Solar wrote on 03/11/16 at 3:54pm:

That's an excellent idea and agree with most riders have slowed down/worn out enough where they might actually take the time to read a sign at the end of the trail.

And you're spot on about perspectives.

Most riders never see the signs. There's a sign at lower end of the parking lot at LNSP that states "NO BIKES". A rider went into the hiking trail there yesterday and a lady pointed at the sign and the rider acted like he didn't know what to do. He rode across the logs and debris that blocked the hiking trail and the bike trail. Everyone needs to pay more attention!

MTBman1127 wrote on 03/14/16 at 11:21am:

My mom always told me "Don't judge a book by it's cover".   

I'll shed a little light and my thoughts as to why some older trail workers may get that attitude sometimes and I'm not immune to it either...

Back in the 80's when MTB started taking off there were few if any places in this area (Charlotte/Mecklenburg) to ride off road.  There are were some scattered boot leg trails like Sandy Porter, Sharon Rd Methodist Church (thanks worker-rider), the old Moravian church at the corner of old Park Road Ext. and Sulkirk Rd. (I grew up in that area) and what is now known as BYT (thank you again worker-rider).  There was no organization building or even advocating for off road trails.  Parks & Rec had never dealt with anything like it and they usually deal with new modes of recreation with caution.  We were closer to MX bikes than anything else.

Fast forward to 1990.  A small band of locals who wanted more places to ride came to together and organized the club.  Many of them lived in the Farmbrook area (BYT) and approached P&R about building trail at a local park.  That park was Renaissance Park. Our first "official" trail.  By 92-93 we were allowed to build at Catawba Riverfront Park/Historic Tuckaseegee Park know know as the US National White Water Center. Back then it was a Super Fund site and I don't think they really cared what we did out there as they were more concerned with re-mediating an underground petroleum spill that threatened the Catawba River.  BTW the old pump station for that project is over by the lake loop at the end of Charlie Hipp Rd. (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)   for anyone interested. 

By 2000/2001 the club had built 2 more trails at Francis Beatty Park and North Mecklenburg Park.  We had 5 official places to ride (that includes Poplar Tent) and one unofficial (BYT).

By 2004 we were at risk of loosing much of the trail at Beatty, a sizable chunk of Renaissance (Coliseum Loop) and Catawaba was to be shut down for 2 years while the WWC was being built.  Ironically, as one door closes another one opens.  The Beatty running trail project was shelved, the WWC (with the help of many, 60-70, club volunteers) was reconnected and reopen in 2006, we unfortunately did loose a chunk from Reni because we chose to build trail on private property.  02-03 LNSP started being built with the Hawk and Hicks Creek Loops. Fisher Farm was started in Fall of 2004 and Sherman Branch was started a couple of years later.  Because of those cultivated land manager relationships we have even more opportunities to build more trail.  At least 3-4 major projects are either starting or in the planning phase.  We're going to add 20-40 more miles of diverse (read "not just XC") trail in the next couple of years.

Fast forward to NOW.  We have built an incredible system of trails and even more incredible relationships with multiple land managers that include Mecklenburg County, Iredell County, US Forestry Service and the NC Parks system.  LNSP also represented a milestone as it was the first mtb trail system built in a NC State park.  Now there are trails at Lake James SP and more planned for the future.

My perception is we have done the hard advocacy work and the younger generations are benefiting from it. And that's great!  What I and others find difficult to accept are some of the attitudes about the trails and the club.  I know some get turned off by what we say and how protective we are of the trails but if you've read the above novel I hope you can understand why.  Some of those that don't know of the club's 26 year history, I feel, take for granted the riding opportunities they have because of that work. 

What if it all just disappeared tomorrow?  Riots in the streets would ensue. 

It's great that you appreciate what the club has done and would love to see those words put into action. We could use some more diggers at Fisher/Allison Farm.   We all have busy lives (family, work, spouses, church, riding, etc.) but I don't think taking a few 4 hour mornings a year to come out and volunteer is doable and not too much to ask.



I hope in the future you will change your mind and join us in the woods! 

MTBman1127 wrote on 03/14/16 at 11:21am:


I'm sorry that happened man.  I understand about first impressions, just know that there are always more good apples than bad.  I hope we (the trailblazers) can eventually get you on board as a member, or even a volunteer.    

