Rope Mill is still in progress but not enough trail has been cut to call a work party yet. We are wanting to get these final pieces completed at Blankets so major work parties can be focused on Rope Mill after this one.

Bring water, gloves and wear sturdy boots. Lunch will be provided afterwards .

Meet at the Blankets Creek kiosk at 9am. We will break for free lunch at 12:30pm.

Directions are located on the link under the Event tab section.

Data reached by dividing raw count by 2

From SORBA Chattanooga

This photo demonstrates how even foot traffic during the freeze-thaw cycle can impact the trail long after it drys out.Between abundant precipitation and very cold temperatures, off road enthusiasts have been largely kept off their bikes for weeks.  After a long cold and wet month many mountain bikers are just itching to ride.  The arrival of warmer weather means that many want to head out on to the trails right away.

Most mountain bikers understand riding a trail when wet and muddy can cause rutting, puddling and other forms of trail degradation.  However, many of these same users don’t understand that trails are at even greater risk during the freeze-thaw process.

This trail has suffered degradation from foot traffic during the free-thaw process.What is the freeze-thaw process?

During wet winter months, when the trial becomes saturated and temperatures drop, ice forms in soil voids.   Through the night temperatures drop and the freezing process pushes soil grains apart reducing particle cohesion and soil strength and making the soil more erodible.  During the day temperatures increase and the trail surface thaws.

Even though the surface has thawed, the ground is still frozen just below the surface. To make matters worse, the frozen ground prevents precipitation from sinking in any further. This means the thawed layer at the surface is absolutely saturated with water so it is very intolerant of any disturbance. Come riding along and you’ll cut through the thawed layer right down to the frozen ground. The thawed layer will end up with ruts from the tire tracks, which will persist even when the soil dries out.

Thank you to everyone that came out!

That's strange, I know I closed it after the snow ride, but sure enough it was my voice saying it was open....strange.

We found out via a message left on the system from our hotline provider that they moved us to a new computer system and for us to double check our greeting message for accuracy. It wasn't. They posted our "open" message by mistake.  Dang... Sorry for any inconvenience and confusion this caused.

So the burning questions is still - "When do they open?".

The answer: When they thaw out and then dry out. We still have snow/frozen trail in sections. Yes it will be in the 60s and sunny this weekend and hopefully this will rid the mud.

Thanks for your patience.

Jay Wilkes

Pres- SORBA Woodstock

Come be part of history on this monumental inaugural work party at the second trail system SORBA Woodstock is building out for MTB use.

Meet at the pavillion at Ole Rope Mill Park in Woodstock on the shores of Little River @ I-575.

Directions to Ole Rope Mill Park from I-575 going North: 

Take Exit 8 (Towne Lake Parkway Exit)

Turn right off Interstate onto Towne Lake Parkway

At first light make a left onto Woodstock Parkway

At next light – make a left onto Ridgewalk Parkway

Make first right (just before bridge) onto Old Rope Mill Road

This road dead ends into the park. 

See you there!

Jay Wilkes

Pres - SORBA Woodstock