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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Feb 2, 2016 15:54:04 GMT -5
How's about you work on the website a bit. When I visit the sorbacsra.org site it say that FATS is Open; however when I look at the forum you say not to ride FATS. It would be quite a help to just put a GO/NOGO indicator on the main page like some other sorba sites in other areas have done. I appreciate this forum, but it's a pain when I look at the site and see that FATS is Open then get out on the trails and wonder why it's labeled as open. We apologize for the inconvenience. Hopefully you are not local because local riders should know when it rained last and whether the trails are really dry enough to ride. Out of town folks usually PM us for trail conditions. Nonetheless, the US Forest Service is the land manager at FATS, the decider at FATS, and only recognizes OPEN or CLOSED. With the USFS, open does not necessarily mean dry. SORBAcsra discouraging you from riding FATS tells you that, while FATS is officially open, it's wet out there but not wet enough for the USFS to officially close the trail. Since SORBAcsra is an all volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization, why don't you help us with the website? Alternatively, it would be great if you would volunteer at one of our trail work parties. We seem to have a ton of people that like to ride FATS, a fair number of folks that complain about FATS (or SORBAcsra), but too few people willing to volunteer and help SORBAcsra maintain FATS. Thanks for your suggestion and have a nice day
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Dec 16, 2015 20:53:43 GMT -5
Good to see someone taking the initiative, keep it up and surely your work force will increase, even if it's just 2-3 a lot can get done. These are the same guys that do most of the impromptu, and often unrecognized, work on our trails. Collectively, this group had over 200 hours volunteered on our trails in 2015. Unfortunately, the few bearing the burden of trail maintenance (for the many) is not sustainable.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Dec 12, 2015 18:25:06 GMT -5
Just wanted to pop in and say that the erosion on this road really pushed the limits of the minivan that I took out there today to ride Big Rock and Tower. There are quite a few parts that are washed out and in bad shape, the van made it through them fine but I do not believe my car would make it (Hyundai Elantra) You could park in the south lot and ride your bike to Big Rock and Tower
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Dec 12, 2015 6:51:30 GMT -5
Took an axe for the trees... Get one of these and carry it with you. You will be amazed at how well it works on the trails. Corona Saw @lowes
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Dec 11, 2015 12:03:17 GMT -5
Failed trail maintenance is funneling all the water straight down trail, making or nearly unrideable. I think it is the wording that may have ruffled a feather or two. I don't know exactly which section of trail you talking about, but I doubt it is "failed" maintenance vs design, people riding wet trails, and not enough volunteers to tackle the larger problem areas. As for the pile of gravel that you found, we had asked the UFSF for a dump truck's worth and ground cloth (so the gravel doesn't disappear into the muck), which they provided to us for future trail maintenance. I suggest that you contact Paul F. (I will PM his email address) to discuss any plans or potential usage of this gravel.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Dec 6, 2015 13:03:50 GMT -5
When will something similar be available again? I've been riding with running shirts I've gotten at races, figured I would pick up a real jersey. We did an order a month or so before hunting season and can do another when there is enough interest from community. IIRC, minimum order is 7 or 8 jerseys.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Nov 25, 2015 11:55:56 GMT -5
The SORBAcsra December monthly meeting, volunteer appreciation cookout, and Giant/Liv Giant bike demo is Saturday, December 5th.
The December monthly meeting is Saturday, December 5th at Mistletoe State Park! The monthly meeting will coincide with a visit by the Giant and Liv Giant Bicycles Demo Trucks (with mountain, cross, and road bikes), presented by Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse, so get there early, demo a bike or two, ride some great trails, then join us for food, prizes, and the December monthly meeting. - What: SORBAcsra December monthly meeting (and Giant and Liv Giant Bicycles Demo truck - with mountain, cross, and road bikes)
- When: Saturday, December 5th.
1:00PM – 4:00PM is the SORBAcsra December Meeting. 10:00AM – 3:00PM is the Giant/Liv Giant Bicycles Demo presented by Andy Jordan’s (goo.gl/AaJTE2) - Where: Mistletoe State Park, Shelter #1 (For directions visit this Google map goo.gl/9xxLGz and/or see map below).