If pump tracks are your thing then I can tell you there are ample opportunities to help maintain/expand the ones we have (Signal Hill and North Meck Park), as well as opportunities to build new ones all over the place.  I got a call yesterday  from a member looking to get some help to build a pumptrack at a THTB trail, and I get hit up all of the time by trail coordinators that are very interested in getting pumptracks at trail areas.  I just can't build them all...  

Hit me up if you want to be a part of a pump track build at one of the trail areas!  There are some more trying to come out of the ground...

azcanc wrote on 03/15/16 at 3:49am:



Top right hand corner of the homepage.  It's the "Donate" link.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Takes to our PayPal page.

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)


To everyone...there is a wealth of information starting at the Home page.   Don't just bypass to the forums.  You're missing a lot!   

csquared wrote on 03/15/16 at 12:48pm:


This is great information and I believe its lack of others knowing it exists that is keeping riders from taking part.  I knew the program existed but I didn't know the donations could be put towards the THTB.   


To the point of the OP, in general I feel like there's a lack of awareness from people that walk and ride the trails.  For those that are willing to give some time but aren't inclined to manual labor, maybe we could set up some info/meet and greets at popular trail heads and have them manned with THTB members, passing out flyers and info with projected work dates and encourage people to join the club.  Along with the exit signs, I feel like getting some faces out at trail heads would be a powerful way to educate people about how the trails are built and maintained.   

I would guess that a lot of the walkers and runners, and a fair share of riders assume that Parks and Rec build all of the trails.   

There's a guy that runs out at Beaty and we kept coming head on to him during the social ride.  He'd reluctantly and slowly get out of the way yelling that he had the right of way.  I'm sure he has no idea that a majority of the guys he was yelling at actually helped build and maintain those trails.  It might change his perspective when he faced a mountain biker coming his way if he knew that if the mountain bikers weren't there, the trail wouldn't be there either.   

Outfit the guys willing to do these meet and greets with THTB t-shirts and make the name more visible.  IMHO everyone working on the trails should be wearing a THTB shirt.  I'm not saying the club has to give everyone a shirt, but make them accessible, make them easy to buy on the site and make them cheap.  A t-shirt is the easiest form of marketing you can utilize.  I don't have the resources to run a whole store for the club but I'd be willing to help distribute/ship shirts if that would help.  I simply feel we're missing out on easy marketing here.  I wish we could find an inexpensive source for riding jersey's as well, but I understand quality isn't free.   

Alright, I'll hop off the soap box now.  Like someone said above, I feel like a thread about recruiting for trail building located on this site in the trail building forum isn't reaching the majority of people we are looking to help us out.

I'm sure I'm the worst Trail Cordinator  for doing organized work days. I prefer to do small work parties during the day. It is amazing how much 2 people can get done.

Thanks to those who have got up with me to knock out some areas. As of here lately, I need all the motivation I can get.

The only people that have ever talked to me about trail work on the trails have been very condescending and I always felt like they were trying to guilt trip me for riding a trail I didn't help maintain.  Not a great impression when I was new to Charlotte four years ago and it's an impression that unfortunately stuck with me even though trailbuilders with such an attitude seem to be the minority, thankfully.

Despite that, I would like to help out, but like others have said home and family life leave little time.  And it's not like I'm riding instead of trailbuilding, as I've put probably only a few hours on my mountain bike within the last year.

Ridefour15 wrote on 03/20/16 at 9:13pm:


Hey, just to say I hope it wasn't me or anyone working with me that has given this impression. I always try to be positive and happy to see people on the trail. I do try to mention that we post workdays, and then quickly add that most of my work days are spontaneous and I don't tell anyone about them. I personally don't like a bunch of randoms helping me on the trail. Unless it's a club work day. I'd rather do it myself or with a few friends. I'm also anti-social. 

I have been present when a rider has been "attacked" for not helping trail work while they ride past. Not to mention any names, but I think that there was a communication breakdown. I do kind of cringe when said person shames people into doing trail work. I don't say much, but I think to myself, "I bet your only making this person NOT want to come help us." 

All that being said, the Trailblazers are great people that do a lot of trail work. More than most clubs. Please try to come and help when you can or donate money. Even just walking the trail and kicking off sticks and debris is helpful. So thanks!

Josh Krynock

worker-rider wrote on 03/29/16 at 12:35am:


Hey - we're pretty honest too! 

Jim Grover