Post by Angela on Jun 9, 2008 22:33:54 GMT -5
SORBA-CSRA NEWS - June 2008
WEBSITE: sorbacsra.org
2008 SORBA-CSRA Officers:
Paul Farrow – President pfarrow@sorbacsra.org
Alice Hale - Vice-President
Susan Collins – Secretary scollins@sorbacsra.org
Barbara Drawdy – Treasurer
June SORBA-CSRA Meeting! – Tuesday, June 10th! Come join at 7pm for dinner – upper level – Nacho Mamas on Broad Street – the meeting will begin at 7:30pm.
June 21st – Mountain Bike Beginner Skills Clinic, June 21, 2008 at FATS. Meet at the tent at the trail head at 10:00am. There will be approximately 30 minute talk and then we will ride. We will ride in small groups and each group will have an instructor to demonstrate the beginning rider techniques. After the ride we will have a brief Trailside Bike Repair clinic. There is no cost these clinics, members & non-members are welcome.
July 5th - The Explore The Trail Ride for July will be our annual celebration at Hickory Knob State Park for the Thunder over Thurman fireworks display. This year it will be on July 5th – we typically meet at the Big Red Barn for an afternoon ride followed by snacks, drinks, etc, then a night ride out to a wonderful vantage-point out to see the fireworks (some non-riding folks hiked out to the point last year). This is a great outing each year and if you haven’t already participated come out and join us. More details to follow!
Update on FATS from Bill Victor: Major construction for phase 3 is complete. The project is not yet complete, but the trails are finished for the most part, some minor tweaking is needed here and there. We need to put in some signs for the new trails. The USFS is still working on the parking lot expansion.
For now here is what you need to know to get to the new trails from the old trails. Ride the Deep Step Loop either direction. There is a new Connector Trail coming off the Deep Step Loop near the only bridge on Deep Step. Take this to a gate, and turn left onto the paved road and ride it a 1/2 mile. Go up and turn right onto Philpot Rd (gravel) and ride it for 8/10 of a mile. You can go either way onto the Big Rock Loop, but clockwise is the early leader so far. This would be a left onto the trail. At the trail intersection, go left. Cross the gas line twice. The second crossing is the start of the Tower Loop. Go either way on it; just be sure to head back to the Big Rock Loop when you get back to this spot. Go straight onto Big Rock, and you will cross Philpot Rd near the top. Then eventually come to back to Philpot Rd where you turned onto Big Rock. Make a left onto Philpot Rd and take it back to the Connector and on to Deep Step. Together the two loops are a little more than 8 miles and climb about 700 feet. The trails need wheels. (My note: Remember that fresh trail is more susceptible to damage when ridden after rain than established trails, please do not ride the new sections when wet).
The trails have more climbing than anything at FATS now. The corridor is narrower and you will notice this right away. There is a really cool cedar log bridge on the Big Rock Loop. It is the middle bridge of the three. Richard Allewelt crafted it and did a magnificent job.
Parking....nothing official yet but a parking area is coming. It will be small. For now, you can park along Philpot Rd if you don't want to make the ride over from the FATS parking lot. Not a lot of parking to be had there now, but enough for a few cars.
TICKS – There appears to be an abundance of ticks in our area this year so take precautions. Ticks cannot fly or jump they need direct contact with the host to hitch a ride. The two most prevalent types in our are the black-legged or deer tick (this is a tiny tick that can resemble a freckle with legs) that is the typical carrier of Lyme Disease and the American dog tick (the larger ticks you will find) that can be a carrier of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Many of our trails have overgrowth at this time you can pick up ticks brushing against this overgrowth. Two ways to combat becoming a feast for a tick – spray yourself with a repellent (CDC recommends an insect repellent with 20% – 30% DEET content (none of the other repellents have been studied sufficiently to be allow them to be labeled as a tick deterrent at this time) or be very vigilant checking for ticks after every chance of exposure (look EVERYWHERE!)
MOSQUITOES – Mosquitoes are also out and they can carry West Nile Disease. There have only been 8 reported cases this year (none in Georgia or SC) and last year for all of Georgia there were a total of 50 cases of the disease. You can’t pick them off after the fact so the only prevention is by using an EPA-registered repellent for mosquitoes such as those with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, etc.
SORBA HQ - Check out the Main SORBA website at www.sorba.org for more information about Optic Nerve, the sunglasses people have renewed their 25% off promotion with SORBA, The Nimblewill Mountain Bike Festival is being folded into the Fool’s Gold endurance event on August 15 – 17th and keep up to date on information about all the other SORBA Chapters.
