Ellijaymountainbike.org

Transportation Study Begins on the Chattahoochee National Forest

TerryP — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 17:49:07 +0000

This affects what we ride in our area. This means everthing except Carters Lake and the Cartecay Tract.

The study will identify roads needed for safe and efficient travel and for the protection, management, and use of the national forest. At the same time, it is an opportunity to identify roads that are no longer needed.

To learn more and provide comments on national forest roads before April 13, 2012 by visiting Chattahoochee National Forest

Website Update

emba-admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:36:14 +0000

I just updated the site. I tried to preserve the look as much as possible, but this was a major update. The biggest change for users is that the site should now be “responsive”… automatically adjusting for handheld devices. Please let me know if there are any glitches that need … Continue reading →

Bear Creek/Pinhoti Mega Work Day – Huge Success!

TerryP — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 21:21:54 +0000

Expecting 30 volunteers and a lousy weather forecast a week before the Bear Creek/Pinhoti Mega Workday, Walt Bready and I were pleasantly surprised when 75 volunteers showed up on Saturday, March 10, 2012, and you couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. The event was generously hosted by Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Retreat on Conasauga Rd, meeting at the Mule Barn on top of the hill.

Bear Creek and Pinhoti Trails have proven to be very popular as people came from all over Georgia including Larry Thomas and Ed Lang (Forest Service) to perform the laborious work of cleaning drains, deberming the bottom of rolling grade dips (RGD’s) and lopping brush out of the trail corridors. Bill Hester from Dalton and Ed Lang used the FS mini bulldozer to work on the upper Bear Creek Trail. And, low and behold Adam Mathes the pastor of Gates Chapel Methodist Church and one of his flock joined us also. After a thorough briefing on tasks and tool safety by Walt Bready (our trail expert extraordinaire from SORBA) everyone was ready to hit the trails.

Mike Palmeri from the Cartecay River Bicycle Shop in Ellijay led the rolling work party to get to the more inaccessible switchbacks of Pinhoti 1.

Everyone worked up a healthy appetite for lunch after 3 hours of hard work on the trails. Ginny, Diane and Andrew of Mulberry Gap out did themselves on the food. They served chili (vegetarian and with meat), a fabulous Tortilla Soup, Jalapeno Cheese Bread, and all the trimmings. Members of EMBA and the Gates Chapel Methodist Church provided home made desserts. Not a crumb was left.

But, that’s not all…… Walt Braedy from SORBA gave out all kinds of great schwagg. Afterwards it was time to hit the trails. Mike Palmeri led the intermediate/advanced group and Terry Palmeri headed up the beginner group. A good number of folks stayed for the dinner and bonfire that night and rode again Sunday morning. Could this be the beginning of a Festival? And why not, all work and no play makes for a very dull day.

Photos courtesy of Colin Smith

More pics after the jump and a link to the entire gallery.

Niner Demo Day at Amadahy

TerryP — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:19:01 +0000

Title: Niner Demo Day at Amadahy
Location: Amadahy Trail, Woodring Branch, Carters Lake, GA
Description: Hi All,

Spring has Sprung! Announcing NINER DEMO DAY! Start your season by trying out the latest 29r bikes with NINER! Enjoy food and goodies and hanging out with fellow MTBrs. The trail is clear and fast, thanks to Robert McBride. Check out the new re-routes. See where the new trail is going to be built!

Where? At the Amadahy Trail, Woodring Branch, Carters Lake

When? Saturday, March 24th/2012. 10am – 4pm

Volunteers? Need few to help. Contact: terry@cartecaybikes.com

See you all there!

Terry Palmeri
EMBA – President

Start Time: 10:00
Date: 2012-03-24
End Time: 16:00

Southeast Bike Expo

TerryP — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:59:29 +0000

Title: Southeast Bike Expo
Location: Georgia International Horse Park, Conyers, GA
Link out: Click here
Description: This is the inaugural year of this event and we are hoping it will be a special one. We will grow the event over the coming years to one of the premier consumer cycling expo events in the country. Our goal is to educate you the consumer about new and upcoming products. We are going to be working with all the major cycilng vendors in the country to bring you the best selection.

