I'm curious which everyone thinks would be better for a couple solid, intermediate level mountain bikers to spend two days riding. I've heard Coldwater is pretty rocky. Also, for the evening in between riding days, seems like Augusta/Chattanooga might be more interesting (sports bar/live music) than Anniston.
We live NW of Atlanta so it's about a 2 hour drive to Coldwater or FATS and less than that to Raccoon.
I can't speak for all of those places but I'm a young guy who spent 6 weeks on the road as I moved from New England to Charlotte exploring the SE.
I absolutely loved Chattanooga and Raccoon. Raccoon was definitely one of my favorite rides of the trip. There is more around Chattanooga too (google Chattanooga SORBA). Chattanooga was a great city with a great crowd, I'm itching to get back.
I skipped Coldwater because to me personally there is enough IMBA love children, I love finding hole in the walls where the locals keep to themselves mostly.
Monte Sano in Huntsville really wowed me and I wish I had more time. Huntsville also had some good beer. I enjoyed Oak Mountain outside Birmingham, but Birmingham turned me off a bit.
My 2 cents. Also, Mulberry Gap is a great weekend.
Raccoon Mountain is closed until late November as the TVA is doing dam work, so that one's out. I love Coldwater, go there around 1/month. Yes, many of the trails are rocky but honestly I find silky smooth trails boring. The 4+ mile descent (Talladega, Trillium, Hare) is pretty smooth though, and the jump trail (Mike's loop) is still pretty smooth. I had a race out there last Sunday and felt the trails were in very good condition due to the festival they had out there 2 weeks ago.
Coldwater is imo the funnest trail in the SE, There is rock, but its mostly concentrated at the top of the mountain and is all very rideable by intermediates. The decent rp spoke of plus bombdog on the other side of the mountain are soooooooo much fun.
Well, I'm bummed that Raccoon Mtn is closed - have to try that another time. Still no comments on the FATS trails - hmmm. Coldwater sounds like most really like it so we'll probably head there, weather permitting.
Never been to FATS, but would echo the above mentioned Oak Mountain as a nearby option. At only ~1 hour away, it's almost silly not to check it out. Oak is one of the most stylistically diverse trail systems you'll find anywhere. From beginner singletrack, to rocky tech, to expert boulder lines, a downhill (mostly) flow/jump trail, all available off of one big loop. They also have a pump track, bmx track, bike wash, lakeside trailhead... I could go on. You'll find something you like there and it's worth a visit.
Coldwater is great, and I just did it all on a hardtail, including the blue gravity shuttle trail(that one's not so great for a HT). It may be fairly standard modern machine construction, but the rocks and boulders that are there give it a flavor all it's own.
If you decide to come to Oak Mountain, hit me up and I can give you suggested ride routes or maybe meet up with y'all for a ride if you'd like. I can also give you a good 2 day ride schedule for Coldwater.
I live in up in Kentucky and our local club is thinking about going down to Coldwater Mountain sometime this winter. How are the trails say around January February? Thanks
They should be fine. They're designed to drain very well, and they do so. Fine to ride if it's been raining a bit before, as long as it's not raining while you're riding. Temps then are typically in the low 40s in mid afternoon.
I've been to all these trails (including Oak Mtn mentioned above). Having been to FATS 5-6 times I can't recommend it enough. Coldwater is my next favorite on the list but it is a bit more intense than FATS. With six easy to follow loops, FATS is a great intermediate trail and really should not be missed...especially with your proximity.
I agree ^. Been there several times. It's a lot of fun but not too technical. Though, it should be noted that during the winter (or rainy days in general), it is paramount to check the trail status and weather forecast before heading to FATS. There used to be restrictions during hunting season too, but not sure if that's still the case. Check their Sorba or FB page first.
Personally.... i only like the East side of Coldwater. Way to many rocks on my hardtail. The decent into Anniston is amazing.
I went to FATS about 5 weeks ago... fantastic trail that has great flow. One downside is they have a ton of down'd trees after the storm. I bet i crossed about 40 of them on one 14 mile loop. Could be cleaned up by now.... i would check with locals before driving over there.
FATs is my favorite trail around here. It is like a giant pump track. Very smooth and lots of opportunities for that roller coaster feeling.
I had never heard of Coldwater but I will be checking that out. Thanks!
