both.

[quiver]

Thanks for the update.... Which of the loops drains the best?