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F.A.T.S
4 reviews
5 of 5
FATS stands for Fork Area Trail System. The system currently consists of four loops, with a total of 27 miles of single track. There are very few technical challenges. However, the trails are very fast and flowy. VERY fast. It's like riding a roller coaster. The Deep Step loop is the most challenging, offering the fastest descents and the hardest climbs. Great Wall has the second most elevation change. The Skinny is the best beginner loop. Brown Wave has the least elevation change, but has the most whoops; you can get in over your head very quickly if you're going too fast. If you plan to ride all four loops, I'd recomend riding Deep Step, Great Wall, Skinny, and Brown Wave last.
Two additional loops are currently in the works. The new loops will have even more climbing and jumping than any of the existing loops.
Summary: The Forks Area Trail System (FATS) is a fantastic 20+ mile system, built with care and very well maintained.
You simply cannot get lost as signs are clearly posted at all intersections, leaving you free to enjoy the ride without having to worry about finding your way back.
FATS consists of 6 trails: Deep Step, Great Wall, Skinny, Brown Wave, Big Rock and Tower.
All trails are an absolute joy to ride, with Brown Wave and Skinny being the easiest of the bunch. I take my 7 year-old on Skinny Loop regularly.
FATS is unlike any other trail system in the area. A lot of attention was put into the flow of all these trails, with lots of dips and whoop-dee-dos throughout the entire system. You can roll through these, or more advanced riders can really get some speed and catch some serious air through certain parts.
Beginner to intermediate riders will enjoy Skinny or Brown Wave. Advanced riders will enjoy them too, probably at a much faster pace :)
If you're like me and love some fast downhill single track, Deep Step to Big Rock and Tower is the way to go.
I'm lucky to live 10 minutes away, but I would gladly drive hours in order to spend the day riding at FATS. A unique trail system that offers thrills to riders of all levels.
Recommended Route: If you're pressed for time, a quick loop around any of the trails near the southern trail head can be done quickly, skinny being the shortest.
For a longer and more thrilling ride (about 17 miles), my favorite route is Deep Step CCW to Big Rock, then Tower back to Big Rock and back to Deep Step. Big Rock and Tower are located about 7 miles from the southern trailhead, but in my opinion are the best trails that FATS has to offer.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Keg Creek is located about 20 miles away and is also worth the trip. It's A very flat 9-mile track that mostly follows the waterline with several creek crossings. A bit more technical in parts, and a more leisurely and scenic ride.
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Summary: This review is for Deep Step and Brown Wave. I started my ride with deep step. It started out very fast with lots of small rolling hills that were easy to catch air on. I'm riding a 29er and I was able to carry aot of speed most of the time. There are some good climbs on deep step too. Mostly in the middle/end of the trail with some good downhill in between. Brown wave in my opinion was a better ride. A little more flowy with more tight single track. There is a great view of the river toward the middle of the ride on brown wave. Both trails added up to be 12 very fun miles. It was definitely worth the 2.5 hour drive from Snellville to Augusta to ride at FATS. I will be back to ride the other 2 soon.
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Summary: FATS currently has 4 loops open... 2 additional loops will be opening in late spring 2008.
The loops are:
Deep Step - 6 miles
Great Wall - 7.5 Miles
Skinny Loop - 6 Miles
Brown Wave - 5.5 Miles
FATS stands for Forks Area Trail System... what makes this system awesome, every loop branches off from another one. If you add in Clockwise vs CCW, you can have an endless number of ways to ride here. It never seems to get old. There are some physically challenging areas, but nothing too crazy. You never have to dismount because on an incline. There are lots of jumps and rolling hills. Easy enough to allow novice riders on the trail, but hard enough that experienced riders will not be bored.
Recommended Route: Endless number of ways to ride it... especially when they open up loops 5 and 6.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Lick Fork (Horne Creek) 5.7 miles... about 10 minutes away from FATS
Summary: FATS is awesome! Very fast, tons of flow, more jumps than you can shake a stick at. The great thing about this trail is anyone, of any skill level, can ride here and have fun and be challenged. People bring their 7 year olds out here, and yet people who have been riding for over 20 years can easily get in over their head. There really is nothing on this system that is hard to ride if you go slow. But the faster you go, the more challenging the trail gets. The best way I can describe this trail is it's like riding a roller coaster. There are tons of places you can jump (if you're brave you can even try to double in a few places), but there is nothing that has to be jumped, so, again, anyone can ride here and have a blast. Check out these videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CtsgZ-Iaws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoWyd_tUnBE
Recommended Route: All four loops are the most fun counter clockwise. My favorite combination is Skinny to the Brown Wave, a total of about 13.5 miles. If you plan to ride all four loops (26.5 miles) ride in this order, all ccw: Deep Step, Great Wall, Skinny, Brown Wave.
Other recommended trails in the same area: For more trails in the Augusta, GA area check out:
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