Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail Hoppenings and other fun…

By Ty Houck

We are nearly complete with painting center-line down the portion of the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail outside of the city limits of Greenville. The line helping remind people about the trail etiquette of “staying right and passing on the left”. It has especially been helpful in reminding the younger riders of where to be on the trail. In addition to finishing up the stripping work we will be making awareness improvements at the intersections.

·       This spring we are adding a new trail trip to our repertoire. On April 16^th we will explore the Silver Comet Trail. Just like our past trips – you pedal and we take care of the rest. This paved 60 mile trail in Georgia will be a great spring ride. If you are not sure you can make all 60 miles that’s fine, Greenville Rec Staff has designed this trip where you can pick shorter legs but with only 4’ of total elevation gain I think you’ll be surprised how far you can ride. Stay tuned for registration details.

·       Also, back by popular demand will be a fall-color ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail but this time we take the trip during the week to revel in the colors without the weekend crowds. Look for more details in the future or sign up for our e-newsletter so you don’t miss this trip that always fills up fast.

·       We had a successful first foray into cyclocross racing last year. For those not familiar with the sport, its like mountain biking but more through fields than on trails that you can do on a mountain bike or a cyclocross bike. Look from more events in the fall of 2016 that will include free kids races at every event. It’s a great time for kids to have fun and be active. And if you can’t wait until then the Cyclocross National Championships are going on all this week at the Biltmore in Asheville.

·       Greenville Rec like many others will be applying for trail grants again this year. If successful we hope to bring more natural surface trails to Travelers Rest and spur trails that connect more communities along the GHS Swamp Rabbit. Stay tuned.

·       Why do we want more communities connected to the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail? This great 2+min video talks about one reason why.

·       The JFA Trail at Pleasant Ridge County Park continues to get compliments from newbies and veterans of mountain biking. Thank you Arango for giving the community this gift. Come out and enjoy the trail whenever you can and/or come test your mettle during the 3 Hours on the Ridge race on Feb 20^th. This race will also have a Free Race for the kids. So bring  a tent, set up a pit and get outdoors.

·       It’s finally looking like it is getting cold enough for this new trip we have added – Friday night teen ski/snowboard trip to Cataloochee . (pssst…parents, it’s a date night for you as well, remember those?!)If you pick the trip on Feb 19^th and combine it with the 3-hour race above, your teen will probably sleep through all of that Sunday.

·       If you are starting to feel guilty about thinking about all this playing or you have made a New Year’s resolution to give back more, sign up to be a Park Hero. Join us on January 16^th on the JFA Trail or February 6^th on the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail.

·       A thank you to SC DOT for removing rails and then repaving the trail at Henderson Rd in TR. We continue to work closely with SC DOT to improve the at-grade crossings at their roads. Look for more improvements in 2016.

·       Pedal to a movie in 2016. Use the GHS Swamp Rabbit and bike lanes to get to Camelot Cinemas. Pick the bike icon in Google Maps to help plan your door-to-door route. Then when there lock up your bike to the new GHS Swamp Rabbit bike rack they have installed. Thank you to Camelot Cinemas for making it all that more inviting to bike around our community! If your business has a need for a bike rack let me know.

·       One movie you might want to see at Camelot is “Bikes Vs. Cars” on February 11^th. You decide how you want to get there.Tickets are $10 and must be bought in advance.  We only need people to buy 11 more tickets for the distributor to bring this film to Greenville.

·       Speaking of bike racks, if you have a need for a free locally crafted GHS Swamp Rabbit bike rack let me know. It doesn’t have to be right on the trail. Remember, when you bike you always get the best parking. So why not install a free bike rack to make it easier for everyone

·       Do you like Lattes? Do you like riding bikes? Then join staff from the Swamp Rabbit Inn for their weekly Tuesday Latte Rides, Tuesday mornings at 9:30 for a ride from downtown Greenville to Furman University. And if you don’t have a bike, you can rent one of theirs.

·       Spend that money that Grandma sent you on showing your love for the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail. Buy a t-shirt

·       As we know, the most popular New Year’s Resolution is to get in better shape. Let the Chris and Kelly’s HOPE fitness park help you with that resolution. It’s on the side trail at mile marker SR258 between Furman and Travelers Rest.

Thank you for reading this far, stay in touch