Rotary Park

Rotary Park

	Rotary Park
Location:	Tennessee
Nearest Town:	Clarksville
Directions to Trailhead:	The park is down the road from K-Mart on Madison St. off exit 11. There is a sign leading into park. Don't ride in wet conditions!
Trail Description:	The trail is somewhat hilly and technical. Roots and rocks here and there. There is a creek also.
Trail Length:	various
Trail Type:	Singletrack
Skill Level:	Intermediate
Web Link:	http://saltybike@cs.com
Submitted By:	Willie Bailey

Maniel from Clarksville, Tn Date: March 24, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: GO SOUTH ON 41-A OFF EXIT 11. All of the new trails. Other recommended trails in the same area: This town is a black hole of trails, there are none close other than this one.
Review: DONT GO NORTH when you get off Exit 11, you go South on the 41-A Bypass. Start at the park and ride back down the blacktop just past the field and turn left just after the woods begin. Then turn left when that trail ends at the bottom of the hill. This trail makes a loop around the park and up an old logging road to the top of the main hill. Once at the top of the hill, hang a right and then just about 50-60 yds, switch to the paralleling trail on the left. Take the first trail to the left and stay on it untill you get back to the creek. At that point, just start picking random trails and you shouldnt get lost. Dont expect to get a long ride here without repeating alot of areas.	Overall Rating:

MrScribe from Lawton, Oklahoma Date: November 29, 2002 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Don't know. I've only ridden the trail once. Other recommended trails in the same area: Medicine Park, Oklahoma; Tom Steed (Snyder), Oklahoma; Bar H at St. Jo, Texas; NuDraper, OKC; Huntsville Land Trust, Huntsville, Alabama. So they're not in the area...big deal...take a road trip like I did and check out these great rides.
Review: The worst part of this trail was finding it. I am from out of town and, though Clarksville is not that hard a community to figure out, am not familiar with the area. The directions to Rotary Park as listed in the trail desscription are vague at best. TO GET TO ROTARTY PARK, go North on the 41A By-Pass. Coming from I-24 off of Exit 11, go straight through the intersection at 41A, keeping K-Mart on your left. About 1/4 to 1/2 a mile past the intersection, turn left onto Rotary Park Drive. You can engage the trails from several points on the short park road. A few maps give you an overview of the trails. Signs along the road show where you can pick up the trail. I only spent an hour or so on the trails because I came upon a lost German Shepard and spend the rest of my time trying to find his home. Anyway, seemed like great intermediate to beginner trails with just enough technical sections to keep it interesting. Rotary Park is also a great cardio workout. I rode it Nov. 29 and didn't see any other MTBers but saw a couple of women walking their dogs. Almost forgot, the trail intersects the creek in several places and makes for a fun ride if you don't mind getting your feet wet.	Overall Rating:

Blayne from Clarksville Date: July 8, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: The marked Black/White trail has a great descent thats extremely fast with several jumps/hops. Otherwise just explore. Other recommended trails in the same area: Canal Loop, LBL
Review: This place is great. Though I do have to agree with one reviewer, that with Clarksville having so many people/riders the trails are not as maintained as one would think. A Bike Club would help. But the trails are rooty and rocky, and there some technical hills as well. Great place to hone those skills, but beware the loose footing can toss you quick if your not careful. I hyave a map, its not that helpful, but I got it at the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department. Most riders are friendly, ask us for directions or suggestion when you see us.	Overall Rating:

michael from nashville Date: April 2, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a year
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I was disappointed with this trail. With Clarksville having almost 100000 people, I expected more. The problem with this trail is that it doesn't drain well and is not very organized. If you are just learning, it's fine. I spoke to a guy up there that mentioned something about the bike club disbanning. It really is a shame because I feel that Clarksville is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Middle Tennessee. I'm from Nashville and I am spoiled with lock 4 and Hamilton Creek. With a determined crew, Clarksville could build or turn this into something just as entertaining.	Overall Rating:

Rick from Clarksville TN Date: March 24, 2002 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Park at the top of the park, and start in the low ground. Its alot funner if you just go out and get lost. But maps are available at the Bicycle center on Madison street. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This being the first time I've ridden this trail system, I'm impressed by it. It had sections for all types of riders. Easy sections for those getting started, and ranging to technical single track for the advanced riders. It was a good work out. Do be careful about other people on the trails. People do come out on weekends and work on the trails.	Overall Rating:

Nathan Guessetto from Clarksville, Tn Date: November 3, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Just pick and choose, you always end up somewhere you have already been. If you get lost dont worry, you will find a way out sometime. Other recommended trails in the same area: Hammilton Creek, Nashville Canal Loop, LBL
Review: I only ride this trail when I come home from school since there are no trail in Martin Tennesee. This is where I got my first taste of true mountain biking so I like it a lot. It has a great variety of trails from huge steep climbs which lead to some crazy downhills. Lots of straght aways and rolling track. The yellow loop is my favorite, its pretty technical and challenging. If you see a tree with a yellow spot turn there and get ready. Its a hard trail to ride in the fall sice the leaves cover the trail and it blends in with the rest of the woods. Over all its a great trail and if you are lucky you can get a map from the park ranger it they are there. Just try it out and see how you like it, all riders have different views of trails.	Overall Rating:

