Shutes Update

It's been a while since any action happened out at the trail. The trails is currently in about the best shape yet. The first and second sections are clear of face slappers. We have one tree chunk to remove around mile 1 in the area beside the sand filled sinkhole.

Good news - we're being recognized as a real trail!!! We're in a new trail book called "Off Road Trails". It's part of the Mini Adventures Series. Shutes is one of 31 trails that they described and mapped this summer. It even has a tiny photo of our own Jeff Witte riding the trail. Here is a link to the book: www.miniadventureseries.com this is a high quality publication with well made maps, trails descriptions, and photos. I bought a copy at Bikers Choice in Hendersonville (tell them Caveman sent ya).

The trail expansion has begun, although slowly. The trail corridor has been flagged and people have been trimming the new line. We need to schedule a trail day, but everyone is so busy. But, we don't need a trail day to make trail - everyday is trail day if you want new trail. Just go out and trim, rake, whack, and drag to clear the path.

Have fun, ride hard, be safe, and clear some trail!

Steve

National Public Lands Day

I recieved this earlier this week. I hope we can have a good turn out and build some new trail. We have almost 5 miles built and will have at least 10 when were done. I may not make it due to Scouts, but I will work on getting the new stuff started / marked with Tommy.
Post up if you can come so they can plan for the food / drink quantities. They'll have several weed wrenches. Darryl said that SORBA will be there! (plaese add this to the SORBA Blog and calender).

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Dear Friends of Shutes Branch:
It is time once again for the annual National Public Lands Day on Old Hickory Lake. The staff at Old Hickory invites you to join us on Saturday, September 26, 2009 to help improve, restore and clean-up public lands. National Public Lands Day is a great opportunity to become involved in your community. This year National Public Lands Day will highlight the connection public lands have with water.
We are looking for volunteers to help with butterfly habitat and bird house construction, tree replacement, invasive plant species removal, shoreline clean-up and [B]especially bicycle trail work on the Shutes Branch Bike Trail[/B]. All activities will begin at 9:00 A.M. We will provide refreshments for participants to show our appreciation for their volunteer work at Shutes Branch Shelter at 12noon.
If you are interested in working on any of these projects or would like additional information, please give us a call at (615) 822-4846 or (615)847-2395. I (Park Ranger Amy Cline) am the point of contact. Pre-registration is appreciated.
Amy Cline Park Ranger USACE, Old Hickory Lake W: 615.822.4846 or 615.847.2395 C: 615.202.1488

Trail Conditions Update

I am happy to report that the entire trail has been cleared and trimmed and is in great shape.

I am also happy to report that we have another new Fan of Shutes in the 'hood. His name is Scott Simpson. Scott lives near Steve Vines (aka Fuel) and like me, he rides with his sons. Scott recently became "the mystery weedeater" - together, he and I cleared the back section of the trail.

Also in the news - the power line section is fully open, rerouted, and cleared. I used a backpack blower to re-establish the lines by simply removing the seed and straw laid down for the restoration of the utility work.

So if you haven't ridden the trail in a while, head out - it's faster and better than ever. Plus, get ready for some new trail in a month or so.

Steve

Trail Reroute Done and Woods Cleared

Tommy set up a easy reroute and we are nearly finished with the weed eating in the woods. One more day with the weed eaters should finish the wooded sections. The first 2 miles has been expertly mowed 2x by Jeff and is a good ride. Signs of the stick tights are starting to pop - we'll need to hit it hard in the next couple of weeks. Go out and ride!!!!

Trail Hazard and rerout needed

It's been a while - it the busy time of year. And we have a new hazard. The ditch digging has finally begun on the power-line cut area near Needmore Rd. I think they are going to trench the whole thing before they lay pipe, which will close this section for a few weeks. And then we'll need to redo the trail through here. I'm hoping that either me or Tommy can reroute this section so it won't confuse the newer Shutes riders.

Be careful out there.

