By Ted Allen
Lynchburg News & Advance
August 6, 2006
BIG ISLAND - Remember the scene in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” when two shady parking garage valets take Cameron’s dad’s car for a joy ride, going airborne over hills through busy intersections on the streets of Chicago?
All Terrain Vehicle riders can experience the same kind of thrill at the South Pedlar ATV Trails, one of the most scenic and well-maintained trail systems in Central Virginia located in the Glenwood/Pedlar Ranger District off Virginia 130.
But reckless riders be warned: ATV accidents happen and are often quite serious when they do, especially those involving rocks, trees or steep ravines, which are all abundant here. As signs posted along the 18.5-miles of paths recommend, operators should stay on the trails at all times, even if it means limiting those exhilarating aerial jumps and sacrificing stupid stunts.
Safety-conscious riders gearing up for some good clean fun on some gnarly dirt trails won’t drive away disappointed. South Pedlar trails are a virtual gold mine for ATV operators and motor and mountain bike riders. The variety of terrain provides surprises over every hill and enough technical turns, challenging climbs and daunting descents to keep drivers on their toes, and their fingers at less than full throttle.
There are no posted speed limits, but the 25-mile per hour range - on vehicles that typically top out at around 50 mph - is probably the maximum safe speed for all but the few flat straightaways. I toured the trails on a mountain bike, so my maximum speed was closer to 20. I’m glad I tightened the brakes on my Raleigh 7000 before tackling the trails, or I probably would have taken a few nasty falls along the rocky descents.
[full article]
For more information:
South Pedlar ATV Trail System PDF
Lynchburg News & Advance
August 6, 2006
BIG ISLAND - Remember the scene in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” when two shady parking garage valets take Cameron’s dad’s car for a joy ride, going airborne over hills through busy intersections on the streets of Chicago?
All Terrain Vehicle riders can experience the same kind of thrill at the South Pedlar ATV Trails, one of the most scenic and well-maintained trail systems in Central Virginia located in the Glenwood/Pedlar Ranger District off Virginia 130.
But reckless riders be warned: ATV accidents happen and are often quite serious when they do, especially those involving rocks, trees or steep ravines, which are all abundant here. As signs posted along the 18.5-miles of paths recommend, operators should stay on the trails at all times, even if it means limiting those exhilarating aerial jumps and sacrificing stupid stunts.
Safety-conscious riders gearing up for some good clean fun on some gnarly dirt trails won’t drive away disappointed. South Pedlar trails are a virtual gold mine for ATV operators and motor and mountain bike riders. The variety of terrain provides surprises over every hill and enough technical turns, challenging climbs and daunting descents to keep drivers on their toes, and their fingers at less than full throttle.
There are no posted speed limits, but the 25-mile per hour range - on vehicles that typically top out at around 50 mph - is probably the maximum safe speed for all but the few flat straightaways. I toured the trails on a mountain bike, so my maximum speed was closer to 20. I’m glad I tightened the brakes on my Raleigh 7000 before tackling the trails, or I probably would have taken a few nasty falls along the rocky descents.
[full article]
For more information:
South Pedlar ATV Trail System PDF
