Directions to Park and Trail

Getting to the Park

From the south (Albany) or north (Atlanta):
- Enter Columbus on Interstate 185.
- On the north side of town take exit 10 go east on the US 80 (JR Allen Parkway)
- From the exit 10 junction, go east 5.5 miles on US 80
- When you enter the 45 mph zone, move to the left lane and turn left at first stoplight (Flat Rock Road)
- Go 0.7 mile to where you "T-bone" into Warm Springs Rd
- Turn left at the stop sign onto Warm Springs Rd and go 1.0 mile
- The park entrance will be on your left

From the east (Macon):
- Take US 80 into Columbus city limits
- Where the road divides by Lynch Road, stay straight (towards Phenix City)
- Just after crossing over Alt 27 (Manchester Expressway), turn right at the first stoplight (Flat Rock Road)
- Go 0.7 mile to where you "T-bone" into Warm Springs Rd
- Turn left onto Warm Springs Rd and go 1.0 mile
- The park entrance will be on your left

From the west (Auburn):
- From US 431/280 take US 80 (JR Allen Parkway) to cross river into Columbus
- After crossing the Chattahoochee, continue to the junction of I-185 and US 80
- From the junction, continue straight/east on JR Allen Parkway for 5.5 miles
- When you enter the 45 mph zone, move to the left lane and turn left at first stoplight (Flat Rock Road)
- Go 0.7 mile to where you "T-bone" into Warm Springs Rd
- Turn left at the stop sign onto Warm Springs Rd and go 1.0 mile
- The park entrance will be on your left

See Map To Park.

Restrooms and Info
- When you enter, stay on the paved park road (one way).
- After 300 yards you find the first trail kiosk and restrooms on the right.
(Note: this kiosk is NOT the trail head. )

The Trail Head
- After entering the park, go 0.7 mile along the paved road.
- After you cross a bike/ped cross walk, stay on paved road to right
- The trailhead kiosk and pavilion will be 40 yards ahead in a grassy area on the left.
- The kiosk has a trail map, rules and etiquette and club news.
- Please park on the right side of the paved road (across the road from kiosk) to protect the grass around the kisk.

Trail Description and Maps

Description

The Flat Rock Trail consists of one large loop with sub-segments of which can be ridden independently. The segments have been combined to create 4 color-coded routes of varying lenghts and difficulty level.

See Better Map Image here.

Orange Loop:
Length = approx. 1.5 miles
Technical difficulty = Beginner

Green Loop:
Length = approx. 2.5 miles
Technical difficulty = Beginner to Intermediate

Blue Loop:
Length = approx. 7.8 miles
Technical difficulty = Intermediate

Red Loop:
Length = approx. 9.2 miles
Technical difficulty = Intermediate to Advanced

Trail Etiquette

Help make the trails fun and safe for everyone by using the following guidelines:

• Parents please educate your children on trail rules.
• No ATV’s or motorized vehicles allowed on the trails.
• Please be courteous to all other trail users.
• Bicyclists, wear a helmet for your safety.
• Bicycles yield to all other trail users (walkers, runners, and hikers on the trail, and cars when crossing streets). Yielding means slow down, communicate, be prepared to stop, and pass safely.
• To avoid erosion and damage to the trail, avoid riding the trail in rainy or wet conditions.
• Use a bell or your voice to warn others when passing.
• Keep your bike under control and at a safe speed at all times.
• Pet owners, leash and pick up after your pets.
• Downhill traffic should yield to uphill traffic. When in doubt, give the other user the right of way.
• Use caution when using headphones. You may not be able to hear people trying to warn you.
• To prevent injury to yourself and damage to natural resources, please stay on the designated trails.
• Do not litter. Do your part to keep the trails clean.
• Glass bottles and containers are prohibited.
• Be aware of trail conditions and proceed with care when conditions are poor, such as wet, covered in leaves, icy or strong winds.
• Do not block trail. Groups move to the right or form a single line.

