Totally disagree about these trails. Not everyone wants to ride clinical, man made bike park style trails. There's a lot to be said for the peace and tranquility of natural trails.
I think he just used the Florida trail as an example of making the most out of very little terrain variation. The terrain here appears to have more potential that they could take advantage of and provide more variety.
Brian is spot on with his assessment. Me and a couple guys fought with SORBA for a couple of years to add alternate progression lines and adequate drainage but the “elders” that make up the bulk of the organization did not want to hear it. They seem to think it’s better to stay in their bubble and not improve anything.
Sounds like you have not been active in SORBA-CSRA. Lots of drainage work being done by volunteers and working on other trails with alternate lines. It takes a LOT of people to work on the over 100 miles of trails that SORBA-CSRA so, yeah, sometimes it's hard to keep up. Check out the CSRA Trail Conditions page on Facebook to see the latest updates and announcements for work parties. That way you can help out and get more involved.
@@TonyHob The root cause problem with FATS is that the tread was not properly sloped when the trails were built hence why the trails are frequently closed. As I said before, this was YEARS AGO that we volunteered and voiced our ideas to work on drainage and alternate lines for FATS. CSRA-SORBA at the time was not receptive to input from anyone who was not a board member. We advised the then-president to hire actual professional trail builders to fix the drainage but he instead hired the same person who built the trails. What happened? Same drainage issues FATS has always been plagued with. After that I gave up. What's the saying? You can lead a horse to water?....If that's changed since then, wonderful.
This is a great place to learn to ride XC and get singletrack experience. Could someone go in there and build features, of course, but sometimes it's not always needed. Just a nice groomed singletrack to enjoy is fun enough.
Everyone not a double black diamond rider and lots of people dont like to get hurt hitting rocks, etc. I think a stupid thing to do is try a trail WAY beyond your limits, nothing wrong with riding and feeling comfortable with green and blue trails 1st
I think the point he was trying to make is sometimes trails need better descriptions. It looked like everything was actually a green trail despite being labeled blue.
@@gaberomero1740 I get that, and I agree that trails need to be better labeled for riders but there was several points made about these trails and that was one of them.
I've seen many videos where Brian takes on trails that 95% of bikers wouldn't touch with any bike. I perceive those videos in a different perspective, kind of like experiencing the top level in a vicarious sort of way, they are awesome! What is fun and exciting to one person is like why tempt serious injury or death to another. The mountain bike market knows this and trail builders probably use the 80-20 rule just like selling anything else. The market is trying to encourage more people to get involved in the sport, not discourage them. I guess in a perfect bike park, there will be trails to appeal to all rider levels, but I'm just guessing, most are generally designed for newbies or mid-level riders. I've seen plenty of sportbike riders in my years of riding, experience crashes, from mild to life-ending and in between. I had a near-fatal crash 15 years ago (six operations, three years of physical therapy) and I've known others experience crashes with just a broken bone or two that get out of the sport completely. A serious crash will change you in some way and this has to be taken into account if the mountain bike market expects to draw more people into it. It took me over three years to get back on the horse, but that is what motivated me to get well enough to ride again. Due to age, probably the crash, and the desire to explore more, I do more cruising and touring on my Goldwing than riding my Ducati 999R superbike. However, I keep the Ducati because I still have that devil on my right shoulder that appears, telling me to get on the bike, wring its neck and rip the mountain canyons. The post-ride euphoria settles me down, for a while anyway.
My local trails! You should have hit me up! LOL. SORBA-CSRA, myself included, does a lot of work on these trails. The are several more technical trails just a few miles from FATS: Turkey Creek, Wine Creek and Modoc to name a few. You also missed Brown Wave which is a very flowy fast trail with some small jumps. Really needed a guide to take you around and recommend the best direction to ride them. The experience may have been better then. For those who have not ridden these trails, they are actually well labeled. Plenty of signs and even maps along the trail. Not sure why he missed all the signs.
You say you're sorry for being a bike snob, but then go a complain right after about the trail. Not every cyclist is a free rider, dirt jumper, downhill rider etc. Mtn biking didn't start out as bike parks and if all trails were flow and jumps, there would be less people out riding. That's what makes Mtn biking so fun, the diversity of riding available.
Dude exactly, I don’t like that egotistic attitude he has towards expectations on trails... so what if it is a “moderate” trail system, at least you’re outside and biking, not many people can say the same, and only wish they can do what he does.
@@tobysnow2927 True, most of us ride what we have and travel when we can. I have seen several other TH-cam mtb'ers that all they care about is speed, flow, and jumps, but they forget not all of us are about that type riding.
Is that the only thing you guys got out of that whole video😳😳! People are so sensitive. How about labelling trails and features? Safer for the non Adrenalin junkies! And his comment seemed more about unexploited potential. And with so much ground, what’s wrong with trails for all levels of ability? That’s how people find their preferences right. People online just seem to lose all perspective!
Yeah. Guy came off like a bag. Trails looked fun to me. I like a good down hill, tech, jumps etc but flying through the woods like this can be fun as too. Maybe he needs to go faster? Prob mad cause he doesn't have fans in SC
I ride here all the time being in the Augusta, GA area. There are 37 miles of trails here. Deep Step, Brown Wave, and Skinny are all good. Deep Step has some very fast downhills and very steep climbs. These trails are great for anyone really wanting to get in shape and have some technical aspects.
Grew up in upstate SC... very few trails to choose from (mostly rode Issaqueena). The land is there, there's just no demand I guess - which is a shame. The upstate needs a quality bike park. Anyway, I live near Charlotte now. If you don't ride MTB here, there's something wrong with you. WWC, Sherman Branch, Backyard Trails, just to name a few.
@@nicholasc3501 I'm moving yo upstate south carolina and still young, might try to find some new friends who are into mtb and hopefully have them build with me
I've ridden all around the country and FATS is still one of my favorite trail systems. Yes, it would be sweet if they added some more technical loops, but I love the flow at FATS as well as the copious amount of rollers. And it's easy to do a lot of mileage as well. I get that it's not for everyone, but this video was definitely quite a downer. It also looked like the trails needed some more time to dry out.
