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South Georgia: Macon East Macon Park Terrain: Some elevation change. Sandy trails will give you a workout.
Skill To Get There: Take I-75 to Macon, Georgia. Take I-16 (I-16 ends on I-75) to US23 (Okmulgee East Blvd) and head North (turn left). Just past Herbert Smart Airport Road, you'll find East Macon Park on the East (right) side of the road. Park by the children's play area. East Macon Park has been in decline over the past few years. It's still a viable place to ride, but other locations have opened and expanded nearby. What's nice about East Macon Park is that it is a city park and so it caters to families, not just mountain bikers. From the parking lot head towards the BMX track and ride a lap to warm up! Head off into the woods by the BMX track. The trails criss cross each other in many places and you can take any turns you like. My advice is to "flow" with the trail at intersections and you'll usually wind up on a good route. If you can ride with a local do so by all means, they usually know a good route. You can get lost because of many intersecting trails, but it's pretty easy to find your way out. The park is surrounded by roads on all sides. Sand is a characteristic of this trail: sometimes nonexistent, sometimes just a pinch, and other times a few dollops of deep sand pits. These trails are good to ride after it has rained because sand affords good drainage and wet sand is firm. On dry days, the trails will give you a workout because the sand acts like extra drag and slows you down. There's nothing really technical here, just a fun cruising-type trail.
Georgia Children's Home Terrain: Hardpack with some roots and short, steep climbs and descents. Intermediate skill level. Donations accepted. Skill To Get There: Take I-75 to Macon, Georgia. Exit on Forsyth Street or Georgia Avenue and if coming from the south, turn left. From the north, turn right. These two roads will merge into Vineville Avenue (US 41). After a few miles, turn left on Tucker Road just as you reach Wesleyan College and continue for about one mile. Turn left on Ayers Road where Tucker makes a major right turn. One quarter mile on Ayers and turn into the trailhead at the lake, just before Mumford Road and the Georgia Children's Home. Park by information kiosk. It is worth a trip to experience these trails, though a single lap is fairly short. It is a pretty trail, and the terrain changes from one area to the next. I suggest starting on the right side of the lake and when choices are offered, take the right fork. An "outside" loop can take up to an hour. When you finish the loop go back and take some of the side trails you missed. Not recommended right after a rain because trails become quite difficult with typical, sticky mud from Georgia. These trails are fast, flow really well, and are a lot of fun. It's a great place to try to test your limits.
Arrowhead Park Terrain: Hilly with lots of curvy trails. Skill To Get There: Go 3 miles west of I-475 on US-80. Look for the sign at Tidwell Road. Follow Tidwell to the junction with Columbus Road; look for the park entrance on your left. Small entry fee. Arrowhead park borders Lake Tobosofkee and this trail continuously changes elevation. From the parking lot head south and up! There is a nearly 700 feet of climbing, which doesn't seem like much until you spend the first 15 minutes doing nothing but climbing in the granny gear.
LH Thomson Trails Terrain: About four miles of moderate hardpack dirt, with about 30 feet of elevation change. One or two thorny briar patches to avoid. Trails are well designed, maximizing use of the limited space. No facilities to bring everything you need. Skill To Get There: Take I-75 to Byron, Georgia at exit 149 and head east on highway 49 for about 2.5 miles. You'll reach a stop sign, but continue straight approximately 1.5 miles. Turn right on Avendale Mill Road and cross the railroad tracks. Turn left on NE Industrial Boulevard. LH Thomson will be on your right, with two parking lots. Park at the front and go inside to ask for a map if you desire. Ride around to the side parking lot and through the fence. Proceed next the the field's perimeter and you will find singletrack heading into the woods. LH Thomson is the manufacturer of high quality bicycle seatposts and stems. LH Thomson will give you a tour of the plant if you ask, which is pretty cool. CNC machines make parts all day, and testing equipment abuse their products as well as those of competitors. Nasty industrial lubricants are recycled along with aluminum waste. While visiting, obtain a map of the Thomson trails. The Thomson trails are not a destination in itself. Rather, I would ride East Macon, Thomson, and then Children's Home to get in a good day's worth of riding (or at least two of the three). Trails are poorly marked, but the course is so short you really can't get lost. Trails are well designed, given the space limitations. Advanced beginners could manage these trails, as well as the slightly hilly terrain. There are a few prickly vines to watch out for too. |
