Coming to visit

[carter1]

Hello, we're thinking about bringing a crew from the Raleigh area to Thomson Day and riding the FATS trails that we've heard so much about. I'm trying to decide if I need gears and suspension or if my 29er singlespeed would be more fun. Any thoughts?
If it helps I ride the singlespeed about 95% of the time around here. We have lots of steep short climbs local, and I've ridden ss at Dupont and Tsali, and some of the easy parts of Pisgah.
From watching the video, it looks like an awesome ss trail, but I only have room for one bike and don't want to be wishing for gears!
Thanks,
c

[ted]

No gears or suspension are "needed" at FATS. Leave the complications at home and enjoy the ride.

Everyone agree?

[azdrawdy]

We get quite a few riders on FATS riding ss, and quite a few rigid. Not a lot of roots yet on this trail (give it a few years!). We don't have a lot of 29ers in this area yet, though I did test ride a Cannondale Caffeine 29er last month. Hmmm.

Likewise, we've got guys launching 6" FS bikes off the DS and BW loops, getting SERIOUS air!

Phil from Chain Reaction was out yesterday on his Haro Mary (rigid, ss). He was grinning ear to ear on the bottom of the Skinny.

Very versatile loops. Just come ride.

[wooglin]

If you ride Dupont or Pisgah on a rigid singlespeed FATS won't give you any trouble at all. No need to gear down, the gear you run in Raleigh should be fine.

[carter1]

Thanks guys! I'll post up again as we get closer. It is probably that we'll have 10 or so riders-maybe more. Might be cool to have some guides. So far, everyone that is interested in the trip are pretty strong riders.
c

[carter1]

Ok guys (and girls), this trip is going to happen.

There are a few of us that will leave the Raleigh area Thursday am, looking to ride somewhere close to FATS that afternoon. What is the camping situation there? I heard there is a state campground with hot showers close by. We'd like to set up camp before dark.

We plan to ride FATS Friday, by Friday am, we should have at least another carload or two of riders joining us either late Thursday night or Friday am.

Saturday will be spent at Thomson Day.

We'd like to get a short ride in Sunday before making the 5-6 hour drive home.

Any info that will help us to be organized, and ride as much as possible would be great. Of course, it would be awesome to have a guide or 12 to ride with us!

We'd like to meet and ride with some of the trail builders if at all possible, as we have approval for two 15-20 mile trail systems to be built in the near future (one has already started, the other is a city park and will be another year or so before we can start).

Thanks in advance for the help folks. Your hospitality will be returned any time you're near the Triangle.

c

almost forgot, any hotel recommendations for our non camping friends?

[yetichick]

Camping is available at Hamilton Branch State Recreation Area. Their website is: www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/1188.aspx. Another option is the Petersburg Campground on the GA side. It is an Army Corp of Engineers campground, and rather nice. Just google Petersburg Campground, GA, and you will get all the information you need. It is easy to get to FATS from either campground.

I have never stayed in a hotel in Augusta, but look up Travelocity and try the La Quinta on Washington Rd., the Wingate Inn, or the Amerisuites. Make sure whatever hotel you pick that it is close to I-20. If someone else knows which hotel is the best, or has another suggestion, hopefully they will jump in and answer this post.

I hope you enjoy FATS. My husband and I work during the day, and as soon as we get off work Friday afternoon, January 12, we are hooking up our 5th wheel and heading to Indian Springs State Park just northwest of Macon. We will be there all weekend to participate in the Ronnie Thomson events, and will drive back to North Augusta on Monday, January 15. Hopefully someone else will be available to ride FATS with your group. If you go to the "trails" link on our website, you can get a map of FATS. The top two loops on the map haven't been built, but the bottom 4 are complete and a blast to ride. ;D

Barbara

[seenvic]

Another camping option: call 803 637-5396 and ask for a primitive camping permit for the "Old Forks Campground". They will want to know how many are in your party and the dates. If it's really big group, they may not issue the permit....I dunno. It's worth a shot. There will be no hookups there....totally primitive camping, but at the trailhead.

I can't ride on a Friday w/ you, but would love to talk about contracting for your project. We are presently building trails in Asheville, NC and on private property in Columbia County, GA.

If you like the FATS and want that to be built near you, call us.

[carter1]

Thanks for the information folks. We are gathering a head count over the next couple of weeks. With the Christmas holidays upon us, its not the best time to be asking for mtb trip passes. As of now, we have about 8 riders committed. The hope is that we'll get 15-25.


seenvic, we just purchased a Vemeer (sp?) machine this week and are looking forward to using it. As I said earlier, we have heard great things about your work and are looking forward to riding it. Will you be at the Thomson event? Hopefully we can hook up there for some conversation.

c

[seenvic]

carter1 said:

seenvic, we just purchased a Vemeer (sp?) machine this week and are looking forward to using it. As I said earlier, we have heard great things about your work and are looking forward to riding it. Will you be at the Thomson event? Hopefully we can hook up there for some conversation.

c

Not my work, but the work of the crew. Michael Burton, Todd Branham, Chris Khare and Rich Edwards and the volunteers deserve the actual credit for the trail that is on the ground. I am just an organinizer, grant writer and cheerleader.

But a huge thanks anyway.