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Book
Off the Beaten Track
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Submitted by
chris dusack
a Cross Country Rider
from atlanta, ga, usa
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Bull Mtn, Bear Creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$13.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bike shop | | Strengths: | Consistent, easy to read maps. Newer books have mile markers listed on map. Simple but effective 2 page per trail layout. | | Weaknesses: | Maps not to scale. Some loops would be better ridden as out and back. Bull Mountain should not be listed as advanced. Maps do not indicate trail tread [singled track, forest road, etc.] Area map not to scale. Elevation profiles lack detail. | | Similar Products Used: | Falcon Guide series | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Spec Enduro Pro and 1998 Stumpjumper | | Bottom Line: | Buy the book. Buy one for your friend, then buy the rest of the series: NC, TN, etc. That fact that the maps are not to scale actually make them easier to read. I do wish that the maps showed where the singletrack or 2x track is located, although Parham does say how much of each terrain the trail has. The elevation profiles give a very rough shwoign of the terrain, but you can still see how much climbing is invloved. I really like the setup. Each trail has only 2 pages, so making a quick photo copy to take with you on the trail is pretty easy to do. Make sure you buy the latest addition. The LBS might try to sell you an older version. If you buy the GA book, make sure you get the one with 50 or so rides. Parham seems reluctant to include out and backs, so some of the rides have a good amount of non singletrack and in some cases pavement, at least I can test out my lock-out suspsension. Very few mistakes in these books. Trailhead directions are simple and accurate. 5 for value. You can't go wrong with the price of this book. 4 for overall due to my gripes with the undetailed tread and elevation profiles. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Deadly Tedly
a cross-country rider
from Atlanta, Ga. USA
Date Reviewed: October 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This series of books by Jim Parham has got to be the definitive trail guide for mountain bikers in the Southeast. There are several editions for different regions including North Georgia and two separate books for Western North Carolina. Each book contains 25 or so trails rated from Easiest to More Difficult to Most Difficult. Each trail has a short description and a detailed map, as well as driving directions from the nearest town, highway, or bike shop, and highlights such as spectacular views, stream crossings and whoop-de-doos. Local rules and regulations for off-road riding are included as well It also breaks down each ride into mileage segments telling you exactly how much singletrack, doubletrack, gravel road, etc are featured. Each description is not necessarily the best way to ride each trail, especially as trails change and new ones are built, but this is an excellent guide that will get you pointed in the right direction if you're looking for the best riding in the Southeast. The books are updated every two or three years. | | Overall Rating: |
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