Trail building is started.

This Saturday a group from COGS and the Forest Service began work on the Lake Howard Trail. The initial project was to hand build the section that will connect to the road across the watershed dam to the the machine build portion that will be created by Trails Unlimited. It was hard to visualize a trail there across that severe side slope with lots of bushy growth in the way. By peering through the growth I could see the tape and blue blazes that marked the path. As I made my way along the markers lopping off branches with Bob chopping in spots to help create a path to follow, I thought we may have underestimated the time it was going to take to get the trail open. But with everyone pitching in, the trail began to take shape quickly. By lunch break, the section we had laid out that morning could have been ridden.

Two more work days were tentatively scheduled for this week. It is great to finally be making progress.

COGS: Tim, Johnny, Billy, Mike, Dustin, Eric, Little Tim
USFS: Leslie, Ricky, Joe

Workday.....

Hello Everyone!

First I would like to say thank you for allowing Joe Nicholson and I to
attend and participate in your meeting a couple of weeks ago!

We are excited about our first trail work day coming up this Saturday! As
we discussed, we will meet August 9th at 8:00am at the J. Craig Smith
Community Center located at the corner of Highway 21 (aka Broadway Ave) and
8th street in Sylacauga. From there, we will travel to the trail location
and begin work.

Please bring your personal protective equipment. This includes, eye
protection, hearing protection, hard hat, work boots, and gloves. We will
have some hard hats on hand if you do not have one. It is best to wear
long sleeves and pants. You may also want to bring bug spray, lunch and
plenty of water.

Those of you who have trail building tools, please bring them. This
includes shovels, rakes, pruning shears.

I only included those emails of the people who attended the July 23 meeting
so please help spread the word to other you know are interested.

If you have any questions please contact me by email or call me. My office
number is 256-463-2272 ext. 116.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

Lesley

Lesley M. Hodge
Natural Resource Specialist
USDA- Talladega National Forest- Shoal Creek RD
45 Highway 281
Heflin, AL 36264
256/463-2273
256/463-5385 fax
Email: lhodge@fs.fed.us

First OFFICIAL Workday

The FIRST workday for the hand cut sections of our new trail will be Saturday August 9th. We will leave out from J.Craig Smith Community Center, 2 West 8th street in Sylacauga, by 8 am. Please anyone available come and bring gloves, shovels, landscape axes, etc. Also bring safety glasses and a hard hat if you have one. We should have a few from the Rangers gear for those who don't. Please come help kick this off, it will be something to be proud of. We hope the trail will be in good shape for riding by around Oct. 1st.
Thanks
Johnny Oliver VP
C.O.G.S.

Holding pattern

We are still patiently waiting for the trail building to begin. Plans are still for September. Summer growth has slowed down some of our trail activity but an old trail has been opened up making an interesting loop of our existing trails. With the coming of Fall we will be able to open these up better and get the trails "ridden in". Only one bridge left to build to protect sensitive drainage and we are a go. With the building of the Lake Howard portion, interest in these other routes should really help keeping them clear.

Trail Building

We have been doing some maintenance on some of our other trails this weekend. It is our intention to establish a routine of trail work and prepare for our ongoing role as maintainers for the Lake trail. We find that various members of our club have found routes through and around our watershed lakes. Most of these aren't very long. When you look at them on a map, you see the potential to make connector trails and create a long section of single track. Most of these are the remnants of logging roads which follow the contours of the ridges. The recent thinning of these areas to enhance the long-leaf pine will actually improve our ability to route these connectors. It is our plan to get these done before summer growth starts. This way the trails can be kept open through the summer.

We look forward to getting started on the Lake trail. Building trails can be as much fun as riding them.

IMBA Rules

Rules of the Trail

These guidelines for trail behavior are recognized around the world. IMBA developed the "Rules of the Trail" to promote responsible and courteous conduct on shared-use trails. Keep in mind that conventions for yielding and passing may vary, depending on traffic conditions and the intended use of the trail.
1. Ride On Open Trails Only
Respect trail and road closures -- ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as may be required. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness.
2. Leave No Trace
Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.
3. Control Your Bicycle
Inattention for even a moment could put yourself and others at risk. Obey all bicycle speed regulations and recommendations, and ride within your limits.
4. Yield to Others
Do your utmost to let your fellow trail users know you're coming -- a friendly greeting or bell ring are good methods. Try to anticipate other trail users as you ride around corners. Bicyclists should yield to all other trail users, unless the trail is clearly signed for bike-only travel. Bicyclists traveling downhill should yield to ones headed uphill, unless the trail is clearly signed for one-way or downhill-only traffic. Strive to make each pass a safe and courteous one.
5. Never Scare Animals
Animals are easily startled by an unannounced approach, a sudden movement or a loud noise. Give animals enough room and time to adjust to you. Running cattle and disturbing wildlife are serious offenses.
6. Plan Ahead
Know your equipment, your ability and the area in which you are riding -- and prepare accordingly. Strive to be self-sufficient: keep your equipment in good repair and carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.