The worst part about FATS is all the kooks that grab their pitchforks anytime it rains for 5 seconds. Only place in the country that is that lame about riding wet trails. Let 'em erode and actually be fun.
@@CoderShare that's bullshit and just proves you don't know what you're talking about. A significant portion of this country doesn't want people riding and eroding the trails when all you have to do is not ride when wet. Including all the Missouri, Kansas, Arizona, and Utah trails I've ridden.
I sent you an email and you said that you already had a couple people email you from SC. So there isn't one of us, there are like 3. Haha. Anyway, in my opinion, paris mountain state park in greenville has some of the best trails in South Carolina. Fats has a lot of mileage but greenville has the elevation and fun factor.
Yes BK come ride Paris mountain its a little slice of goodness and has everything from rock gardens, flow, knarly roots, and good tech climbs, and fast curves downhill. Not perfect but very fun, plus a mountain lake and Piney Mountain Bike Lounge to have a nice cold one after a ride. 1300 ft up and down.
Paris MTN is ok, u all cud do better in my opinion with that trail, not only that trail but other areas as well, I’d rather go and #RideKanuga but #FATS has a lot of potential but he definitely needed somebody to guide him through FATS because it has so much flow especially on #eMTBs 🇺🇸
After watching this video and reading some of the comments from the locals - I really think this '50 state shred' needs to have local guides for each ride. I understand Brian not wanting to meet with people because of COVID but he is going to miss a lot of the good stuff at each trail because only the locals really know what to ride.
I really appreciate the trail commentary. Especially for those of us who want to travel. And wanted to say thanks BKXC. After watching your videos for 2 years, I finally got a mtb. You inspired that. I didn't think there was mtb in Florida. Next time you're down, check out Grapefruit trail in Palm Bay, FL. Especially if you want to practice some jumping.
I live in Charlotte, NC and our trails are similar but, they are changing. I think, just my opinion here, that a lot of us only knew mountain biking as cross country until recently and we were all fat, dumb, and happy with our trails. After pulling my head out of the sand and looking on TH-cam and other places I realized there is a whole other of world of mountain biking out there and I want at it. I have a feeling a lot of trail organizations are populated with such types and might need upgraded thinking. I am not knocking, in any way, the hard work i/we have put into building and maintaining trails. I used to be a roadie and doing roadie stuff on mountain bike trails seemed good enough for a long time but I have tasted the sweetness of great mountain bike trails and they can be sooo much better than what we have in many places.
Big Rock is way better in the other direction. I ride these trails every week and I have them listed as to which directions are most fun(most downhill flow). Skinny- CW Brown Wave - CW Great Wall - CCW Deep Step - CCW Big Rock - CCW Tower - CCW
Best trail in south Carolina is by far at the Stumphouse Mountain bike park, it's in the very upper northwest corner of the state. The crown jewel there is their black diamond flow jump trail, some big boy jumps out there
The Hulk in Myrtle Beach is also pretty decent, lots of optional gap jumps there and a big drop, many berms. But yeah, FATS is great but should have gone somewhere else!
Hey Brian here is how you setup your AXS System with AXS Eagle and AXS Reverb and add it to AXS app: I had same issue and here is how you solve it. 1. delete bike profile from axs app 2. basically you need to pair AXS Eagle and AXS reverb as one "system", so put derailleur in pairing mode - press and hold until it blinks 3. press and hold the button on AXS Controller (not reverb controller) 4. now, while derailleur is still in pairing mode, press and hold AXS Reverb button until it fast blinks 5. press and hold Reverb controller's button 6. Finally press and release derailleur button to finish system pairing process 7. Re add derailleur and all components to AWS Mobile app and it should work After this is done like above you will be able to configure reverb's and drivetrain controls and swap them and what not.
Come on Bryan, don't bash the trailbuilders just because you were looking for a Redbull type circuit. All MTB look for different type of trails, not always has to be an all-technical-pro-style-jumping class route.
I like his perspective, I don’t think he’s knocking them at all! I know FATS very well, he made great points, but he shud of gotten a guide who knows how to flow the good spots 😆
Would this be a good place to get in shape for seeing other feature filled trails? Seemed like it, I've been to fats once in summer and it kicked my ass! My first time riding above sea level
This man gets on his 30 lbs Enduro rig with big heavy tires, coil spring suspension and goes to ride FATS at grandma’s pace. I cant confirm but apparently you missed riding Brown Wave and Skinny loop in favor of Great Wall. Then missed Deep Step and the connector because you wanted to be lazy and drive to the North Side. FATS isnt Pisgah. There are no crazy drops or rock gardens but at speed it is super flowy and extremely fun. This is coming from a fat guy.
On January 28, 1861 the General Assembly at the time adopted the current version of South Carolina's flag-which prominently displays a palmetto tree--to symbolized Colonel Moultrie's heroic defense of the palmetto-log fort on Sullivan's Island against the attack of the British fleet on June 28, 1776. The triumph at Fort Moultrie was largely accredited to the ability of the palmetto tree fort to absorb the force of British cannonballs. The palmetto became a symbol of liberty and safety in South Carolina. The palmetto tree was first included as a decorative element on the South Carolina state seal in 1777 and then added to the state flag in 1861. The flag design has remained in tact since then and has become a symbol of pride for many South Carolinians. June 28th is remembered, each year, as "Carolina Day" and celebrated in Charleston each year, with images of the palmetto tree depicted throughout the city.
If you dont ride with some one from the area or talk to the groups in charge of the trails how do you know they arent working towards more? It usually takes volunteers.
This is why we all ride dirt bikes down here, no mountains to bike on. If you ever find yourself back in SC Paris Mtn is one of the better places to go. Several trails with a pretty tech and long black diamond.
In order to add your AXS group to your bike you need to pair your dropper and controllers to your derailleur. When you do that properly you can add your derailleur to your bike on the app and it will include your dropper and your controllers. I had the same issue.
