Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association - SABA

Trail Crew Leader Training Course October 29 – 30, 2022

The Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association (SABA) is sponsoring a Trail Crew Leader training course as part of our efforts in maintaining the Jackrabbit, Piney K**b, and Hanging Dog trail systems.

Trail Crew Leader training is a two‐day course that teaches best practices for sustainable trail design, construction, maintenance, and how to run volunteer crews on workdays. The focus is long-term sustainability that can reduce overall maintenance needs and user impacts. Trail crew leaders should have a strong commitment to sustainable trails and enjoy helping others have a good time while doing trail work.

The course is being taught by Walt Bready, the former State of Georgia Trails Education Specialist and owner/operator of Trails B-Ready. Walt has played a role in the design and construction of many miles of natural surface trails in Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. He has trained trail crew leaders and presented sustainable trail courses in the southeast since 2006.

Walt also worked for the Southeastern region of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) serving in a field staff position for the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA).

Schedule:

Day 1: Trail Design, Layout, and Construction class:
9:00-12:00 Classroom Presentation/Lecture
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-4:00 Fieldwork
Day 2: Trail Maintenance and Crew Leader Training class:
9:00-12:00 Classroom Presentation/Lecture
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-4:00 Fieldwork
Note, class size is limited to 12 people with priority given to current SABA members.

Please email [email protected] if you would like to attend the class.

Scheduling another group trail work party for this Friday, August 26 at 9am (rain date Sunday at 9). The Chainbuster race added the Burnt Tree Peninsula trail to it’s race here in a few weeks and not only is there a ‘leaner’ tree that needs removed but a multitude of drainage issues that need cleared (from all the rain). Please help if you can.

This bike is being sold at the Country Fair downtown Hayesville tomorrow, Saturday the 13th. I was told they are asking $75 and wanted me to spread the word

Group Trailwork Party at Jackrabbit this Thursday, August 11th with a rain date of Sunday August 14th.
There is a need for 2-3 separate groups to tackle leaning tree clusters at different locations, along with one known downfall. We need 3-4 sawyers along with helpers to remove debris once cut. There is also a need to improve drainage at a few muddy areas. Thursday meet at 9am and dress appropriately for safety with gloves and helmets. Hopefully we can gather for lunch and good times following this.

🎉Enjoy riding your bikes this weekend!

🚴Saturday Ride (starts at 8:30 at the Soddy Ballpark) - Cranmore Cove Ride 46 miles - Cranmore Cove with Brayton climb 64 miles

🚴Sunday Ride - Riverwalk to Downtown Ride 35ish miles, starts at the Fry Center at 10. Ride makes a stop at the Chattanooga Market

https://bit.ly/RideCalendar

Myself and Burt, Noel and Norman cleared this off the Upper Ridge trail today. Thanks guys!

The Town of Murphy Police Department is proud to announce that we have successfully been awarded a grant provided by the NCDOT Bicycle Helmet Initiative. This grant provides 75 bicycle helmets, ranging in sizes from toddler to adult, free of charge to anyone needing them. We anticipate receiving these helmets the last week in May. However, if you or someone needs one before then, please contact us at (828) 837-2214, ext. 2, or stop by the department during normal business hours. We still have quite a few from the last time we received this grant.

While most of us grew up not wearing bicycle helmets, and somehow miraculously still survived, the NCDOT would like to share a few statistics:

- On average, 20 bicyclists are killed each year in North Carolina. One in six is under 16 years old.
- Children 5 to 14 years old visit emergency rooms for bicycle-related injuries more that any other sport or recreational activity.
- Typically, less than 50% of children wear bicycle helmets. Statistics show that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of severe brain injury by 88%.

You can find more information regarding bicycle safety at:
https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/safety/bicycle-helmets/Pages/default.aspx.

Thank You,
Justin J. Jacobs
Chief of Police

SABA General Membership Meeting

There will be a general membership meeting of the Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association on Saturday, 2/19/2022 at 8:00am. The meeting will take place at Mary’s Southern Grill located at the intersection of Hwys 17 & 76, between Hiwassee and Young Harris.

Meet your fellow cyclists, let the Board know items of interest for the club such as group rides, group participation in organized events, trails development, advocacy in the area.

Members will be responsible for their costs for breakfast.

We look forward to seeing you on 2/19/2022.

Your SABA Board.

