BikePackin

Fyi ~ For those of us that dig climbing ....
I was pleasantly surprised by the approx. 10% grade ( a 1/4 mile and a 1/8 + mile as best as I can remember) climbs in the Forsyth Greenway north of the Bethelview Parking area.
NOTE: At this time there are NO parking areas north of Bethelview.
Additionally let me offer that this northern section of the trail is really well maintained and, probably because of the hills (?), is not real busy at all.
https://parks.forsythco.com/Parks-an...Creek-Greenway

TimothyH

Yep, I remember climbing the stepped hills on a 48x16 fixed gear.
.
There are a few good hills if you continue on the roads into Cumming.

xodondum

10%!? I've been on that greenway end to end many times & don't ever recall that steep of a grade there. post a hi-lighted map of that area? unless you're referring to the off road mtn bike sections which I have not done.

BikePackin

I am talking north of the previously most northern point ("Bethelview") of the Cumming/Forsyth Greenway which is 6 miles of all paved (not "mtn bike section") and has actually greater than 10% Grades (not degrees of slope - maybe you are thinking degrees of slope .... I am talking Grades as are used in the road construction profession) and I did not want to say greater than 10%, though they actually are :- ), cause I wanted no one to think I might be exaggerating. I use the Grade-o-Meter from The Adventure Cycling Association to read the Grades..... I know it reads accurately as I have compared it with the signage all along the full 600 miles of SkylineDrive/BlueRidgeParkway and the Grade-o-Meter is dead on accurate.
You challenged me to post a link .... you are welcome to go my Original Post and look at the area north of the Bethelview parking area.

xodondum

OK I see where the disconnect is, literally. That section of Big Creek is quite far from the 8 mile section south of it. It would be kool if they united the 2.

BikePackin

You are so, so right .... I am long awaiting with you for that great day.

Bike4Life1

I've been on that sections many times... but as of yet haven't been able to make it up without a walk of shame.... Perhaps that should be my goal for this year.... Does anyone know what that actual grade is and how does it compare to mountain grades in some of the bigger Pro races? I think it is amazing, that the pros can go for hours up a grade like that and I'm winded after a few minutes on them...

xodondum

I rode it for the 1st time over the weekend. I liked the climb, didn't have to stop. but the rest of trail left a lot to be desired, too much wood boardwalk and too many walkers.

SilverRubicon

Would it be enjoyable off peak season? Or did you simply not enjoy the trail?

MrChrome

Ok, so I'm the guy who did the original surveying for section 4 of the Forsyth Greenway.......yes, it was as tough as you might expect to survey through the jungle along Big Creek; I also surveyed section 5 that will go over the west side of Sawnee Mt. to Spot Rd., then up to Sawnee Preserve - you'll be seeing some pretty big grades along the mountain section, too..........one of the toughest jobs I've ever done but really sort of liked the work......

BikePackin

I REALLY thank you for laying out Section 4 the way you did.
When is longest would you guess it'll be for your Section 5 to be open to the public?
- Many thanks.

MrChrome

-That I can't say - the original surveys for each section were done in 2009-2010......quite a bit has changed but one thing holding up section 5 was Johnson Rd: the families that live along this dirt road were promised that is would be paved and it never was - they were insulted when the county decided it would put an 8' concrete trail in when they hadn't kept their part of the bargain......most of the land between Kelly Mill and Hwy 20 is family land except for where the trail was supposed to run through some neighborhoods; some of this land has been sold for more neighborhoods and some hasn't (it's still family land).......I reckon I might check into an ETA for the rest of the trail........

BikePackin

Thanks Mr. C.

Bike4Life1

THanks Mr. Chrome... I'm a big fan of the Greenway... looking forward to riding the new section