If you are looking for SC trails in my limited experience there are some fun stuff farther north toward Greenville that is more interesting. Have not been to FATS personally
Agree. Just left Paris Mountain. I would bet Brian a coke he couldn’t clear coming back up Brissey ridge. Some very technical climbs that he would enjoy.
Side note about Palmetto tree thing. Fort Moultrie in Charleston was built of Palmetto trees and the British cannon balls bounced off the walls reinforced with palmetto trees. Hence the obsession with the tree. This is an abbreviated version though @bkxc
Also he won’t find palmetto trees in the woods. Pretty sure that was a yucca bush, and no there wasn’t a grove of palmetto trees at the bottom of that hill. :)
This was a little less challenging coarse, but like you say if you don't put a shovel in the ground don't complain. Just gives you perspective of what is out there at different parks. Have a great week and be safe.
That looks like a great place for families that want to get out for easy days on the bike. Maybe not for a single adult that lives for mountain biking...
14:43 Jonathan Dickinson have much to start with other than dunes. Zantos however had an abandoned mine, most of the work AKA elevation was already done they just needed to carve the path. That said it's still amazing and probably the best place in Florida ( Virginia key?)
Every area of the US has a ton of potential. I would love to the the states to actively appoint representatives at the state level for certain outdoor disciplines to help local clubs find resources, education, and advocacy in the states administration. The economic and health benefits of reinvestment in our outdoors could make America shine for the outdoor paradise it is. Another great wave of the FDR CCC even.
I do want to head down to FATS some day but there are tons of great trails in the upstate, around Greenville. Stumphouse, Pleasant Ridge, Paris Mountain, Fants Grove, Issaqueena, Lake Whelchel, SWU. You gotta come down next time you’re in Western NC.
The Hulk in Myrtle Beach and JFA Trail are two actually pretty good trails around. There is also Biggins Creek in Charleston that really takes advantage of the terrain.
Just curious, have you gotten emails about WV? You know where you’re headed? Not from here but just did Moon Rocks and Hoo Doo Rocks outside of Davis WV and it’s definitely a unique and epic trail.
We have some trials here! If you come back or through you have to stop by Myrtle Beach and ride the hidden jewel and ride the hulk! Myrtle Beach bike and run has 22 trails and def worth it.
In the beginning of the video you mentioned issues with the AXS app. Double check that the location(GPS) on your phone is on as well as the Bluetooth when pairing/connecting a device. A lot of times that can be a issue.
A new system here learned they had to fight to take ownership of the trails on Trailforks. Someone had put in all the trails, but at least one of them they decided to add their own name to so the signage didn't match up. That made it pretty confusing when I rode there the first time, but they have it sorted now.
Exactly right about the snakes in the South. I bunny hopped over a Diamondback near Rome, GA, and over a water moccasin (with my race bike) in Athens, GA.
Hey, we are home in SC! I haven’t been to Forks yet - thanks for the tour. Just found your fifty state shred and love it that you’re making such a life.
Ride these trails a lot. One of the most flowy trail systems around. I do agree with the terrain available more technical sections could be added. Love Great Wall my favorite loop at FATS. You have to ride CW to get the best ride. Very smooth on the front side of the lCW loop..
DentigerousCyst Gorlin Goltz i rose a hard rail there for years and always complained about the riots. Once I got a full squish they where not that bad. I actually like to rooted sections now. But yes a hardtail is rough out there. Awesome trails though.
Long Cane is quite possibly the most fun trail i've ever ridden in SC. A couple scattered in Greenville, Issaqueena in Clemson, but Long Cane was awesome. I've only been once, need to go again!! Check out Payne's Creek just across the state line in Hartwell, GA. That's my "go to" trail when I'm home visiting the fam.
Honestly this trail looks fun as heck, not everyone gets sponsored to ride an awesome ibis mountain bike around. Most people have much cheaper bikes where stuff lie that rock drop off *would* be difficult. Lighten up man we're not all professionals.
Before I moved from SC-I used to ride Harbison State Park in Columbia (99-2000). Is that place still alive?? I thought it was pretty good, given the area....
It’s ok if you don’t like the trails. But when you beat up on a trail system and the volunteers who have put decades of their lives making it great that’s not cool. The places you mentioned are theme park trails. FATS is natural, raw, and bad A$$. Take care man.
I think it becomes a big hassle to update trails online. You need very specific hardware to map the trails with GPS. A lot of building has been going on at one of the trails I ride a lot and Trailforks has some of the updates but not all of them and some of the names are wrong.
95% of Southeast Michigan trails are like this trail system too. They frown heavily on anyone trying to build any sort of "feature" because all of the trail organizations are filled with 50+ year old cross country guys. Their little clubs tend to neglect the voices of younger riders who want fun over miles.
Love seeing my local trails being shown some love. Hate that I missed ya but if Rona ever goes away and you’re back out Ill show you how the trails should be ridden. (Minimum pedaling, Maximum Gnar) We also are starting some trail work days to improve all of the trails out there. Anyway great video, cant wait for more.
It's hard visiting a trail system once and forming an opinion without the right local knowledge. I thought that system looked like it would be a ton of fun on a single speed hardtail.
Ridden there many times and was almost always great, but looked like quite a bit of water damage. Also, last time I was up there they were actively logging around the trails, as in VERY actively and it had ruined some of the trail. Brown wave is a great trail. North parking area took some hurricane damage a few years back that changed it. Still, a flow, fun XC place to ride, think you hit it on a bad day and missed some of the best features. Love the series though!
Man, you gotta head up to Paris Mountain. I live across the border in NC and still head down there pretty often when I want something except Pisgah, Bent Creek and DuPont .
And palmetto trees are coastal, and people plant them in the Edgefield area as ornamentals, but they won’t occur in natural woods there - or you saw a very unusual thing.
Nice! I’ve never been to FATS...think I’ll save the drive. Lol. The ole Atlanta outro! Welcome to the ATL (though I know that was weeks ago). Hope your travels back west or wherever you’re off to are safe! Stay well Brian!