Photos - Trail Day and wade map

Following are a few images from the Flat Rock Trail opening day, October 21, 2005.

Color coded trail system for orientation to various loops and skill levels.

The Kevin Adams, the architect who laid down the bedrock design of the overall trail system.

A great trail for beginners to experts.

Fearless young leaders of the offroad vanguard.

This sport is truly for everyone!

About the CCC

Founded - In Columbus, Georgia as the Chattahoochee Cycling Club in 1979.

Mission -To promote safe and enjoyable bicycling for all ages and abilities as recreation, sport, transportation, and lifestyle.

Description - Columbus Cycling Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to social, recreational, and serious riding, as well as cycling advocacy and education in the Chattahoochee Valley area. We have counted more than 2,000 individuals who have participated as members of our organization throughout the last 25 years. We are cycling enthusiasts who ride bikes for fun, camaraderie, and exercise. We are not a racing club, though we have produced a number of local racers. We are committed to promoting cycling safety, health and fitness, environmental awareness, and improvement of local cycling routes, both on road and off road. In addition to road and off-road bicycle rides, we encourage occasional hikes, camping trips, and other outings.

From beginner’s rides on Mondays, to Wednesday “bike and eat” rides, to weekend mountain bike rides and serious long distance road bike rides on Sunday - we accommodate every riding style, and ability, of on road and off road riding. Check our online ride calendar at: http://columbuscyclingclub.org

Our Ebulletin, an ‘Almost’ Weekly Cycling Newsletter, is distributed to a growing base of members, city and county organizations and agencies, civic organizations and friends.

Members Our members include families and individuals from the Chattahoochee Valley area, as well as surrounding counties. We range in age from teenagers to octogenarians. We welcome anyone who is interested in recreational, non-racing bicycling. Our weekly rides are flexible in length, starting places and starting times. We promote riding our bikes in a safe manner for fun, exercise, camaraderie and adventure.

The Columbus Cycling Club invites guests and prospective members to join our rides. Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be a member to ride with us.


Accomplishments and Growth in 2003-2006

Affiliations

 League of American Bicyclists (www.bikeleague.org) A national organization, LAB represents the interests of the nation's 57 million cyclists and works to promote bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America. With a current membership of 300,000 affiliated cyclists, including 40,000 individuals and 600 affiliated organizations, the League works to bring better bicycling to your community.

 International Mountain Bike Association (www.imba.com) IMBA creates, enhances and preserves trail opportunities for mountain bikers worldwide. Since 1988, IMBA has been bringing out the best in mountain biking by encouraging low-impact riding, volunteer trailwork participation, cooperation among different trail user groups, and innovative trail management solutions.

 Georgia Bikes (www.Georgiabikes.com) A statewide organization working to improve bicycling conditions and promote bicycling throughout the state. The group interacts with, and educates, elected officials, government agencies, consulting and engineering firms, and developers about improved and expanded facilities and safer bicycling. They work toward having children, the general public, law enforcement officials, and cyclists, become more knowledgeable about bicycle rights, responsibilities, and safety. They also encourage bicycling for health, recreation, transportation, and tourism/economic development reasons.

Accomplishments
 Hosted the start of 2005 BRAG (Bicycle Ride Across Georgia)
 Worked with Columbus to host InMotion X race events in 2003 / 2004
 Partnered with Columbus Regional to host Annual Celebrity Classic “Wheels to Heal” for the John B Amos Cancer Center
 Designed and built newly enhanced Flat Rock Park Mountain Bike Trail in support of partnership with the City of Columbus and Columbus Parks and Recreation
 Consulted with the City of Columbus on new Rails to Trails projects
 Partnered with SAFE KIDS of Georgia to promote bicycle safety programs for children
 Revived and expanded the outreach of the club, broadcasting news to more than 400 individuals and community contacts.
 Expanded the vision of the club to appeal to riders of all ages and abilities, from recreation to race-oriented riders.

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