Arabia Mtn - Panola Mtn - Monastery Bike Trail and visit to the Monastery

Join us for a 5 hour event, 30 miles total, on the beautiful paved trails winding through the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Panola Mountain, and Monastery of the Holy Spirit.

We'll gather with our bikes at 8:30 AM at the kiosk by the Nature Center building (see detailed directions below -  the ramp off I20 is very, very tricky. Please review an online map before you drive). After introductions we'll start at the nature center (mile 3), stop at Alexander Lake (mile 11), and ride onto the south Rockdale Community Park (mile 15), and finish the ride out at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit (mile 18).

We plan to spend about an hour at the Monastery.  In addition to the beautiful surroundings and Abbey Church, the Monastery has a Vistor Center, Garden Center, Bakery, and Cafe.  Lunch boxes are available in the Cafe for $10.  Checkout this link for more informatoin on the Monastery - http://www.trappist.net/plan-your-visit

After this 15 mile ride out, we'll ride back the same route for a total of 30 miles. We'll stop occasionally to regroup,  snack and hydrate as needed.  This is a group ride so we will try to stay together.  NOTE: Please complete your pre-ride maintenance (e.g. inflate tires, lube chain, etc.) a day or two prior to the event. This will allow us to leave on time and complete the event on schedule. 

Similar to the Silver Comet Trail (NW of Atlanta), the Arabia Mountain Trail is a hillier and winding multi-use paved scenic trail. There are hills that will test your physical stamina but the rest is manageable. It's built and maintained by the PATH Foundation. The route is one of the most scenic multiuse paved trails in the Atlanta area. Along the ride we'll see granite mountains (Arabia & Panola), ride across creeks and the south river, cross a covered bridge, see a historic farm house, and ride through the middle of Alexander Lake. Check the following link for a detailed, interactive map - https://pathfoundation.org/trails/arabia-mountain/

Pace - Since there are many hills, the pace is variable. We will target a flat surface pace of 14-15 mph and make sure to take breaks along the way. The total ride time is 4 hours (plus an hour at the Monastery) but we are including time for several breaks along the way.

Ability Level - The hills on this route make for a challenging ride. The large hills will test some riders strength. It's recommended that riders be in good physical shape and use a light weight bike. Road bikes are excellent and most hybrid bikes will be good.

**PLEASE NOTE**
You are responsible for your bike maintenance and/or repairs on the trail. Other AOCer's will be willing to provide what help they can. But ultimately individual riders are responsible for any repairs. Make sure you complete a pre-ride maintenance check a day or two prior to the event.

Special thanks to John Christopher for the basic write up.

Directions:

ARABIA MOUNTAIN is in the SE corner of DeKalb County (east of Atlanta near Lithonia, GA and I-20).  Once you exit from I20, navigating the roads to the meeting location at Arabia Mountian Nature Center is very, very tricky. Please review a map before you drive and follow the directions below very carefully.

A) From Atlanta or I-285 proceed eastbound on I-20 to exit #74 (Evans Mill Rd/Lithonia).

B) Veer right onto the ramp leading to Evans Mill Rd. Continue on this ramp (yes, it remains a ramp) for about 1 mile through one traffic light (intersection for Lithonia Industrial Blvd).

C) After these intersections, the ramp will fork and a secondary ramp that veers to the right will appear. DO NOT take this right turn! Stay straight on the ramp and continue to the large intersection next to the highway overpass (on the left) at the ramps end.

D) At the traffic light turn right onto Evans Mills road. You will immediately see another traffic light in front of you. At the traffic light, go straight through and onto Woodrow Road. DO NOT turn and follow Evans Mill. Yes, it's one of those Atlanta roads where the name of the road turns at an intersection.

E) Continue on Woodrow Road about 1 mile to a stop sign at Klondike Road. Turn right onto Klondike Road and travel approximately 1 mile. You will cross Rockland Road as you circle through a roundabout. Exit the roundabout on the opposite side as if you drove straigt acros Rockland.

F) Continue 1 more mile to the Arabia Mountain Nature Center on the right. Once you enter, you'll see the center to the left, parking on the left and right. The lot to the right is very large and has plenty of parking.

We'll gather in next to the Kiosk in front of the Nature Center.