My second favorite is Pinhoti 2 in Ellijay. It is like if you took Fats and tilted it so that it was tilted more downhill. P2 is short but can be combined with Bear Creak and Pinhoti 1, and 3. I think there might even be a 4 and 5 but I have never done those trails. Ellijay has a cool place to stay called Mulberry Gap (P2 ends like a half mile from it). You can camp or rent a cabin. They will cook for you and they sell beer.
Stanley Gap is right down the road in Cherry Log but it is steep and rockier.
Tanasi is also not that far away so you could do P2 one day and Tanasi the next.
Oops just noticed you lived NW of Atlanta so you probably already know all this. Sorry!
FATS is great, and the faster, the better.
For me, it's an 8-hr drive (from FL) and I hit it 3x this summer, with 1 of those times on the way up to Kerr Scott.
As others mentioned, check their site for trail status SORBA-CSRA: Home
Camping on the lake at the Petersburg Campground was recommended to me some time ago and I have been going there since. There is also decent XC directly from that campground.
Coldwater is big fun. I raced there last weekend on a SS hardtail with 100mm travel fork with absolutely no problem at all. I think the only really rocky section I hit was on Talladega and that was only a short portion of it, plenty of other great stuff to ride there.
As previously noted Raccoon is currently closed. It is more "rugged" than Coldwater. especially if you get down onto high Voltage and live Wire 2.
I live in Chattanooga and consider Raccoon to be my home trail and I absolutely love Coldwater as well. With Coldwater you can add in Oak Moutain for an additional day. Raccon is definetly more technical. Chattanooga has a bigger city downtown feel for sure. A weekend in Chattanooga won't even touch all the riding here. If you're looking for more cross country trails, I'd suggest Five-Points that's close to Chattanooga. Not as technical, but still nice with lots of miles and that open space feeling. Finding a group to ride with at either place would be easy and suggested.
if you find yourself in Chattanooga hit Enterprise South Nature Preserve V.W. trail or Flow City is my name for it. ask a local for the best way to ride it. Coldwater is Great as is Oak Mtn. Raccoon is one of my Favorites
FATS local here. Good 36 miles of flowy singletrack. Besides FATS there is Bartram and about another 100 miles of single track in the area. Keep an eye on the sorbacsra page for closures. Forest Service will close the trails after heavy rains.
Trails are looking good at Coldwater, and have been for awhile. Rode there last week and again yesterday. I drive by the Coldwater exit going to and from my girlfriend's, so have been bringing the bike and stopping by for couple of hours when I have time to kill(Lower Mama and Papa Bear/Cassidy/Rock Slot/Bomb Dog back to Baby Bear is all I ever do) Haven't done the side toward town, but Bomb Dog is a blast, and even that ~12 mile loop is worth the trip if you're close by.
For some reason, timing with other rides, no sleep or whatever, Coldwater always beats me up, but is also always a lot of fun.
If you're going to be around B'ham, Google up some videos of Oak Mountain State Park's Lightning, Jekyll and Hyde, Johnson Mtn, and the two that I haven't done there, Boulder Ridge and Thunder. I ride there at least once a week, and love it. I enjoy all of the trails there, but those are the "big ones" with the most speed and terrain features that people do reviews and videos of.
Owen, I live in Birmingham and ride Oak Mountain quite a bit. If you ever want to check out Boulder Ridge and Thunder, or just go for a downhill oriented ride, I'd be happy to go with you
Thanks! Maybe after the Christmas season is over.
I work night shift, with off days during the week, so scheduling stuff with other people can be awkward, but I'm game
Love to, but right now it appears your days are all going to be wet, too!
I've got too much going on right now, so can't make any definite plans through the holidays. Looks like this rain is gonna kill the whole week, anyway.
Have a Merry, muddy, 75 degree Christmas!
Anniston has more than you would think. Cheaha Brewing is a pretty cool brew pub in the old RR station. Peerless Saloon (not the chain) is probably even better. IMBA has worked out great rates at the Hampton, HI Express and the very cool Parker House B&B. Just mention the Coldwater Cycling rate. Chattanooga has much more but Anniston has enough.....Oscar
Kevin, if you decide to head that way, I highly recommend stopping in Wig's Wheels, the LBS in downtown Anniston. Wig is a super awesome guy and if you tell him how many miles you want to do and the type of riding you prefer, he'll whip out a map, draw you a good route, and give you detailed instructions on where to go.
I had planned on making a stop at Wig's for sure. I've heard great things about him and the shop. Now to just wait for the perfect weekend to make it over there.
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