Mountain Bike Magazine....

A GEORGIA PEACH:

MOUNTAINTOWN OUTDOOR EXPEDITIONS

The deep south is not known for mountainous terrain, but Georgia's Mountaintown Outdoor Expeditions (MOE) has become a mecca for Southeast bikers fleeing the flats. It's a peachy place to ride, with a very southern accent.

MOE has become a northwest Georgia outdoors mecca, with kayaking and canoeing, hiking, backpacking, fishing, shooting, and much more nearby. But mountain biking is the draw for many southern cyclists, thanks to some great terrain and a MOE as a great base.

MOE is perched high on a ridge, overlooking acres of secluded wilderness. You can almost hear the twang of the banjo in "Deliverance." Though they don't cater specifically to mountain bikers, many cyclists use it as an ideal base for exploration.

The laid-back MOE-tel features hostel-style sleeping in a bunkhouse built for eighteen (a bargain at ten bucks). They also offer free camping to those who'd rather spend their money on a new derailleur.

But the real draw is the terrain. Though MOE doesn't market tours, they can provide an excellent trail map to the entire area and lots of experienced advice. The trails are well-marked and -used.

Just a mile from MOE, the six-mile River Loop runs through 2,300 acres of land enclosed by the Cartecay River. It's a good introduction to some peachy mountain biking. Also nearby, Owltown Mountain provides an 11-mile loop that is famous for an 800-foot bike-and-hike climb.

But the real draw for MOEtowners is the Rich Mountain Trail, with over 50 miles of the first U.S. Forest Service-approved bike trail in Georgia. To this, add trails like Mountaintown, Bear Creek, Windy Gap, Tibbs, and Milma and you have one of the peachiest trail systems in the Southeast.

MOE also sponsors many racing events, including the Georgia State Championship Series. Contact Mountaintown Outdoor Expeditions at P.O. Box 86, Ellijay, GA 30540, 706/635-2524.