Course Map (Nice for Printing)
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We are pleased to announce the Walking, Hiking, Biking, Skiing trail is completed! 3.5 miles of beautiful continuous trail now circles Calhoun County Park. Many short sections of this trail will be used during the race. Come out and enjoy the trail that has resulted from your participation in the "Classic". THANKS! The 7.2 miles of the Appalachian Classic Course has something for every rider of every ability and level of fitness. The buildup to the start is one of excitement and anticipation. Add the music of Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" played through the Grand Daddy of PA systems, the racers 'clicking' on the pedals and the firing of the muzzleloaders and you'll get that "ALL RIGHT!" feeling.
The start will be staggered in one minute intervals with the Expert Class being first off the line followed by the Sports class and then the Novice Class. A short uphill section to the Start/Finish line at the shelter will spread the racers out a little and then comes a very fast grassy downhill into the parking lot. Then a quarter mile flat jeep trail with a few rocks and ruts takes the racers into the first 1/4 mile section of the park trail. Sorry, some of the off camber roots had to be removed for this new 8' wide trail.
Don't miss the transition to single track on a section of private land called Shaffers Loop (now owned by sponsor Dan Law). This is some of the most fun single track you will find anywhere. Very FAST! The gas well along the course have been up graded for better access. As you approach the second well location the trail makes a RIGHT TURN up the hill on a well road. As you top this hill, make a LEFT and follow the edge of the meadow. This will bring you by the "Hunters Haven". More sweet single track will bring you to "Gruesome Gulch". Don't take a left at the bottom of this section! Speed returns for the next few minutes until you get to "Duck r Die". There's plenty of room to get under if you keep your chin a little closer to the bar and have a small hydration pac.
This is the first trail constructed by the Boy Scouts. Very fast through most sections but be careful on "Hodag Hill" just past "Round Spring". This downhill traverse can get very off camber at times and a couple of Oak trees growing at the wrong angle will keep any rider on their toes. The poor oak trees are getting warn smooth! We keep working on 'Hodag' but Mother Nature always has her way. The Pro/Expert should arrive back at the south side of the barn in about 13 minutes. There are many places for spectators along this section (including benches constructed by the Scouts and no one will be more than a 10 minute walk back to the barn.
One word best describes this mile long section of single track. Beautiful! There are some technical areas with dips and roots to keep you awake. This trail terminates (go left!) on a rock based park road but don't get too comfortable!
This is a very popular spectator spot for good reason. After a short but steep drop back into the woods and crossing the Park Trail, to a downhill section of single track that makes a 160 degree right turn at the pond. Brake control and balance are a must or you'll "go fishin'"! This just starts the problems! The trail skirts the pond on a narrow ledge that always seems to be wet. Then there are the two little bridges (WET) only 14 inches wide. The first one is only about 3 feet above the mud but the second is 6 feet! Got it made! "Little Pond Hill" will test the strongest "Hammer Heads". A hard left at the top the Park Trail, a short sprint, then back into the woods on "Log Hoppin' ". This fun section ends with a nice little "Puke Stack" but relief is only a few steps away.
Flat and fast! The entire "S" loop is now Park Trail! After a short slope you will make a left onto a gas line right-of-way. Follow it to the power lines at the top of the hill or the the by-pass (See below) then hang on!
This is the signature section of the 'Classic'. Most spectators will end up here sometime during the race. Awesome! 70% of the riders will 'try' to bulldog their bikes off this monster downhill. Racers have encountered deer, turkey, spectators, rocks, dust, and trees on this section. Named for the Power line right-of-way it warrants careful consideration before riding. "Power Slyde" has a beautiful run off and speed can get very high over the next 200 yards. A hard right on old R16 (Water Station!) and another hard right. Up you go!
We recently added another trail for the riders with little or no experience in downhill techniques. We call it 'Bypass Trail' and it is a sweet section of single track that cuts off to the left of the gas line right-of-way about 75 yards before the top of 'Power Slyde'. This section takes about :30 seconds longer to ride and it has only one 50 foot section that is a little steep but very rideable. All Olympic riders are to take this trail as well as anyone who values life and limb! Ride within your ability level!
Crank away to the top then get ready to head back into the woods on "Kitty's Trail". Don't let the name fool you or the nice riding over the first third of a mile. This section is very fast and terminates on a downhill haul road. "End of the Line" is well named. Be very careful here or we won't see you again until next spring. Don't miss the "Transition". A steep off camber downhill crosses a sharp ridge named the "Razor Back". You have arrived at the bottom of the park.
The sun does not shine in this pristine area. The trail meanders in and out of a small stream. Very popular
with riders. A little cool down splash here and there. A log or two to cross over and a bank or two to climb and
then the "Beaver Slyde"
Plenty of run off with maybe a mud hole and some small stones at the bottom. Enjoy the rest of "W'nW".
Well, you made it to the bottom of the park but guess what? Ya gotta get to the top again! It starts at the "Goats Face". Ever look closely at a goats face? Steeeeeppp! The climb does not end with the "Goats Face". As your teeth fill with bugs you start to level out as you go by "Fort Rocks" on the left and high on the right. This entire section from the bottom to the top follows a pretty nice road for a haul road. Your feeling pretty good as you come to a long, straight, gradual climb where you can see nearly 500 yard ahead! You're on the "Freeway". A great place to pass if you have the mettle (or just took a 20 minute break and had lunch). A long right hand sweeper takes you back away from the barn on another great high speed section then a left up the hill and a right down onto "The Gene Vance Trail"
You will soon find out why it is so named as you bounce down this traverse. Then its just a nice section of slightly off camber single track. A hard left up the Park Trail that will take you around 'Hole #5', drop down by the #6 tee then down the pond road (stay to the right) and before you know it, you are back at the Start/Finish line ready for lap 2! Length: 7.2 miles (best average we could get from several computers) We expect experienced riders to do 36 to 38 minute laps if it is dry.
Same as the first. |