Trail News – There is a lot of overgrowth on the trails right now so just remember each branch you brush against can give ticks the perfect opportunity to join you on your ride. Watch for upcoming work parties and sign on to help when you can!
FATS – Trails are in great condition!
Turkey Creek – Good condition but the area from the 1 mile cul de sac until the 3.65 takeout will need some additional work..
Wine Creek- Rideable condition from Key Bridge to the gully (approximately half way) serious overgrowth and ticks beyond the gully headed towards the 283 side – hopefully a small work party can be assembled soon!
Horn Creek/Lick Fork - There are a few trees down and there is quite a bit of overgrowth particularly on sections 2 and 4 but not enough to ruin a great ride on this trail.
Hickory Knob – Trails (all three) are in great condition to ride!
Canal Off-Road - Trail in good condition at last report.
Modoc – Some trees down, overgrowth in areas.
Long Cane – Trail in great condition!
Baker Creek – Trail in good condition to ride, some lopping and DR work would be great to handle vegetation overgrowth.
Bartram (Wildwood) - No recent report.
Keg Creek – Trail condition is great but there are 3 or 4 non-rideable trees down across the trail!
Bartram Trail (Lake) – Good condition!
Issaqueena - No recent report.
ORA Trail - No recent report.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION – If you do work on the trails please let me know, all work is greatly appreciated and we want to recognize your efforts!
WINE-TURKEY MOWATHON – May 31st – Thanks so much to the volunteers who came out to help – we didn’t get quite finished but it is getting close! Barbara Drawdy, Michael Drawdy, Jimmy Culpepper, Lowell Dorn, Dale Parrott, Jon Taylor, Eric Powell, James Moore, Bryan Nuckols, Eric Cline, Marco White, Daniel Allen and Angela Allen. A long, hot day but worth the effort! Both trails were cleared of fallen trees and mowing was done on the 1st mile and last 2+ miles of Turkey (also the trail between 3.65 takeout and the 5+ mile mark have been cleared with the gas hedge trimmers. The first 2.5 miles of Wine was DR mowed.
FATS – June 5th - Thanks to Dustin Gaddis and Chris Campbell for their work on the FATS!
Thanks to all the great volunteers who are doing the mini-work parties or who just take a few minutes while they are out there to clip a branch, remove trail debris, etc. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
WEBSITE: sorbacsra.org
2008 SORBA-CSRA Officers:
Paul Farrow – President pfarrow@sorbacsra.org
Alice Hale - Vice-President
Susan Collins – Secretary scollins@sorbacsra.org
Barbara Drawdy – Treasurer
June SORBA-CSRA Meeting! – Tuesday, June 10th! Come join at 7pm for dinner – upper level – Nacho Mamas on Broad Street – the meeting will begin at 7:30pm.
June 21st – Mountain Bike Beginner Skills Clinic, June 21, 2008 at FATS. Meet at the tent at the trail head at 10:00am. There will be approximately 30 minute talk and then we will ride. We will ride in small groups and each group will have an instructor to demonstrate the beginning rider techniques. After the ride we will have a brief Trailside Bike Repair clinic. There is no cost these clinics, members & non-members are welcome.
July 5th - The Explore The Trail Ride for July will be our annual celebration at Hickory Knob State Park for the Thunder over Thurman fireworks display. This year it will be on July 5th – we typically meet at the Big Red Barn for an afternoon ride followed by snacks, drinks, etc, then a night ride out to a wonderful vantage-point out to see the fireworks (some non-riding folks hiked out to the point last year). This is a great outing each year and if you haven’t already participated come out and join us. More details to follow!
Update on FATS from Bill Victor: Major construction for phase 3 is complete. The project is not yet complete, but the trails are finished for the most part, some minor tweaking is needed here and there. We need to put in some signs for the new trails. The USFS is still working on the parking lot expansion.
For now here is what you need to know to get to the new trails from the old trails. Ride the Deep Step Loop either direction. There is a new Connector Trail coming off the Deep Step Loop near the only bridge on Deep Step. Take this to a gate, and turn left onto the paved road and ride it a 1/2 mile. Go up and turn right onto Philpot Rd (gravel) and ride it for 8/10 of a mile. You can go either way onto the Big Rock Loop, but clockwise is the early leader so far. This would be a left onto the trail. At the trail intersection, go left. Cross the gas line twice. The second crossing is the start of the Tower Loop. Go either way on it; just be sure to head back to the Big Rock Loop when you get back to this spot. Go straight onto Big Rock, and you will cross Philpot Rd near the top. Then eventually come to back to Philpot Rd where you turned onto Big Rock. Make a left onto Philpot Rd and take it back to the Connector and on to Deep Step. Together the two loops are a little more than 8 miles and climb about 700 feet. The trails need wheels. (My note: Remember that fresh trail is more susceptible to damage when ridden after rain than established trails, please do not ride the new sections when wet).
