When mudhunny and I started singletracks back in 1998, our mission was simple: to help mountain bikers find the best trails. Eleven years later it’s still our focus and to make sure that happens we personally ride and report on as many new trails as we can.

Last week I put together a list of 5 unfamiliar trails in middle Georgia that I found on a local MTB club’s website and decided to see what was up. The Google Map I built said the round trip would be close to 300 miles and 8 hours of driving but that’s a small price to pay for riding 5 different trail systems in a single day. At 8am on Wednesday I was off…

I hit the first trail of the day, Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center, just before 9am and found the parking area empty (no surprise). This trail has an unusual permitting system I hadn’t seen before that involves filling out a permit to take with you and depositing a carbon copy in a locked bin. The “trail” turned out to be horseshoe-pocked doubletrack that was wildly overgrown with high grass but it was well marked and probably not a bad choice for beginning riders.

Heading to the next trail, my Google Map directed me onto some crazy dirt roads and after several miles I was pretty sure I’d see the Dukes of Hazzard coming around the bend at any moment. At intersections I rarely saw signs with the name of the road I was turning onto, only signs for the road I was turning off - sort of a “guess and check” method of navigation. I finally emerged onto a paved highway and made my way to Bartram Forest in Milledgeville.

My youngest brother goes to school in Milledgeville and he actually told me a little about the trails at Bartram Forest but when I got there all I could find was miles and miles of doubletrack. Like Charlie Elliot, much of the doubletrack was overgrown and I was starting to get frustrated until I found it: singletrack! It turns out I went the wrong direction initially and totally missed the singletrack right beside the trailhead. The singletrack was tight and fast but unfortunately way too short. Then again, I suppose you take what you can get in this area.

By now it was lunch time so I ate a sandwich in the car as I drove to the next trail: The Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge. I was looking forward to this trail the most because I saw pictures online and it looked pretty good plus I had read there were 12+ miles of trail. I strolled into the visitor’s center and asked the ranger which trails were open to bikes to which he replied, “None of them.” Ok, but what about the gravel roads? Only if they are open to cars. Yuck.

I’m a professional, though, so I grabbed a map and headed out on the gravel. I didn’t see a single car on my 13 mile loop but I did see some turkey and deer along the way. At this point it was getting VERY hot (mid-90s) and halfway around the loop I was ready for it to be over. To be fair, though, I’d say the Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge is a good place to get MTB training rides in on the miles and miles of gravel roads.

After the hot ride I debated skipping the next trail and heading home but after pumping the AC in the car a bit I was refreshed and ready for the Camp Thunder trails. As a Boy Scout I stayed at Camp Thunder several times and though I knew nothing about the bike trails, I remember having a blast canoeing on the Flint River nearby. Anyway, to make a long story short, upon arrival a staff member informed me that the trails had been closed to the general public for a year and a half. Nice. I’ll never trust a mountain biking website again

Trail #4 was a bust which left just trail #5 before my epic trip came to an end. I didn’t have high hopes for the Kiwanis Fairgrounds Trail in Griffin since the woman I spoke with at Camp Thunder said there was nothing there as far as she knew. The trail was sorta on my way home anyway so I soldiered on. It turns out the directions I printed were perfect and I found this short trail gem tucked between the National Guard Armory, the fairgrounds, and the city airport. The trails were twisty, tight, and fun - the perfect capstone to my adventure. My only complaint is the trails were waaay too short - probably less than a mile - but like I said, you take what you can get.

I’m addicted to exploring new MTB trails and no matter how many bad trails I ride there are always a few cool discoveries that make it all worthwhile. Get out and ride some new trails this summer, then share your reviews here on singletracks - think of it as a public service!

The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) announced yesterday that the 2010 IMBA World Summit will be held in Augusta, GA May 5-8. Augusta may seem like an odd choice, especially to mountain bikers in the western US, but the area is quickly becoming the model for building sustainable trails in cooperation with state and federal land managers. There’s already an IMBA Epic trail system in the area (FATS) and there are plans to add even more singletrack to the region in the next few years.

