Go Bike, Georgia: Trails on State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas offer great cycling opportunit
January 31, 2010Staff |
resolutions start to fall by the wayside, the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) makes it a little easier to stick with your
commitment to spend more time outdoors. Bike trails on state parks and
wildlife management areas around the state offer cycling opportunities
that range from easy riding to challenging mountain biking.
"One of the great things about living in Georgia is that we can enjoy
outdoor activities year-round," said DNR Commissioner Chris Clark.
"Whether you're just learning to ride your first two-wheeler or
you ride for miles every weekend, we have bike trails that everyone can
enjoy."
Variety of Challenges
Little tykes just learning to use their bikes can practice on the flat,
paved trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park in northeast Georgia or Red
Top Mountain State Park on Lake Allatoona. Hard-core mountain bikers
looking for a challenge should not miss trails at Fort Mountain, Unicoi,
Fort Yargo and Tallulah Gorge state parks. These tracks are guaranteed
to get heart rates pumping.
For those in the middle who simply want a good workout with pretty
scenery, Georgia's state parks offer several options. Watson Mill
Bridge State Park near Athens has a relatively easy mountain bike trail
near its covered bridge and river. Panola Mountain State Park in
Stockbridge has joined the PATH network with several miles of paved
trail that twist and dip through forests and neighborhoods. In eastern
Georgia, bikers can pedal past lily pads and alligators at Magnolia
Springs State Park. Numerous other bike trails are detailed on
www.GeorgiaStateParks.org.
Muddy Spokes Club
Grab your bike, helmet and energy bars. The Muddy Spokes Club includes
11 state parks with bike trails that range from breath-taking
singletrack to paved paths. Designed to challenge park visitors who
want to get some exercise while enjoying the great outdoors, the Muddy
Spokes Club offers 69 miles of bike trails. Finish all of them and earn
bragging rights along with a "mud-splattered" t-shirt. For more
information, go to www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/muddyspokes .
.
Cycling on Wildlife Management Areas
Cycling on Wildlife Management Areas is allowed year-round, unless
otherwise posted at the WMA check station or at a specific recreation
site. Cyclists are restricted to open improved roads, designated trails
or designated areas.
One example of an available trail is at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife
Center in Mansfield. This 5.6-mile multi-use trail is available for
cyclists, horseback riders and hikers. Please note that this trail is
closed during firearms deer hunts and from sunrise until 10 am during
archery (deer) and turkey hunts. Find out more at
www.georgiawildlife.com.
"Go Bike, Georgia" is the latest in a series of outdoor adventure
tips from DNR Commissioner Clark that highlight affordable getaways,
outdoor activities close to home, and creative ways to support
conservation in Georgia. The series is part of DNR's "Get Outdoors,
Georgia" initiative, which encourages citizens to lead healthy, active
lifestyles in the great outdoors and includes hiking, biking and
paddling clubs, as well as outdoor events.
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