I’m the club president and also the person that looks after not only our club trails but some other surrounding trail networks on Trailforks as well. I agree, it is important to have up to date and accurate maps for visitors.
Biggin and Merrington are the two local favorites out here. Charleston area. Also, it's been raining a lot and we try and close the trails because drainage out here isn't great
I, too, am frustrated by the poor trail maps for many mountain biking destinations. (Part of the problem is that many of the locals who ride those trails aren't particularly interested in having outsiders find out about them.)
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m the opposite. I feel good when somebody comes to my home trails and has a great ride. I have done a lot of work adding trails, descriptions, and ratings to TF, and before that came along, adding to OpenCycleMaps. In my home trail system that feels quite natural, but when I go ride somewhere new, it feels weird adding trail descriptions to TF, but if no one else is going to do it...what the hell. I like BK’s description of a cartographer for a MTB organization-I could totally be that guy.
South Carolina is fun. I have family there, so I've ridden there before. It definitely doesn't have much elevation change, but the trails are interesting none the less! You just get sand everywhere XD
Brain, just finished Crested Butte! It's good to go man, all the trails have no snow on your chasing epic coming up. After all your time in the South, remember to try and get altitude acclimated. By the way, there is a place in Tenn. where I used to live called AC/DC in Knoxville and it was loaded with spider webs. Man I hated that too. Feels weird. Ride on...
Hey Brian, watch a lot of your videos.... I think the most consistent thing about all your videos is your over inflated tires! PRO TIP: Lay a 2x4 on the ground, start with 20-22 psi in tires. Ride at speed,, over the 2x4, if your rim makes contact add 2psi at a time until your rim doesn’t touch. That’s your ideal pressure for that speed. The 2x4, being wood, won’t damage your rim. Traction, handling, and braking will all improve greatly. Plus we won’t have to hear your spokes pinging and your tires sounding like getting beamed in the head with a dodge ball every time you hit the corner of a rock. Keep shredding.
Thanks for the props for our Florida trails. As a Florida boy everytime you said "There's a Palmetto" I was thinking about the Bug, not the weeds that I hack out of my yard with a machete.
I've heard great things about FATS, for mountain biking and running. Even though I didn't send in any recommendations (Harbison State Forest), I figured a bunch of people would have sent you stuff about areas near Greenville.
If You are still in S.C. stop by Rock Hill, and Fort Mill. Trails at Springs in Fort Mill are fast and fun. Rock Hill has the velodrome,and bmx track. You can rent a bike for both.
Excellent video is always young man Question. Try making a video of exactly how you put your GoPro together for your shots I recently destroyed my GoPro hero 8 and it is getting replaced I know you are using a chest rig Mainly the question is do you have it upside-down or right-side up and what clips are you using
I’m still flabbergasted how the upstate wasn’t ridden. FATS doesn’t hold a candle to the trails we have up here. Pleasant Ridge, Paris, Issaqueena, Southside (Croft), Stumphouse, etc...
Totally disagree about these trails. Not everyone wants to ride clinical, man made bike park style trails. There's a lot to be said for the peace and tranquility of natural trails.
These aren't natural trails though. They are mini excavator-built, cross-country trails (or should I say dirt sidewalks).
@@finnanders9730
Okay, if you want to be pedantic about it... but you know exactly what I mean and most would class them as natural, as do I.
@@Adventures_with_Sog A natrual trail where i'm from has a shitton of roots and rocks everywhere and mainly consists of loam.
@@Katt1n
Sounds like fun. 🤙
I think he just used the Florida trail as an example of making the most out of very little terrain variation. The terrain here appears to have more potential that they could take advantage of and provide more variety.
Brian is spot on with his assessment. Me and a couple guys fought with SORBA for a couple of years to add alternate progression lines and adequate drainage but the “elders” that make up the bulk of the organization did not want to hear it. They seem to think it’s better to stay in their bubble and not improve anything.
Sounds like you have not been active in SORBA-CSRA. Lots of drainage work being done by volunteers and working on other trails with alternate lines. It takes a LOT of people to work on the over 100 miles of trails that SORBA-CSRA so, yeah, sometimes it's hard to keep up. Check out the CSRA Trail Conditions page on Facebook to see the latest updates and announcements for work parties. That way you can help out and get more involved.
@@TonyHob The root cause problem with FATS is that the tread was not properly sloped when the trails were built hence why the trails are frequently closed.
As I said before, this was YEARS AGO that we volunteered and voiced our ideas to work on drainage and alternate lines for FATS. CSRA-SORBA at the time was not receptive to input from anyone who was not a board member. We advised the then-president to hire actual professional trail builders to fix the drainage but he instead hired the same person who built the trails. What happened? Same drainage issues FATS has always been plagued with. After that I gave up. What's the saying? You can lead a horse to water?....If that's changed since then, wonderful.
This is a great place to learn to ride XC and get singletrack experience. Could someone go in there and build features, of course, but sometimes it's not always needed. Just a nice groomed singletrack to enjoy is fun enough.
sounds like I need to head out that way looks awesome
Everyone not a double black diamond rider and lots of people dont like to get hurt hitting rocks, etc. I think a stupid thing to do is try a trail WAY beyond your limits, nothing wrong with riding and feeling comfortable with green and blue trails 1st
I think the point he was trying to make is sometimes trails need better descriptions. It looked like everything was actually a green trail despite being labeled blue.
@@gaberomero1740 I get that, and I agree that trails need to be better labeled for riders but there was several points made about these trails and that was one of them.
I've seen many videos where Brian takes on trails that 95% of bikers wouldn't touch with any bike. I perceive those videos in a different perspective, kind of like experiencing the top level in a vicarious sort of way, they are awesome! What is fun and exciting to one person is like why tempt serious injury or death to another. The mountain bike market knows this and trail builders probably use the 80-20 rule just like selling anything else. The market is trying to encourage more people to get involved in the sport, not discourage them. I guess in a perfect bike park, there will be trails to appeal to all rider levels, but I'm just guessing, most are generally designed for newbies or mid-level riders. I've seen plenty of sportbike riders in my years of riding, experience crashes, from mild to life-ending and in between. I had a near-fatal crash 15 years ago (six operations, three years of physical therapy) and I've known others experience crashes with just a broken bone or two that get out of the sport completely.
