Sorba Mid TN » Trail Day Reports

Ya’ll Come… Montgomery Bell SP – Trail Work Day

Darryl — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:31:58 +0000

An Invite from Ranger Eric Runkel…..

“Everyone,

For all who are interested Montgomery Bell State park will be hosting a trail work day on 8-28-10 from 9am-11a.
Please come out and help us prepare for the September Race. In addition to help prepare the course for the fall season.
Some projects include clearing brush from trail, tread work, etc.
All help is appreciated. We will meet at the bike trail parking lot at 9am.
Any questions please let me know.
Thanks
Ranger Eric”

Park office phone: 615-797-9052

Also…Trail Bob’s ”things to do”.

1. All the power line crossings need work.
2. Peanut sign needs to be planted (post hole diggers)
3. Snake bottom, Blue Yonder, Peanut, and probably Haynie Branch trails need trimming (that I saw). I did not ride Cat Track, Possum Trot, Downhill, Main Street or Lonesome blue. No doubt that Downhill in the powerline needs some work.
4. Shingles could be added to the hump back bridge on the Expressway, and to Table Top. I have shingles stored near Table Top.
5. Some stutter roots could be cut out at the beginning of Red Perimeter, without increasing erosion, and would smooth up the tread some.
6. There is a major re-route that needs to be done on the Mogul route nearest to the creek. That is rutting badly, and needs to be reclaimed and abandoned. A new route further up the hill could be adopted. But this is major work, for maybe not so hot of a work day.
7. There is a bad rut forming on Yellow, at the top of the Flume Zoom. Needs to be filled in with rock. This too, is a big job. If we had a bunch of folks, that could be on the adgenda.
8. There is a rut forming on Yellow, before you get to the Esses. It may need a re-route to really fix permanently.

Some are pretty big jobs and would need more than 2 hours to tackle. I plan to get with Darryl and pick up the SORBA weedeaters and some trimmer tools. (if that fits everybody else’s plans for the tools) Maybe a few pulaskis too.

Hope to see quite a few regular MB riders out there. Questions? Email us at montbell@sorbamidtn.org

Signs of change

Darryl — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 03:14:01 +0000

A much needed communication tool coming to local trails that will compliment trailhead info centers. IMBA/SORBA members have donated to or sign and trail funds to underwrite these projects.
Look for these features at Lock 4, Hamilton Creek and Long Hunter trails this summer and fall.

Trail Love – Lock 4 West Side Work Day – This is a BIG ONE!

Darryl — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 02:43:20 +0000

This SUNDAY June 13th you can be part of Lock 4′s Future. We need your help to build bridges and rework the trail tread on one of Tennessee’s most popular mountain bike trails.
You can join us at 9:00 am or 1:00 pm for a day of construction and dirt work followed by a dinner time cookout. We will even get to ride on what we work on before the day ends.

Please RSVP NOW or by June 10th so we can plan on work party details and food. email trails@sorbamidtn.org
…or…
Visit us & RSVP on FACEBOOK IMBA-SORBA Middle TN FACEBOOK

We also need a few crew leaders for:
1. Trail Tread dirt prep and layout
2. Bridge base layout/construction
3. Trail Trimming
4. BBQ cook and 5pm Dinner prep
5. Trail Day head quarters / Tent and volunteer support
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF CAN HELP WITH THESE AREAS!!

When: June 13th
Where: Silo Trail Head (trail work) & Penninsula Pavilion (5pm for dinner)
Time: 9:00am -1:00 pm & 1:30pm – 5:00pm (stay for the day!)
Bring: Plenty of water; trail snacks; favorite trail tool (optional); GLOVES; sturdy shoes, eye, sun, & bug protection; bike & gear; A FRIEND & A SMILE!
SORBA WILL BRING: Portable saw mill; Tool Trailer; Back up water & snacks; Dinner!

This project was postponed from the late winter due to such wet conditions, so we want to get YOUR trail back in shape at once! If you have love for this trail, we need you to bring a friend.

Dry trails?

Darryl — Sun, 30 May 2010 01:11:40 +0000

Ah the woes if a very wet spring. As we hit the season of green growth we prepare for lots of trail repair. Repair from rain, poor drainage and of course damage from riding wet trails.

A recent night ride offer a great perspective to how we pick and choose our windows of opportunity. With so much rain please use good judge when decided to ride. How wet is too wet…..

Trail Update – Shutes Branch

Darryl — Sat, 22 May 2010 05:28:03 +0000

“The trail is in great shape – the recent trimming has made it nice. The soil is really getting packed down in the newer sections and is a blast.

However, the stuff we cleared this year (starting at the bathhouse with the dumpster) hasn’t been trimmed yet this Spring. We broke off most of the overhanging stuff last night while riding. It’s going to need a trimming in the next few weeks.

Scott, who volunteered to trim the hillside, is working tons of OT and can’t do any trail work currently. I need a person that is not allergic to poison ivy to trim the hillside trail. This section is the only one with posion ivy and I’m highly allergic. There are also some little face slappers growing off the trees that need trimming back.

Also, the final section and the section just before the hillside need some attention soon. It’s not bad now, but it will be when it gets hot.

One other thing – we need to keep the thistles own. If you see one, knock it down – but first cut the heads off (flowers). These things are like giant dandelions only worse. If they seed, they spread quickly.

