Comments sought on proposed bike race

January 07, 2009 04:17 pm

— The Conasauga Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is seeking comments on a request for a special use permit that would allow a multi-year bicycle race on open forest service roads in Fannin, Gilmer and Murray counties.
Comments may be used to change the proposed project. Comments become part of the project record and are available for public review. The district requests comments by Jan. 26.
An outfitter/guide company has requested permission to hold a 100-mile bicycle race on forest roads. The event would begin and end at the Ocoee Whitewater Center on the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. Chattahoochee National Forest roads on the route are FS 22, FS 64, FS 68, FS 17 and FS 16.
The event is proposed for April 25 and is expected to last 16 hours. Approximately 400 competitors are expected. There would be temporary checkpoints and aid stations about every 10-15 miles. The roads would remain open to vehicle traffic. The race has been successfully held on the same route the past three years, the ranger district said. The proposal would allow the event for the next five years.
The proposal meets Goal 31 of the forest plan, “Provide a spectrum of high quality, nature-based recreation settings and opportunities that reflect the unique ... resources of the forest and the interests of the recreating public.”
Letters should be sent to Conasauga Ranger District, Attn: 100-Mile Bike Race, 3941 Highway 76, Chatsworth, GA 30705. Comments can also be sent via e-mail to lrthomas@fs.fed.us with the subject line 100-Mile Bike Race. They can be faxed to (706) 695-1872. The contact person is Larry Thomas (706-695-6736, extension 103). Information is available at www.fs.fed.us/conf/.