Uwharrie Trail Care Day May 15 Central NC

The next Trail Care Day will be on May 15 starting at 9 AM. We will meet at
the Uwharrie National Forest Parking Lot 1.5 miles east of the bridge over
Lake Tillery/Pee Dee River on 24/27. The parking lot is located 11miles
east of Albemarle and 9 miles west of Troy on 24/27.



At this time we plan to build a causeway over the rooty-bog near the
beginning of Keyauwee trail. The causeway will consist of a no-mortar rock
wall and gravel. We may also trim back foliage, sign the trail, or improve
drainage.



If possible, bring trail work tools, wheelbarrows, pruners, handsaws, and
shovels. Bring your bike, lunch, water, work gloves and small first aid kit.
If you have first aid certifications, bring your card. Come prepared to
ride afterwards.



Check www.rideumba.com for updates, or email or
. Another source of information is the Uwharrie Wheelmen
who meet monthly at the Stanly County Family YMCA; see
www.uwharriewheelmen.org for more information.



Currently trail conditions are the best they've been since January 2003.no
trees are across the trails, and most drains are working. You will usually
find dry conditions a day or two after a rain.



Our objective is to bring Keyauwee and Supertree trails up standards and
then expand the trail system. We believe that the Uwharrie/Woodrun trail
system has the potential to be the Pisgah or Tsali of Central NC. Trail
Care Days are scheduled for May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, October 16,
and December 12.



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)



Q: Who can use the mountain bike trails?

A: Hikers and mountain bikers.



Q: Who maintains the trails?

A: The Uwharrie Mountain Bike Association (UMBA), an International Mountain
Bike affiliate (IMBA) has signed a trail adoption agreement with the USDA
Forest Service and works with the Uwharrie Wheelmen, the Tar Heel
Trailblazers Mountain Bike Club, the Sandhills Cycling Club, the Just
Fresh-Clif Bar Cycling Team, the Yadkin River Trail Association, and the
Yadkin-Pee Dee Lakes Project. Much of the minor trail maintenance is "do it
yourself." Any rider is authorized to fix face-slappers and blowdowns, etc.



Q: Where do the mountain bike trails start? Do they leave from the parking
lot?

A: No, the trailheads of Supertree and Keyauwee are located 1.5 miles down
Woodrun Road, the gravel road to the Woodrun Hunt Camp. You know you've
reached the hunt camp if you come to a large clearing with a permanent
port-a-john. Keyauwee starts on the left side of the hunt camp it stays to
the left of Woodrun Road and comes back to Woodrun road. Supertree starts
on the right side of the hunt camp near the gate and runs on the right side
of Woodrun road. Supertree ends a 1.5 miles down Woodrun Road.just across
the intersection from the "end" of Keyauwee.



Q: I'm confused; explain where the Keyauwee and Supertree trailheads are
located again.

A: Woodrun road is the key as it runs down the middle of the mountain bike
trails. Keyauwee and Supertree both start 1.5 miles down Woodrun Road at
the Hunt Camp. Keyauwee stays to the left of Woodrun; Supertree stays to
the right. Both trails meet again a mile or two further down Woodrun road.
Since together, both trails are just one big circle, many riders ride both,
as one big loop. If you park at the main parking lot, ride down Woodrun
Road and ride both trails as one loop, the distance is just over 11 miles.



Q: The signs at the Woodrun Hunt Camp confuse me. There is a wooden sign on
the left side of the clearing that points down a trail. The sign says,
"UWHARRIE TRAIL." What does that mean?

A: The sign is at the beginning of the Keyauwee Mountain Bike Trail. It
means that the Uwharrie (walking only) Trail intersection is located about ¼
of a mile down Keyauwee.



Q: A sign on the right side of the clearing confuses me; it has the UMBA
symbol and points to the left. Does that mean that mountain bikers should
always go left down Woodrun road?