Steve”

For more info regarding Shutes Branch and Trail Work Days…

http://shutesbranchmtb.blogspot.com/

August 28th, 2010 ~ Trail Work, Montgomery Bell SP

Schaarschmidt — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 02:27:40 +0000

Saturday August 28th, 2010 ~ Montgomery Bell State Park, Dixon, TN

Trim Work 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Continued recovery from heavy growing season with trail sections in need of some summer trimming.

Bring: Plenty of water; trail snacks; favorite trimming tool; GLOVES; sturdy shoes, eye, sun, & bug protection; A FRIEND & A SMILE!

For more information: montbell@sorbamidtn.org

Lock 4 Trial Report

Darryl — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:30:35 +0000

An afternoon of warmer temps at Lock 4 in Gallatin yielded some positive results. The small volunteer crew of 5 spread wood chips at the broadened trail head, cleared downed trees on BLT 10 and repaired some drainage issues on the west side trail.

The sun and warm temps brought out many riders that were not aware of the trail conditions. Most were reminded to ride through the mud rather than widening the tread by riding around the mud. They were also encouraged to use good judgement and have fun.

We encourage our members to help educate new riders and invite them to our trail work days to gain a greater understanding of what it takes to keep our trails in shape. Check the calendar and join us for the next trail day!

Volunteers at Work: Lock 4 Trail Head Receiving Facelift

Darryl — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:50:36 +0000

With a great need to improve the information centers as several local trails, Lock 4 is getting special attention to the old metal kiosk. After vandalism and being hidden by privet, the entrance to the trail is looking much different. Last fall Aaron Biggers opened up the trail head just off the parking lot to allow some shady area for an expanded kiosk. Today we have a shelter style information center coming to life, after four local volunteers built a 6’x8’ structure. The new trail head kiosk will support an updated trail map with color coded descriptions as well as event and volunteer information.

The next step is ground cover, benches and bike racks adjacent to the kiosk, which are all supplied by Gallatin Parks and Recreation. This will all be trimmed on the parking lot edge by a fence to accent the entrance to the trail. New trail blazer signs and arrows will complete the current project and add much needed trail flow directions. The new Lock 4 trail map offers extraction points and trail connectors that add flexibility to any route.

Special thanks to David Hardin, Aaron Biggers, Gary Banks, Shane Scott & IMBA-SORBA Middle TN for this trail head renovation. More volunteers needed as the other amenities are installed. Contact us at trails@sorbamidtn.org

Trail Solutions: IMBA’s Guide to Building Sweet Singletrack

Schaarschmidt — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 19:53:20 +0000

Trail Solutions is IMBA’s premier trailbuilding resource. This 272-page book combines cutting-edge trail design and construction techniques with proven fundamentals in a colorful, easy-to-read format.

archive…Cotton Mill/DSG Workday…..Pictures

Darryl — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:54:43 +0000

We had a great weekend working on the trail down at Cotton Mill this weekend to prepare the course for Dirt, Sweat, and Gears on May 9th. We added some new trail, re-routed some others, and did some general trail maintenance. Thanks to Clay for the BBQ, Pizza, Breakfast, and the use of the barn for those who participated. Thanks to Thad and Yazoo for the cold brews. Everyone had a great time working and riding. Hope to see everyone out at the next workday on April 18th. Here are a few pictures that I took:

Photos & and synopsis from Thad:

Clay and SORBA (MidTn) hosted back to back workdays this past Saturday and Sunday at the Cotton Mill Preserve (home of DSG). Saturday a crew of 20-ish showed up and were divided into groups and sent out to the areas on the trail needing work. Some trimmed privet, some cleared the trail tread of the heavy leaf coverage, and others got to cut new sections of trail. We were able to get a surprising amount of work completed within about 4.5 hours. Then Clay had some local barbecue brought in for lunch while the crew members rested and exchanged stories. Afterwards some of the crew headed home, a few (including Clay) headed back into the woods to finish off a new trail section, while the remainder of us suited up and enjoyed a backwards loop of the DSG course before the temps dropped and the rain moved in.

Sunday was a smaller group in size, but we still managed to complete myriad projects, including building a bridge over a ravine on a newly constructed trail, re-routing a power line descent, cutting out dead fall, clearing stubs, and cutting back more privet. Another loop of the trails post work was enjoyed by a few, followed up with pizza, gyros, and stage 8 of the Tour of California at Raphael’s.

Thanks to Clay, Darryl, Kelly, and everyone else who showed up and helped out.

Paul Bunyan? John Henry? Nope, just two-hand hammerer Clay

The canine crew working on the Lucy’s Loop re-route.

Darryl and Hunter survey the lean of the bridge before planking begins.

SORBA MidTn President Kelly giving a helping foot.

OldGreg thinks pointing is working.

OldGreg, master of the drill

SORBA MidTN Secretary Tryon, Monster, and others working on the new downhill

If you couldn’t make this weekend’s festivities, fear not, the fun doesn’t stop there. Come out to the Yazoo Tap Room this Thursday:

DSG at Tap Room 2/26/2009

Ti One On happy hour at the Yazoo Tap Room on Thursday February 26 from 6-8. Come hang out with your old friends, meet a few new ones and enjoy a cold Yazoo – The first one is on DSG! This will be your chance to make your donations to SORBA/IMBA and get a crack at taking home a real Ti beauty. You can also register for DSG if you already haven’t. We’ll have random drawings for cool schwag and darn tootin’ good time.