Steve

Spring Has Sprung

Spring has sprung and so has the vegetation. We have nearly finished weed-eating and mowing the face slappers and ground veg. We also got rid of the cedar tree that split along Needmore Rd. The trail will need periodic trimmings all summer, especially earlier in spring. Thanks to Syd Phillips and Jeff Witte for their help.

So, in the mean time, get out there and ride, ride, ride. the trail is faster than ever. I average 10 mph in the first section now, which is comparable to Lock 4. The second section drops the average speed considerably.

A couple of guys from Murfreesboro came out yesterday and they were amazed at how much the trail changed over it's course. The were really surprised by the difficulty of the second section. Hopefully, they will become new friends of the trail.

Steve

PS - We're hoping for some help by the local Boy Scout troops. If you know of any similar groups looking to do service projects, let us know.

It's that time again

Time for trimming. weedeater, mower, etc... The trail is in good overall shape - get out there and RIDE!!!!!

Meet a new follower today - another "from the 'hood" - Sid - welcome.

I'll be making some phone calls and sending some e-mails to get her trimmed up.

Also - thanks for the last trail day - we're in a secret area making secret trails with no connectors - yet. Lots of elevation and nice open woods.

April 11 trail crew - thanks guys



Steve

Trail Work Day - Saturday April 11 at 8:30 am

This one has a good forecast, I don't have to work, and it's on a Saturday. We'll be splitting into two crews - one will do maintenance, while the other completes a small section and then blazes some new trail.

We rode the trail this weekend and it's in great shape for riding. The lines are getting better, and the dirt is packed down tight. The only thing different is the growth of the greenery. Totally different than this winter.

I talked with Jeff Witte and Tommy Hatcher the other day and we need a couple more maintainers. The COE is supposed to be getting some herbicide down on the first section of trail to keep the mowing down. And we're working on getting some boulders to barricade off the rednecks that like to dump and do doughnuts. Jeff is going to do some mowing, I'll be weed-eating - we need another person with a commercial grade weed-eater. (a cheapy will die out here) Hope we have a good turnout.

Steve

Trail Vandals have struck

Some bonehead drove into the first part of the trail and dumped a bunch of bush clippings on a section of trail near the beginning. Looks like 4 pick-up truck loads. And then they went and did donuts in another area, wiping out some of the single track.

We're checking with Crystal about getting the area along the road better blocked from rednecks and other boneheads.

Steve

Trail Update and Work Day March 28th (Saturday)

Update - this past work day got the final 1/4 of a mile opened up and rideable. But it still needs more work. We had a whopper of a turnout with Tommy, Eric Fisher, and Steve Vines whacking the jungle. They got the trail open - some areas are pretty clear - some tight. This is through a pretty cool section that meanders up a drainage area, so some elevation is available for a fun trail. Charlie and I hit the trail in the afternoon with the MEGA BLOWER. Charlie walked after me and picked up old trash from the 70's and 80's. Lots of pull tab cans, insulated Pepsi bottles, and a few oddities - like a tube sock (with colorful stripes at the top), a disposable flashlight, and a boot. He filled a 5 gallon bag 4X. The blower really opened up the new trail - it removed all the stems, twigs and other debris along the path. We also blew debris off the first 1/2 mile of the rocky trail near the pump station. I can't wait to hit the trail again to see the new improvements.

Trail work needed - The last section opened up needs to be buffed. A commercial weed-eater or grubbing hoe and a set of pruners is needed. There are a lot of small things sticking up along the corridor. The weed-wrenches will be needed to pull up some stobs along the area.

The next trail day is March 28th - This time it's on a Saturday. We hope to have lunch this time - TBD I can bring a grill and charcoal - we'll see if we can round up some grub from with in the group - but we'll need to know who will be there. Because spring is just around the corner, this may be the last time for a hard effort to open up the trail and hopefully hit 5 miles. The next trail day in April will likely for maintenance of what has been built so far. We have some good ideas to minimize the work needed, but it takes a lot of effort to keep 5 miles of trail open.

