For episode 179 we have Luke Krolikowski – the Bike Park Manager of the Farside Bike Park at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galina, IL. The Farside Bike Park is a relatively newer lift access bike park located in a topographically rich part of the upper Midwest known as the Driftless Area. Luke dives into all things Farside during our conversation. If…

For Episode 178 We’ve got Mischa and Edoardo the two masterminds behind the International Trail Rating System. Mischa is based in Switzerland, and Edoardo is based in Italy. Both have a strong understanding about the nuance that goes into dissecting and rating a trail. While there is a lot that can go into how or why a trail is rated a certain way,…

For Episode 177 we have Emily Brown. Emily is a Co-Founder of the newly created Spearfish Trails Coalition based in Spearfish, SD. If you haven’t been to the Black Hills in South Dakota, this place is truly remarkable. Spearfish has a history of trails and mountain biking that runs parallel with the history of mountain biking itself. Emily discusse…

For Episode 176 we have Mike Gehard, Mike is the current president of SORBA Chattanooga. If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ve heard several guests talk about Walden’s Ridge in Chattanooga, now you’ll get the full story on mountain biking in Chattanooga along with the fact that SORBA Chattanooga is currently looking to hire their first…

For Episode 175 we have Glen Jacobs back for Round 2 on Trail EAffect. Glen first appeared on episode 125, if you haven’t listened to the first conversation with Glen, I highly recommend it as, episode 125 will provide some context for this conversation. Glen is easily one of the most prolific visionaries in Trail Building. Glen Co-founded WorldTra…

Daniel Sapp – President of Pisgah Area SORBA / Trail Advocacy 174 For Episode 174 we have Daniel Sapp, Daniel is the current president of Pisgah Area SORBA, co-founder of The Backslope as well as colleague to the infamous Seth Alvo of Berm Peak. Prior to this Daniel was a journalist for Pinkbike, among other publications and Daniel has spent most h…

Steve Ford - Bike Park Manager of the Luiseño Bike Park in San Diego, California – 173 For Episode 173 we have Steve Ford – Steve is the Gravity Bike Park Manager at the Luiseño Bike Park located in San Diego County California on the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indian Tribal Lands. We covered all things Gravity Bike Parks from Steve’s experience and h…

Jeremy Poore from Old Fort, NC / McDowell Tech Trail School / Mountain Top Shuttles #172 For Episode 172 we have Jeremy Poore – who is based in Old Fort, NC which is not too far east of the Infamous Ashville, NC. Old Fort is ramping up to be the next community to embrace the benefits of trails and outdoor recreation. We covered all things Old Fort,…

Amanda Carey – President of NICA – National Interscholastic Cycling Association – Talking Trails, Youth Development, Leadership and Non-Profits – 171 For Episode 171 we have Amanda Carey as our guest. Amanda is the president of NICA, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. Amanda worked for 5 other Outdoor and Trail Based non-profits lead…

Peter Mills of Elevated Trail Design - 170 For Episode 170 we have Peter Mills the owner of Elevated Trail Design as our guest. Elevated Trail Designs is a PTBA Member Company that is based out of the Ashville, NC Region. Peter is a lifelong mountain biker and trail builder that is responsible for some of the newest yet most notable trail projects …

Toby Cortez / Bogue Chitto State Park / Mountain Biking in Louisiana 169 For Episode 169 Toby Cortez is our guest – Toby is one of the masterminds behind the mountain bike trails at Bogue Chitto State Park located in Louisiana. Toby drops a ton of knowledge on this episode, through some incredible stories about how Bogue Chitto came to be, cutting …

Loam Pass with Rob Brown and Joey Foresta - 168 For episode 168 we’ve got Rob Brown and Joey Foresta – Co Founders of the Loam Pass. The Loam Pass is your North American Gravity Bike Park Pass, and its brand new for 2024. Rob and Joey Teamed up to create the Loam Pass, and it launched in March with 30 resorts and shuttle services, with additional l…

Women in Trail Building at the 2024 Professional Trail Builders Association Sustainable Trail Conference 167 At the end of day one during the 2024 Professional Trail Builders Association Sustainable Trails Conference Martha Becton took over as host of the Trail EAffect Podcast. Martha brought Erin Amadon, Rebekah Morrisson, and Addie Clayton onto t…

Hansi Johnson on the Rise of Upper Midwest Mountain Biking and more! 166 Hansi had a front row seat, and sometimes took control of the wheel when it comes to the rise of mountain biking in the Upper Midwest. He’s got some incredible stories, which set the stage for what we know as some of the best mountain bike and trail communities around. Topics …

Preston York – Owner / Operator of FlowMotion Trail Builders 165 Preston brings a ton of machine and trail building knowledge to this conversation. Stay tuned all the way to the end, as Preston drops one of the wildest stories heard on Trail EAffect. Topics Include: How Preston got into Mountain Biking Various career tracks that let Preston to Trai…

Mountain Biker and Trail Builder the Infamous Randy Spangler 164 Randy has done and seen more than most in the world of mountain biking and trail building. Randy shares some pretty epic stories from the road and from his hometown during this conversation. Topics Include: How Randy got into mountain biking Working with Missy Giove at Walden’s Ridge …

