Grand Opening of Monastery PATH Trail: Bike Ride + opt. post-ride Picnic & Hike - Sat, Jun 14 2014

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.



Grand Opening of Monastery PATH Trail: Bike Ride + opt. post-ride Picnic & Hike


The Basics:
Event Type:Bike
Event Location: Monastery of the Holy Spirit, about 25 mi SE of Atlanta   Bike: Grand Opening of Monastery PATH Trail: Bike Ride + opt. post-ride Picnic & Hike  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jun 14 2014  8:00 am >> Sat, Jun 14 2014 12:00 pm
Registration Opens: Fri, Jun 13 2014 11:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Jun 14 2014 6:00 am
Event Duration:4 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
Distance:22 Miles
Pace:Leisurely
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 3 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

Please pardon my "last-minute" posting of this event.  I hope some of you fellow cyclists can join me tomorrow - the weather is looking ideal!  -Charlie

On this unique AOC event we'll help celebrate the grand opening of the beautiful new 9-mile trail between the Monastery of the Holy Spirit and Panola Mountain State Park.  We'll gather initially at 8:00 AM in the parking lot of the Monastery (directions below) where we'll likely get to witness the gala ribbon-cutting ceremony.  Look for me (Charlie) wearing a bright green & white "Atlanta Outdoor Club Volunteer" T-shirt.

AOC RIDE DETAILS: Our private AOC bicycle ride will be suitable for riders of all ability levels and for bikes of all types.  Just 1.5 miles NW of the Monastery we'll cross the South River via beautiful 520-foot-long bridge which was completed only in the past few weeks.  When we reach Panola Mtn State Park we can enjoy the newly completed loop trail around Alexander Lake before returning southeastward to the Monastery.  If you decide not to stick with us for the entire 22-mile round trip you're welcome to return to the Monastery at any point along the route - just please let us know you're splitting from the group.

ALTERNATE 38-MILE "OFFICIAL RIDE": As an alternative to our free AOC bike ride some of you may prefer to do the special "official inaugural" 38-mile ride sponsored by the "Arabia Alliance."  This ride is a bit more strenous than our private AOC ride and goes all the way from the Monastery to Lithonia and back. There's a $10 fee (plus a small service charge if you sign up in advance online). All who complete the official ride will be awarded a special "unique souvenir."  For more details click this link: http://arabiaalliance.org/uncategorized/arabia-mountain-inaugural-bike-ride/

SUGGESTED POST-RIDE OPTIONS: After our AOC bike ride I suggest that we take a few minutes to have a picnic lunch together at the Monastary and explore on foot its lovely grounds and lakeside trail.  There's also a nice gift shop on the premises with gorgeous bonsai trees grown by the monks, snacks, etc.  Also I suggest that you spend a few minutes in the wonderful free Monastery Museum before you depart. 


Required Items to Bring:

- Bicycle (road bike, hybrid or mtn bike are all OK!)
- Bike Helmet
- Water Bottle or two
- Comfortable Clothing
- Snacks and perhaps a Picnic Lunch (perhaps kept in a cooler in your car)

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:

 

DIRECTIONS to MONASTERY of the HOLY SPIRIT from Atlanta's east side
(GPS and Google.com/Maps Users:  Feel free to augment these directions by entering as your destination these Lat/Lon coordinates: 33.5858,-84.0675.  Also, for a zoomable map or satellite view click on the square blue-green "Event Location" icon above.)

1. From the I-20/I-285 interchange on the east side of metro Atlanta take I-20 East about 4 miles.

2. Get off I-20 at Exit #71, "Panola Road."

3. Turn right onto Panola Road and go 2.3 miles to Browns Mill Rd (GA-212 E).

4. Turn Left onto GA-212 and stay on it for 9.8 miles to the Monastery entrance on your left.

5. Park in the large free parking lot and look for me (Charlie) wearing a green & white "Atlanta Outdoor Club" T-shirt.


Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.