Keep the dream alive - invite a friend to ride Shutes. Hopefully, they will be another trail building commando.

Steve

Another Successful Work Day!!!

We had a good turnout with 8 hard workers. We blazed quite a bit of trail - the weird thing is that it doesn't connect to the trail yet. We started up hill of the end of the finished trail and did not quite connect. The next trail day will finish this section.

I recently got a back-pack blower and blew sticks, twigs, dirt, and small rocks off the established trail between the white rocks and the first creek crossing.

Another thing done today is a successful removal of the trash near the gates and the first part of the rocky section. This included a TV set and a bench seat from a truck.

The trail is looking great - we put up a small welcome sign at the start of the trail and also mile markers. Should be rideable in a few days - unless it freezes badly.

Thanks to Steve and Josh Hix, Kenny Mays, Eric Fisher, Jeff Witte, Tommy, Charlie, and myself - we rock!!!!!

Work Days Set for February through April

For starters, I personally want to thank everyone for their support and hard work on our neighborhood trail. It's so cool to meet new people and see them enjoying our hard work. And it's great to come home, load up the bike and be at a trail in less than 10 minutes.

We have also been slowly growing. The e-mail list is now at 27 which is so cool.

We now have 4 miles of trail and it's getting better every time I ride it. I hope you guys have noticed the improvements. Charlie and I went out today for about an hour and we have almost removed all the flags and trash along the trail. Some of the trash is old, some is fairly recent. The recent storms and high winds have done a number on the place - several new trees down. The trail is clear and in great shape right now thanks to several different people. Also, some rough spots have been repaired - the powerline bump and the tree crossing near the bath house.

One reoccurring problem, however, is rock stacking. Please don't. The other day I wrecked when a newly placed rock kicked out when I was going up a little step. This section is easily ridden without any new rocks. Also, loose rocks were recently placed on one of the dirt humps. Please don't stack rocks.

The "white rocks" section will be getting some needed upgrades soon to make it easier to traverse.

Now for the work schedule: Ranger Tingle, Tommy, and I have made a list of work days for the next 3 months. Some of these dates conflict with other SORBA work days and other scheduled events. But, we have to get some more trail opened up before summer gets here. All work days start at 8:30 and end at 12:30 We'll have lunch on some days. Also - some Sundays I will arrive around 12:30 and hope to have a few late comers join us for a little extra work (don't want to steal you from church). Also, some dates, we won't have the SORBA tools due to conflicts - so bring some pruners and rakes.

Week day work days to be announced via E-mail

Sunday, February 22nd (No Sorba tools and no lunch)
Sunday, March 8th
Saturday, March 28th
Saturday, April 11th –Sunday is Easter!
Sunday, April 26th
Sunday, May 10th

Steve Capps and Tommy Hatcher
__________________________________________
Crystal D. Tingle / Park Ranger
USCE - Old Hickory Lake
(615)822-4846
(615)847-2395

Updated Work Wish List

Numbered list (see notes below)
1. Remove flags and survey tape from mile 1 to 2.5
2. Continue rough clearing along MARKED corridor.
3. Buff new section of trail at end. Rake, pull roots, etc...
4. Trim hedge bushes (privet) along the older section of trail near mile 1 to 1.5.
5. Pick-up old trash that is located between the trail and road near the two old campground gates.

Notes
1. We have removed all flags and flagging tape between the entrance (at the sidewalk) to around mile 1 to 1.5. And from the start of the rocky section (mile 2.5) to the end (Mile 4.0) The section between 1 and 2.5 still needs to be "de-flagged". We used 5-gallon buckets and picked up trash as we went. If you completely fill a bucket, dump it on the camp road (not the entrance road, the road inside the gates) and we'll pick it up later. Try to only make one or two piles and keep it together so it won't spread.

