January 2000

TRAIL WORK REPORT

Sunday, December 5^th, Fourteen Mountain Bikers worked two hours on the detour trail. Stabilization, clearing fallen trees, reroute of an eroded area, and improvements to a creek crossing were accomplished. Thanks to the following for participating: Randy Hughes, Tom & Tonya Lechner, Amy Wilcox, Chuck Rice, Tim Rowell, Eric Seaverson, Todd Thompson, Carmen Talley, Ian Davidson, Craig Walters, Herb Clark, Mike Carls, Justin Blakey, and Scott Snape.

Please make note that the next workday will be Sunday, February 6^th at 1PM.

GCMBC Volunteer Hours for 1999
Work Day	Volunteers	Hours	Total Hours
2/6/99	15	3	45
5/8/99	14	2	28
10/3/99	15	1.5	22.5
12/5/99	14	2	28

Minor project	Volunteers	Hours	Total Hours
1/99	3	2	6
2/99	3	2	6
6/99	2	1.5	3
6/99	1	3	3
7/99	1	4	4
7/99	2	2	4
12/99	2	1	2

1999

Total Hours

151.5

Christmas Social

Thanks to Josh and Heather Schaffer for hosting the potluck feast at their home in Pendleton. Thanks to Amy and Carmen for their organizational efforts. Thanks to Sunshine Bicycle Company for donating the door prize of a light system. Rita Cushman won the door prize.

Women’s Ride

Saturday, January 22^nd at Issaqueena Parking Lot. Meet at 10 AM, Ride begins at 10:15 AM. Contact Amy Wilcox at 654-4564 if you have any questions or suggestions.

Collarbone Trail Workday

Sunday, February 6^th at 1 PM we will be working on the Collarbone Trail. We will be improving and/or rerouting the trail. Park at the Issaquenna parking area.

February 2000

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Annual General Membership Meeting will be held Thursday, February 24^th at 7:30 PM. The meeting will be held at the Central Clemson Library off Highway 93.

Please plan to discuss GCMBC plans for 2000, and the election of officers. Please bring prospective members with you.

The Club needs volunteers to take charge of the Data Base Management and Formatting the provided material for publication in the newsletter. Please contact Scott Snape if you have any questions about what these responsibilities entail.

Trail Work Report

On Sunday, February 6^th, Fourteen mountain bikers worked 1 3/4 hours on the Collarbone trail. The last 100 yards of the trail were extremely eroded. Although this was a popular trail to descend, it was determined to reroute and redesign the trail to snake its way down the hill. Thank you to the following volunteers: Ben Poss, Todd Thompson, Tim Crisp, Ian Davidson, Matt Feemster, Eric Seaverson, Joe Nader, Josh Nader, Paul Fisk, Rick Cushman, Jim Glose, Michael McAleer, Mike Carls, and Scott Snape.

Membership Renewals for 2000

Thank you for your membership and support during 1999. We ask that you please continue your support in 2000 and ask another biker to do the same.

2000 GCMBC Friends

Robert Bennet, Matthew Feemster, and Larry Korn

Thank you for your donation!

During the February 24^th 2000 annual meeting, officers were elected as follows: Ian Davidson-Chairman, Scott Snape-Vice Chairman and web page manager, Tim Rowell- local rep and club database roster manager, Eric Seaverson- local rep and newsletter formatting, Carmen Talley-local rep, Craig Walters- university students rep, and Geoff Chambers- university cycle team rep. The treasurer will be Chuck Rice, and the secretary will be Amy Wilcox.

Although the moratorium of new trail building is still in effect, the approval was granted through the forest managers for the following projects which have been completed: 1) Extension of “Indian Creek Trail” (Lawrence trail) to the head of the Lake Trail in the willow springs area. This trail at one time followed a similar route before that section of woods was clear cut. 2) A short section of trail has been developed beginning at the stop sign at Issaqueena Dam Road and connecting to logging road #1. Take notice of some very interesting trees that the trail passes by. This trail offers the alternative to beginning your ride on trail rather than dam road. Also, work was done to the entry connecting trail to the hardwood forest trail. It was redesigned due to erosion.

Thanks to the following volunteers for their work on these projects: Tim Nix, Marvin Nix, Barbara Williams, Matt Morgan, Matt Rice, Tim Rowell, Amy Wilcox, and Ian Davidson.

On Dam Road between Logging Road #1 and Logging Road #2, an old trail marked Forest Demonstration Area has been reopened as a hiking only trail, and is marked as such. Please respect this designation and signage.

Ben Poss has graduated and taken a job in Asheville, N.C. During the past two years, Ben has served as a club officer and an adaptive management team member, and has hardly missed a single GCMBC meeting or trail work day. Thank you Ben.

Thank you for your membership and support during 1999. We ask that you please continue your support in 2000 and ask another biker to do the same.