SABA asks that all members help promote CDC guidelines in the preventing the spread of the covid-19 virus. If you have symptoms such as fever and cough or have been exposed to some confirmed with covid-19 please stay home. Use common-sense and courtesy in wearing masks in-doors to help reduce the risk of unknowingly spreading the virus.

A great day of camaraderie, rememberance, fellowship- to install a bench at Jackrabbit in remembrance of Fred Lewis. And a great group ride afterwards. Thanks to Burt Franklin, Jeanine Mazza, Woody Wood, Linda Rowland, Noel Turner, JC Rangel, Pam Rangel, Heather Wall, Tommy Gifford, Gary Bradley, Chester Rowland and myself Joanna Padgett-Atkisson. We miss you Fred, but you are not forgotten.

We are planning to do at least one more year of volunteering at the Clay County Schools Pathways Summer Program to introduce youth to mtn biking. This will be during the summer months. We need volunteers. If interested please contact Joanna.

Trail Etiquette Tips from an Old Burnout

Trail Etiquette Tips from an Old Burnout A few choice words on how to not be an A-hole on the trail

The easiest way to bring people together

SABA - Chain Buster Big Ring Challenge 6/3 Race Volunteers Needed

Fri Oct 15, 2021 – Sat Oct 16, 2021

The Chain Buster Big Ring Challenge 6/3 race at the Jack Rabbit Trails on 10/16/2021 is a huge fundraiser for the Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association (SABA). Your volunteering will help raise funds for the support of this and other trails in the area as well as bicycle advocacy.



We’re using Signup.com to make signing up for a volunteer spot as easy as 1-2-3!

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:



Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/JBsqUkK
Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.


Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone.

The easiest way to bring people together SignUp.com makes it easy to coordinate school events & classroom activities, fundraisers, snack schedules, potlucks & more!

Chain Buster Big Ring Challenge 6/3 Race Volunteers Needed

Mon Oct 11, 2021 – Sat Oct 16, 2021

The Chain Buster Big Ring Challenge 6/3 race at the Jack Rabbit Trails on 10/16/2021 is a huge fundraiser for the Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association (SABA). Your volunteering will help raise funds for the support of this and other trails in the area as well as bicycle advocacy.



We’re using Signup.com to make signing up for a volunteer spot as easy as 1-2-3!

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:



Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com: https://signup.com/go/JBsqUkK
Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.


Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone.

Thanks Burt Franklin for ‘bee’ing’ the hornet exterminator on the Sneaking Creek Trail at Jackrabbit.

The easiest way to bring people together

SABA - Chain Buster Big Ring Challenge 6/3 Race Volunteers Needed

Mon Oct 11, 2021 – Sat Oct 16, 2021

The Chain Buster Big Ring Challenge 6/3 race at the Jack Rabbit Trails on 10/16/2021 is a huge fundraiser for the Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association (SABA). Your volunteering will help raise funds for the support of this and other trails in the area as well as bicycle advocacy.


We’re using Signup.com to make signing up for a volunteer spot as easy as 1-2-3!

Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:

1. Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp.com:

https://signup.com/go/JBsqUkK

2. Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.

3. Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.


Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone.

The easiest way to bring people together SignUp.com makes it easy to coordinate school events & classroom activities, fundraisers, snack schedules, potlucks & more!

Thanks to Gary Bradley and daughter Elaina for helping clear a section of the Rabbit Ridge trail today. We need more of you to take ownership of your local trails to maintain and keep them open for everyone.

What a monstrous downfall that required SABA calling out the troops to clear on Friday evening before the Labor Day weekend rush. This huge oak caused havoc at two sites- the uprooted oak tree root ball was in the center of the trail on one end, and the entire crown(along with other trees) were at the other end on the Sneaking Creek Trail at Jackrabbit. The trail had to be moved to above the root ball and massive work to clear the crown. Thanks to John Mazza, Noel Turner, Gary Bradley, Donnie Stansel, Fred Lewis and Joanna Padgett-Atkisson for helping to clear this mess.

Volunteers needed to help at the Chainbuster’s Big Ring Challenge bike race on the Jackrabbit trail system, to be held on Saturday, October 16. Please PM Joanna Padgett Atkisson for more details.

Help us at the Learning Center and Give Back to the Community!
Volunteers will be needed at The Learning Center, 945 Connahetta St, Murphy, NC 28906, for a work day on August 4th, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Volunteers will be corridor clearing and installing a new trail for the students to be using for their outdoor education.