A serious crash will change you in some way and this has to be taken into account if the mountain bike market expects to draw more people into it. It took me over three years to get back on the horse, but that is what motivated me to get well enough to ride again. Due to age, probably the crash, and the desire to explore more, I do more cruising and touring on my Goldwing than riding my Ducati 999R superbike. However, I keep the Ducati because I still have that devil on my right shoulder that appears, telling me to get on the bike, wring its neck and rip the mountain canyons. The post-ride euphoria settles me down, for a while anyway.
My local trails! You should have hit me up! LOL. SORBA-CSRA, myself included, does a lot of work on these trails. The are several more technical trails just a few miles from FATS: Turkey Creek, Wine Creek and Modoc to name a few. You also missed Brown Wave which is a very flowy fast trail with some small jumps. Really needed a guide to take you around and recommend the best direction to ride them. The experience may have been better then. For those who have not ridden these trails, they are actually well labeled. Plenty of signs and even maps along the trail. Not sure why he missed all the signs.
Ya he blew it
You say you're sorry for being a bike snob, but then go a complain right after about the trail. Not every cyclist is a free rider, dirt jumper, downhill rider etc. Mtn biking didn't start out as bike parks and if all trails were flow and jumps, there would be less people out riding. That's what makes Mtn biking so fun, the diversity of riding available.
Dude exactly, I don’t like that egotistic attitude he has towards expectations on trails... so what if it is a “moderate” trail system, at least you’re outside and biking, not many people can say the same, and only wish they can do what he does.
@@tobysnow2927 True, most of us ride what we have and travel when we can. I have seen several other TH-cam mtb'ers that all they care about is speed, flow, and jumps, but they forget not all of us are about that type riding.
Is that the only thing you guys got out of that whole video😳😳! People are so sensitive. How about labelling trails and features? Safer for the non Adrenalin junkies!
And his comment seemed more about unexploited potential. And with so much ground, what’s wrong with trails for all levels of ability? That’s how people find their preferences right.
People online just seem to lose all perspective!
Check out my LowCountry MTB to see the real FATS. BKXC cane into this video with an agenda. It’s really sad to see him behave this way.
Yeah. Guy came off like a bag. Trails looked fun to me. I like a good down hill, tech, jumps etc but flying through the woods like this can be fun as too. Maybe he needs to go faster? Prob mad cause he doesn't have fans in SC
I ride here all the time being in the Augusta, GA area. There are 37 miles of trails here. Deep Step, Brown Wave, and Skinny are all good. Deep Step has some very fast downhills and very steep climbs. These trails are great for anyone really wanting to get in shape and have some technical aspects.
I’m sorry, but you skipped two of the best segments on the trail: Brown Wave and Skinny. To me those should have been ridden...Super fast and flowy.
Yes! I was hoping he'd get to those.
I liked deep step to. Brown wave and deep step are actually worth it.
He missed Deep Step which is my favorite 😻
Anybody live in Beaufort?
Brown wave is a little wierd though, but can’t complain for sc trails
I’m from South Carolina and thought about emailing, but then I remembered I always drive up to NC to ride. Lol! Good stuff!
Grew up in upstate SC... very few trails to choose from (mostly rode Issaqueena). The land is there, there's just no demand I guess - which is a shame. The upstate needs a quality bike park. Anyway, I live near Charlotte now. If you don't ride MTB here, there's something wrong with you. WWC, Sherman Branch, Backyard Trails, just to name a few.
FATS is amazing, I’d show him my flowy route I do to have the most fun!
@@nicholasc3501 I'm moving yo upstate south carolina and still young, might try to find some new friends who are into mtb and hopefully have them build with me
@@nicholasc3501 You didn’t ride Dairy Ridge or SouthSide?
@@mladue2 I live in Upstate SC. Id love to ride!
I've ridden all around the country and FATS is still one of my favorite trail systems. Yes, it would be sweet if they added some more technical loops, but I love the flow at FATS as well as the copious amount of rollers. And it's easy to do a lot of mileage as well. I get that it's not for everyone, but this video was definitely quite a downer. It also looked like the trails needed some more time to dry out.
The worst part about FATS is all the kooks that grab their pitchforks anytime it rains for 5 seconds.
Only place in the country that is that lame about riding wet trails. Let 'em erode and actually be fun.
@@CoderShare that's bullshit and just proves you don't know what you're talking about. A significant portion of this country doesn't want people riding and eroding the trails when all you have to do is not ride when wet. Including all the Missouri, Kansas, Arizona, and Utah trails I've ridden.
I sent you an email and you said that you already had a couple people email you from SC. So there isn't one of us, there are like 3. Haha. Anyway, in my opinion, paris mountain state park in greenville has some of the best trails in South Carolina. Fats has a lot of mileage but greenville has the elevation and fun factor.
I emailed him basically the exact same info! Not saying he rode the worst trails in SC but certainly not the best.
Yes BK come ride Paris mountain its a little slice of goodness and has everything from rock gardens, flow, knarly roots, and good tech climbs, and fast curves downhill. Not perfect but very fun, plus a mountain lake and Piney Mountain Bike Lounge to have a nice cold one after a ride. 1300 ft up and down.
Paris MTN is ok, u all cud do better in my opinion with that trail, not only that trail but other areas as well, I’d rather go and #RideKanuga but #FATS has a lot of potential but he definitely needed somebody to guide him through FATS because it has so much flow especially on #eMTBs 🇺🇸
After watching this video and reading some of the comments from the locals - I really think this '50 state shred' needs to have local guides for each ride. I understand Brian not wanting to meet with people because of COVID but he is going to miss a lot of the good stuff at each trail because only the locals really know what to ride.
Exactly I’d show him the cutbacks and the flow, he shud of hit deep step!!