Mike Carls, Ian Davidson, Todd Thompson, Craig Walters, Amy Wilcox, Robert Bennet, Matt Feemster, John Kirby, Larry Korn

There will be a trail workday this Sunday May 7^th at 1:00 PM. Please meet at the parking area on Old Six Mile Road. We will be working on the “Parking Lot Trail” for 1-1/2 hours installing a few water bars, minor rerouting, and stabilization. The Parking Lot Trail is the trail that crosses through the middle of the horse parking loop. Scott Snape will be leading this workday; call him if you have any questions. 653-4555.

During the recent Tiger Rag/Cane Creek Series #1 Mountain Bike Race held in Issaqueena Forest, GCMBC members handed out a race day newsletter with the following message on the cover:

Hiking Trail Only

The GCMBC will conduct a trail work project on Sunday September 24^th at 1:00 pm. We will reestablish the Vomit Trail between Lake Road and Dalton Road that was closed due to logging operations. Please bring gloves and a hand tool if you can. We will work for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Directions: From Old Six Mile Road, enter Issaqueena Forest on Lake Road (at the water tower); the trail head is 0.7 miles on the right. Some people will be mountain bike riding before and after the work project; feel free to join us.

Issaqueena Trail Conditions

The trails in the Issaqueena Forest area where the GCMBC conducts its volunteer trail maintenance appear to be in fairly good shape as we head into the Fall season of 2000. With a few exceptions the trails and the trail corridors are clear and ready for enjoyable riding. Thank you to the GCMBC members that contribute effort in addition to scheduled trail work days.

The Clemson University fall semester has started and the trails are noticeably busier. We encourage students to join our service organization and contribute to the trail maintenance process.

GCMBC club officers will meet Thursday September 7^th for a business meeting. If you have any issues that you would like the officers to discuss, please contact any club officer by September 6^th. Thank You.

Please be aware that incidents of reckless driving have been numerous recently, both on Dam Road and Lake Road. Report incidents to the Pickens County Sheriff at 868-2603. To protect yourself use caution and consider avoiding these roads particularly in the afternoon and evening hours.

It is extremely noticeable that as the days pass, the amount of daylight is steadily decreasing. This means night riding is steadily approaching. As a friendly reminder, take the time now to test and recharge your night riding lights. Doing this now should drastically decrease the chances of light failures while out on the trails.

Thank you to the following volunteers that assisted with the trail workday: Geoff Chambers, Lance Powers, Eric Seaverson, Chuck Rice, Michael McAleer, Todd Thompson, Clint Batson, Mike Carls, Russ Brown, and Ian Davidson. The vomit trail was rerouted due to recent logging operations. The trail still begins in its original location near where the creek crosses Lake Road. The trail now parallels Lake Road for about 100 yards, actually returns to Lake Road for about 15 feet, and then turns left into the woods following a ridgeline up to Dalton Road. Check it out on your next ride, it is nice.

Your Membership Dues at Work

The GCMBC has purchased a chainsaw that will be used on trail workdays and clearing fallen trees from that trails. The decision to purchase the chainsaw was made during the club officers meeting on September 7^th. The GCMBC treasury is in good condition and we may consider adding additional tools to assist our trail work in the Issaqueena Clemson Forest area. Please encourage all mountain bikers to support our efforts through their membership in the GCMBC.

GCMBC members will be working on various trail improvements during the next several weeks. Below are some of the projects. Please contact Ian Davidson (654-6958) if you would be interested in helping. Work will be done an hour at a time, usually in the afternoons.

1] Remove fallen trees from: Rapids Trail, Hunting Arrow, Double Fork Tree, Rocky Road, Rocky Extension, and Loopty.

2] Waterfall Trails Area - Left Loop: Improve or reroute eroded ascent in field.

3] Pig-Horse Trail: Improve rock path through creek, and miscellaneous trail stabilization between the two creeks.

Be aware that hunting will soon begin on sections of the Clemson Forest. Information is posted at designated parking areas. The dates for hunting season are generally November 1^st thru January 1^st. It is recommended to stay out of hunting areas during this period for your safety and respect for the hunters during their season in the woods. On Sundays there is no hunting on Clemson Forest property, so that would be a good day to ride trails that are in the hunting areas. Also there are some no hunting periods during the November 1^st to January 1^sthunting season, again check information posted. Sections of the forest that are used for hunting are posted as Wildlife Management Area or WMA. Make yourself aware and be informed.

Please be aware that incidents of reckless driving have been numerous recently, both on Dam Road and Lake Road. Report incidents to the Pickens County Sheriff at 868-2603. To protect yourself, use caution and consider avoiding these roads particularly in the afternoon and evening hours.

November 2000

Deer hunting season is now in progress, October 31^st through January 1^st, in sections of the woods posted as Wildlife Management Area or WMA. It is recommended to stay out of hunting areas during this period for your safety and respect for the hunters during their season in the woods. It is your responsibility to be informed where hunting is taking place. Information is posted at designated parking areas. Familiarize yourself with these maps and information, and as a very general guideline, some information is listed below:

Fants Grove Area

Essentially almost all the trails are in sections of forest that are hunted and posted as WMA.

Issaqueena Area

Hunting: 1) All trails within the borders of Doyle Bottom Rd., Old Six Mile Rd., and Issaqueena Dam Rd. 2) All trails west of Old Seneca Rd.