Event Hours
February 25th 10:00am – 4:30pm and 6:00pm – 9:00pm (night light testing)
February 26th 10:00am – 4:00pm

We are pleased to announce that all proceeds will be donated to IMBA/ SORBA

Start Date: 2012-02-25
Start Time: 10:00
End Date: 2012-02-26
End Time: 16:00

Trail Inventory Workshop, Willis Knob, Chatooga RD

TerryP — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:49:04 +0000

Title: Trail Inventory Workshop, Willis Knob, Chatooga RD
Location: Willis Knob Trail System
Description: Trail Inventory Workshop
Learn the techniques used by the Applied Trails Research team, including GPS basics, field inventory forms, photo logs, feature inventory, maintenance needs, and how to use the information collected in a trail evaluation and assessment. This workshop will have a minor focus on equestrian trails.
When: Saturday February 25th, 2012 9:00am – 4:00pm
Where: Chattooga River Ranger District, Willis Knob Horse Camp
Trail: Willis Knob Trail System
Directions: From Clayton, go east on Warwoman Road for 11.6 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 157, camping area is about 2 miles on the left.
Latitude: 34.900373,
Longitude: -83.223668
Contact: Bill Elliott, whelliott@fs.fed.us , 706-754-6221 x 138
Come prepared for inclement weather and bring your lunch.
For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/conf or www.cotrails.org

Start Time: 9:00
Date: 2012-02-25
End Time: 16:00

Trail Inventory Workshop, Green Mountain Trail, Deep Gap Parking Lot

TerryP — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:56:08 +0000

This is part of the trail assessment that is going on in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and CoTrails

Trail Inventory Workshop

Learn the techniques used by the Applied Trails Research team, including GPS basics, field inventory forms, photo logs, feature inventory, maintenance needs, and how to use the information collected in a trail evaluation and assessment. This workshop will have a minor focus on mountain bike trails.

When: Saturday February 18^th, 2012 9:00am – 4:00pm

Where: Blue Ridge Ranger District, Upper Green Mountain

Trail: Upper Green Mountain Trailhead at Deep Gap on Aska Road

From Blue Ridge, GA, go south on Aska Road 4.4 miles to Deep Gap parking area. The parking area is located south of the gap and on the right side of the road.

Latitude: 34.816767

Longitude: -84.299576

Contact: John Campbell, jwcampbell@fs.fed.us, 770-297-3066

Come prepared for inclement weather and bring your lunch.

For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/conf or www.cotrails.org

Trails Assessment Online Survey – CoTrails/National Forest Colaboration

TerryP — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:15:35 +0000

Below is a link to a survey on which you can comment on a variety of trails on the Chattahoochee-Oconee N F, the selected trails are currently part of a trails assessment going on right now. Your input will be compiled and utilized as part of the assessment. Please participate. Many of you want to know how you can get involved the the trails you love. Here is your chance – if you abstain, don’t complain!

You have until March 2, 2012 to take the survey.

Trail Assessment Survey

Bear Creek/Pinhoti Mega Work Day

TerryP — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:13:49 +0000

Bear Creek-Pinhoti Mega Work Party

A mega trail work party and some riding in the Chattahoochee National Forest of North Georgia.

IMBA-SORBA and the Ellijay Mountain Bike Association (EMBA) are hosting a trail work party at the Bear Creek, Pinhoti 1 & 2 trails in North Georgia, near Ellijay.

The Bear Creek, Pinhoti 1 & 2 trails need YOU! Come out on March 10, 2012, from 9a – 2p to do some much needed maintenance on Bear Creek Trail, Pinhoti 1 (Pinhoti connector from Bear Creek to FS 90) and Pinhoti 2 (Pinhoti section from FS 90B parking lot to Conasauga Road). You will join fellow trail users, local residents, EMBA (EllijayMountain Bike Association, SORBA, Mulberry Gap, CoTrails, and the U.S Forest Service to make a difference on one of the most popular trails in North Georgia.

Come join us for a day, and enjoy volunteering in one of our nation’s greatest treasures, the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

8:30a – 9:00a Welcome & Sign-In: Mulberry Gap camp dining hall (coffee will be available)

9:00a – 1:00p Trail Work on Bear Creek, Pinhoti 1 & 2

1:00p – 2:00p Lunch at Mulberry Gap – Mule Barn

2:00p SORBA sponsored Free Prize Raffle for Volunteers

3:00p – 6:00p Riding on your own (maps will be available)

7:00p – 8:00p Dinner with a Bonfire at the Mulberry Gap ($12 per person, please RSVP at Mulberry Gap)

Sunday, March 11, 2012

10:00 Group Ride or ride on your own (maps will be available)

Meet at Mulberry Gap Located 9.3 miles from Ellijay Square (historic downtown Ellijay) on 52W, turn right on Conasauga Road, proceed 3 miles and Mulberry Gap is on the left. Go in second gate and park in designated areas (there will be someone there to direct). Please don’t block camp sites or park up at the Barn.