Steve Gray from Grand Rapids, MI. Date: May 31, 2001 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Any which way but loose. No seriously, to hard to explain. You just need to have patience. These trails aren't marked for ST. You will have no sense of direction. Other recommended trails in the same area:** Just here on vaction visiting relatives, haven't had time to ride anything else yet.
Review: Mixed emotions flowing here. I mean I was jonesing for a ride seriously bad ever since I arrived in town. This was not the cure I was after. Though it did calm the nerves a little. No trail map, no riders anywhere to be found,(that should of told me something),and I ended up pulling 5 ticks off my hairy legs when I got back to the parking lot. Just got started into the Boy Scout loop when I met up head on with a Honda XR80. Gave him the right away as he passed with a smile upon his face. So forward I went shaking my head not letting him get to me for I came here to release stress not build any more up. Your first time here will be confusing to say the least. I had no idea throughout the whole ride if I was riding in the right direction. I did find that the park did have some nice decents to offer. And some technical climbs as well. But as I rode deeper into the loop I saw the single track widen before me into, thats right, Quad width track. Sure enough just minutes later the Honda showed up again for another lap, this time with his four wheeler buddie. Shirtless with mud throw clear up their backs, no helmets, smiling and waving as they made there way by the (NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES ON TRAIL) sign. You know it only takes a few to ruin it for everyone. Sorry I just can't get into 3 1/2 wide singletrack. Once again there are downhills to shread here so just make this a little playground, practice loop rather than a serious trail ride. Intermediate	Overall Rating:

Fuzzy from Clarksville Date: January 2, 2001 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: All of them are fairly decent, except when they are covered in snow. Other recommended trails in the same area: lbl
Review: The boy scout loop and coming down from the amphitheatre have lots of great jumps, but be careful not to land in a rut, root, or rock - it sucks trust me. Several great downhill runs around the electric towers, but the dirt is loose and littered with small to big rocks.	Overall Rating:

Woody from Clarksville, TN Date: November 15, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: The trails are not well marked, just explore and have fun. Other recommended trails in the same area: Canal Loop-LBL, Fort Campbell, Hamilton Creek, Lock 4
Review: This trail is only 5 minutes from my house so I ride here weekly. Overall it is a rooty, twisty, off-camber technical ride. There are lots of fairly short, steep climbs. Several stream crossings add to the fun. Not too many areas to really crank in the top ring but I do manage to get a nice work out here. There are a lot of trails packed into the roughly 63 acres of the park. Some of the trails go out of the park but I've never had any trouble with the local residents. The park is also used by hikers and equestrians. If you run across someone riding a horse dismount while you pass them. The trails mostly loop back on each other so beginners can ride as little as they like and still make it back to their car. I have even ridden some of the tamer trails with my kid in a seat on my old bike. Advanced riders will enjoy the steep climbs and descents and get some practice on their technical skills. Unfortunately there is no longer an organized cycling club in the area and the only real maintenance is done by the Boy Scouts and individuals. Due to the lack of maintenance some of the trails are washed out. Still rideable but be careful. Montgomery County has taken over maintenance of the park and improved it overall. There are lots of nice picnic areas and a playground for the kiddos.	Overall Rating:

The Diz from Fayetteville NC Date: July 29, 2000 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Have no idea only 1 trail is marked and that is the Boy Scout Loop, dont ask the local bike shop for help either, they will tell you to buy the book. Other recommended trails in the same area: Land Between the Lakes
Review: The trail is in very good shape (when you can find it). The only trasil marked is the Boy Scout trail, 1.5 miles. After doing the marked trail I just took any branch I hadnt riden. It turned out to be pretty fun.	Overall Rating:

Mike from Clarksville Date: July 19, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: The other reviews must have been posted before the trail turned into a "crap" trail. I stayed in the small chain ring the whole trip but didn't get a good leg work-out for sh*t. Want a pinch flat? Here it is. Better study up on your "3 R's" (ruts, roots, & rocks) before you ride this trail. 3 R's are fine if the trail is kept up. This one is not. Are there any clubs using the area? I'll pitch in some time and sweat to help fix it. Definately not a family outing trail.	Overall Rating:

XCFASTKID from CLARKSVILLE TN, U.S.OF.A. Date: April 20, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: ALL OF THEM, FAST ONES Other recommended trails in the same area: LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES
Review: WE NEED PEOPLE TO START MAKING TRAILS IN THE AREA!! THIS PARK WOULD BE SWEET IF WE DID	Overall Rating:

Dale Meier from Clarksville TN USA Date: March 26, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: All of em really, most will run into each other one way or another. Some better than others, but if its your first time you will really have fun getting lost for a while. Other recommended trails in the same area: Dont really know, just moved to the area, I heard Land Between the Lakes has some cool trails to ride, but not as Technical as Rotary Park, just alot more scenic!
Review: This Trail is a really fun trail to ride. Some parts were ruined when erosion set in and made huge ruts in the ground, and now lots of small rocks made the ground really loose, so its really easy to wipe out if your nor careful (like me) :) Some hikers on the trail, mostly by the creek, and ive seen some horse poo poo so there must be horses. Great place to jump roots, rocks and banks. Have fun taking all the trails you see along the way!	Overall Rating:

possum from clarksville Date: February 28, 2000 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: Doesn,t really matter they all run into each other,but watch out for those dead ends. Other recommended trails in the same area: LBL
Review: Rotary is a good place to practice technical skills. There are steep climbs, creek crossings, and tons of rocky and rooty sections along the way. Watch out for people walking and riding horses back there because i've had plenty of close calls.	Overall Rating:

Keith Chapman from Clarksville, TN Date: October 18, 1999 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Any which way. Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: This is a really fun trail, once you learn a little bit about it. It has everything from smooth, fairly flat single track to huge, intense climbs and, of course, awesome downhills. Lots of trails once you cross the creek and go under the power lines coming from the main entrance. You can cross the creek again and climb a little and find a ton of trails. Have some time to get a little lost the first time you ride.	Overall Rating: