Ep 84 – Richard Edwards of IMBA Trail Solutions Part 2

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 networks better. In case you missed it, check out Part 1 HERE.

Continue reading “Ep 84 – Richard Edwards of IMBA Trail Solutions Part 2”

Ep 83 – Richard Edwards of IMBA Trail Solutions Part 1

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, can do to make our trail networks better. Part 2 of our conversation will be available on February 19th.

Continue reading “Ep 83 – Richard Edwards of IMBA Trail Solutions Part 1”

Ep 82 – Checking in with the Blue Ridge Off-Road Cyclists

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 of 2020, we’ll see you in the New Year with a fresh run of new episodes!

Continue reading “Ep 82 – Checking in with the Blue Ridge Off-Road Cyclists”

Ep 81 – Checking in with the Kickapoo Mountain Bike Club

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 a Global Pandemic.

Continue reading “Ep 81 – Checking in with the Kickapoo Mountain Bike Club”

Ep 80 – New Season Update: Where Do We Go from Here?

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 you still there? Are you still advocating for trails? How have your priorities shifted? What’s on your mind?

Continue reading “Ep 80 – New Season Update: Where Do We Go from Here?”

Ep 79 – How Can We Safely Run Trail Days in a COVID-19 World?

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.

Continue reading “Ep 79 – How Can We Safely Run Trail Days in a COVID-19 World?”

Ep 78 – The Value of the Outdoors for Youth and the Impacts of Isolation

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 on Vancouver Island.

Continue reading “Ep 78 – The Value of the Outdoors for Youth and the Impacts of Isolation”

Ep 77 – A Panel Discussion for Looking at What Comes Next

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 are.

Continue reading “Ep 77 – A Panel Discussion for Looking at What Comes Next”

Ep 75 – Starting Something New with the Lowelifes Respectable Citizens’ Club

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”

Ep 74 – eMTB 5: A New Perspective on an Old Topic w/ Joe Vadeboncoeur

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 members.

Continue reading “Ep 74 – eMTB 5: A New Perspective on an Old Topic w/ Joe Vadeboncoeur”