We’re back for Part 2 of our conversation with Richard Edwards of IMBA Trail Solutions. In the second part we discuss future and what Trail Solutions can do. We also continue our conversation on what increases in trail usage has meant and what we, as trail advocates and builders, can do to make our trail … Continue reading "Ep 84 – Richard Edwards of IMBA Trail Solutions Part 2"

We hear from Richard Edwards of IMBA Trail Solutions in what is Part 1 of our two part conversation. In this first part we discuss Richard’s history in advocacy, and how Trail Solutions began. We also begin the conversation on what increases in trail usage has meant and what we, as trail advocates and builders, … Continue reading "Ep 83 – Richard Edwards of IMBA Trail Solutions Part 1"

This episode we check in with the Blue Ridge Off-Road Cyclists in Roanoke, Virginia. We hear from Trails Coordinator: Ian Bongard and President: Stuart Lamanna. We discuss politics and trails as well as the changing landscape of how people are working and what that means for where they choose to live. As the last episode … Continue reading "Ep 82 – Checking in with the Blue Ridge Off-Road Cyclists"

We check in with the Kickapoo Mountain Bike Club located near Champaign and Danville, Illinois. We hear from Vice-President: Troy Savalick and Executive Director: Anthony Maro. We discuss the recent trail expansion at the Kickapoo State Recreation Area, and how COVID-19 effected the roll-out. We also discuss personal life as we live and advocate during … Continue reading "Ep 81 – Checking in with the Kickapoo Mountain Bike Club"

Starting off a new season of the podcast and coming off of what was the 4th Anniversary of the show this week, we look to the future. And not that fairy-dream world in which we all get a vaccine, but the real world, the uncertain one we’re all being forced to get used to. Are … Continue reading "Ep 80 – New Season Update: Where Do We Go from Here?"

To answer the question of what Trail Days could look like this summer, I’m joined by three guests. First, Bill Hoyne, Safety Lead with the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association in Alberta, Canada. Second, Tony Ferlisi, Executive Director of Mountain Bike the Tetons in Driggs, Idaho. And finally, Will Taygan, President of the Chugach Mountain Bike Riders from the Chugiak-Eagle River community in Alaska. https://podcasts.feedpress.com/16677/Ep%2079%20-%20FINAL%20MIX.mp3 Show Notes &...

We’re joined by three guests, all of them experts in Youth in the Outdoors. Returning to the show is Melissa Werkman, she’s now the Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy ‘Center’ of Kent County in West Michigan. Mike Greer joins us again as the Executive Director of Elevation Outdoors which works with underprivileged youth in the Kelowna, BC area. And joining us for the first time, is Nevin Harper, Associate Professor with School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria...

Looking at what lies ahead, after COVID-19 for Trail Associations, Advocacy and Trails and Outdoor spaces in general. We’re joined by: Susie Murphy, Executive Director of the San Diego Mountain Biking Association, Patrick Lucas of the BC Aboriginal Youth Mountain Biking Project and Jay Darby, Fields Program Coordinator with IMBA Canada. Despite all the challenges this pandemic has created, it’s brought to light a lot of things, one of which is how valued our Outdoors Spaces actually...

Ian Jones, President of the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association returns to the podcast to help us navigate the plethora of tech resources available online to help increase your organization’s productivity. We go through a list of a dozen or so tools, with the intention that you can pick and choose a few to look into. This includes Slack, MailChimp, Trello, SquareSpace, Donor Box, CalTopo,  Canva & Zapier. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/16677/Ep%2076%20-%20FINAL%20MIX.mp3 Show...

We hear from the crew at the Lowelifes Respectable Citizens’ Club: Treasurer and previous guest Erik Hillard, President Matt Baffert and Secretary Rob Pettersen. We discuss starting a new organization, their ongoing project of restoring the Condor Peak Trail, the surrounding Wilderness and how they’re creating an Elite Group of Volunteers while trying to not be elitist and stay welcoming to new volunteers. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/16677/Ep%2075%20-%20FINAL%20MIX%202%20%281%29.mp3 Show...