I really appreciate the trail commentary. Especially for those of us who want to travel.
And wanted to say thanks BKXC. After watching your videos for 2 years, I finally got a mtb. You inspired that. I didn't think there was mtb in Florida. Next time you're down, check out Grapefruit trail in Palm Bay, FL. Especially if you want to practice some jumping.
I live in Charlotte, NC and our trails are similar but, they are changing. I think, just my opinion here, that a lot of us only knew mountain biking as cross country until recently and we were all fat, dumb, and happy with our trails. After pulling my head out of the sand and looking on TH-cam and other places I realized there is a whole other of world of mountain biking out there and I want at it. I have a feeling a lot of trail organizations are populated with such types and might need upgraded thinking. I am not knocking, in any way, the hard work i/we have put into building and maintaining trails.
I used to be a roadie and doing roadie stuff on mountain bike trails seemed good enough for a long time but I have tasted the sweetness of great mountain bike trails and they can be sooo much better than what we have in many places.
I go to Charlotte a lot, they are doing great things
if you're ever in SC again you should check out the Ann Springs Greenway
I say the word pederd out a lot and you are one of the first you tubers I have ever heard say that!
Your buddy Seth has the perfect spider web accessory for your bike Bryan
Big Rock is way better in the other direction. I ride these trails every week and I have them listed as to which directions are most fun(most downhill flow). Skinny- CW
Brown Wave - CW
Great Wall - CCW
Deep Step - CCW
Big Rock - CCW
Tower - CCW
Best trail in south Carolina is by far at the Stumphouse Mountain bike park, it's in the very upper northwest corner of the state. The crown jewel there is their black diamond flow jump trail, some big boy jumps out there
Tiger Biker definitely should have gone upstate!
The Hulk in Myrtle Beach is also pretty decent, lots of optional gap jumps there and a big drop, many berms. But yeah, FATS is great but should have gone somewhere else!
Stumphouse mountain is in walhalla sc
@@alexdubose9064 yes it is haha
Very big boy jumps👍
Hey Brian here is how you setup your AXS System with AXS Eagle and AXS Reverb and add it to AXS app:
I had same issue and here is how you solve it.
1. delete bike profile from axs app
2. basically you need to pair AXS Eagle and AXS reverb as one "system", so put derailleur in pairing mode - press and hold until it blinks
3. press and hold the button on AXS Controller (not reverb controller)
4. now, while derailleur is still in pairing mode, press and hold AXS Reverb button until it fast blinks
5. press and hold Reverb controller's button
6. Finally press and release derailleur button to finish system pairing process
7. Re add derailleur and all components to AWS Mobile app and it should work
After this is done like above you will be able to configure reverb's and drivetrain controls and swap them and what not.
Let me know if you have any questions
Come on Bryan, don't bash the trailbuilders just because you were looking for a Redbull type circuit.
All MTB look for different type of trails, not always has to be an all-technical-pro-style-jumping class route.
I like his perspective, I don’t think he’s knocking them at all! I know FATS very well, he made great points, but he shud of gotten a guide who knows how to flow the good spots 😆
I love these rambling rides where you're so bored you just lay your spiel on us. Oddly relaxing.
Would this be a good place to get in shape for seeing other feature filled trails? Seemed like it, I've been to fats once in summer and it kicked my ass! My first time riding above sea level
Props for riding SC mid day in the summer, I don’t even ride during the day anymore in summer due to heatstroke risk.
Same here dude especially when the sun is out it's just too much
This man gets on his 30 lbs Enduro rig with big heavy tires, coil spring suspension and goes to ride FATS at grandma’s pace.
I cant confirm but apparently you missed riding Brown Wave and Skinny loop in favor of Great Wall. Then missed Deep Step and the connector because you wanted to be lazy and drive to the North Side.
FATS isnt Pisgah. There are no crazy drops or rock gardens but at speed it is super flowy and extremely fun. This is coming from a fat guy.
Thanks for sharing this trail, and your usual banter. It’s like going to the pub but with more bikes and no beer. 🤣😂👍
Keep up the great work Brian. Always awesome content as usual.
Stay safe
On January 28, 1861 the General Assembly at the time adopted the current version of South Carolina's flag-which prominently displays a palmetto tree--to symbolized Colonel Moultrie's heroic defense of the palmetto-log fort on Sullivan's Island against the attack of the British fleet on June 28, 1776.
The triumph at Fort Moultrie was largely accredited to the ability of the palmetto tree fort to absorb the force of British cannonballs. The palmetto became a symbol of liberty and safety in South Carolina. The palmetto tree was first included as a decorative element on the South Carolina state seal in 1777 and then added to the state flag in 1861. The flag design has remained in tact since then and has become a symbol of pride for many South Carolinians. June 28th is remembered, each year, as "Carolina Day" and celebrated in Charleston each year, with images of the palmetto tree depicted throughout the city.
Saw that he was at FORKS and I instantly knew Brian would not like it. Stayed for his commentary... which is spot on.
If you dont ride with some one from the area or talk to the groups in charge of the trails how do you know they arent working towards more? It usually takes volunteers.
This is why we all ride dirt bikes down here, no mountains to bike on. If you ever find yourself back in SC Paris Mtn is one of the better places to go. Several trails with a pretty tech and long black diamond.
In order to add your AXS group to your bike you need to pair your dropper and controllers to your derailleur. When you do that properly you can add your derailleur to your bike on the app and it will include your dropper and your controllers. I had the same issue.
If you are looking for SC trails in my limited experience there are some fun stuff farther north toward Greenville that is more interesting. Have not been to FATS personally
I'm live down here near FATS. Rode Paris Mtn yesterday for the first time. Can confirm hella awesome.
@@CoderShare Paris Mountain is for sure the place to check out. I hate this is where he got sent lol.
Agree. Just left Paris Mountain. I would bet Brian a coke he couldn’t clear coming back up Brissey ridge. Some very technical climbs that he would enjoy.
Pleasant Ridge is a little bit better in my mind with the guys always doing a great job on the trail work.