The trails have more climbing than anything at FATS now. The corridor is narrower and you will notice this right away. There is a really cool cedar log bridge on the Big Rock Loop. It is the middle bridge of the three. Richard Allewelt crafted it and did a magnificent job.
Parking....nothing official yet but a parking area is coming. It will be small. For now, you can park along Philpot Rd if you don't want to make the ride over from the FATS parking lot. Not a lot of parking to be had there now, but enough for a few cars.
TICKS – There appears to be an abundance of ticks in our area this year so take precautions. Ticks cannot fly or jump they need direct contact with the host to hitch a ride. The two most prevalent types in our are the black-legged or deer tick (this is a tiny tick that can resemble a freckle with legs) that is the typical carrier of Lyme Disease and the American dog tick (the larger ticks you will find) that can be a carrier of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Many of our trails have overgrowth at this time you can pick up ticks brushing against this overgrowth. Two ways to combat becoming a feast for a tick – spray yourself with a repellent (CDC recommends an insect repellent with 20% – 30% DEET content (none of the other repellents have been studied sufficiently to be allow them to be labeled as a tick deterrent at this time) or be very vigilant checking for ticks after every chance of exposure (look EVERYWHERE!)
MOSQUITOES – Mosquitoes are also out and they can carry West Nile Disease. There have only been 8 reported cases this year (none in Georgia or SC) and last year for all of Georgia there were a total of 50 cases of the disease. You can’t pick them off after the fact so the only prevention is by using an EPA-registered repellent for mosquitoes such as those with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, etc.
SORBA HQ - Check out the Main SORBA website at www.sorba.org for more information about Optic Nerve, the sunglasses people have renewed their 25% off promotion with SORBA, The Nimblewill Mountain Bike Festival is being folded into the Fool’s Gold endurance event on August 15 – 17th and keep up to date on information about all the other SORBA Chapters.
Trail News – There is a lot of overgrowth on the trails right now so just remember each branch you brush against can give ticks the perfect opportunity to join you on your ride. Watch for upcoming work parties and sign on to help when you can!
FATS – Trails are in great condition!
Turkey Creek – Good condition but the area from the 1 mile cul de sac until the 3.65 takeout will need some additional work..
Wine Creek- Rideable condition from Key Bridge to the gully (approximately half way) serious overgrowth and ticks beyond the gully headed towards the 283 side – hopefully a small work party can be assembled soon!
Horn Creek/Lick Fork - There are a few trees down and there is quite a bit of overgrowth particularly on sections 2 and 4 but not enough to ruin a great ride on this trail.
Hickory Knob – Trails (all three) are in great condition to ride!
Canal Off-Road - Trail in good condition at last report.
Modoc – Some trees down, overgrowth in areas.
Long Cane – Trail in great condition!
Baker Creek – Trail in good condition to ride, some lopping and DR work would be great to handle vegetation overgrowth.
Bartram (Wildwood) - No recent report.
Keg Creek – Trail condition is great but there are 3 or 4 non-rideable trees down across the trail!
Bartram Trail (Lake) – Good condition!
Issaqueena - No recent report.
ORA Trail - No recent report.
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION – If you do work on the trails please let me know, all work is greatly appreciated and we want to recognize your efforts!
WINE-TURKEY MOWATHON – May 31st – Thanks so much to the volunteers who came out to help – we didn’t get quite finished but it is getting close! Barbara Drawdy, Michael Drawdy, Jimmy Culpepper, Lowell Dorn, Dale Parrott, Jon Taylor, Eric Powell, James Moore, Bryan Nuckols, Eric Cline, Marco White, Daniel Allen and Angela Allen. A long, hot day but worth the effort! Both trails were cleared of fallen trees and mowing was done on the 1st mile and last 2+ miles of Turkey (also the trail between 3.65 takeout and the 5+ mile mark have been cleared with the gas hedge trimmers. The first 2.5 miles of Wine was DR mowed.
FATS – June 5th - Thanks to Dustin Gaddis and Chris Campbell for their work on the FATS!
Thanks to all the great volunteers who are doing the mini-work parties or who just take a few minutes while they are out there to clip a branch, remove trail debris, etc. Your efforts are greatly appreciated!