A podcast for the people that truly make Mountain Biking happen.
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.
Continue reading “Ep 91 – Michael Anzalone of the California Mountain Biking Coalition”
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.
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”
Continuing with our theme of Climate Change, we hear from the founder of Minneapolis Bike Parks: Devin Olson and Program Director: Kim Holm. They’re a fantastic example of a successful grassroots organization. They focus on building Bicycle Playgrounds that increase the Bicycle competency in kids, so that future generations are capable and comfortable with using a Bike to get around.
We hear from four Mountain Bike Dads: Anthony Duncan, of the International Mountain Bicycling Association and father of 7yo son, Miles. Blake Rowsell, Capilano University Instructor, Board Member of the BC Mountain Bike Tourism Association and dad of Clark, who’s almost 3 and Roy, who is 16 months old. Ben Hall, AKA MTBBen, host of the New England Dirt Podcast, and recently launched the Backyard Boys podcast, father of 4yo son August, 12yo daughter Anika, and oldest son, Aidan who is 16. And finally, Brice Shirbach, Pivot Ambassador, creator of Pinkbike’s Local Flavours series and Dad to two boys, Logan who just turned 4 and Henry who is a couple months shy of his 1st birthday.
In celebration of the 2nd Annual Women’s Mountain Bike Day on May 4th and Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12th we hear from three mountain bike moms. Skii Fleeton of the San Diego Bike Coalition, Jules Gujer: NICA Coach in the Minnesota League and Kim Bradley: President of the Southeastern Connecticut Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association: discuss motherhood, advocacy and mountain biking.
Wrapping up our 5-Part series on Conservation, we hear from Phil Waidner, Program Manager of Camps and the Teen Trail Corps at the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, otherwise known as NICA. Phil shares the past, present and future of the Teen Trail Corps and offers some great inspiration for those looking to start a similar program for Youth or Adults alike.
Continue reading “Ep 59 – NICA’S Teen Trail Corps: Interview w/ Phil Waidner”
Diving further into youth programs we look into one particular high school race team’s effort to create trails for their NICA team. We’ll hear from Team Director and Chair of the Stillwater Area Scholastic Cycling Advocates: Calvin Jones, and Dirt Boss and Board Member: Hank Gray about how SASCA is creating trails in Stillwater, MN for it’s students and community.
For the 40th episode of the podcast we go back to where we started with Episode 1 and focus on Kelowna, BC. We’ll hear about two programs and how they’re reducing the barriers for access in the sport of Mountain Biking. The first guest is Mike Greer, Executive Director of Elevation Outdoors. Second we’ll hear from Norm Vados and Bonnie Fraser of BikeWays and the Pathways Ability Society respectively.
Continue reading “Ep 40 – Reducing Barriers for Youth: Elevation Outdoors & BikeWays Bike Shop”
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”