REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

Mtb'ing in Athens GA?

1573 Views 25 Replies 8 Participants Last post by smittie61984, Jun 30, 2009

Mikey_Dawg

Discussion Starter · Jun 18, 2009

Just moved to Athens for the summer while my wife is in Grad school at UGA and would like to know what trails are around here. I am aware of Heritage and Hawkes Creek but wanted to know if there was any other decent places to ride. I have ridden at the intermural field trails back in college but don't really remember them being anything exciting. I have also read that there are some unoffical places to ride that are closer in the city but I wouldn't have a clue where to start.

If you got any useful info for me let me know. I am also looking to meet up with any riders in the area if you are interested. I went over to Heritage today and had a good time but realized it would probably be best to find some other riders to head out there with. Thanks !

Edit: Just found this place (441 Trails).... http://mtobikes.com/441-mountain-bike-trail-athens-ga/

So there's one more place...

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

chris1911

· #2 · Jun 18, 2009

http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=10&city_get=Athens

I actually like the UGA trails. Been there twice. If it's been a while since you were there, it may be a bit different now.

I just got into this mountain biking thing about a month ago and interested in meeting up with other riders as well. Only been out by myself so far. PM me next time you ride on a weekend.

KPduty

· #3 · Jun 18, 2009

Not quite in Athens, but take Hwy 316 west to Ft Yargo State Park in Winder. Nice 10 mile loop. Further in torward Atlanta is Conyers Horse Park where they held the 96 olympic mountainbike competition. Yargo is about 25 minutes from Athens and Conyers is less than an hour.

Chello

· #4 · Jun 18, 2009

I may get dismembered for posting this here, but there is a mtn bike trail that circumnavigates Athens by following Loop 10. The majority of it is cut threw private property, and is very hard to find without a guide, but it is very good rough cut single track that is about 30-40 miles in length. It's known as the "Dirt 10". Try asking a local bike shop for a guided tour sometime.

Mikey_Dawg

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 18, 2009

KPduty said:
Not quite in Athens, but take Hwy 316 west to Ft Yargo State Park in Winder. Nice 10 mile loop. Further in torward Atlanta is Conyers Horse Park where they held the 96 olympic mountainbike competition. Yargo is about 25 minutes from Athens and Conyers is less than an hour.

Yea- I have ridden at the Horse park and Ft.Yargo. I am just looking for some places closer to or in Athens that I can ride that isnt too far of a drive. Sounds like the 441 Trails might be worth at least check out...

Mikey_Dawg

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 18, 2009

chris1911 said:
http://www.singletracks.com/php/database.php?terms=name&state_id=10&city_get=Athens

I actually like the UGA trails. Been there twice. If it's been a while since you were there, it may be a bit different now.

I just got into this mountain biking thing about a month ago and interested in meeting up with other riders as well. Only been out by myself so far. PM me next time you ride on a weekend.

Great link... should have been able to find that myself.

I probably should check out the intermural trails since it has been at least 7 or 8 years so I have ridden over there. I will PM next time I head out... weekends only? Might not make it out this weekend with father's day and some other things going on Saturday. I usualy try to ride at least one day during the week if interested. Later.

Mikey_Dawg

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 18, 2009

Chello said:
I may get dismembered for posting this here, but there is a mtn bike trail that circumnavigates Athens by following Loop 10. The majority of it is cut threw private property, and is very hard to find without a guide, but it is very good rough cut single track that is about 30-40 miles in length. It's known as the "Dirt 10". Try asking a local bike shop for a guided tour sometime.

Sounds pretty cool... wonder if any MTBR members know this trail? I have been meaning to get over to the LBS to see if they have group rides or anything... I can see what they will tell me about this. Thanks.

d365

· #8 · Jun 18, 2009

I'd be glad to show you the goods at Heritage. I live out in Oconee, and ride there all the time.

You can connect 441, Chase street, YMCA, whats left of Mitchel Bridge trails, and the Dirt 10 (better be super stealth on the 10). A guide is almost a must for these trails too.

Most of the shops have group rides too.

Mikey_Dawg

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 18, 2009

d365 said:
I'd be glad to show you the goods at Heritage. I live out in Oconee, and ride there all the time.

You can connect 441, Chase street, YMCA, whats left of Mitchel Bridge trails, and the Dirt 10 (better be super stealth on the 10). A guide is almost a must for these trails too.

