Clarks Hill, SC: Riding the Wave of Grant Money

The grand opening of the FATS project was a massive celebration, beginning with an outpouring of volunteers to conduct final maintenance duties, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a huge group ride.
Volunteer trail stewards led groups through 600 hours of volunteer work. This team armored a section of trail that crossed a naturally wet seep. Rock hardening the trail tread is a good option in areas that are seldom dry.
Eager riders were antsy to hit the trails after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The trail getting the most attention is called the Brown Wave. It's a fast, undulating wave of a ride!
Riders will enjoy the FATS system for many years. The trails have been carefully designed to offer short and long loop rides. Here, Burgan and his father Shrimper enjoy the trails at their own pace (quite fast actually).
Click here to check out the flow of the Brown Wave! (5.8 mb mov file)

In late March, mountain bikers gathered in Clarks Hill, South Carolina, for the grand opening of the Forks Area Trail System (FATS). More than 100 people attended, hoping to ride the first 17 miles of what will eventually be a 33-mile trail system. The FATS program stems from a partnership between the Central Savannah River Area chapter of the Southern Off Road Bicycling Association and the Sumter National Forest.

Through ambitious grant writing, SORBA raised more than $100,000 for the design and construction of the FATS program. Expert trail builders, including Long Cane Trails and IMBA's Trail Solutions designed and built the trail system. The result is a fast and flowing, undulating and exciting riding experience. It took careful planning and an eye for sustainability and mountain bike experience to create trails that will be enjoyed by the public for years to come