FATS ride on the 9th

[jsavage1]

hey just wandering how the ride went...how were the trails...any good stories. I was bummed out cause i dont think i can go on the 16th either but i'm keeping my fingers crossed!!

[Weinkle]

The ride yesterday was awsome. I had heard all the stories about how great FATS is. Every one of them is true. Those trails are the definition of flow. It really is like a roller coaster or a giant pump track. Seven of us ended up going. Weather was clear and cold, but tolerable. about 35 degrees when we started and got up to 41. I ended up getting about 26 miles in. I can't remember all of the loops we rode. I know we did Deep Step, the Tower loop (Not on the FATS map on their website, but we got to it from Deep Step. Had to ride down Deep Step Rd and up a gravel rd to get there. You can drive if you want. There is a parking lot at the trail head) and the Great Wall. A few of the others rode Brown Wave, which is supposed to be one of the most fun, but my legs were gone. The Skinny is closed, except for the section that connects to Brown Wave. You have so much fun, you don't realize how much you are pushing yourself. Yes, with all the amazing downhill sections, you still have to climb back up. There were two downhills that stood out to me. The first one was on, I believe, the back side of the Tower trail riding clockwise. Fast, weaving back and forth, and tons of airtime. The second was at the very beginning of the Great Wall riding counter clockwise. as soon as you fork off the connector trail you dive into an insanely fast downhill that flows like nothing I've ever seen.
Every mountain biker needs to visit this place at least once. The weather forcast is still changing. Now its showing clear skies Thurs and Friday, but showers on Saturday. If they keep pushing it back, next weekend may be a perfect time to go. If not, we will definitely be planning more rides there when it starts getting warmer.

[VTHokie]

Really hated to miss the ride yesterday. Glad you guys had a great time. How about we plan a ride next Saturday (1/16) and see how many people we can get to go...if it rains we can always cancel on Friday.

I'm in...thats one.

[Van-Go]

I'm still in for the 16th.

Rode Brown Wave, Skinny, and a little of Great Wall before my legs gave out last time. I mentioned before that while I know it is impossible - I felt as if the whole trail was downhill. Favorite place to ride without a doubt and a place where 20 miles feels like 10 miles at BC.

[ncmtb]

Sounds like it was a great ride - wish I would have known about it.
How do you get on the invite list?

[Van-Go]

Sounds like it was a great ride - wished I would have known about it.
How do you get on the invite list?

I think this is the CF SORBA group ride? PM Weinkle above I'd think.

[Weinkle]

I sent out e-mails to the members that were at the CFSORBA meeting, but those are the only e-mail addresses I have, and I always post the same message on here. The CFSORBA website will be up and running soon and all rides will be posted on there. We should be getting the official roster soon, so I will have everyones info. There are a couple folks who couldn't make it Sat. that are going to try to go down this coming Sat, the 16th if the weather holds out. Post here and we'll get everyone in touch with one another.

[Jamie C]

I'm still game for the 16th as well. I'd love the chance to hit up FATS.

[VTHokie]

70% chance of rain at FATS on Saturday...FAT chance of riding there...they will close it down for sure...if they don't and we go and they close it on our way there...or we start riding and get caught in the rain...the day is shot...someone doesn't want me to ride there.

I have an alternative idea...I have been wanting to ride Crabtree in Raleigh...forecast says 58 degrees and only a 20% chance of rain...what do you think?

[mysteryrider]

No FATS for me..weather is NOT looking good..


I did have the same idea of either riding Harris Lake, or Little River on saturday?? or I may just shoot over to Harris Lake in the morning, then go ride Goveners Creek in Sanford in the afternoon??

[Van-Go]

Barry, if you're a bad omen for riding at FATS, I am the same for any trail in Raleigh. I've been up there twice in the past year to ride Beaver and Crabtree (there's two words I never thought I'd use together in a sentence) and they have been closed. Fortunately I was up there to see friends and not exclusively to ride so maybe the omen would be broken on a dedicated trip.

Right now Beaver is open ( ) and Crabtree is closed.

http://www.trianglemtb.com/index.php

Wather for Raleigh/Saturday is very nice:

58 with 20% chance of precip.


I'm down for a trip to Raleigh.

[ncmtb]

That's wierd about Crabtree - it's been open all week...

I'd be up for a Raleigh trip

[VTHokie]

Beaver Dam, Crabtree, Harris Lake, Litter River, or any other location 2 hours away works for me...it looks like the further north/west we go the better. Saturday is now 58 and only a 10% chance of percip. for Raleigh/Durham.

I would like to leave fairly early so I can get back by 5:00 pm...if that means I have to drive separate I'll do that. By fairly early I mean leave at 8:00 am, arrive around 10:00 am...ride 4 1/2 hours, pack up and get back to ILM by 5:00 pm.

Who's in? So far, I count Van-Go, mcmtb, mysteryrider, and myself.

[ncmtb]

Yea, I'm in and possibly 2-3 others. My first choice would be Crabtree, but if it's still closed-any suggestions?
I have only ridden there and Legend Park in Clayton.

[Jamie C]

I'd definately be up for a trip to raliegh. I haven't been on my bike since before Christmas and I'm dying to get back on. I've never riden those trails, so I'd definatley like to get them under my belt.

Jamie C

[VTHokie]

I haven't ridden any of the trails but I feel like we can find one of them open tomorrow. Does anyone have a problem with meeting at 8:00 am? Where? How about the Wal-Mart parking lot - in the corner closest to O'Charley's? Anybody have a better idea for a meeting location? If you are coming to the SORBA meeting tonight we can talk then.

[Van-Go]

Re: Raleigh


I'm definitely in.

Meeting Place: Wal-Mart closest to I-40 (the WM at Monkey Junction has an O'Charley's too)

Time: 8 a.m. is fine by me. My Colts play Sat. night - gotta be home for that!

Arrangements: My family may drive with me so I can drop them off at a friends home about 8 miles from Beaver. I probably will not have room for another rider to accompany us.

Destination:I'd like to ride Beaverdam but am up for anything. As I type this, Crabtree is still closed. http://www.trianglemtb.com/images/beaverdamColor.jpg

Driving Directions: My friends live off Leesville Rd. so I'll go past the airport and Crabtree on I-40 and circle around on 540 to Creedmore and up. http://www.trianglemtb.com/index.php

My Contact Cell #: If we get separated my cell number is 910-409-5493

[ncmtb]

Crabtree opened up around 11:00 today - that would be my first chioce.

[Van-Go]

Noticed that.

We could do both. Crabtree as a warmup - some lunch - then Beaver Dam


Crabtree: 8 miles (apprx.) beginner

Beaver: 15 miles (apprx.) more advanced


Guess we can decide at Wal-Mart in the morning....

[mysteryrider]

Well I'm going..just headed in a different direction over to Harris, then trying to shoot down to Govenors Creek to ride some single track in the afternoon..You'all have fun, might see ya on the road!!