- You: Please RSVP on Survey Monkey (goo.gl/yNEpW4), so we have enough food, prizes, and swag. Attendees who RSVP by December 1st will be eligible to win a gift certificate to one of our local bike shops.
At the SORBAcsra December monthly meeting, we will feed you, you will elect officers for 2016, we will give away some sweet prizes to our top volunteers, and then we will give away more prizes/swag to all of our volunteers with 4 or more hours at an official work party in 2015. Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse is stepping up again with the big kahuna prize, Chain Reaction Bicycles and Outspokin’ Bicycles are on tap for more great prizes and swag. All of the volunteers attending the monthly meeting will walk away with a prize and/or swag. There is a $5 entrance fee to the park. However, if you demo a Giant or Liv Giant bike that day, you can use your park pass for $5 off at Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse (see goo.gl/AaJTE2 for details and restrictions). In the event of unseasonably cold, wet, or otherwise miserable weather, we will huddle together like penguins because the indoor shelter has already been reserved by another group. Be sure to watch our Facebook Page or the forums for last minute changes due to inclement weather.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Nov 25, 2015 11:51:55 GMT -5
The SORBACSRA December monthly meeting, volunteer appreciation cookout, and Giant/Liv Giant bike demo is Saturday, December 5th.
The December monthly meeting is Saturday, December 5th at Mistletoe State Park! The monthly meeting will coincide with a visit by the Giant and Liv Giant Bicycles Demo Trucks (with mountain, cross, and road bikes), presented by Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse, so get there early, demo a bike or two, ride some great trails, then join us for food, prizes, and the December monthly meeting. - What: SORBACSRA December monthly meeting (and Giant and Liv Giant Bicycles Demo truck - with mountain, cross, and road bikes)
- When: Saturday, December 5th.
1:00PM – 4:00PM is the SORBACSRA December Meeting. 10:00AM – 3:00PM is the Giant/Liv Giant Bicycles Demo presented by Andy Jordan’s (goo.gl/AaJTE2)
- Where: Mistletoe State Park, Shelter #1 (For directions visit this Google map goo.gl/9xxLGz and/or see map below).
- You: Please RSVP on Survey Monkey (goo.gl/yNEpW4), so we have enough food, prizes, and swag. Attendees who RSVPs by December 1st will be eligible to win a gift certificate to one of our local bike shops.
At the SORBACSRA December monthly meeting, we will feed you, you will elect officers for 2016, we will give away some sweet prizes to our top volunteers, and then we will give away more prizes/swag to all of our volunteers with 4 or more hours at an official work party in 2015. Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse is stepping up again with the big kahuna prize, Chain Reaction Bicycles and Outspokin’ Bicycles are on tap for more great prizes and swag. All of the volunteers attending the monthly meeting will walk away with a prize and/or swag. There is a $5 entrance fee to the park. However, if you demo a Giant or Liv Giant bike that day, you can use your park pass for $5 off at Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Warehouse (see goo.gl/AaJTE2 for details and restrictions). In the event of unseasonably cold, wet, or otherwise miserable weather, we will huddle together like penguins because the indoor shelter has already been reserved by another group. Be sure to watch our Facebook Page or the forums for last minute changes due to inclement weather.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Nov 8, 2015 9:17:02 GMT -5
Trail is wet. Apparently, an Adventure Race has participants riding the Keg Creek loop in both directions. We saw lots of racers short-cutting blazed sections of trail, riding around muddy spots, and riding around downed trees. Lots of trees down. Most are down in the first few miles cw, then scattered here and there along the rest of the trail. A section of trail, along the creek bank is eroded and one bridge, just before the big creek drop-in, is washed out (see pic below).