I’m actually not too surprised that Augusta is being recognized as a world-class mountain biking destination. In fact, the second article I ever wrote for singletracks in September, 2001 was titled “Hidden Gems Found in Augusta, GA” where I made the claim that the area was already a southeastern MTB mecca. Sure, I may be a little biased since I started mountain biking in Augusta in the mid-1990s (my first real trail ride was at the Stevens Creek Trail) but it’s tough to argue with miles of singletrack spread across nearly a dozen unique trailheads.

Want to see what the hype is about? Check out this list of Augusta area MTB trails… See you at the World Summit!

Saturday was National Trails Day and I got a chance to help out with the MTB trail reroutes out at Sope Creek just outside Atlanta. I assumed this would be just another monthly SORBA work day with maybe a dozen volunteers so I was blown away to see nearly 200 people ready to work at 8am! Apparently REI promoted National Trails Day involvement pretty hard and was able to get a good group out there, most of whom were not mountain bikers. The SORBA guys were clearly in charge though and ended up leading several groups of ~20 volunteers each.

My group (led by SORBA Atlanta prez. Tom Tomaka) was assigned trail closure duty - sorta like demolition work on a construction site. While we piled sticks, leaves, and logs on top of the old, eroded trail other groups were busy constructing split-rail fences at the entrances to the old trail to route riders and hikers to the new dirt. Still other groups did finish work on the new trail sections, clipping roots and tamping loose dirt to make the trails smooth as butter.

Trail closure step 1: Find sticks and logs to pile on closed trail.

Trail closure step 2: Place sticks and logs on trail.

Trail closure step 3: Cover with leaves. Where’d the old trail go?

Some die-hard Sope Creek riders will probably be disappointed to see the steep, rocky trail sections replaced with bench cut smoothness but the reroutes had to be done to address some serious erosion issues. It’s rare to see mountain bikes allowed at all on trails managed by the National Park Service like those at Sope Creek and the good news is that there are plans to build a brand new loop / network of bike trails in the park as early as this fall.

Long Cane Trails LLC did the initial machine work on the reroutes.

At the end of the day the volunteers were able to open at least 2 new trail reroutes which was honestly really satisfying. I managed to get a quick ride in on the new trails (”first tracks” as snowboarders would say) and I gotta say these new sections flow much better than the old stuff. I also ended up working with singletracks member GoldenGoose and didn’t even know it until afterward - small world (see if you can pick him out in the second photo above).

Even if you didn’t get a chance to help out in your area on Saturday, make a point to help with trail work at least once this summer - contact your local MTB club to get involved!

Santa Teresa Park (San Jose, CA) photo by gab26.

Tomorrow is National Trails Day here in the US and as a mountain biker I gotta say I’m a little confused about what I’m supposed to do. Over on the IMBA website there isn’t a single mention of National Trails Day (other than a news item from 1998) and the SORBA website is linking to the American Hiking Society to help people find events to participate in. Huh? I thought mountain bikers were trail users too -  I guess NTD is the American Hiking Society’s show.

Since IMBA doesn’t seem to be organizing or promoting events for mountain bikers to celebrate National Trails Day, I thought I’d put together a quick list of ideas and events for tomorrow.

1. Take a beginner / first time rider on a mountain bike trail. Yep, there’s really nothing better than introducing n00bs to mountain biking and (hopefully) a greater appreciation for trails and outdoor spaces. National Trails Day isn’t the day to shred and terrorize other trail users (nor is any other day for that matter) so take it easy and help others get comfortable on the trails.

2. Get to work. SORBA Atlanta (my local club) is hosting a trail work day at Sope Creek with a group ride to follow and I reckon many other clubs are doing the same. Oddly (or perhaps shrewdly) enough the Sope Creek event is being promoted on the American Hiking Society website rather than SORBA’s site. Could this be a way to show hikers that mountain bikers are good for the trails? I think so - let’s crash this party (in a good way).

