A podcast for the people that truly make Mountain Biking happen.
This episode we hear from Kevin Loomis of the San Diego Mountain Bike Association. He’s the President of the 2nd largest city chapter of IMBA and has some concerns about the IMBA Board itself. Including the lack of IMBA Chapter Representation on the current Board, and how, despite, three rounds of layoffs for staff, no changes have been made to the Board itself.
Continue reading “Ep 16 – Digging Into the IMBA Board: Interview with Kevin Loomis of SDMBA”
This episode we discuss the IMBA Chapter program and hear from 6 different voices. My guests come from different Trail Associations in the US, some have left the IMBA Chapter program and others have chose to stay. My first guest is Matt Andrews, Executive Director of the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists and former Regional Director of IMBA. Next is a discussion with 4 representatives from different clubs. Brannon Pack, Executive Director of the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists, and Lance Pysher, President of the Bitterroot Backcountry Cyclists, both groups have decided to remain IMBA Chapters. We’ll also hear from Ben Horan, Executive Director of MTB Missoula and President of the Salem Area Trail Alliance, Jeff McNamee; both groups who have left the program. And finally we chat with Kevin Adams of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition and former Vice President of Chapter and Member Services at IMBA. Kevin recently wrote an article for Singletracks titled, “Is the IMBA Chapter Program Right for Your Club? Analyzing the Pros and Cons” and we’ll get his advice for any IMBA Chapters out there.
This episode we sit down with IMBA’s brand new Executive Directer: David Weins. We discuss Dave’s work with the Gunnison Trails in Colorado, his new position as E.D., IMBA’s role in Washington, D.C., the chapter program and the future of the organization. There’s been much change at IMBA of late and we’ll hear David Weins himself about what that means for IMBA going forwards.
Continue reading “Ep 14 – IMBA’s New Executive Director: An Interview with David Weins”
The main guest is the Executive Director of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Yvonne Kraus. We discuss what their chapter program is all about and we learn what Lobby Day is. We also sit down with the President of their Cold Creek Mountain Bikers chapter, Eric Albers, and get their perspective.
Taking a quick break from our 3 part series on Umbrellas and Consortiums, we look into two types of Non-profits in the U.S. Vernon Huffman of Access4Bikes in Marin County, California explains what a 501(c)(3) is and why A4B chose to be a 527 instead. We also learn about their upcoming event on May 20th, Ales and Trails.
Kicking off a new 3 part series about Consortiums and Umbrellas, we ask: What happens when clubs and trail associations work together? It’s not always sunshine and rainbows; why is that? This episode we explore the many successes of the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium and chat with the president and executive director, Thomas Schoen.
Next episode we’ll look closer at the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and what they’re doing in Washington State. The final episode of the trilogy will be a discussion with David Weins, the new Chair for International Mountain Bike Association, and we’ll discuss what’s new and what IMBA does in Washington, DC.
The future of mountain biking relies on the youth of today. This episode we explore two very different programs that provide community service to get kids on bikes. The benefits are huge, and my guests, Rocky Blondin of the Fraser Valley Mountain Bike Association and Bruce Martens of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association are pivotal in diversifying the sport and introducing mountain biking to youth, who may not have had a chance to ride without their respective programs.
Continue reading “Ep 10 – For the Kids: Youth Programs Changing the Future of Mountain Biking”
After a bit of a hiatus here’s a quick episode discussing the role that Bike Shops might have to helping new riders entering the sport of mountain biking. What’s it like to walk into a bike shop with zero knowledge? While shopping for a stroller recently, I take a walk in someone else’s shoes and discover what it like to be a beginner again.
Looking at ways to increase diversity in Mountain Biking we explore the details of Urban Trails. This episode’s guest is Joshua Rebennack, the “Dirt Boss” for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew and the author and presenter of “Knobbies in the Neighborhood”. Joshua shares his expertise on how Trail Association can develop and create trails closer to Urban centres.
Continue reading “Ep 8 – Bringing Trails to the People: Joshua Rebennack, Urban Trails Expert”
Continuing the discussion on diversity, we explore why inclusivity is so important and step outside the Mountain Bike world to learn lessons from the broader Outdoor community. My guest is Ambreen Tariq, founder of @brownpeoplecamping. Her project is sharing and promoting camping and hiking from the perspective of a proud South Asian Muslim American.