2. Do not blaze away unless it's marked and you know what you are following.

4. Cut branches back to where they fork so you don't leave sharp points along the trail.

5. Most of this trash is old. Either haul off or make a neat pile beside the road so the COE can haul it off. It's now visible while riding due to the winter and no leaves to hid it. This section of trail is along the first part of the rocky section, before the pump station.

Thanks for all the hard work - it's starting to really show!!!

Steve

4 Miles - yeah

Slide Show Link: http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i118/TNcaveman/Shutes%20Jan%2009/?albumview=slideshow

in the group shot (left to right) - Eric, Robbie, Steve, Charlie, Steve, Mike, Tim, John, Ranger Crystal, and Chandler (and Jeff Witte missed being in the picture) - great job guys

We hit 4 miles this weekend. It's up hill from here. Next section should go faster.

Should have another date soon.

Work Day - January 31, 2009 - Saturday at 8:30 am

It's time for another workday - 8:30 am to 12:30 pm - Food provided by the COE

We'll be finishing off the last section and blazing new trail.

Hopefully, the turnout will be good enough to do the wish list stuff that never got done.

We should have plenty of tools, but if you have a favorite pruner - bring it.

Steve and Tommy

Saturday January 17th

Several of us are heading over to Shutes Branch on Saturday to ride before the ground thaws. I hope to hit the trail around 11 am - or when it hits the upper 20's. Some more folks are coming over around 1 to 1:30 to do a little trail work. trail work includes bushwhacking a quick cut and flagging the extension of the trail. We're at 3.9 miles and hope to have somewhere between 10 and 12 miles when done. Come have some fun in the sun. Hope to see you there.

Steve

Trail Work Needed

By popular demand - several people have asked about the next work day. Until then - do some on your own - preferably with a friend. Post up on here and maybe someone will join you. We have recently trimmed the first mile of the rocky section with a chain saw - awesome flow now. A few more to remove though - this is a "work in progress". I think it's cool to see it improving!!!



We'll have a schedule up soon.



Work needed: (most of this is easy)

Trash removal and flag removal. The flags in the first section (except at the sewerline crossing near the road intersection) need to be removed. Some scattered trash is also laying around. Take a 5 gallon bucket to carry the flags. There is a lot of old trash lying just off the paved road near the two gates to the old campground. This is the area beside the first part of the rocky section. If you could bag it and just put the bag by the road, the COE can haul it at the next trail day. There are a lot of large pieces - like 5 gallon buckets - in this area. The larger pieces, just pile on the side of the road. (Or haul them to the dumpster at you place of employment :) )



Face Slapper Trimming. The first section of the trail (the beginning 2.5 miles) has apparently had the hedge grow some this winter. Some loppers or hand shears are all you need. Trim what's hanging over the trail.



Trail Buffing - Newest Section. The last quarter of a mile has been cut - not buffed. The area needs raking, stubs pulled, etc... This will require some tools - be careful and bring a friend.



Steve

Happy New Year - and to all ---a nice ride !!!!!!

Hope the past year was good to you - and this one -2009 - will be better.

We just mapped the trail to date and were holding at 3.9 miles. The last bit is still un ridable, but we walked our bikes through it. We need to set up a work day soon. Hopefully, we'll get to 5 or 6 miles before spring. This section is rough - like the rest. But, it's paying off.

The trail is getting better each ride. Some tweaking has been done recently in the rock sections. Some small trees have been taken out, and this has really improved the lines.

Charlie, Sean, and myself had another fun night ride. The trail was in great shape. The White Rock section is still hard as can be - well, almost. After it gets beat down, it will be even more fun.

Here is a link to a short slide show from the ride. http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i118/TNcaveman/Shutes%20at%20Night/?albumview=slideshow

And here is the new trail map. the loop at the end isn't finished, but is walkable.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i118/TNcaveman/Shutes%20Branch/ShutesBranchat39miles12_30_08.jpg

And an elevation profile (milage is a little off)

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i118/TNcaveman/Shutes%20Branch/ShutesBranchprofileat3.jpg

Steve