These trails need drainage repair, trees cut out, trash picked up, and brush cut back. We will be breaking up into groups and traveling to the areas needing work. See the Trail Maintenance section in the IMBA Trails Solutions book, starting page 191.

No experience required to volunteer. Please bring a hard hat or helmet (bike or riding), gloves, water, and a snack. Dress for working outdoors safely under the prevailing weather conditions. Stinging insects are active at this time of year, so if you have a severe allergic reaction to stings please bring your Epi-Pen or other device.

Eat a good breakfast on Saturday before you get to the work party. SORBA-EMBA and Mulberry Gap will provide lunch, if you register here in advance. Only those who register are guaranteed a lunch. Online registration closes on Wednesday, March 7 at 11:59 PM.

Camping is available at Mulberry Gap at a discount (please contact www.mulberrygap.com or 706.698.2865 for reservations, mention Mega Work Day) or at Bear Creek Campground http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=10473&actid=34.

Rain Date: March 17, 2012

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When

March 10th, 2012 8:30 AM through March 11th, 2012 10:00 AM

Contact

Email: walt@sorba.org

Kick-Off for Co Trails

TerryP — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:08:10 +0000

I am very excited to announce the result of all those meetings I have been going to in Gainesville, GA. the past year. After much deliberation and debate, we, the trail user groups are working together! And, get this, we are working with the U.S. Forest Service! Who would of thought that John and Jane Q public could work with a government agency? Well it’s happening. And in case you don’t believe me, you all are invited to the Co Trails kick-off meeting. Read further for info:

Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest and CoTrails Volunteers
work together to launch strategic effort to connect volunteers
with sustainable trail needs

The Chattahoochee-‐Oconee National Forests and the CoTrails volunteer group announce a weekend of meetings and workshops January 20-‐22, aimed at identifying problem areas and solutions in the national forest trail system, helping determine maintenance needs, and providing volunteer training.
The public is invited to these gatherings, all to be held at Unicoi State Park and Lodge near Helen, GA and offered at no cost.

Trails don’t take care of themselves—CoTrails volunteers do! Please join us!

COTRAILS STRATEGIC PLAN LAUNCH AND GENERAL MEETING: Friday, January 20, Unicoi State Park Lodge, Masters Hall, 6:00-‐8:00pm, with social hour including complimentary food and refreshments to follow (this replaces the January CoTrails general meeting previously scheduled for January 24). This meeting is open to anyone interested in supporting and becoming active in CoTrails’ mission to “provide diverse, quality trail experiences that are maintainable and ecologically sustainable” on the Chattahoochee-‐Oconee Nationa Forests. George Bain, Forest Supervisor, will be speaking.

This meeting will be followed by a weekend of Trails 101 training for interested volunteers. The meeting is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to John Campbell: jwcampbell@fs.fed.us.

For the CoTrails Strategic Plan, visit www.CoTrails.org.

TRAILS ASSESSMENT KICK-‐OFF AND TRAILS 101 COURSE: Saturday and Sunday, January 21-‐22, at Unicoi State Park Lodge near Helen, GA beginning at 9:00am each day. The Saturday morning kick-‐off will include presentations from Chattahoochee-‐Oconee National Forest, CoTrails volunteer group, and Applied Trails Research, with the goal of providing an introduction to a trails assessment process that will be occurring on the national forest. The classroom portion of the Trails 101 course will follow and last until 4:00pm. Sunday will be the Trails 101 field session on Smith Creek Trail ending at 3:00pm. The meeting and course are free and open to anyone interested. Please RSVP to John Campbell: jwcampbell@fs.fed.us.

DIRECTIONS AND LODGING: Unicoi Lodge is offering attendees a special rate of $69 for lodge rooms that weekend. When making reservations, refer to “CoTrails” or event #E05170. Lodge Reservations and Directions: (800) 573-‐9659, http://gastateparks.org/info/unicoi/. RV and other campsites are also available.