Could you recommend your favorite trails here please. Would be appreciated.
Side note about Palmetto tree thing. Fort Moultrie in Charleston was built of Palmetto trees and the British cannon balls bounced off the walls reinforced with palmetto trees. Hence the obsession with the tree. This is an abbreviated version though @bkxc
Also he won’t find palmetto trees in the woods. Pretty sure that was a yucca bush, and no there wasn’t a grove of palmetto trees at the bottom of that hill. :)
This was a little less challenging coarse, but like you say if you don't put a shovel in the ground don't complain.
Just gives you perspective of what is out there at different parks. Have a great week and be safe.
That looks like a great place for families that want to get out for easy days on the bike. Maybe not for a single adult that lives for mountain biking...
Who needs to entertain their bosses.. i mean patrons lol
If you live for mountain biking, you don't live in SC.
Just rode it today, saw 2 10 year olds on nice specialized stumpies and a few older couples with 10-15 year old hardtail. But still had fun!
@BKXC Have you considered adding AC to your van? If you have discussed it already which video did you do that?
14:43 Jonathan Dickinson have much to start with other than dunes. Zantos however had an abandoned mine, most of the work AKA elevation was already done they just needed to carve the path. That said it's still amazing and probably the best place in Florida ( Virginia key?)
Every area of the US has a ton of potential. I would love to the the states to actively appoint representatives at the state level for certain outdoor disciplines to help local clubs find resources, education, and advocacy in the states administration.
The economic and health benefits of reinvestment in our outdoors could make America shine for the outdoor paradise it is. Another great wave of the FDR CCC even.
How are the mosquitoes, and what other biking routes South Carolina thinking about moving there close to Goose Creek
I do want to head down to FATS some day but there are tons of great trails in the upstate, around Greenville. Stumphouse, Pleasant Ridge, Paris Mountain, Fants Grove, Issaqueena, Lake Whelchel, SWU. You gotta come down next time you’re in Western NC.
What app uses Brian at 3:38 ??
Probably trail forks
It’s all relative: compared to other trail systems maybe it’s not very fancy. But compared with sheltering in place FATS looks pretty sweet!
The Hulk in Myrtle Beach and JFA Trail are two actually pretty good trails around. There is also Biggins Creek in Charleston that really takes advantage of the terrain.
Paris Mountain is the best trail system in the state and it's not even close.
The downhill track at jfa is so much fun
Just curious, have you gotten emails about WV? You know where you’re headed? Not from here but just did Moon Rocks and Hoo Doo Rocks outside of Davis WV and it’s definitely a unique and epic trail.
We have some trials here! If you come back or through you have to stop by Myrtle Beach and ride the hidden jewel and ride the hulk! Myrtle Beach bike and run has 22 trails and def worth it.
In the beginning of the video you mentioned issues with the AXS app. Double check that the location(GPS) on your phone is on as well as the Bluetooth when pairing/connecting a device. A lot of times that can be a issue.
A new system here learned they had to fight to take ownership of the trails on Trailforks. Someone had put in all the trails, but at least one of them they decided to add their own name to so the signage didn't match up. That made it pretty confusing when I rode there the first time, but they have it sorted now.
"Tim Apple needs to get on it!" lmfao
I wish I knew you were coming! FATS is 10 minutes from my house.
How can one be so lucky
Exactly right about the snakes in the South. I bunny hopped over a Diamondback near Rome, GA, and over a water moccasin (with my race bike) in Athens, GA.
Hey, we are home in SC! I haven’t been to Forks yet - thanks for the tour. Just found your fifty state shred and love it that you’re making such a life.
Ride these trails a lot. One of the most flowy trail systems around. I do agree with the terrain available more technical sections could be added. Love Great Wall my favorite loop at FATS. You have to ride CW to get the best ride. Very smooth on the front side of the lCW loop..
Did the tree roots on the trails bother you? I always thought it had a ton of roots (especially on a hard tail) in my rookie opinion.
DentigerousCyst Gorlin Goltz i rose a hard rail there for years and always complained about the riots. Once I got a full squish they where not that bad. I actually like to rooted sections now. But yes a hardtail is rough out there. Awesome trails though.
I am in Greenwood Sc, just north of there. I ride on Long Cane Horse Trail. It is single track with some good hills. But this isn’t the mountains.
Long Cane is quite possibly the most fun trail i've ever ridden in SC. A couple scattered in Greenville, Issaqueena in Clemson, but Long Cane was awesome. I've only been once, need to go again!! Check out Payne's Creek just across the state line in Hartwell, GA. That's my "go to" trail when I'm home visiting the fam.
Honestly this trail looks fun as heck, not everyone gets sponsored to ride an awesome ibis mountain bike around. Most people have much cheaper bikes where stuff lie that rock drop off *would* be difficult. Lighten up man we're not all professionals.
Strange question - who makes the shirt you were riding in?
Great video
What are your plans for MI? DTE maybe?
Before I moved from SC-I used to ride Harbison State Park in Columbia (99-2000). Is that place still alive?? I thought it was pretty good, given the area....
Yes it’s still alive!
It’s ok if you don’t like the trails. But when you beat up on a trail system and the volunteers who have put decades of their lives making it great that’s not cool. The places you mentioned are theme park trails. FATS is natural, raw, and bad A$$. Take care man.
I think it becomes a big hassle to update trails online. You need very specific hardware to map the trails with GPS. A lot of building has been going on at one of the trails I ride a lot and Trailforks has some of the updates but not all of them and some of the names are wrong.
Hey, what grips are you using now? Thanks for all the Florida trails reference. Great video btw 🤘😎
Just remember, a bad day on the trails is better than a good day at work.
Barring crashes and stuff.
95% of Southeast Michigan trails are like this trail system too. They frown heavily on anyone trying to build any sort of "feature" because all of the trail organizations are filled with 50+ year old cross country guys. Their little clubs tend to neglect the voices of younger riders who want fun over miles.
When are you coming to Massachusetts?
