Arabia Mountain Bike Ride + Panola OAB

READ FULL WRITE UP, members new to my cycling events should expect an email, call or text from TL.

This will be a 42 mile event. We'll be doing the out and back (OAB) with a little off shoot to the peak of Panola Mtn. to get a few extra miles on this wonderfully mixed use trail. If you have never been there the trail is consisting of concrete and boardwalks...and even some exposed granite? It is NOT a rail-to-trail path, so expect substantial hills, with about 3,400 feet of climbing total!!

This path winds through very scenic and hilly country. We will start at the Stonecrest Library in Lithonia, ride past former farmlands, an abandoned quarry, over exposed granite and through Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve to Alexander Lake where we will pause for a snack and restroom break. Then we proceed through Rockdale County, along and across the South River and the Rockdale River, and onto the forested property of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. We will take a break there before headed back up to Panola Mtn, then we'll be retracing our path back to the library.

We will regroup at turns to keep the group together and ensure no one is left behind. Since this is a mixed-use trail, we will be on the lookout for pedestrians and other cyclists.

We will ride around a 12 mph average pace. While that doesn't sound very difficult, remember that this is not a flat route, but is very hilly. Please do not sign up for this ride if you are not confident that you can finish a very difficult and long ride. We will be on the bikes around 4 hours, and will encounter steep hills up to a mile long. The beauty and absence of cars makes it worth it, but it is a rigorous ride.

This ride is best done on a road bike, although experienced cyclists could use a CX, gravel, touring or hybrid bike (no e-bikes or MTBs). You should thoroughly check out your bike ahead of time and attend to any maintenance needed. 

We will meet in the back of the parking lot at Stonecrest Library in Dekalb County where there is ample parking.  Please arrive 15 minutes early for introductions and to get your bikes ready. We will be "wheels down" at 10 a.m. SHARP 

The event will be cancelled if it is raining heavily.

This is a hilly, difficult course and everyone has different fitness levels. With being said, I am not requiring us to stick together for the event, you can ride your own ride...but be confident your pace and "out there repair skills" are on par. Have my cell # loaded in case your encounter a situation that needs assistance. I will not leave anyone on course alone...we just might not being grinding up the hills at the same time. Click here for a map of the trail system: 

https://arabiaalliance.org/trail- maps/arabia-mountain-path-trails/

The address is:
3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, GA 30038

#GTS 

From Atlanta: Take I- 20 E and take the Evans Mill Road Exit, the third exit outside I-285.  Go straight through Lithonia Industrial Blvd. intersection and take the first right. At the light, turn left on Evans Mill Rd. Take a right at the second traffic light onto Klondike Rd. Stonecrest Library will be on your right in about a quarter of a mile.

From the East:  Exit I-20 at Turner Hill Rd and turn left. Turn right on Mall Parkway, then left on Klondike Road. Stonecrest Library will be on your right in a quarter of a mile.

KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN :P  

Thanks Chuck for the letting me pirate your write-up from an earlier event you hosted....hope you can join us!