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Nov 2, 2015 14:15:47 GMT -5
I think there are cameras already on the market (and kickstarter?); some of which incorporate a blinky too. Regardless, you might have more takers if you try the road riders.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Oct 31, 2015 16:16:47 GMT -5
PF and I cut out 18 trees on Mistletoe proper. One or two still on back door and we had to leave two on the trail; one is near the granite outcropping (on way to return loop double track), but we left it because it was next to a hole filled with yellow jackets. The other is large in diameter, hanging low across the ravine, and will require several people to cut up and muscle the parts out or down the ravine. Lastly, the park is working on a reroute that will eliminate the sandy/sand bar creek crossing. A new rockier creek crossing has been established and rerouting of the trail is in progress. A few sections of the reroute are not bike friendly and we will have to speak with ranger. Below, are pics of a few of the trees - before and after near backdoor (before) near backdoor () new creek crossing for reroute (before) new creek crossing for reroute (after) along reroute (before) along reroute (after) trees in trail no trees in trail low bridge no bridge Thank you for your support.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Oct 25, 2015 6:29:13 GMT -5
Any demo bikes this year? Not at BikeFest this year. Giant and Liv Giant will bring their demo bikes to our December monthly meeting/volunteer appreciation cookout at Mistletoe State Park.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Oct 16, 2015 18:49:44 GMT -5
FATS is OPEN. Bathrooms may be open tonight, hopefully by tomorrow. Plan accordingly
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Oct 2, 2015 15:00:21 GMT -5
On 10.02.15, the USFS officially CLOSED FATS. Check these forums, our Facebook page, our Twitter feed @fatsupdate, or the USFS Call Before You Haul hotline (803-561-4025) for updates.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Sept 29, 2015 16:21:55 GMT -5
The running race on Sunday does not appear to affect Tower and Big Rock, right? And if the government shuts down, does that affect whether FATS is open? I'm thinking of coming from out of town for a couple days of riding on Friday and Saturday and possibly Sunday. Thanks If you are driving any distance to get to FATS, you may want to consider another weekend since we've had nearly a week of overcast skies, drizzle, and rain. Aside from damaging the trail, FATS is not fun to ride when wet. Yes, the trail running race on Sunday is on the four lower loops, which will remain open to other users during the race. That said, the trail might get crowded in spots. Lastly, during the last government shutdown, and before the USFS installed parking lot gates, the USFS closed FATS. I don't remember the rationale exactly, but seem to recall that if USFS managed property has facilities (i.e., trash, toilet) that can't be monitored during a shutdown, the facility gets closed.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Aug 22, 2015 14:36:44 GMT -5
If you were out at FATS this morning, the chainsaws you heard were our volunteer sawyers on day two of training for USFS Certification. Great group of volunteers, a fantastic instructor, and we got a lot done before the skies opened up in the afternoon. Below, the instructor felling the first tree this morning.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Aug 2, 2015 12:08:44 GMT -5
Everyone must have been at church this morning because we had two ride leaders for the EtTR today but no (nada, zero, zilch) riders. JP3 and I took turns leading the ride, I was happy with the pace when JP3 was leading and JP3 was happy with the pace when I was leading, and no one got lost. We did three laps and then rode up to the headgates. I guess the people have spoken and we won't have any more EtTRs at the Canal Singletrack.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Jul 17, 2015 12:30:42 GMT -5
The Petersburg area has been flagged and is re opened. A few non riders on it last week that might have been cleared by now. Also a non rider near lake about 4.25 miles in from West Dam. Trail is fast and firm. As far as I know, the Petersburg parking lot is only open on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays until construction is complete.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Jun 29, 2015 10:01:17 GMT -5
The USFS will be resurfacing the parking lots at FATS this week. Although the trail is open, don't surprised if the parking areas are closed late Tuesday night, all day Wednesday, and possibly early Thursday morning. While they are resurfacing the lots, please do not park in front of the gates; rather, park along one of the adjacent fire roads.
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Post by dsquaredmsquared on Jun 27, 2015 16:31:03 GMT -5
Comparing a GPS track of the Boyd Pond trail to Aiken County GIS parcel boundaries suggests that four or 5 sections of the trail cross onto private property. YMMV.
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