It's been a while!!!

Trail is currently in great shape.  The kiosks have been updated.  Big thanks to all that have been maintaining the trail - Especially Jeffrey and his dad Bill!  In addition, check out the new Shutes Branch FB page created by Jeffrey.   Post up photos, rides, and other info.

We are hoping to do a fun event at the trail later this summer or fall - possibly a trail builders reunion.  Lets us know what you think at the FB page.  https://www.facebook.com/ShutesBranchMountainBikeTrail

And lastly, Shutes has an official Bike Trail sign and an address.  The address is now officially listed at Mount Juliet!

131 Shutes Branch Road

 Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

The time has come for some trail trimming. If you are a regular rider, we need your help. Shutes Branch MTB Trail has been built and maintained by a handful of local riders for the past 5 years. The COE has provided us a great place to ride and enjoy the woods, but all building and maintenance is by volunteers only. This is Mt. Juliet / Old Hickory’s only mountain bike trail and the newest in Middle Tennessee. Help us keep it awesome by donating some time and effort.


We primarily need weedeating to trim the trails. The trimming needs to be 6 to 8 ft wide due to the height of many of the weeds that call Shutes home. Also, weedeaters work great on the newer growth that become face-slappers. Make sure to trim it to the ground and around all rocks. This will make the effort last longer. A light trimming will only last a few weeks.

If you don’t have a weedeater, pruners and loppers work great too for the face slappers. Just make sure to trim the branches so they don’t become little spears along the sides of the trail.

Please wear eye and hearing protection when weedeating or pruning. I use a forester’s helmet w/ screen face shield and safety glasses when trimming.

For those of you new to Shutes, the Jungle Weed will grow about 6 to 12 per week in the middle spring period. And, those pretty little white folwers become the world’s worst stick-tights that are great at ruining socks and gloves. But, if these plants are weedeated to the ground early enough, they pretty much give up. Most sections only need trimming once per year or less. Some sections will need trimming 2x per year, or more. Luckily, the COE will be spraying the beginner trail this month with herbicide. These sections would need to be mowed about 5 times.

Shoot me an e-mail at shutesmtb@gmail .com if you want to help volunteer!
AND - looks for the new connector signs.  BSA Troop 150 out of Mt Juliet just completed another Eagle project at Shutes.  The signs look great and will help folks find their way around the trails.

Trail Map and Latest News

Shutes Branch trail building has generally ended.  Now what to do?  Improve some corners and improve lines - of course!!!  We'll be setting up some fun days of trail improvements soon, so we can make a great trail even better. 

Wet weather - please don't mud ride.  We don't have much soil to begin with, and mud riding makes it even less by promoting erosion.  If it's wet, take a hike.  Shutes is awesome for hiking.  It's so much different at a walking pace.  And bring your dog.  Just make sure to clean up after them if something gets worked loose by the hike :o)

Grand Opening Event a Success!!!

This past weekend, about 40 folks showed up for a grand opening sponsored by the US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) to celebrate the final trail building for the Shutes Branch MTB Trail.  This past spring, we finished cutting new trail - finally after 5 years of hard work. 

The Grand Opening started with some works from former Ranger Crystal Tingle (now Natural Resources Manager) and followed by some words from the person responsible for starting this project - Tommy Hatcher and from the person who finished it - myself - Steve Capps.   My right hand man - Eric Fisher was speechless after a late arrival from a vacation.

The trail started as an idea from some rangers to use the abandoned campground property for a mountain bike trail.  Tommy was contacted via Patrick Flowers (formerly w/ the Bike Pedaler).  The first part started as a mowed path through the open areas of the old campground - the beginners section was born.  After the fist section was cleared, organized trail building efforts were started via posts on the local forum - Nashville Mountain Bike - aka NMB (now called Tennessee Mountain Bike http://tennesseemountainbike.com/board/forum.php ).   The work was done by volunteers from the area as well as a few from farther away, including Clarksville, Murfreesboro, and Bowling Green, KY.  The local Middle Tennessee SORBA chapter also helped, especially by the use of their tool trailer.  Other tools - including the now famous Weed Wrenches - were loaned to us from the COE.  Over 2000 man-hours provided by more than 120 people over a 5 year period were needed to layout, cut, and most importantly - maintain the trail.  Without the support of the local biking community, this trail would not exist!  And we thank all that have helped out over the years.

The following is a link to a video produced by the COE's Amy Redmond (former Ranger) as well as a scan of the certificate of appreciation presented to the FOSB.   Another link shows some photos from the day's activities from the TN-MB forum.

http://youtu.be/MeIeZR4dQHE

http://tennesseemountainbike.com/board/showthread.php?15164-Shutes-Branch-Grand-Opening-(Nov-3)-plus-some-trail-work-in-Sept&p=127332#post127332

A special thanks goes out to Bikers Choice (Hendersonville and Mt Juliet), Swiftwick Socks, and Ride615 (Hermitage) for donating prizes that were given away during the cookout that followed this fun day of riding, socializing, and being recognized for the good that this loose-knit group of awesome people have done for our community - the Friends of Shutes Branch MTB Trail.