Finally, here are a few National Trails Day events for mountain bikers I found through a quick Google search. This list isn’t even close to complete so if you know of an event in your area go ahead and post it up here in the comments. Happy Trails Day!

EPIC Mountain Bike Ride (Irvine, CA)

Trail work / Group ride @ Legend Park (Clayton, NC)

SORBA work / Group ride @ Sope Creek (Atlanta, GA)

Trail work @ Crested Butte Mountain (Crested Butte, CO)

Trail work @ Sprague Book Park (Glenwood, NY)

Grand Opening of Raisin Woods MTB Park (Dalton, GA)

Festival @ Bur Mill Park (Greensboro, NC)

Trail work @ Riverside Park (Hartford, CT)

Multiple events/rides happening in West Virginia State Parks

This weekend I rode the Sumter Metric Century, a 62 mile mountain bike race through the Sumter National Forest in South Carolina, home to some of the best singletrack the southeast has to offer. Despite mostly overcast skies and occasional rain showers throughout the day I had a blast reconnecting with some of the very first mountain bike trails I ever rode.

The “low key” race started at Lick Fork Recreation Area with a LeMans style start (no gun) and covered about 5 miles of singletrack before heading out of the park. After a little paved and gravel road riding we hit the first sag stop and jumped onto the Wine Creek and Turkey Creek trails for 12 miles of uninterupted singletrack riding. By the second sag stop we were more than halfway through and I felt great.

More paved and gravel roads led to the Stevens Creek (Modoc) trail and the final singletrack portion of the ride. About 2 miles into the trail (mile 44 or so and 4 miles from the end of the singletrack) the trail crosses a wooden bridge (one of dozens along the course) where someone placed a pile of sticks at the start of the bridge as a warning. Since the creek was about 6-8 feet below and the banks were nearly vertical I decided to carefully walk my bike across the slimy, twisted bridge rather than try to ford the stream.

About 2/3 of the way across the bridge I started to slip into the creek. As I was sliding I prepared myself to jump into the creek but at the last second I somehow regained my footing. I inched a bit further toward the end and grabbed onto a tree. With less than 3 feet to go I felt confident with a firm grip on the tree trunk when - WHAM - I was on the deck on top of my bike! I grabbed the high edge of the bridge decking, swung my legs to the bank, and slid my bike and body onto terra firma.

Somehow I avoided serious injury to myself but my bike didn’t fare quite as well. I fell on top of the bike with the derailleur side down, bending the derailleur AND several spokes on my rear wheel. The wheel was so bent it was nearly rubbing the frame with each revolution but I was able to make it 4 miles to the final sag stop.

At the sag one of the volunteers ghetto-trued my wheel by banging the rim on the asphalt and off I went for the final 16 miles to the finish with a wobbly rear wheel and just 3 usuable gears. I finished in 6 hours, 6 minutes which was a bit of a bummer (I was hoping for sub-6 hours) but in the end I was stoked to make it to the finish where there were burgers and hot dogs on the grill.

I don’t look tired, do I? I’m pretty sure I lost 10 pounds of water on the ride!

In the end we rode 24 miles of singletrack and climbed more than 3,500 feet (much more climbing than I originally estimated). It was great seeing brianW and seenvic there (ask him about his fall on 4-mile bridge) along with all the riders and volunteers who made the ride a success.

If you’ve never ridden in the Sumter National Forest I highly recommend getting out there this summer. With nearly a dozen singletrack trails within a 50 mile radius including the IMBA Epic FATS trail, you’re sure to have a blast. In fact, rumor has it that IMBA is considering Augusta, GA for the 2009 World Summit thanks to all the hard work SORBA is doing in the area. What are you waiting for?

West Fork trail in Oakridge, OR. Photo posted by AK_Dan.

Oakridge, OR bills itself as the “mountain biking capital of the Northwest” and while we haven’t ridden there yet ourselves, they have a pretty good argument so far. With more than 500 miles of singletrack in the mountains outside town I’d say that puts Oakridge in serious contention for the mountain biking capital of not just the Northwest but the entire US. I know, I know, other towns like Moab have more famous trails but where else can you find 500 miles of legal singletrack?

