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Post by Virginia Bill (fka Jax Bill) on Nov 24, 2008 20:04:22 GMT -5
I am staying at HKSP this week and the trail is in pretty bad shape. Had to ride slow due to all the leaves/sticks on the trail to save my drivetrain and there are (I think I counted) 4 trees down on the Lake Loop. If I had a saw, I would cut them back (is that allowed?) but alas I did not bring one up from Jacksonville.
But rode FATS on the way up Saturday and Long Cane with Ashby Stokes yesterday - great time with special thanks to Bill Victor's California friends (esp Morgan) who fixed my new Cannondale 29er Saturday at FATS.
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Post by azdrawdy on Dec 27, 2008 13:26:50 GMT -5
SO and I were surprised at the condition of HKSP this weekend. Actually it is pretty darn good, albeit damp. Bill, this trail does not see the traffic that FATS sees, so it will not have that "polished" tread that FATS has Brought the chainsaw with us and knocked out some trees on the Lakeview Loop. The ones we removed were not riders. Didn't see much debris at all on the Lakeview Loop. We did head over to Turkey Trot and it did have quite a bit of debris on the tread. Since we were hiking, we removed a ton of it. Two downed trees on this loop, and those stayed. Came across several hikers. What a great trail! MD
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Post by Sasquatch on Jan 12, 2009 21:53:00 GMT -5
I rode the Lakeview Loop today and i had an awesome time. The trail is in beautiful shape, there were several trees down but they were all easy riders, and the 2 that are too huge to move or ride over someone has constructed a ramp on both sides with some of the fallen branches. Smooth riding, didn't see another soul. Surprisingly enough it wasn't as wet as I expected. It was overall fantastic for a real easy, steady ride on the hardtail
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Post by rsmith on Feb 12, 2009 18:41:46 GMT -5
Just a follow-up to bhart, Ride HK several times/year, know by sight several rangers (I've sat on "his" lawn changing flats.... nice grass at the corner there... !
What is the rule regarding HK trail work. As a visitor, assume "ride - don't touch" policy in effect ? Down here, officially (State Forest), we have to register as a volunteer (before using anything power).
Most visits involve HK, FATS, Modoc, Bartram, etc. - no additional riding energy at end of day, but enough to hike portions of HK where we often stay, contribute minor trail clearing.
Best to avoid tool work (power), or can we check-in with ranger for helping out while visiting ? Here, registered for vehicle access, saws, trimmers, and approved bridge repairs (wood-work). Just have to report date, time, where, etc.
Thks,
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Post by azdrawdy on Feb 12, 2009 20:24:16 GMT -5
Appreciate any and all help, rsmith. Contacting the rangers is not required for routine pickup of nuisance stuff, although it never hurts to say hi when you see them cruising through the campground, just so they know who you are. No need to sign any forms, or ask for any special permissions to use hand tools. If you have a pair of loppers, that is a good start.
We also like to hike the various trails at HKSP, and we typically use that time to pick up limbs, branches, etc. I also have a Silky Sugoi Arborist Handsaw that I carry with me on the hikes to clear limbs up to maybe 6". We tend to camp at HKSP 10 or 12 times per year. If I know about larger trees down, I will bring the chainsaw and BOB with us, so it would help me a lot if you post about the bigger stuff on this forum (I am one of several in the CSRA chapter that is chainsaw certified).
Thanks, MD
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Post by seenvic on Feb 13, 2009 9:07:54 GMT -5
Ron, Use your good judgment and +1 on what AZ said.
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Post by nitro on Feb 13, 2009 9:29:28 GMT -5
Rode the lake view loop yesterday (Feb 12) -- and it is an awesome shape! The other two smaller trails are pretty rough. I gave up on turned around on both of them!
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Post by seenvic on Feb 13, 2009 11:12:20 GMT -5
Rode the lake view loop yesterday (Feb 12) -- and it is an awesome shape! The other two smaller trails are pretty rough. I gave up on turned around on both of them! Just lack of use?
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Post by nitro on Feb 13, 2009 12:53:41 GMT -5
Rode the lake view loop yesterday (Feb 12) -- and it is an awesome shape! The other two smaller trails are pretty rough. I gave up on turned around on both of them! Just lack of use? Pretty much. The trails are covered with lots of pine straw and leaves -- very sketchy with any sort of speed and hard to follow. A couple of branches down also -- not the kind you can just pick up your bike up and walk over. They could be cleared by hand, but I was running out of daylight.
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Post by azdrawdy on Feb 15, 2009 18:24:33 GMT -5
These trails are in excellent shape! Did a couple of laps on the Lakeview Loop, then headed over to Turkey Ridge. What a blast. Did not ride the out-n-back to the lodge.
