The full on riding season will be here before you know it. Time to savor the sun, crisp mornings and sweet flowing single track with no thoughts of work deadlines, crazy drivers or tax returns. There is just nothing like carving though one of our local trails and sharing with a few buddies.   Even better when it is a trail you have contributed volunteer hours to build or maintain.  Ride while knowing local stewards are working hard to keep this trail in tacked for all of us, every season.
Whatever your reason to explore the trails, the Middle Tennessee offers quite a range of off-road terrain for the novice, intermediate, or advanced mountain bike rider. Here are a few suggestions on now to get started, with a focus on trials in our IMBA-SORBA stewardship.

Beginner Riders can start with Lock 4 in Gallatin, TN which has mostly hard packed, easier trails and a few small hills. You can ride fast for great cardio, but also take it easy and enjoy the flow and cedars.
Long Hunter State Park’s Jones Mill Trail in Mount Juliet, TN is gradually rolling but forgiving trail with several open glades. The two stacked loops give you just under 4 miles and will soon offer an additional fast out and back spur. This trail is rocky and helps develop skills while offering little exposure getting too far from the trail head. Ride it fast or take it easy……but ride as many laps as you like!

Intermediate Riders can enjoy the trails listed above for sure. Lock 4 hosts multiple races and is a favorite for all levels.
If you are looking for a few more miles, head to Montgomery Bell State Park. Enjoy 24 miles of mountain bike singletrack trail with varied levels of difficulty and lots of rolling hills and a few tough but shot climbs. The trails are color coded and offer connects to add or reduce you time on the trail. Many new signs made and installed by member Bob Slayden have offered great navigation.

Technical Intermediate to Advanced Riders after rocky trail, attack Hamilton Creek on Percy Priest Lake.  Hammy has been expanded to over 12 miles with two distinct trails on either side of Bell Road.

Advanced riders will recognize the challenges of Hamilton Creek, but may prefer the distance and diverse trails of Montgomery Bell.  Ride em all!

Necessary Riding Equipment –

When cycling, the most important piece of gear to have is a helmet. Proper fit is more important than price, but a few more dollars can offer much more ventilation, protection and more features to offer the best fit.  Protective glasses are also imperative even when bright sunlight is not a concern.  Tree branches can endanger the eyes or the rider in front of you may kick up some debris. Make sure you also take water and a snack for energy while riding.  Padded gloves and padded cycling shorts are highly recommended if you will be in the saddle for more than 30 minutes. The gloves not only offer better grip with fatigue reduction, but also protect the hands in a crash.  The padded cycling shorts, tight or baggy, offer essential fabric technology next to the skin.  The amount of padding is less important than the quality of the shamy, particularly on longer rides and as your conditioning progresses.  Other essential items to have when riding are the following tools and supplies: Chain tool, spare inner tube, tire levers (to help lift off the tire from the rim when changing a flat), inner tube patch kit, mini pump, and small allen & torx wrenches that fit your bike.

Riding Safety and Etiquette

If you have to ride on the road, ride with the traffic, not against it. Use the proper universal bicycling turn signals when turning and stopping to let motorists know your intentions. Obey all traffic signals, as bicycles are legally classified as vehicles.

Once you venture in the woods, stay on the trail to avoid erosion. Stay off wet trails: The deep ruts you’ll leave create permanent damage. When on Multi-Use Trails yield to all pedestrians; slow down and let them know you are approaching by verbalizing your presence. If you are riding with a large group of people, it is common courtesy to let hikers and other cyclists know how many in your group are behind you. Most important: Although none of the trails mentioned above offer equestrian use, if you see horses on the trail, get off the bike immediately, communicate with the horseback riders for any special instructions, and walk past the horses with caution, speaking softly in a reassuring way to let the horse know that it is not in danger. Horses can get spooked very easily by bright colors, certain noises, and shiny objects. The last thing you want is a scared one-ton animal barreling out of control toward you.  Note that other regional trails such as Big South Fork, Fall Creek Falls and Land Between the Lakes may have multi-use trails shared with Horses.

Other Recomendations

If you are looking for mountain bike trail information for trails in Tennessee you will be able to purchase a new guide that show cases 31 mountain bike trail systems from around Knoxville, Chattanooga, Nashville and the Tri-Cities.

Off Road Trails’ full-colored, fold-out topographic maps make it easy to navigate the featured trail systems. Each section offers driving directions to the trailheads, detailed descriptions and maps, aerobic and technical ratings, suggested routes, plus a gallery of pictures.

The trail systems profiled are located on national forests, state and city parks, and wildlife management areas—with listings as to which areas permit hunting, and if hikers, runners or horseback riders will be sharing the trail. Visitor and nature centers, restrooms, campgrounds and points of interests are highlighted.

This is an excellent reference book that can be enjoyed by trail runners and day hikers as well.

Visit www.miniadventureseries.com for more information. Suggested retail is $28.99 – available at local shops in your area.