What makes Oakridge even more compelling to mountain bikers is the local brew scene. In my mind beer and biking go hand-in-hand and the Northwest is typically known for some great microbrews. The article I read mentions the Brewers Union Local 180 brewpub where they make their own cask-conditioned ale - tasty.

Oakridge presents a great model for other areas around the country that have been hit hard by job losses due to dying industries. Local business owners are realizing mountain bikers are willing to travel to ride great dirt and we typically spend a few bucks to do it (not to mention the bar tab!).

One Oakridge City Council member predicts the Oakridge MTB scene will really blow up in 2-5 years so plan your trip now to beat the crowds!

Japanese Gulch photo by singletracks member chris_donovan.

Last week we talked about the idea that hikers and other outdoor groups should work with mountain bikers to preserve public lands since united we stand… (you know the rest). Anyway, it seems the hiking and equestrian community still aren’t really on board with the concept and one hiker even chose to voice his opposition right here on the blog.

That’s why this next story is so refreshing: A developer is planning to build a huge warehouse next to Japanese Gulch in Everett, WA and residents aren’t too stoked on the idea so they’re asking mountain bikers to help them save the open space and trails. The residents have organized a group to preserve the gulch:

Members of the gulch group plan to reach out to the mountain biking community that rides through the gulch.

Mukilteo resident Dave Culler said he attended because he mountain bikes through the gulch. Culler said mountain biking Web sites refer to the gulch as one of the best places for biking in the area.

“The mountain biking community has tried to keep Japanese Gulch quiet so there’s no (bike) traffic,” he said. “But if they were concerned it would go away, they would help.”

Mountain bikers helping save an area from development would have been unheard of just a few years back. Today we have a voice and it’s our turn to help save the trails for everyone - hikers and bikers alike!

There’s an article over on NewWest.com about allowing mountain bikes in wilderness areas that’s stirring up some serious controversy (thanks to chukt for sending the link). The jist of the opinion piece is that rather than seeking to block mountain bikes from future wilderness areas, hikers and equestrians should work together with bikers to form a more powerful alliance to protect roadless areas. Seems pretty reasonable, right? Too bad many of the article’s commenters are pissed.

The author, Bill Schneider, points out that the Wilderness Act passed by Congress in 1964 did not contain the word “bicycle.” It was only in the 1980s that the Forest Service (not Congress) revised regulations to ban bicycles in wilderness areas. These days IMBA is a powerful lobby and Schneider argues that hikers need allies in preserving new wild and roadless areas in the US. (Note: IMBA is not currently trying to get bikes into existing wilderness areas.) If we work together instead of against one another, the argument goes, we’ll be able to protect more wilderness.

I probably spent 30 minutes yesterday reading the comments on this article and it gave me a new appreciation for what mountain bikers are up against when it comes to opening new areas for trails. While IMBA has had huge sucesses in the past few years we still have a long way to go - let’s all do our part to make sure mountain bikers have a voice!

IMBA’s April newsletter is chock-full of new trail news from across the country:

Oregon: An anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to help fund a “destination bike park” on a 35-acre plot in Portland between I-84 and I-205. The land is between two interstates and near a former jail (remember what we said about MTB trails being built on crappy land?). No matter, $1 million can go a looong way toward building sweet trails and the early plan is for free ride and skills stuff in addition to cross-country style trails. Apparently this is a large project because it is estimated to take 3-5 years to complete.

Photo from Raystown.org.

Pennsylvania: Raystown Lake just got 30 miles of brand new, purpose-built singletrack thanks to IMBA Trail Solutions and 6 other trail building firms. The grand opening for the Allegrippis Trails is set for May 9 with group rides, demo bikes, and food. Trails are rated from beginner to expert so it sounds like there’s something for everyone!

