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Beasley Knob - "Spring Cleaning" Volunteer Work Day

Beasley Knob - "Spring Cleaning"
Volunteer Work Day
March 19th, 2016 Beasley Knob OHV Park, Blairsville, GA

Hosted by the Georgia Bounty Runners in a continuing 22 year effort to fulfill our volunteer work hour requirements for our commitment to the RTP funds. These funds have been used at Beasly to add miles of trails all while fixing and repairing the existing trails. Beasley Knob OHV Park is the only full size vehicle OHV area in the National Forest in the state of Georgia.

We will work togther in several groups to survey the trails, and then begin clearing brush and sapplings along the trails. Some attention to the Pay Stations will be adressed too. The overall goal is to freshen up the park and trail sytems essentially preparing the park for the upcoming riding season. 

Who?
Everyone who can make the drive is requested to join and share our support. There are already about 40 GBR members signed up but many more are needed. 

What to bring?
If you have a shovel, and/or any brush clearing hand tools (shears or lopers) bring them along. No power tools or chanisaws please. Forest service reps will be on hand to supervise and use chainsaws when neccasary. 
Pack a trail lunch for everyong in your group. 

Why?
We are obligated as recipients of the RTP grant funds which are used to

What is RTP?
Recreational Trails Program. A state based grant with Federal funding from gas tax revenues. The Beasley project was awarded $500,000 in RTP funds with a pledge to matching volunteer commitments.

When & Where? 
Meet at the Beasley Knob OHV Parking area, Blairsville, GA; Satterfield entrance and be ready to head out by 9 AM (EDT). 

Trailers?
If you haul in your rig then its suggested to park near town in Blairsville at the Park & Ride then commute to the trail head so we squeeze everyone inside the parking lots. 


For complete details on Beasley Knob OHV Park, including a trail map, check the USFS's page;
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/conf/recarea/?recid=10533

Directions: 
Beginning on US 76/Highway 515 in front of the Blairsville Post Office, go east for 0.7 mile. Turn right onto Windy Hill Road, a paved road. At 0.7 mile when Windy Hill curves sharply to the left, go straight onto a gravel road. After 0.1 mile, turn left onto a narrow gravel road, Forest Service Road #851. Continue 0.8 mile to the OHV trail system parking lot.

Facebook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/439445689581745/

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SFWDA Spring Meet & Ride of 2016 at Turkey Bay. Land Between the Lakes, Golden Pond, KY. Hosted by Stones River Jeep Club

Access over 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline, 200 miles of paved roads, 500 miles of trails, 100 + miles of OHV trails, and 170,000 acres of forests and open lands.

Access over 300 miles of undeveloped shoreline, 200 miles of paved roads, 500 miles of trails, 100 + miles of OHV trails, and 170,000 acres of forests and open lands.

SFWDA Spring 2016 Meet and Ride
Hosted by Stones River Jeep Club
Turkey Bay OHV Area, 
Land Between the Lakes,
Golden Pond, KY

*  UPDATE ALERT * THIS EVENT IS NOW RESCHEDULED TO APRIL 2, 2016. *

Same time, location, etc. Remaining details below. 

Join us at Turkey Bay OHV Area, near the shores of beautiful Kentucky Lake on Saturday, April 2, 2016 for the first SFWDA Meet & Ride of 2016. The Stones River Jeep Club, Murfreesboro, TN will host this event and provide guided Trail rides throughout the park. 

Located in western Kentucky and Tennessee between Kentucky and Barkley Lakes.

Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area provides designated trails for OHV riding and Self-Service Camping. Centrally located, Turkey Bay offers a variety of topography and trails for everyone.

 

 

The area consists of approximately 100 miles of primary, secondary, and tertiary trails for many different levels of OHV ridin, .and is managed by the USFS. There is a $20 (1-3 day) usage fee collected by the USFS upon arrival to the park. 

Turkey Bay OHV Area

Turkey Bay Trail System offers 100+ miles for every type of OHV. 

  • SEASON - Year Round

  • HOURS  - Sunrise to Sunset

  • ADMISSION - One to Three-Day Permit is $20.  Annual permit is $75.

  • GPS - N 36 45' 00.0" / W 88 04' 19.0"

  • PHYSICAL ADDRESS -
    80 Turkey Creek Road
    Golden Pond, KY 42211

  • TRAILHEAD LOCATION - 2.3 miles / 5 minutes south of the Visitor's Center on the Trace.

Free Registration!
Register online today, free for all SFWDA members (Separate $20 entry fee includes up to 3 days of LBL Park access.) for a full day of fun to meet your association, the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association, and explore the beautiful LBL trails.  On-site check in will open at 8:00 AM CST.  Our SFWDA meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 AM CST.  Trail rides will begin at 10:00 AM CST. 