A: No, go either direction. The sign is confusing, and we plan to fix it.
The Supertree Mountain Bike Loop starts here. You can either go down the
trail to the right or left down Woodrun Road.either way you are on the
Supertree Loop.



Q: How long does it take to ride from the parking lot, go counter-clockwise
on Supertree and come back to the main parking lot on Woodrun Road?

A: It may take 45 minutes to an hour depending on your condition. Advanced
riders do it much faster. Supertree is a more forgiving trail, but you will
do some climbing.



Q: How long does it take to ride from the parking lot and go clockwise on
Keyauwee and return down Woodrun Road?

A: It will take at least an hour for novice riders. Keyauwee has more
elevation change and steeper climbs than Supertree. There are some climbs
over a mile long. Keyauwee has more technical sections, but it is
permissible to push your bike past the tough spots. Don't be embarrassed as
only advanced riders ride Keyauwee without hike-a-bike.



Q: How long does it take to leave the parking lot, travel clockwise on
Keyauwee, then Supertree, and return to the parking lot?

A: Many riders plan on at least 90 minutes, although advance riders will
ride it much faster. If you are out of shape or a novice, allow for more
time.



Q: Which direction can we ride?

A: Either direction.be alert.



Q: When is hunting season?

A: Deer-gun season has begun by Mid-November and ends usually by Jan. 2.
Bow season starts before that. There is also a turkey season and a squirrel
season. There is no hunting on Sunday or after dark. During deer-gun
season, I only ride on Sundays.



Q: Can I ride on the Uwharrie Trail or Dutchman's Creek Trail?

A: No these are walker-only trails as designated by the USDA Forest
Service. Keyauwee crosses the Uwharrie Trail twice. Supertree crosses
Dutchman's Creek Trail twice.



Q: Where can ATV's Equestrians, and Four Wheelers ride?

A: Their trails are located approximately 15 miles to the North. Travel
West toward Albemarle on 24/27, turn right at the first road to the right,
which is River Road. Take River Road to the community of Uwharrie. At
Uwharrie, turn left on NC 109. After several miles, you will cross the
Uwharrie River. Watch for signs.



Q: What else can I do to help?

A: Write a letter to the USDA Forest Service thanking them for supporting
the Woodrun Mountain Bike Trails. The USDA Forest Service has done a great
job of walking and surveying our trails. They gave us chain saw training
and loaned us tools, first aid kits, and protective gear. They keep in
close contact with us. It would be good to let them know what services that
you want. I plan to write and request Archaeological Surveys for our
future trail system CONTACT: Ian Garner, Information Specialist, Uwharrie
Ranger District, Phone: 910/576-6391, Email: , Fax #:
910/576-4171, 789 Hwy 24/27 East, Troy, NC, 27371.



Q: What are the International Mountain Bike Association's (IMBA) Rules of
the Road? http://www.imba.com/

A: 1. Ride On Open Trails Only 2. Leave No Trace

3. Control Your Bicycle! 4. Always Yield
Trail

5. Never Scare Animals 6. Plan Ahead



Q: Where can I get more information?

A: www.rideumba.com



Q: When are the Mountain Bike Trail workdays?

A: We meet at 9 AM on Saturday mornings: May 15, June 19, July 17, Aug 21,
Oct 16, and Sunday, Dec 11.



Q: When does Mountain Bike Season start and end?

A: You can ride 365 days a year depending on weather conditions. See the
question above about deer season.



Q: Are the trails well marked?

A: We plan to sign the trail in the near future. Most trail junctions are
marked. If you'll follow the beaten path, you're OK.





More questions, contact Tommy at .

"Tommy Taylor" wrote in message . com...
The next Trail Care Day will be on May 15 starting at 9 AM. We will meet at
the Uwharrie National Forest Parking Lot 1.5 miles east of the bridge over
Lake Tillery/Pee Dee River on 24/27. The parking lot is located 11miles
east of Albemarle and 9 miles west of Troy on 24/27.

Hey, I know that place. Thanks for the posting, Tommy. I really need
to get back there one of these days.

JD