Stealing our thunder

[dgaddis1]

The Coldwater Mountain trails officially open this weekend. From the pics I've seen on facebook, it looks to be an awesome place to ride. Not nearly all of the trails are open yet, so it'll only get better.

But, this was surprising. In an e-mail IMBA sent out yesterday or this morning:

Singletrack, rollers, berms, and more await you at Coldwater Mountain Trail System, near Anniston, AL. Be the first in your chapter to ride the Southeast's first purpose-built flow trail!

I'm not sure if FATS was the first, but, CWM is certainly not the first. I still want to get over there to ride though!

www.sorba.org/node/439

[Angela]

It's possible it is the first purpose-built flow trail in the Southeast......with the key being purpose-built. Although FATS is in essence a flow trail it certainly wasn't built with that in mind and actually was built way before that term became popular (think that term started showing up in 2009 - long after FATS was built)!

I think most trails built with mountain biking in mind will have some flow components to be good trails. With these purpose-built flow trails, the real key seems to be that the trail always continues to flow so that the rider (no matter what their skill level is) will always be able to continue down the trail without being impeded. Simultaneously the advanced features that are incorporated into the trail allow the skilled rider a flow experience of a different kind.

They are definitely not embraced by all mountain bikers but on the other hand they are bringing many more riders into the sport and as those riders develop, some will naturally find and learn to love classic singletrack!

Overall I think it is good for the sport!

[azdrawdy]

Cannot wait to ride it. We are heading out in July for a couple of weeks to do some riding and visit family. Will hit Oak Mtn on the way out, then some riding north of Dallas, then on the way back will spend a couple days riding Coldwater Mountain. Grand reviews, and they have been working on this system for several years now. Hope to take a pic or two and post up!

MD

[kconner]

My sister in law is getting married in Anniston at the end up September....planning on taking the bike

[seenvic]

May 23, 2012 7:22:53 GMT -5 dgaddis1 said:

javascript:add("%20;)")Singletrack, rollers, berms, and more await you at Coldwater Mountain Trail System, near Anniston, AL. Be the first in your chapter to ride the Southeast's first purpose-built flow trail!

I'm not sure if FATS was the first, but, CWM is certainly not the first. I still want to get over there to ride though!

www.sorba.org/node/439

FATS was the first accidentally-built flow trail in the SE.

Wait til you see/ride Bracken Mountain. FATS in Pisgah. I'll give it it's own thread when I have some time.