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!!!!