Tools needed to bring include:

Bug repellent
Lopper
Pruning saw
Trail finishing tools such a
Pulaski
McLeod
Fire rake
Garden rake
Or any other finishing tools of a volunteers choice. Some tools will be on hand at the site.

A big thanks to everyone that came out to the SABA social gathering at West Tubing Company!!!

We'll have to do this again!

In the meantime, come join a ride!!!!

Group MTN bike ride at Jackrabbit each Wednesday at 6pm. Short ride this evening due to rain but still fun!!!

Great group ride at Jackrabbit for my retirement ❤️ followed by good food and great camaraderie with folks from WNC and NGA. Lots of laughs for sure. See y’all at the next intersection 😀🚴‍♀️

These pics were taken May 1. Part in shade so a little difficult to see, but look close at the American Colombo plant. It takes 10-20 years for them to flower and they don’t flower every year. This year it looks like we are harvesting them at Jackrabbit. This batch are located between the Central Loop and Yotees Run.

New bike wash area at Jackrabbit.

OKAY, it’s official- the newly constructed Rabbit Ridge Trail at Jackrabbit is open. This trail is affectionately known as ‘Smackass Ridge’ and ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ and is 4.9 miles in length, giving Jackrabbit over 20 miles of trail. We are waiting to do a more formal opening when Trail Dynamics returns to construct a short Rocky Cove trail. THIS TRAIL IS DIRECTIONAL for safety reasons. Folks need to come and stay for the weekend to ride it both ways- and just FYI, you will most def want to enter the North Entrance on both Friday and Sunday. Please keep posted regarding the upcoming gathering- it will be fun and brewlishous 🍺 🚴🏿

Group MTN bike ride tomorrow, Sunday, at Jackrabbit- meet at trailhead parking at 2pm.

The connector trail at Jackrabbit that connects the trailhead to the campground will have a section closed beginning Thursday March 11. The section in the open field will be closed due to construction to repair the low spot that stays wet. Hopefully this will only take a few days. The wooded section of the connector will remain open.

Timeline photos

Grab your friends and join us in Forest City August 6-8 for a weekend of great routes, breathtaking views, and tons of FUN! Registration is open for the 2021 Cycle North Carolina Mountain Ride, and we would love to see you there 😀

Visit us at ncsports.org for more information or to register for any of our 2021 events TODAY!

Park announces 2021 plan for Cades Cove vehicle-free days - The Cherokee One Feather

A wonderful riding opportunity in GSMNP.......

Park announces 2021 plan for Cades Cove vehicle-free days - The Cherokee One Feather Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials are extending a pilot project in Cades Cove by continuing vehicle-free access on the Cades Cove Loop Road on Wednesdays from May 5 through Sept. 1.

Okay Jackrabbit fans- if you had a chance to name a new trail at Jackrabbit that represents a most epic, cross country flow trail with rock croppings, 5-10 foot jumps, ultimate flow and everything that puts a smile on your face and be the name of a local beer, what would you name it????? Love to hear your ideas.

A cool Christmas gift for those who love our local trails

Bidding is still open!

⬇️𝐁𝐈𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐖⬇️
The next item up for bid on the Lake Chatuge Virtual Auction is the Bicycle Race Jerseys!
🔹 Tour de Georgia race jerseys signed by Floyd Landis & Tom Danielson
To bid on this item, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰 with your bid amount.
• 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐢𝐝: $40
• 𝐁𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 $5 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.
The highest bidder on Friday, December 11, 2020 at 11:59am will be the winner.
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬:
Winner is responsible for picking-up their items from the Lake Chatuge Chamber or paying to have it shipped to them. The Lake Chatuge Chamber will announce the winner of the package. Payment arrangements must be made within 48 hours or the item will go back up for bid.
𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫:
Kristin Boyer - K. Boyer Photography
𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫:
Retreat at Hiawassee River

It's now easier to sign up for Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association - SABA's updates.

It's now easier to sign up for Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association - SABA's updates.

Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association - SABA updated their information in their About section.

Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association - SABA updated their information in their About section.

Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association - SABA updated their information in their About section.

Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association - SABA updated their information in their About section.

Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association - SABA updated their website address.

Southern Appalachian Bicycle Association - SABA updated their website address.