The course is open 24/7 from now until August 1st, 2018. It consists of 12 Strava segments, with the links to the segments in the Notes section of this page. There is no entry fee and no cash prize. There might be a cool trophy for the leader at the close. Every finisher will get a cool T shirt and any other swag I can dig up. Visit the page regularly for updates - it is a "gentlemen and ladies" ITT. Ride Description:
This 110 miles is, in my opinion, the toughest section of TNGA, only it is run in the opposite direction for 75% of the mileage. It follows the well-marked Pinhoti Trail 100% from the High Point trailhead south of Summerville, GA, to the Dalton Trade Center, below the Dug Gap towers. It then transfers to the base of Fort Mountain on Hwy 52 before getting into the awesome Pinhoti singletrack again around Mulberry Gap, Bear Creek, P1-4, and back off Tatum Mountain to finish at the gorgeous new Dennis Mill section. It is a supported ride if you want it to be, or self-SAG by cacheing water and food at key points. It is a good mix of great singletrack, doubletrack, closed FS roads, a couple of short open FS roads, and a few miles of pavement. There are very scenic views the entire way. It is truly an epic ride. The route starts with a typical rocky, rooty singletrack climb up onto the southwest end of Taylor Ridge. After a couple of short FS road sections, the trail turns to fast doubletrack above Sloppy Floyd Park, then to some prime singletrack for a few miles until you drop into Mack White Gap at Hwy 27. Here you go straight across the road to a steep doubletrack climb back to the top of Taylor Ridge. After another short section of gravel FS road you jump back into some awesome doubletrack, then singletrack to the highest point of the ridge. From there you drop off through the Narrows headed toward Strawberry Mountain. Strawberry Mountain has some of the best singletrack on the Pinhoti along the ridgeline, and then there is the drop to West Armuchee Creek. From there you make your way into the Dry Creek area and the beginning of The Snake Time Trials (TM) section of the Pinhoti. Do not be looking for the start area of The Snake or you will get confused. About 3/4 of a mile after leaving East Armuchee Road you will T into an old FS road and turn left. You will recognize East Armuchee Creek to your right, then will cross it on the normal Snake route. From here the course will be familiar to many, with great singletrack climbs and singletrack ridgetops for miles. Pushing over John's Mountain, Pine Needle Hill and the Pilcher's Pond area, you will then climb up and along Horn Mountain to the famous Snake Creek Gap. From the Gap, things begin to get a little rockier and a little more climby. Mill Creek Mountain and Middle Mountain are fairly tame with rocks. Then you get to the Hurricane Mountain rocks, Vomit Hill, and The Wall. Then the famed rocks of Dug Gap Mountain. The light at the end of the tunnel is the Dug Gap towers. From there it is all downhill - in a good way! From the Dalton Trade Center, the beginning of the next segment is at the base of Fort Mountain on Hwy 52 in Chatsworth. You do the infamous Fort Mtn road climb, then drop down P3, around to Bear Creek via gravel and paved road, and then start a common day-ride route up and around the Bear Creek "P", then P1-P4, down off Tatum Lead into Rock Creek, and finish at Dennis Mill. Rules (subject to editing for clarification):
1) The ITT consists of 12 Strava segments, located in the Notes section of this page.
2) The segments must be ridden as a "thru-ride" in sequence.
3) The official time will be the addition of your times thru the segments.*
4) Cacheing of supplies is allowed. A support vehicle meeting you at resupply points is fine too.
5) Pack out what you pack in. Don't leave your resupply trash laying on the trail.
6) When you are going to make an attempt please let me know - I will know to be looking for you.
7) When completed, please notify me, and make sure I can see your segments (public Strava profile).
8) You MAY attempt the ride multiple times, but NOT individual segments at different times. THE 12 SEGMENT TIMES COUNTED EACH RIDE ATTEMPT MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN A 48 HOUR PERIOD.
9) I will post times after each completed attempt. Suggestions:
1) Two GPS devices, one as back-up, is recommended. Experienced endurance riders will know how to re-charge on the go. Otherwise, there are public places available between Dalton and Chatsworth to re-charge devices. If you have a SPOT, use it. If everything fails, I will make a reasonable attempt to verify your total time.
2) This is backcountry riding. Although there are many safe bail-out points if necessary, take the appropriate essentials for minor bike and tire repair.
3) Cell service is spotty, but can typically be found along the ridgelines of Taylor Ridge, and from Horn Mountain to Dalton, then to Chatsworth.
4) The route is owned by you, the American taxpayer. The property manager is the USFS. The Pinhoti is lovingly maintained by several volunteer groups of hikers, equestrians, the Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association, and NWGA SORBA-IMBA. Follow appropriate trail etiquette, especially yielding to equestrians. There is no time worth getting someone else hurt.
5) The two primary creek crossings before Dalton are manageable most of the time. I rode 3 days after 4" of rain and pedaled both crossings - the water was no more than 12" deep. Use your head though - after a deluge the creeks rise rapidly to dangerous levels. They crest at a dangerous level within 6-24 hours after a heavy rain, then return to normal seasonal flow pretty quickly.
6) There are many of us in this area that could possibly be able to support you with a good warm bed the night before and a shuttle to the start. It would be wise to plan this at least a few days in advance - don't expect next-day service. And, there is never a guarantee on that.
7) If you have never done this ride, don't just pedal hard with your head down. The Pinhoti is well-marked, but if you do not study the maps, or double-check the Pinhoti badge markings or rectangular white blazes, it is possible to get off track and add a bunch of time.
8) Mulberry Gap Mountain Bike Get Away near the bottom of P3 is a great support establishment. Don't expect free stuff - they are businesses, and businesses need to make money. But they will do everything they can for your needs at reasonable prices as you are doing this ride. Just don't mention Honcho - the rates go up if you do. THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. I DO IT BECAUSE I ENJOY IT. POST UP ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO ME, OR ANYONE THINKING OF ATTEMPTING THE RIDE.
