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.
Continue reading “Ep 75 – Starting Something New with the Lowelifes Respectable Citizens’ Club”
After our summer hiatus we’re back with some follow up on some past topics and joined by a few guests. First we’ll hear about the Vermont Outdoor Innovation Coalition from Tom Stuessy, Executive Director of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association. Following that, we’ll get an update from Lance Pysher of the Bitterroot Backcountry Cyclists on their lawsuit against the US Forest Service. And finally, we’ll hear from Tony Ferlisi Executive Director for Mountain Bike the Tetons and his experience representing Mountain Bike stakeholders on the Wyoming Public Lands Initiative committee.
In addition to revamping the Chapter Program, IMBA has added a Chapter President to the Executive Board. I chat with that representative: Ernest Rodriguez, President of the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts. We discuss how the new position is going, how he got involved, and just how organizations can relay feedback to the IMBA Board. We also touch on HR 1349 and the testimony that IMBA provided prior to the House subcommittee hearing back in December.
As volunteers and mountain bikers we don’t always understand why elected officials aren’t breaking down the door to allow mountain bikers access and opening new trail networks. Bruce Alt joins us to share his Elected Officials Rulebook. These three rules can go much further then just Federal Government officials but all levels of government and help us better understand what motivates an elected officials.
Continuing with the theme of Bikes in wilderness outside of the United States, we hear from Parks Canada and Mark Schmidt, he’s the Visitor Experience Infrastructure Advisor for Trails. Mark explains how Bikes are embraced in Parks Canada, how they’re managed and the varying types of rider experiences they offer.
Turning the focus to Mountain Biking in wilderness North of the US border, we look at how Tyax Adventures is ensuring Backcountry Mountain Biking can be sustainable in the South Chilcotin’s. Naheed Henderson tells us just what they’re focused on to make that happen. We’ll also hear from Bruce Alt about National Monuments; what they are, how they’re made and just what they could mean for Mountain Biking.
The finale of our three part series on Bikes in US Wilderness Areas we hear from the Sustainable Trails Coalition (STC) President himself, Ted Stroll. Ted explains how the organization got started and dispels some of the myths of what the STC is trying to do. Ted also provides us with some additional back-story on the Wilderness Act itself.
As part two of our three parts series on bikes in Wilderness Areas in the US we hear from Eric Melson of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). Eric’s new role is in Government Relations and he’ll give the background on the Boulder-Whiteclouds and explain the new Recreation Not Red Tape Act. Next episode we’ll be hearing from Ted Stroll, President of the Sustainable Trails Coalition.
As part one of a three part series about Mountain Bikes in US Wilderness Areas we begin with a history lesson. Starting from the beginning, in 1964 when the Wilderness Act was signed moving to how it’s effected local trail associations today. We’ll hear from Yvonne Kraus, Executive Director of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and Lance Pysher, President of the Bitterroot Backcountry Cyclists on what there respective groups are doing to a address trail loss. And we’ll also get some perspective from Ian Jones, President of the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association and Ryan Dunfee, AddUp Community Manager at the Sierra Club. Part 2 will be with Eric Melson of IMBA and Part 3 with Ted Stroll of the Sustainable Trails Coalition.