I believe the LL had four trees down, and the TR had either two or three. TR does have more twigs and leaves than LL, but nothing to cause you to even slow down. Other than that, there was a bit of muck and mud in the "normal" areas for the LL after rain.
Ran into several other SORBA/CSRA members out there, and a group of four from the lowcountry. Greenwood guy (Stan the Parts Man) did a lap with YC and me.
Looking forward to the EtTS ride here next month.
MD
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Post by azdrawdy on Apr 5, 2009 21:07:00 GMT -5
Good condition. Definitely some wetness going on, but nothing I would run people away for. Three trees down. The work done last spring to clean up the dips has definitely made a difference, as they are all flowing much better.
The lake looks great, with the water only a few feet below full pool for the first time in years.
MD
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Post by azdrawdy on May 31, 2009 16:19:09 GMT -5
Went camping at HKSP this past week. Took some loppers and the BOB/chainsaw with us, knowing there would be some trail work needed. Cleared eight trees off the Lake Loop, along with a bunch of face-slappers. Lake Loop is in outstanding shape. Turkey Ridge is in perfect shape. Fun, short loop, as always. Beaver Run is always a fun ride. Took some friends out on this short little trail. They are beginners and thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe some of ya'll might find the time to hit HK next weekend before or after the NTD at BCSP. Definitely worth the time MD
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Post by azdrawdy on Sept 7, 2009 14:19:57 GMT -5
Perfection.
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Post by johnboy on Sept 8, 2009 11:35:38 GMT -5
Glad to have the updated report ! Will be there this weekend ! HKSP is my favorite !
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Post by azdrawdy on Sept 14, 2009 14:01:37 GMT -5
Once again, perfection. Numerous laps. Lots of opportunities to clear spider webs, and spiders. Came off a lap last night and saw a Bontrager Rythym front wheel and Jones XR tire leaning on the pavement, sans bike, right in front of the red barn. Hooked it over the h-bar and took it to the check-in center. Gave it up there, and added name/number to it. An hour later and some dude from G'Ville called me to let me know that I had made his day/weekend/year. He was stoked. I was just happy to help a fellow mountain biker. I also thanked him for driving down to ride our trails. He just raved on and on... I love this trail. MD
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Post by imnav8r on Sept 14, 2009 15:51:58 GMT -5
Cool MD. Yesterday, there was a posted notice on the FATS trailhead kiosk stating that a Bontrager front wheel was missing with a number to call if found.
It's probably the same wheel and the guy just posted a notice there hoping someone who rides FATS may ride elsewhere and find his wheel. Unless he wasn't sure where he lost it and posted notices around the trails.
At any rate, glad he got his wheel back and you and your SO enjoyed your rides.
Be safe!
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Post by yetichick on Sept 15, 2009 15:45:47 GMT -5
I hope the person that left the notice at FATS found his wheel. I don't think this was the same wheel. The guy that left the wheel at Hickory Knob lives in Greenville, and works at one of the bicycle shops. He drove 100 miles south to HKSP, rode several laps, put his bike on the rack and drove off, forgetting his front wheel. He was almost home when he remembered the wheel, turned around, and drove straight back to HKSP. When we found the wheel, we debated on what to do with it. We know that people from McCormick, Calhoun Falls, and the Greenwood area ride HKSP, so figured the best thing to do was take the wheel up to the registration counter. About 30 minutes later he was at the registration counter asking if anyone had turned in a wheel.
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Post by azdrawdy on Oct 11, 2009 20:42:30 GMT -5
Trail continues to be awesome. Loved spending this weekend at HKSP campground and getting in some miles. I reached the limits of tubeless this weekend. Twenty-eight psi results in pinch-flatting for me. Had to put in a tube... My Silky Super Accel 210 got put to use removing smaller trees and limbs, but we will need to schedule a work party here this spring. Hopefully we can get a handful of workers to do some DR and lopping work! Those arm-, leg- and face-slappers are getting tiresome. MD
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Post by dgaddis1 on Oct 11, 2009 21:16:26 GMT -5
You can't pinch flat tubeless...there's nothing to pinch. You burped it I guess?
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Post by azdrawdy on Oct 11, 2009 21:58:05 GMT -5
You can't pinch flat tubeless...there's nothing to pinch. You burped it I guess? Nope. Pinch-flating is not that difficult, even though Stan's and MBA will have you believe otherwise. You can put a hole in the side wall of a tire if you hit it against an object. Rubber Tire - (meeting) - Object - (and in the way is a) - Metal Rim = Hole. This time it was a nasty root. Two months ago it was a rock on BW. I have been trying to push the comfort envelope on a hard tail, and I have pushed it too far! Dustin, you are a very smart guy. Think for just a minute. If you smack a metal rim against a hard object, and you have a relatively thin rubber sleeve between those two pieces, the rubber will split. Time for a tube to get you back... The old wive's tale that you can't pinch flat tubeless is BS. MD
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