Coming to Turkey Bay?  Consider an Overnight Stay!
 You could pitch a tent at Turkey Bay in the camping area.  In addition to the trails, Turkey Bay OHV permits camping at designated areas near the lake along road 167.  An added perk of the campsites is the ability to wake up and ride directly to the trails, as the sites offer chemical toilets, unloading ramps, and drinking water. But if you need some additional amenities, consider from a variety of lodging options located just outside Land Between The Lakes and a few minutes from Turkey Bay. https://www.explorekentuckylake.com/lbl/ohv.htm

We will be collecting supplies for the community to be distributed through this local organization. 

We will be collecting supplies for the community to be distributed through this local organization. 

It's for Charity!
We initiated a charitable component to our Meet & Ride events last year and our charity for this event will be The Journey Home, a Christian Outreach Center for the homeless and at-risk individuals and families in Rutherford County, TN.  For more information please check this link:  www.lovegodservepeople.org/.  Each attendee is asked to donate one item to support this outreach effort.  Suggestions:  Caned / Boxed food (none-perishable food item); or all sizes of clothing (slightly used is OK).  Highest need is for socks, under garments, shoes and diapers.  Please join us and support The Journey Home.

Due to FURTHER potential Winter weather related closures, please check our Facebook and web page for updates on the event. 

For more details about camping, nearby lodging, maps, and more travel accommodations check out the LBL travelers resource page for Turkey Bay. 
http://www.landbetweenthelakes.com/attractions/turkey-bay-ohv-area/

For Specifics on Park Rules & Regulations, hours of operation,  camping opportunities, and much more from the USFS about LBL. 
http://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/seendo/trails/turkey-bay/

Browse through some web sourced images below from the LBL park, it's trails, and incorporated amenities......

Free PDF Map Download provided by our USFS 

Free PDF Map Download provided by our USFS 

We highly encourage all person attending to download, print, and complete the Turkey Bay OHV Area Liability Waiver Form and have $20 cash ready before arriving to expedite the check in process for everyone. 

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SFWDA delegates meet with the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to discuss current RTP projects plans for 2016

CONF-logo

A number of SFWDA members had a very open dialogue today with the Recreational team from the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest to discuss current RTP projects, plans for 2016 and facilitate the introductions of Jay Bird, Past President SFWDA and GBR, as our Georgia Co-Trails Representative; and Ken Sutz, long standing SFWDA and GBR member, as our Georgia Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Representative. As a critical OHV Stakeholder, we want to thank both Jay Bird and Ken Sutz for volunteering for these critical roles as Dave Logan moves on with new professional commitments with Omix-ADA (Rugged Ridge), one of our supporting SFWDA Business Members.

Dave Logan is retiring after a long term as Georgia RTP Representative

Dave Logan is retiring after a long term as Georgia RTP Representative

We also want to thank Dave Logan for his volunteer commitments since 2008 in representing the Georgia Bounty Runners and our association, SFWDA, in both of these roles. Dave has also been critical in the development of our SFWDA Educational Video series over the last few years and will continue to serve as a resource and adviser. Thank you Dave Logan for your service.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/conf/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5427592&width=full

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OHIO RIVER FOUR WHEELERS GRANT UPDATE

The OHIO RIVER FOUR WHEELERS off-road club, based in Cincinnati, OH performed trail repairs to a severe washout on Old Fincastle Road, part of the Daniel Boone Back Country Byway, on Saturday August 8th. 

The team assembled at 7:30 a.m. just south of Cincinnati, OH and caravan down to the Natural Bridge area of Red River Gorge. We were on location at the work-site by 10:00. After reviewing the damaged area with the team we broke up into smaller groups to begin preparation of materials and the area to be repaired.

Concrete and pressure treated lumber were prepared a week before to act as foundation piers for a retaining wall. The retaining wall allowed us to fill the washout with locally collected rocks to act as a water break which would diffuse the rush of water into this area, yet allow it to drain through. We attached horizontal lumber ties to the vertical lumber piers with galvanized bolts. These allowed us to tie the retaining wall into the surrounding hillside for support.

Approximately 8-10 tons of local field stone was collected and dropped into the washout behind our fabricated retaining wall. 

We built a water bar across the trail at approximately 60 degrees from parallel, and then a second water bar in parallel with the trail into a natural drainage channel that empties out behind our retaining wall. We felt these modifications would divert water from the damaged area and work naturally with the path water tends to take in this section.   

In a couple of years time the pressure treated lumber will gray down and take on a natural look with its surroundings. The ties off the piers have been anchored into the surrounding hillside with 4 foot long pieces of ½” re-bar. 

The loose field-stone acts as a break to rushing water, which will allow it to pass through the retaining wall without building so much pressure as to challenge the integrity of the retaining wall. We expect silt from water runoff to fill in some of the gaps in our field-stone and settle our water bars into place.

We feel this is a sustainable repair and should last for many years.

Three months later 

* Update - After three months trail repair is still in good shape and it looks like the water is running in the direction that it was directed toward. Water bars have settle in good into the ground.

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It is time for the 2015 Southern Four Wheel Drive Association Fall MEET & RIDE!

Come join SFWDA at Choccolocco Mountain; everyone's invited to our 2015 SFWDA Fall MEET & RIDE! 