Biking: 1) All trails within “interior” of Issaqueena Forest (north of Issaqueena Dam Rd. to Old Seneca Rd. 2) All trails in the Waterfall trail area.

Exceptions for biking on hunted areas: 1) It is safe to bike on Sundays as there is no hunting on the Clemson Forest during hunting season. 2) If you are a night rider you must begin to ride these trails well after darkness. 3) Also, there is a no hunting period from December 8^th through December 22^nd.

Creative Sponsorship Donation

Paul Fisk recently sold an old road bike to Michael McAleer for $100 and has donated that money to the GCMBC in their names for $50 each. Thanks Paul.

During October, members of the GCMBC have been busy with trail maintenance and improvements; some of the work is listed below:

6) Hunting Arrow trail: notched an alternative passage on large double ramp fallen trees, remove fallen tree, miscellaneous trimming

Thanks to Chuck Rice, Eric Seaverson, Billy Jenkins, Wes Rochester, Scott Snape, and Ian Davidson for their additional work to maintain the trails in the Issaqueena area. The next scheduled trail workday will be Sunday, December 3^rd at 1:00 pm. Details will be announced.

Time for the Christmas party. Last year was a big success, and this year we are hoping that it is just as big of a success. This year Amy Wilcox will be hosting the event. The party will be held on December 16, at 4:00. Same meal plan as last year, bring a dish, and then we will all chow down. Let's all make sure and invite Ben and Angela to the party, because without them we might not have the stuffing (come on guys you may have moved, but please drive back for the party!). If we have someone out there dying to cook the turkey, we can supply the turkey, just give Amy a call. Make sure to call Amy to let her know you are coming, and what dish you are bringing. We will eat at 4:30, so to make sure you get a shot at all the best food, show up on time! This means you, Scott. Amy's phone #: 654-4564

mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, yams/sweet potatoes, drinks, ham/turkey, paper plates, rolls, cups/ice, gravy, corn, BYOB DESSERT!! Anything else you can think of, these are just suggestions.

Mike Carls, Ian Davidson, Todd Thompson, Craig Walters, Amy Wilcox, Robert Bennet, Matt Feemster, John Kirby, Larry Korn, Mark Klapperich, Larry Lyles, Stephanie Payne, Jimmy Benfield, Tom Proshuto, John Millon, Bob Bolick, Curtis Bumgarner. Allen Guest, Sam Harrison, Ben Poss.

Club Officers

There will be a trail work project Sunday, December 3^rd at 1:00 pm. We will work for 1-1/2 – 2 hours reclaiming a section of the waterfall trail that was recently logged due to pine beetles. Parking for the trail work will be on Old Six Mile Road between RC Edwards Road and Doyle Bottom Road. We will work, rain, shine, or snow!

Deer hunting season is still in progress through January 1^st. Please do not enter hunted areas for your safety and respect for hunters during their season in the woods. It is your responsibility to be informed where hunting is taking place. Information is posted at designated parking areas. Familiarize yourself with these maps and information, and as a very general guideline, some information is listed below:

Essentially almost all the trails are in sections of forest that are hunted and posted as WMA. All Fants Grove Trails will be CLOSED to horse and mountain bikes as a safety measure during gun hunts for deer on the following dates:

Issaqueena Area

Hunting: 1) All trails within the borders of Doyle Bottom Rd., Old Six Mile Rd., and Issaqueena Dam Rd. 2) All trails west of Old Seneca Rd.

Biking: 1) All trails within “interior” of Issaqueena Forest (north of Issaqueena Dam Rd. to Old Seneca Rd. 2) All trails in the Waterfall trail area.

Exceptions for biking on hunted areas: 1) It is safe to bike on Sundays as there is no hunting on the Clemson Forest on Sundays during hunting season. 2) If you are a night rider you must begin to ride these trails well after darkness.

The GCMBC dinner is Saturday, December 16^th at 4:00 pm. If you are attending, it is tine to contact Amy Wilcox (654-4564) to coordinate items to bring for the dinner. Refer to the November newsletter or GCMBC website for additional information.

The first draft of the Clemson University Trail Management Plan is now posted on the GCMBC website. Please review the plan and direct your comments to Ian Davidson: 654-6958 (home) or 653-4070 (fax). Ian will be presenting comments directly to the University administrators.

Fallen trees were removed from trails at the following locations: Right and Left loops of the Waterfall trails, RC Edwards Road Reroute trail, Rocky Road Extension, Grinder, and Loopty. Thank you Scott Snape and Ian Davidson for their extra efforts.

December 3, 2000	Workday
December 16, 2000	Social
February 3, 2001	Workday
February 23, 2001	Annual Meeting

Chairman	Ian Davidson	654-6958
Vice Chairman	Scott Snape	653-4555
Univ. Students	Craig Walters	654-2461
Univ.Cycle Team	G. Chambers	985-1480
Local Rep	Carmen Talley	421-0165
Local Rep	Eric Seaverson	653-7426
Local Rep	Tim Rowell	653-7324
Treasurer	Chuck Rice	654-4861
Secretary	Amy Wilcox	654-4564