Matt Ball is the Chairperson of the Nelson Mountain Bike Club in Nelson, NZ. He originally got his start in advocacy in Canada with the North Okanagan Cycling Society in Vernon, BC. Matt brings a unique perspective of seeing advocacy in different communities and in different countries. We discuss trail building vs. trail maintenance, and why the two can be so different from an advocacy perspective.
Continue reading “Ep 93 – Matt Ball of the Nelson Mountain Bike Club in Nelson, NZ”

Michael Anzalone, Executive Director of the California Mountain Biking Coalition (CAMTB) shares the story of how the organization began and where they are now. We discuss Michael’s time with CAMTB, why the organization is a 501c4, what trail organizations are members, how they engage youth in their advocacy work and how they’re getting the Month of June in California recognized as Mountain Bike Month.
Dave Ternier shares details of his new project Single Track Communications. We also discuss the future of the podcast and realistic landscape of relying on volunteers as a trail association. Remember that the podcast is supported by listeners like you. Donate
Paul Perrault tells us the story of Bike Cochrane and how this Alberta organization is building community through mountain bike trail and active transportation advocacy. Paul tells us how Bike Cochrane figured out their town’s ‘bikeability’ and how the organization got started and came to be.
Justin Martin, Executive Director of the Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) in Duluth, MN shares how they renamed their Mission Creek trail network. The trails were renamed using traditional indigenous language of Ojibwe. Justin takes us through the entire project from consolation to activation. Next episode we’ll hear from Paul Perrault: Director of Operations for Bike Cochrane in Cochrane, AB.
We hear from Dave Ternier about how he got into advocacy and what is on his mind regarding the future of trails. Dave shares his experience in telling stories and lets us know about Valley Life Recreation, a group in Minnedosa, Manitoba. Join the conversation and take part in a future episode by contacting the podcast, and don’t forget to support the show.
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
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!
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