Most of the shops have group rides too.

That would be awesome man... I'll PM you my contact info. I might be available to ride tonight if interested... if not tonight then maybe on Saturday (although I might head to Chicopee) or next week sometime.

I got a little spoiled living in Gwinnett with Tribble Mill 5 miles away, Harbin Alcovy 5 miles away, and Ft. Yargo 10 miles away... Sounds like I got plenty of great options around Athens though... sound like a tour guide is a must for a lot the of riding though :thumbsup:

Mikey_Dawg

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 19, 2009

So I went and rode at the UGA Intramural trails yesterday and they were just OK. It was enough trail riding to get a workout in but most of it was just flat trails. I found a little bit of single track but not enough to keep my interest for too long. However - this is where I started riding years ago so it was good to get back out there to see the trails again and get back to my roots (no pun intended).

Chris1911 - if you enjoy riding out there, you will really enjoy some of the larger trails in the area...will let you know next time I plan to ride.

d365

· #11 · Jun 19, 2009

decided to skip Heritage, eh.

Mikey_Dawg

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 19, 2009

d365 said:
decided to skip Heritage, eh.

Yea - I started in the direction of Heritage and then it started to rain a little so I decided I didn't want to get stuck out there if it started raining...especially since I dont know the trails there very well yet. I don't Heritage is a place that I want to try and ride while it is wet or raining (..and definitely not with the tires I am currently running).

d365

· #13 · Jun 19, 2009

yeah, you probably made a good call. I don't know if it rained out there, but if it did, it gets pretty darn slick and goopy in spots.

smittie61984

· #14 · Jun 22, 2009

I like heritage a lot. Mainly becuase you can go there on the most perfect Saturday and not see a single person out there. Especially on the advanced trails.

Don't know of any others than the ones mentioned which sucks becuase I love the east Athens area a lot. I often go kayaking down the Broad River and think how awesome it would be to have some trails around there.

chris1911

· #15 · Jun 23, 2009

Mikey_Dawg said:
So I went and rode at the UGA Intramural trails yesterday and they were just OK. It was enough trail riding to get a workout in but most of it was just flat trails. I found a little bit of single track but not enough to keep my interest for too long. However - this is where I started riding years ago so it was good to get back out there to see the trails again and get back to my roots (no pun intended).

Chris1911 - if you enjoy riding out there, you will really enjoy some of the larger trails in the area...will let you know next time I plan to ride.

Did you find the windy downhill with the jump? I found trails the second time that i didn't see the first time.

I have been to Heritage twice now and like it a lot. Definitely works me out aerobically.

smittie61984

· #16 · Jun 23, 2009

I just remembered that the first few times I went to Heritage I did it backwards. I never figured it out until I was coming out one day and some guy says to me "So you decided to go backwards today". Unfortunately the day I did it correctly I drank some bad water that hit me around the Apalachee river. I can't comment on which one is easier but so you know a clockwise direction is suppose to be the correct direction.

Here are some pics of heritage if interested.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atlantasmittie84/sets/72157613827597407/

Mikey_Dawg

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 23, 2009

smittie61984 said:
I just remembered that the first few times I went to Heritage I did it backwards. I never figured it out until I was coming out one day and some guy says to me "So you decided to go backwards today". Unfortunately the day I did it correctly I drank some bad water that hit me around the Apalachee river. I can't comment on which one is easier but so you know a clockwise direction is suppose to be the correct direction.

Here are some pics of heritage if interested.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/atlantasmittie84/sets/72157613827597407/

Looks a good bit different without all the leaves... I definitely went counter clockwise my only time over there, but it didnt matter cause like you said - there was no one else there.

d365

· #18 · Jun 23, 2009

Mikey_Dawg said:
Looks a good bit different without all the leaves... I definitely went counter clockwise my only time over there, but it didnt matter cause like you said - there was no one else there.

Hehe - you went backwards. definitely harder backwards. going tomorrow?

Mikey_Dawg

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jun 23, 2009

d365 said:
Hehe - you went backwards. definitely harder backwards. going tomorrow?

Yea - I told you some sections were kicking my tail... I didnt realize there was a certain direction...

Yea - still planning on heading over there Wednesday... weather didnt seem to cooperate yesterday. You in?

d365

· #20 · Jun 23, 2009

yep. 6:00?

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