Arabia Mtn - South River - Panola Mtn Paved Bike Trail

Join me for a 2.5 hour ride, 23 miles total, on the beautiful paved trails in and around the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve.

We'll gather with our bikes at 9:00 AM at the kiosk by the Nature Center building (see detailed directions below -  the ramp off I20 is very, very tricky. Please review an online map before you drive). After introductions we'll head south toward Panola Mountain State Park, detour along the South River Trail, stop at Alexander Lake, and then head back to the Nature Center via the same path. We'll stop occasionally to regroup,  snack and hydrate as needed. NOTE: Please complete your pre-ride maintenance (e.g. inflate tires, lube chain, etc.) a day or two prior to the event. This will allow us to leave on time and complete the event on schedule.

Similar to the Silver Comet Trail (NW of Atlanta), the Arabia Mountain Trail is a hillier and winding multi-use paved scenic trail. There are 2-3 hills that will test your physical stamina but the rest is manageable. It's built and maintained by the PATH Foundation. It extends from the town of Lithonia and Stonecrest Mall on its north end and Panola Mtn State Park on its southern end. We will ride about 23 miles of the trail. Click here for general info and maps.

Pace - Since there are many hills, the pace is variable. We will target a flat surface pace of 10 mph but with the hills it will likely be slower. 

Ability Level - The hills on this route make for a challenging ride. The 3 large hills will test most riders strength. It's strongly recommended that riders be in good physical shape and use a light to medium weight bike. 

**PLEASE NOTE**
You are responsible for your bike maintenance and/or repairs on the trail. Other AOCer's will be willing to provide what help they can. But ultimately individual riders are responsible for any repairs. Make sure you complete a pre-ride maintenance check a day or two prior to the event.

Directions:

ARABIA MOUNTAIN is in the SE corner of DeKalb County (east of Atlanta near Lithonia, GA and I-20).  Once you exit from I20, navigating the roads to the meeting location at Arabia Mountian Nature Center is very, very tricky. Please review a map before you drive and follow the directions below very carefully.

A) From Atlanta or I-285 proceed eastbound on I-20 to exit #74 (Evans Mill Rd/Lithonia).

B) Veer right onto the ramp leading to Evans Mill Rd. Continue on this ramp (yes, it remains a ramp) for about 1 mile through one traffic light (intersection for Lithonia Industrial Blvd) and through another intersection (with a left turn).

C) After these intersections, the ramp will fork and a secondary ramp that veers to the right will appear. DO NOT take this right turn! Stay straight on the ramp and continue to the large intersection next to the highway overpass (on the left) at the ramps end.

D) At the traffic light turn right onto Evans Mills road. You will immediately see another traffic light in front of you. At the traffic light, go straight through and onto Woodrow Road. DO NOT turn and follow Evans Mill. Yes, it's one of those Atlanta roads where the name of the road turns at an intersection.

E) Continue on Woodrow Road about 1 mile to a stop sign at Klondike Road. Turn right onto Klondike Road and travel approximately 1 mile. You will cross Rockland Road as you circle through a roundabout. Exit the roundabout on the opposite side as if you drove straigt acros Rockland.

F) Continue 1 more mile to the Arabia Mountain Nature Center on the right. Once you enter, you'll see the center to the left, parking on the left and right. The lot to the right is very large and has plenty of parking.

We'll gather in next to the Kiosk in front of the Nature Center.