Probably should put this in the General Board so non-trailworkers will read it.

I rode Wildlife and Fox yesterday and stopped a few times to move debris from the trails. If some riders would do like Saltnpepper and stop to remove limbs and debris, that would be a great help in itself. He reported a tree on Norwood last week including the number of the sign it was close to. That was a great help to me.

A few weeks ago I had a conversation with two riders in the parking lot at MD. I talked to them about helping on the trail. They both stated that they never look at the THTB site or FB page to even know if there is work planned. They just ride when they feel like and are otherwise not involved. To some of us, this may seem strange, but they seemed like normal people, and I suspect they are in the majority.

It may make sense to try to recruit trail work at the trails themselves with signage or even try to get riders to "register" when they ride and contact them when work days are planned. Not an easy thing to do I know... just a suggestion. Some of my successful recruiting at SWDP was in-person.

Good feedback! I have been thinking about posting signs when we have trail work days at Fisher. Keep it coming!

Nuke wrote on 03/07/16 at 5:02pm:

With careers, family, or other obligations, just getting the time to ride can be hard. Finding the time to also add volunteering efforts to build and maintain trails may prove next to impossible. I fight the same fight in my house too!

Thankfully the THTB understands this struggle is real and there are alternatives which are just as important as slinging shovels.

Simply click and join THTB! No shovels and no judgment if you can't come build trails with us, but the same satisfaction knowing you are a part of building and maintaining one of the best urban trail networks in the nation. 

When you join the club, your membership funds IMBA/SORBA and THTB. These membership monies directly fund the acquisition of new trails and the cost of maintenance for the existing trail here in Charlotte. The funds are also used to advocate the sport of mountain biking in the southeast and beyond.

Currently membership levels are around 300 active members, which is great! But there are over 2200 members on this page who clearly care about mountain biking in Charlotte, otherwise why follow (I am guessing there are only a few trolls on the page)

So wether you like or don't like the THTB, you can't argue with the results of their hard work providing a few hundred miles of trails, with a lot more coming (you have no idea and they can't wait to start sharing the future once the agreements are signed). 

So click below, sign up, grab a beer and crack it open! Take a sip and enjoy your hard day of trail building from the comfort of your computer. 

Maybe we can push our membership to 500+ in short order.

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FredRubble wrote on 03/07/16 at 10:09pm:


Your hired,  when can you start... I have a few Sherman projects. Actualy killed 2 of them today.

I think a dedicated "trail work days" sign at each trail head would catch more attention. Also, making work days a more social event might bring out folks who are unsure about what's involved. +1 on the kids clinic idea.

The Cycle Path wrote on 03/07/16 at 2:21am:


I think a good start would be to have better signage around working days at the trailheads.  Make it clear, highly visible and keep it up to date.  If there is nothing on tap, we take down the old signs.  The social aspect should also be there, make it fun and be sure that people know they can volunteer for as long or short as they like, one hour is better than nothing.  

As an aside to all of this, I was out doing light maintenance at PRP last night and a rider stopped to talk and say thanks for my work.  After talking with the guy for a minute he introduced himself as Jack Crouch (founder of the THTB’s for those who may not know).  I spent about 30 minutes talking to him and getting a history of the club and the local trails.  It was a very cool experience and would never have happened if not for being out doing trail work.  I have always enjoyed being on the trails, whether riding or working, and that experience gave me an even deeper appreciation of everything we have in Charlotte.  Always keep in mind in those who came first and built what we enjoy today and keep in mind that it is up to us as the riders to keep pushing forward.  

I hear what all of you are saying and will take some of suggestions under advisement.  I would like to make a few points, though.  In case not everyone knows.

1.  Trail work days are not just posted to the forums and if they are the current ones aren't more than 4-6 posts deep.  They are posted on the home page of this website (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) in case some of you automatically short cut to the forums. (Many do, I realize.)  Work days are also posted on our Face Book page as an event.

2.  Not all work days are on Saturdays.  The Renni workday this weekend is on Sunday and Fisher Farm work days have pretty much been Sundays from 8:30am to 12:30pm since November of 2004.  We try to accommodate as many schedules as we can but it really boils down to when the trail coordinator or another volunteer in charge has time to lead a work day.   I work at the shop every Saturday so unless TFraser leads, it's Sundays.

3.   Almost every trail (with a few exceptions, Pat. ) have club signage that directs volunteers to our website.  I don't think more, less or different permanent signage is the answer. (If they already don't read the signage at the kiosks/trail heads, why would they read different signage?)  "Mmmmm. Trail!  Mmmm. Ride!  Mmmm. Beer!"  repeat. lol!

I have thought about doing temp signage at Fisher on the kiosk.  Just need to make time to put it out there.

I am looking for a few volunteers that I regularly see to help lead a crew on Saturdays.  Hit me up if you're interested!   

BTW The reason you don't see Sunday afternoon work days is probably because it's easier to do trail work first and then ride afterwards. IMHO

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.

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Takes to our PayPal page.

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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

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


Awesome!!! I currently donate my Amazon Smile to the Lupus Foundation of NC because my girl works there but she's got some competition now that I know SORBA and THTB are an option. 

We should advertise this to all our members. Maybe make a notification on the new Facebook page?

slayemf wrote on 03/31/16 at 11:28pm:



This!  ^^^^^   

BigBikeMike wrote on 04/01/16 at 8:45pm:

I'll +2 that!

ChrisJ82 wrote on 04/02/16 at 3:40am:

While I'll agree in theory I'm more pragmatic on the subject.  We as a club honestly don't have a problem with extending the trail network.  We've been successfully expanding it since 2004. We currently do sponsored work days with REI and those are great for big, one time events.   

The need is for more day to day, week to week help with trail maintenance and trail construction. The other matter is frequency and building proficiency.  A volunteer can do some work every once in awhile  but rarely becomes proficient at the regular maintenance or building techniques that the trails require. That only comes from practice.   I do understand that most volunteers will not aspire to invest that much time into the trail system but I can hope, can't I?

Mark: Have we ever received any money from Amazon?