We dive back into the old topic of eMTBs with a fresh perspective: Joe Vadeboncoeur, President of the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association discusses his article: “eMTB Thoughts”. Prior to being Board President, Joe worked in the Bike Industry at Trek, and he shares what it was like going from there into the world of advocacy. Briefly, we follow up with what messaging organizations are using to communicate safe riding to their...

With recent global events regarding COVID-19, the podcast is returning two weeks early. We’ll be hearing from a few different trail associations on what they’re doing to address the Pandemic. We’ll also hear from Eleanor Blick, Senior Communications & Advocacy Manager at the International Mountain Bicycling Association. Stay safe! Another episode will be out on April 3rd. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/16677/Ep%2073%20-%20FINAL%20MIX.mp3 Show Notes &...

We hear from three Professional Trail Builders. First, Shane Wilson joins us from Hood River, OR, and is the Project Manager with the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s Trail Solutions. Pat Podolski is the Owner/Operator of Golden Dirt Trails in BC, Canada. And finally, Greg Mazu is in Fort Collins, CO and is the Chief Encouragement Officer at Singletrack Trails. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/16677/Ep%2072%20-%20FINAL%20MIX.mp3 Show Notes & Links IMBA Trail...

Continuing with our theme of Climate Change, we hear from the founder of Minneapolis Bike Parks: Devin Olson and Program Director: Kim Holm. They’re a fantastic example of a successful grassroots organization. They focus on building Bicycle Playgrounds that increase the Bicycle competency in kids, so that future generations are capable and comfortable with using a Bike to get around. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/16677/Ep%2071%20-%20FINAL%20MIX.mp3 Show Notes &...

Jay Darby of IMBA Canada, returns to continue our discussion on Climate Change and what role Mountain Bike Trail Associations can play in addressing it. In addition we’re joined by past guest and Executive Director of the Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Program, Patrick Lucas. Both Jay and Patrick share their experience of working in remote British Columbia communities and how Climate Change is directly effecting them and how Mountain Biking is empowering these same communities to address...

As a follow-up from last episode, we check in with IMBA Canada to hear about their Provincial Council Programs. We’re joined by Executive Director on IMBA Canada: AJ Strawson, Jay Darby: Field Program Coordinator for IMBA Canada and the Chair of BC Council and Dean Campbell: Board Member of IMBA Canada and founding Board Member of the Ontario Council. We also introduce the conversation of Climate Change and how we as Mountain Bike Trail Advocates can play an active role in addressing...

Executive Director of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA), Tom Stuessy, returns to the podcast. Tom shares how the Vermont Outdoor Innovation Coalition (VOICe) has evolved in earning the organization and it’s Chapters consistent funding. And a key part of the success of VOICe has been preventing donor fatigue from sponsors and adopters, insuring funding partners are engaged and included. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/16677/Ep%2068%20-%20FINAL%20MIX.mp3 Show Notes &...

Our first episode back after our Summer hiatus we hear from two guests. The first, Morgan Lommele of People For Bikes, fills us in on what the order signed by the Secretary of the Interior allowing e-MTBs on Federal Land actually means. And second, we hear from Martin Littlejohn, Executive Director of the Western Canada Mountain Bike Tourism Association, he tells us about the BC Mountain Biking  Tourism Symposium happening in Whistler, BC, October 2nd to...

This episode we hear from the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz out in California, they share their Mountain Biking Impact Review and the findings made by their Science Committee. We’re joined by Matt De Young, Executive Director and Emma Kelsey, Science Committee Chair. This also marks the final episode of the Season with the podcast slated to return in September. Have a great Summer! https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/16677/Ep%2066%20-%20FINAL%20MIX.mp3 Show Notes &...

We hear from four Mountain Bike Dads: Anthony Duncan, of the International Mountain Bicycling Association and father of 7yo son, Miles. Blake Rowsell, Capilano University Instructor, Board Member of the the BC Mountain Bike Tourism Association and dad of Clark, who’s almost 3 and Roy, who is 16 months old. Ben Hall, AKA MTBBen, host of the New England Dirt Podcast, and recently launched the Backyard Boys podcast, father of 4yo son August, 12yo daughter Anika,  and oldest son, Aidan who is 16....