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.
Ep 8 – Bringing Trails to the People: Joshua Rebennack, Urban Trails Expert
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.
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Ep 7 – Why is this so Important?: Diversity with Ambreen Tariq of @BrownPeopleCamping
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.
Ep 6 – How Can We Include Everyone?: Interview About Diversity with Eric McKeegan of Dirt Rag
Following up with last episode and the discussion about diversity and inclusivity in the Mountain Bike community, I speak with Eric McKeegan. Eric is the Tech Editor at Dirt Rag and Bicycle Time and we discuss his article: A Presidential Speech for the Bike Industry.
Ep 5 – What’s in a Name?: Offensive Trail Names And Why Change Is Important
When it come to mountain bike trail names, which ones are just a joke and which ones are just plain offensive? And what does a trail name like “Squaw Hollow” say about our path to reconciliation? Are we preventing the sport of mountain biking from becoming more diverse and inclusive? Carrie Karsgaard is trail runner in Kelowna, BC and her Blog post, Trail Names Against Humanity, has seen a huge amount of attention and has highlighted a discussion that has needed to happen for a long time.
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Ep 4 – Digging For Reconciliation: Relationships with First Nation Communities
How can mountain biking be a part of reconciliation, Patrick Lucas and the Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Program are helping to build trails and relationships that do just this. Read more about Patrick and his program at Reconciliation Canada where you can find his article Digging For Reconciliation.
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Ep 3 – Second Chances: How Trail Associations Can Reduce Barriers for Adaptive MTBs
Today I spoke with Tara Llanes of Tara Llanes Industries, about Adaptive Mountain Biking (aMTB) and just what Builders, Land Managers and Trail Associations can do to ensure trails are barrier free for all riders. If you’d like to see just what an aMTB is, check out the YouTube video located at the bottom of this page and Tara’s website as well.
Ep 2 – Getting Social: How a Trail Association Can Optimize Their Online Presence
Social Media is a key resource for any organization or business, yet for a Trail Association it’s often an under-utilized asset. My guest is Christine Tetrault from the North Shore Mountain Bike Association (NSMBA) in Vancouver, British Columbia. Christine works as the Administrator for the NSMBA and she shared some of her insight on how Trail Stewards can harness the power of Social Media.
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Ep 1 – What’s Involved?: Exploring the In’s and Out’s of Mountain Bike Advocacy
Episode 1 of the Front Lines Podcast explores the many roles and responsibilities of a Trail Association’s Board of Directors. My guest is Jay Darby, President of the Mountain Bikers of the Central Okanagan (MTBco) out in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. We discuss ‘board burnout’ and increasing a communities ‘buy in’ (Jay’s words).
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