Love seeing my local trails being shown some love. Hate that I missed ya but if Rona ever goes away and you’re back out Ill show you how the trails should be ridden. (Minimum pedaling, Maximum Gnar) We also are starting some trail work days to improve all of the trails out there. Anyway great video, cant wait for more.
It's hard visiting a trail system once and forming an opinion without the right local knowledge. I thought that system looked like it would be a ton of fun on a single speed hardtail.
I just missed the workday on Saturday. I wish there was better notice for work parties instead of having to check out the forums.
@@CoderShare If you follow SORBA CSRA on facebook, they often post when work days will be.
@@travisferguson5030 Yeah I just never check there. I'm doing one this Saturday. Thanks.
FATS! This was where I rode for my first mtb ride ever! pretty fun system!
Same
Ridden there many times and was almost always great, but looked like quite a bit of water damage. Also, last time I was up there they were actively logging around the trails, as in VERY actively and it had ruined some of the trail. Brown wave is a great trail. North parking area took some hurricane damage a few years back that changed it. Still, a flow, fun XC place to ride, think you hit it on a bad day and missed some of the best features. Love the series though!
Man, you gotta head up to Paris Mountain. I live across the border in NC and still head down there pretty often when I want something except Pisgah, Bent Creek and DuPont .
And palmetto trees are coastal, and people plant them in the Edgefield area as ornamentals, but they won’t occur in natural woods there - or you saw a very unusual thing.
Nice! I’ve never been to FATS...think I’ll save the drive. Lol. The ole Atlanta outro! Welcome to the ATL (though I know that was weeks ago). Hope your travels back west or wherever you’re off to are safe! Stay well Brian!
*Have you been to Pennsylvania yet?*
What is the travel on the dropper?
I’m the club president and also the person that looks after not only our club trails but some other surrounding trail networks on Trailforks as well. I agree, it is important to have up to date and accurate maps for visitors.
Biggin and Merrington are the two local favorites out here. Charleston area. Also, it's been raining a lot and we try and close the trails because drainage out here isn't great
You in the Lowcountry Fat Tire Freaks? I’m in that area! Can’t get a pass for Marrington though.
How sweet! Brian has a picture of Sarah riding as his wallpaper
It is what it is. Love that saying. Great video. Can not wait till you go to Alaska.
I, too, am frustrated by the poor trail maps for many mountain biking destinations. (Part of the problem is that many of the locals who ride those trails aren't particularly interested in having outsiders find out about them.)
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m the opposite. I feel good when somebody comes to my home trails and has a great ride. I have done a lot of work adding trails, descriptions, and ratings to TF, and before that came along, adding to OpenCycleMaps. In my home trail system that feels quite natural, but when I go ride somewhere new, it feels weird adding trail descriptions to TF, but if no one else is going to do it...what the hell. I like BK’s description of a cartographer for a MTB organization-I could totally be that guy.
Do you still use Strava or did you fully switch to trail fork
Stumphouse or anything near Clemson SC is the best. Lots of MTB riders out there and some XC heaven.
South Carolina is fun. I have family there, so I've ridden there before. It definitely doesn't have much elevation change, but the trails are interesting none the less! You just get sand everywhere XD
Brain, just finished Crested Butte! It's good to go man, all the trails have no snow on your chasing epic coming up. After all your time in the South, remember to try and get altitude acclimated. By the way, there is a place in Tenn. where I used to live called AC/DC in Knoxville and it was loaded with spider webs. Man I hated that too. Feels weird. Ride on...
Ehi Brian, are U still recording with hero 4 + gimbal?
Hey Brian, watch a lot of your videos.... I think the most consistent thing about all your videos is your over inflated tires! PRO TIP: Lay a 2x4 on the ground, start with 20-22 psi in tires. Ride at speed,, over the 2x4, if your rim makes contact add 2psi at a time until your rim doesn’t touch. That’s your ideal pressure for that speed. The 2x4, being wood, won’t damage your rim. Traction, handling, and braking will all improve greatly. Plus we won’t have to hear your spokes pinging and your tires sounding like getting beamed in the head with a dodge ball every time you hit the corner of a rock. Keep shredding.
Thanks for the props for our Florida trails. As a Florida boy everytime you said "There's a Palmetto" I was thinking about the Bug, not the weeds that I hack out of my yard with a machete.
Brian, I just rode fats and about crashed on that same little makeshift block/wood ramp! On Big Rock loop.
50 What? Nomad Travel nurse/MTB should have rode before that was added. It was a awesome drop.
If you ever come back to South Carolina again. You should check out Pledge Ridge. One of my favorite places. Also check out Paris Mountain.
Yes a new video love them
Im a noobie, what is a wireless drop post?
You should hit Richmond Va. epic trails
I've heard great things about FATS, for mountain biking and running. Even though I didn't send in any recommendations (Harbison State Forest), I figured a bunch of people would have sent you stuff about areas near Greenville.
I haven't ridden much in Harbison but it isn't much better honestly.
Why didnt you just move the downed tree? it looked really small
If You are still in S.C. stop by Rock Hill, and Fort Mill. Trails at Springs in Fort Mill are fast and fun. Rock Hill has the velodrome,and bmx track. You can rent a bike for both.
Excellent video is always young man
Question. Try making a video of exactly how you put your GoPro together for your shots I recently destroyed my GoPro hero 8 and it is getting replaced
I know you are using a chest rig
Mainly the question is do you have it upside-down or right-side up and what clips are you using
Your bike has everything I’d spec on my dream bike!
I’m still flabbergasted how the upstate wasn’t ridden. FATS doesn’t hold a candle to the trails we have up here. Pleasant Ridge, Paris, Issaqueena, Southside (Croft), Stumphouse, etc...
What app is this man using?
Superb trails Brain. Great video Mate. 👍
Can someone tell me what app he was using to navigate the trails? I must has it.
I think he uses trail forks
Go to Paris Mountain in Greenville that’s more mtb or Occonee county there are mountains up there it’s close to NC
Why are you removing features... You where suppose to hop it. 17:30