When:

November 14, 9 AM CST

Where:

Choccolocco Mountain ORV Park 1312 Louise Dr. SW Jacksonville, AL 36265 33.807620, -85.736513 (Directions Below)

What:

* " Toys for Tots" Charity Toy Drive
* SFWDA News & Updates
* Trail Riding
 

This Fall the SFWDA Meet and Ride will be hosted by the Warner Robins Jeep Club at Choccolocco Mountain ORV Park in Jacksonville, Alabama. We are also collecting new unwrapped toys for the local Warner Robbins chapter of the USMC Toys for Tots charity. We wil be collecting toys in the morning. Choccolocco MTN is a large and fantastic park that has terrain available for every type of 4x4 from bone stock to heavily modified. From the infamous “Boat Ramp” to the tamer and scenic “Chicken Trail” this fantastic park truly has something for everyone.

The WRJC will be leading groups for those unfamiliar with the park. Their plan is to have guides for all difficulty levels from beginner to advance. Maps will also be available for those adventurous types that want to explore everything that Chocco has to offer.

The schedule for the day will be as follows.
(All Times Local)

  • 8-9am Collection of Toys for Tots
  • 8:30am Sign in and Registration (There is a fee to use the park and it is detailed below)
  • 9:00am SFWDA Meeting
  •  10:00am(ish) Trail Rides
  • Noon (ish) Lunch (Trail Guides will bring everyone back to base for lunch)
  • 1:00pm (ish) More Trail Rides!

Park Rate:

  • Event is free for everyone except for the park fees

  • One Day Riding Pass: $20 per driver $5 per passenger

  • Weekend Riding/Camping Pass: $30 per driver $10 per passenger (Weekend pass includes primitive camping)

Some simple rules:

1. Absolutely no Drinking and Driving. Period.
2. ALWAYS remember that we are a Family Based club and there are usually a lot of kids around.
3. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license
4. Tree Savers must be used at all winch points
5. Seat Belts must be worn at all times by every occupant of the vehicle
6. Stay on designated trails

Directions:

1. Once you are in Jacksonville turn East at the Sonic on Whites Gap Road
2. Take first left on Church Avenue SE
3. Take a right on Gardner Drive SE
4. At the Y stay right onto Louise Drive SE
5. Take the 2nd Right onto Forest Drive and climb the short hill.
6. At the top of the hill take a Right onto Forney RD
7. Park is just ahead on left

Links:
http://www.choccoloccomountain.com/
http://www.sfwda.org/
http://wrjeepclub.com/
http://www.jeepsontrails.com/off-road-park/choccolocco-mountain-orv-park-and-campgroundalabama/

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CartoTracks & SFWDA are offering 100 free GPS Map downloads to Dixie Run 29 Attendees Limited Time Only * Act Now * $9.99 Value

TACKLE THE PARK TRAILS WITH CONFIDENCE ON YOUR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC PHONE OR TABLET ALL OVER GOLDEN MOUNTAIN PARK
 


CartoTracks & SFWDA are offering 100 free GPS Map downloads
to Dixie Run 29 Attendees
Limited Time Only * Act Now *

$9.99 Value

 
How it works you ask?
CartoTracks maps are designed so that you can download the map to a smartphone before loosing cell signal and then travel into an area where there might not be any cell signal and the app then utilizes just the GPS function of your phone to show you exactly where you are on our map!  No more messing around with GPS units and trying to figure out what to do with all of that data and turn it into some kind of usable map....we've sorted all of that out for you.  Just go and have fun!
 


How to Redeem:
If you have already registered for Dixie Run 29  the you should have just received an email with a promo code for a one time only use and is only valid for 2015 event attendees and is limited to the first 100 downloads.

Here's a link for more for more info: https://www.cartotracks.com/golden_mountain_park_map

https://www.cartotracks.com

CartoTracks continues to offer a 15% discount on GMP and all other park maps for each SFWDA Active Member by use of another promo code found in your
 Member Discounts page. 
This offering along with other membership discounts do require your SFWDA membership credentials to be viewed. 
http://www.sfwda.org/memberdiscounts#cid=1044&did=104

If you have not yet registered, sign up today! 

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Way to go Ohio River Four Wheelers! - SFWDA Grant award in full effect

Thanks to a grant from Southern Four Wheel Drive Association and hard work from Ohio River Four Wheelers, a washout on old Fincastle Road in Lee County was repaired yesterday.

Both groups support Friends Of Boone and the ‪#‎DBBB‬. Southern Four Wheel Drive Association is your regional association of off road enthusiasts. SFWDA includes individuals, clubs, member businesses, and offers national representation on Land Use and trail development as well as family events. Ohio River Four Wheelers is a great group of knowledgeable off road enthusiasts based in Cincinnati. Their strong backs and keen ideas led to this repair of beautiful Old Fincastle Rd.

This is where the rubber meets the road in sustainable multiple use recreation folks. Get involved! #DBBB!


For more info on how your group can utilize our Grant program and to apply today check out our Grant Info page on our SFWDA website.
http://www.sfwda.org/grants/

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