California: Paradise Royale just got a $600,000 grant to expand the mountain bike trails in the King Range National Conservation Area. Bike magazine claims that Paradise Royale “might be America’s best new trail.” With a name like Paradise Royale it better be - those are big shoes to fill

So many new trails, so little time. I gotta update my ride wishlist…

Muddy conditions on the forest roads outside Helen, GA this winter.

Spring can be a frustrating time of year for mountain bikers. The weather is finally warming up, the flowers are blooming, and the leaves are starting to come out on the trees – but in many places the trails are still wet. It’s true that April showers bring May flowers but it’s also true that wet riding in the spring can run trails for the entire summer. In Boise, for example, trail managers have decided to institute seasonal closures because of the actions of a few careless riders.

What to do? First, consider the weather when you make your weekend riding plans. In my area there isn’t any snow melt but in the spring a Wednesday rain shower can mean sloppy trails through Saturday and Sunday. Just because sunny skies are forecast on the day you plan to ride doesn’t mean the trails will be in good condition.

Even if you find your favorite trails are too wet to ride, that doesn’t mean you can’t get in the saddle. Consider alternate riding locations with better drainage or head onto forest roads or even paved routes. Training rides on the road will help you kick ass on the trail this summer plus it’s a great excuse to get out and enjoy the weather on your bike. This past weekend the trails near me were full of puddles so I rode 30 miles on forest roads instead and had a good time.

Wet trails are all the more tempting to ride when you’ve already invested time and energy getting to the trailhead. To avoid the temptation, try calling ahead to your local park management office or check singletracks to see if anyone has updated the trail status. This past Friday I was planning to ride and I loaded my bike and all my stuff into the car, ate a quick breakfast, and was almost out the door when I heard the forecast: severe thunderstorms. I opted to hang back but it was tough because I really wanted to ride that day. Wet trail riding is bad for your gear, bad for the trails, and riding in the rain is pretty miserable.

If your local trails are wet this time of year hold off on that trail ride and put in some training miles instead. Your body, your bike, and your trails will thank you this summer.

Photo courtesy Adirondack Bike Ranch

What do you do if there aren’t any good mountain bike trails in your area? You build your own of course - at least that’s what Paul Maggy decided to do. Maggy is set to open the Plattsburgh, NY Adirondack Bike Ranch to the public on April 18 with races, raffles, music and food.

The ranch is basically a mountain bike park with plans for miles of trails, multiple terrain parks, and even an indoor mountain bike track for those cold New York winter months. Adirondack Bike Ranch will also be a one stop shop for riders with on-site mountain bike rentals and a full service bike shop. Mountain bikers can purchase an annual pass for just $25 - a steal if you ask me given that most MTB parks out west charge more than that for a single day pass.

Maggy recently formed NAMBA, an IMBA affiliated bike club and is working with the local chamber of commerce and other businesses to develop the area as an outdoor recreation destination. We’re stoked to see how things go this summer - this might just be a new model for developing MTB trails…

Freeriding in BC? Nope - try central FL.

It must be frustrating to be a Florida mountain biker. The weather in Florida is great for riding pretty much year round but most of the trails are nearly pancake flat and damage from a single storm can shut down a trail system for years. Now there’s another threat to one of Florida’s most important mountain bike trails: budget cuts.

The Florida Office of Greenways and Trails (OGT) manages the land where Santos (an IMBA Epic) is located and is facing a potential 80% cut in funding. There is talk of rolling OGT into the state park system but this means the Santos freeride park and jump area may be nixed because “these types of uses are not compatible with the mission of the State Park system.” Yikes. The Ocala Mountain Bike Association has put together a sample letter Florida riders can send to their state representative and we’ve posted a copy on the forums for your convenience. Speak out and help save a FL MTB gem!

Speaking on Florida MTB trail challenges, the Blackwater State Forest MTB Trail Blog has some info on the latest storm damage and pics of a submerged road within the park. I’m not familiar with the Blackwater State Forest trails but from what I read on the blog this place has had some bad luck with forest fires and now flooding. Just goes to show you that mother nature can be a bitch sometimes - as a trailbuilder you just gotta get back in and rebuild.