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Post by Angela on Dec 3, 2012 0:58:45 GMT -5
Finally had the opportunity to check out this trail and KConner totally nailed it sorbacsra.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=pictures&thread=3267&page=1#21961, we will definitely be back! If you are in the area (we were coming back from Birmingham, Al so planned a stop at Coldwater), take the time to check it out. They are planning on nearly doubling the length of this trail. It is directional - bikers CW with hikers, runners, etc heading CCW so they can watch for the bikers and vice versa! Here is a video of a couple of sections of the downhill on the trail. If you don't have the patience to watch videos just check out the portion from 40 seconds through just over a minute - WOW! We liked the signage letting you know a trail feature was coming up (this one was for the rocks that K and his friend launched off of - Interesting trail art! There were well placed berms everywhere and they were built perfectly to pull you in and launch you out the other side - It was a perfect Fall day with temps in the low 70s and great scenery - [a href=" "] [/a] Afterwards we hit the Mexico Lindo Grill in Oxford, Alabama - food was great and loved the atmosphere!
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Post by Angela on Dec 3, 2012 7:03:23 GMT -5
From the ones who are responsible for helping get this trail on the ground > do not take that downhill at your full speed the first time (or even second or third) time you ride the trail. That was extremely good advice and we'd highly recommend riders heed it!
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Post by kconner on Dec 5, 2012 8:16:15 GMT -5
The signage is definitely pretty awesome out there. They have location markers, somewhat like what has been suggested for FATS. After talking to some locals though, they have issues with emergencies as well. While the location markers seem to work, they don't have the access that we have (FS roads) to quickly get to and remove injured riders.
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Post by Angela on Dec 5, 2012 22:44:07 GMT -5
Right now the plan is to eventually have 60 miles of trail on the ground at Coldwater Mountain (the doubling of current trail should be underway soon). With it's proximity to the interstate, towns (Anniston and Oxford) to support the influx of riders with hotels, restaurants, etc it will become a destination trail. In addition, the rails-to-trails stretching from Atlanta (Silver Comet in Georgia) to Anniston (Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama) is nearby. Again more biking and might be an option for family or even friends who like to travel together and bike but aren't all looking for the same experience. www.chiefladiga.com/ I know it is hard to believe that everyone doesn't love mountain biking like we do!
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Post by breynolds on Dec 22, 2012 9:21:09 GMT -5
Just rode these trails yesterday and they are indeed awesome. They finished 2 of the new trails this week but unfortunately they hadn't opened them yet (rain earlier in the week). I was in Birmingham on business so it was a no-brainer to check these trails out. Once they finish adding more there the drive will definitely be worth it!
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Post by kconner on Jun 7, 2013 22:25:12 GMT -5
Had this video (made by IMBA) sent to me by a friend: If you're looking to do a quick, relatively close MTB trip, Coldwater Mountain should be on your very short list!
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Post by dgaddis1 on Jun 8, 2013 7:00:01 GMT -5
10 page spread in the new issue of BIKE about AL MTBing, Coldwater Mtn gets some love.
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Post by Angela on Jun 8, 2013 10:24:53 GMT -5
They have a recreational trails guy in Alabama (I've met him a few times at the RLAC meetings) and although he himself does not mountain bike (I've invited him so maybe one day) he pushes hard for mountain bike trails in Alabama. Maybe he has seen what the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail has done to bring people into the state of Alabama and knows that these destination mountain bike trails can do the same for a whole different group of visitors.
Coldwater Mountain is so close to the interstate (even closer than FATS to I20) that it makes access great! Year around good riding temps for the most part help make it a mountain biking destination (particularly as they get the mileage up to destination mountain biking levels)!
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