Dear GCC members,

Some people wanted to know what the new Susan Wright Off Road Trail is like, so here is my report on it, since we rode it yesterday.

The trail is just across the Gainesville Hawthorne Trail from the parking area next to the GHT at Angle Road (234). You access the trail by going off the GHT past the wooden kiosk that has been erected at the off road trails start.

The trail is rather rough at this point, having just been completed. It is relatively flat, with no hill climbing, quite bumpy  (since it hasn't yet been ridden much), with most of the trail covered either with leaves or pine needles. Only a couple of patches were exposed soft sand. The trail is not as obvious as most in terms of its location as you ride it, being so new, but it is clear enough at this point to follow, being demarcated by tree branches laid out blocking certain points, and small wooden arrows on stakes about chest high at points where you might make the wrong turn.  There isn't much to see beyond your basic woods, but it is a fun trail to ride and a nice addition to our local rides. There are some exposed roots on the trail too, so be careful, particularly if it has just rained or the ground is wet. At one point there was a small wooden bridge, so when it rains there might be a creek to check out. It was pretty dry yesterday. There is also a point near the end of the ride where the trail was elevated above the surrounding ground by maybe a foot or two, so this may constitute a path through swamp at some point during the wet season. Not a technical trail at all, no hazards other than roots.

Basically, after you enter the trail just beyond the kiosk, the trail meanders west, not going too far south  from the paved trail (traffic can be heard on most of the ride from the nearby 2082, which runs parallel to the paved trail in that area). The trail continues on for about 1.7 miles and then comes back out to the paved trail about 1.1 miles west of the Angle Road and GHT parking lot. So at this point you could either turn around and follow the off road trail back to the beginning, giving you a 3.4 mile off road ride, or you can opt to return to the parking lot via the paved trail for a 2.8 mile total.

Hope this proves useful.

Rob Wilt

GCC VP

"I talk to the wind, but my words are all carried away,
   I talk to the wind, but the wind does not hear..."

                        -King Crimson-