Nathania Johnson writes: "Hi Joe, I used to love biking the greenway trails in Northern Virginia when I lived there. But after some health problems, I gave up on exercise and have gained 30 lbs. Now, I'm trying to get back into biking - and it's easier than I thought it would be, but I don't quite have the stamina to handle hills the way I used to (at least not yet).

It doesn't get much flatter than the American Tobacco Trail in Durham.

"So, I'm looking for the absolute flattest ride in the Triangle. I prefer not to ride on the road too much, a trail or greenway would be preferable. Got any ideas?"

[More:]

I have three quick suggestions for Nathania: See the maps referred to at the upper right of the Get Out! Get Fit! blog. The ATT in particular is all flat; the Black Creek/Umstead/Museum of art greenway has hills in Umstead and at the museum, but is otherwise flat; the Crabtree Greenway is very flat.

OK, people, now it's your turn. Got any suggested flat routes for Nathania?

06/11/08 at 12:06
Although it is clearly marked on your excellent PDF map, it is worth mentioning to Nathania that the Crabtree Creek greenway very gently follows the creek downstream from Lassiter Mill to the bottom of Rollingwood off East Glascock, but the final mile of Buckeye Trail includes what the cross country runners once marked on a sewer tower as "Suicide Hill," a very steep climb around a quarzite outcrcp that turns the creek east after a long southward run through Marsh Creek marsh. It has been re-graded in recent years but still represents quite a challenge for average bikers. That last section toward Milburnie Road is one of my favorite ( and birdiest) sections and worth the climb. I blog about the greenways at www.raleighnature.com

06/11/08 at 12:19
ohhhh, yeah, that would be a good thing to note. That puppy is a killer. Short, but intense. Thanks for the reminder, John.

06/11/08 at 21:26
Thanks for the suggestions! I tried the ATT tonight and loved it. It was perfect - exactly what I was looking for.

Will check out other trails as well. And thanks to John for the tip about the Crabtree Creek trail.

06/11/08 at 23:14
Which section of the ATT did you ride, Nathania?

06/12/08 at 12:36
Just to let everyone know, we finished mowing the entire 7.3 miles of ATT that TRTC manages and maintains, from the Chatham-Wake County line north to Massey Chapel Road in southern Durham (south of Southpoint Mall.

This was delayed this summer because of trailer, then mower problems. The southernmost stretch was done about two weeks back. Then the mower needed repair. Over the past two weeks I mowed the rest.

The trail was mowed to at least ten feet in width for the entire 7.3 miles. That totals 8.75 acres times two or more, because all of it needed to be mowed twice. Our mower wouldn't cut the very high and tough Lespedeza which covers most of the trail on this stretch.

Mowing all of this is dusty. lonely work. Though remarkably enough it was rather cool thanks to the ATT's wonderful canopy.

Don't expect that canopy to remain for long in Chatham County because bids for the construction of this stretch are supposed to be opened at Cary Parks and Rec. at 2 pm today. Construction should start as soon as August and be complete by next September.

While the plans aren't what we hoped, at least they are moving on the construction.

So enjoy the wonderful canopy of the ATT in Chatham County now, because it won't be there forever!

For more information on our ATT workdays each Saturday, please check out www.triangletrails.org or email me at americantobaccotrail@embarqmail.com

Happy Trails,

Bill B.

06/16/08 at 14:06
Hi ATT Users,

I wanted to let everyone know that with the lack of recent rains, it is currently possible, as of June 14, to cross Panther Creek without getting your feet wet at the north end of the Wake and Chatham county portion of the ATT.

This will give you a one-way 10.5 mile ride or walk from the south end of the trail at New Hill-Olive Chapel Road Parking Access.

Simply ride north on the ATT from any of the three access areas, cross into Chatham County where the compacted granite screenings (gravel) ends. Continue another 2 miles or so to the currently undecked Panther Creek trestle.

At the top of the trestle, carefully walk your bike down the left (west) sloping path. Be careful! It is steep and potentially slippery! See the obvious sandbar in front of you near the bottom of the path. Carefully cross the creek, Carefully climb up the west (left) path to get back onto the ATT.

Continue north for 2.4 miles to the undecked Northeast Creek trestle. You'll have to turn around here because the water here is much deeper than Panther Creek.

This is the first time we've seen Panther Creek this low since the drought last summer. This is an excellent time to get a 21 mile ride in on the ATT without too much difficulty.

Because we finished mowing all of this section of the trail last week, the grass and weeds are cut at a reasonable and comfortable level. Thus, you'll have the best ride or walk that you can have, and probably will be able to have for the foreseeable future.

Enjoy it while you can! Be careful! Your experience may vary. Keep in mind that ANY rain or change in Jordan Lake levels may effect this.

BTW, the low bidder for construction of the ATT in Chatham County was selected this past Thursday. Holmes Contracting of Cary was the low bidder for this 4.68 mile stretch of trail. The Northeast and Panther Creek trestles (bridges) will be built by Span Builders LLC of Raleigh.

Construction is anticipated to begin in August with completion (cross your fingers!) expected in September 2009.

Happy Trails,

Bill B.

06/16/08 at 14:21
Bill, thanks for the update. I'm guessing a number of folks will give this a try