Gary Moore, Gil McCormick and Chris Winn – COMBA – Colorado Mountain Bike Association 163 We are back with a Non-Profit Trail Organization this week, featuring COMBA, The Colorado Mountain Bike Association. We have Gary Moore, the Executive Director for COMBA, Gil McCormick the Trails Program Director for COMBA, and Chris Winn the Communications an…

Dafydd Davis - A Pioneer in Trail Planning and Design, based out of Wales 162 Dafydd might be the most impactful mountain bike trail planners and designer period. His thoughtful approach to trail planning and design has resulted in trail experiences that were decades ahead of their time in Wales, which eventually spread throughout the world. You’d …

Sean Benish – Trail Builder Magazine / Loam Coffee 161 Episode 161 will be a bit different than most shows as this was a last-minute idea to hop on Zoom Call with Sean Benish. Sean is the person behind Trail Builder Magazine, Loam Coffee, and a whole lot more. I didn’t really have any topics for this conversation so we just went with what popped in…

Rocket Ramps with Henry and Janker Ted – Building Ramps, Trails and Community in New Mexico #160 Topics Covered in this show: The Rocket Ramp Formation The Trail Building Scene in New Mexico Janker Ted’s entry into Trail Building Where Janker Built in MO The Goals of Rocket Ramps The evolution of Ramp Geometry / Ramps & Jumps in general Ramp / Jump…

Shea Farrell of Flowride Concepts - Trail Building / Community Building #159 Topics Covered in this show: How Shea got into Trail Planning, Design and Building Common Themes of selling Bike Parks and Mountain Bike Infrastructure as a public amenity Mountain Biking at Resorts / Gravity Bike Parks Building in Anniston, AL / Duluth, MN and the Cottage…

Dovetail Trail Consulting with Quinn Brett and Joe Stone – Adaptive Recreation #158 Topics Covered in this show: Universal Trail Design – Sustainable Trail Design The difference of accessibility and usability Differences in adaptive equipment Adaptive Trail Assessment at Walden’s Ridge in Chattanooga, TN Details on the trails at Walden’s Ridge Othe…

TrailBot – The Trail Conditions Resource for when and where to use trails #157 Topics Covered in this show: How Trail Bot came to be How Trail Conditions are Updated What is a widget – How to link conditions to various locations Reception from municipalities is for TrailBot Who makes the trail conditions updates The subjective nature of trail condi…

McGill Trail Fabrications #156 Topics Covered in this show: Where the name McGill comes from How the McGill’s came together The Riveter – North Carolina Wintering in the Carolina’s Building at Walden’s Ridge in Chattanooga, TN Building in Frisco, Co – Purpose build trails How Aftermath came to be Directional Trails Idaho Springs – Virginia Canyon B…

Tony Boone – Legendary Trail Designer & Builder / Aruba MTB Project #155 Topics Covered in this show: Tony Boone on Jane Goodall 2023 Professional Trail Builder Association Lifetime Achievement Award Trail Builders Worldwide Tony Sponsoring companies into the PTBA The explosion of Trail Building and Trail Use since 2020 Measuring the GDP of Outdoor…

Sean Leader of Southern Gravity – Downhill Bike Parks / Downhill Racing / And more #154 Topics Covered in this show: Southern Gravity Catching up since Episode 43 the original Sean Leader / Windrock Episode People moving to the area for Windrock Bike Park Sean’s view on Gravity Based Bike Parks New Shuttle Based Bike Parks Shuttle Trucks / Trailers…

Chris Skogen – Industry vs Community and a whole lot more! #153 Topics Covered in this show: Chris’s Wheels Lemon’s to Lemonade Yes, is the answer, what is the question? Almanzo 100 The value of a hand written note The beginnings Creating Space for Human Beings to look in the mirror Moving the needle socially Not about bikes Industry VS Community C…

Copper Harbor Trails Club – Giving Tuesday with Adam Yeoman and Nathan Miller Topics Covered in this show: What is Copper Harbor as a community Giving Tuesday 2023 – What was raised for funding Partnership with the Copper Shores Community Health Foundation Partnership with SRAM for 5 years – Matching Donations ($500K Per year) Trail that was built …

Max Penny of Howler Bike Park in Branson, MO #151 Topics Covered in this show: Max’s Backstory Howler Bike Co. The state of mountain biking in Missouri The Stats at Howler Bike Park The Phases of Howler Bike Park The Howler Family How Max and his family settled on the location of Howler Bike Park The Build at Howler Bike Park Companies / Builders t…

Renee Mattson of Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission on: Mountain Bike Trail Development Guidelines for Successfully Managing the Process – Part 3 #150 Topics Covered in this show: What the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission is How and Why the State of Minnesota decided to fund Trails and more How the Mountain…

Mike Repyak of IMBA Trail Solutions on: Mountain Bike Trail Development Guidelines for Successfully Managing the Process – Part 2 #149 Topics Covered in this show: What Mike / IMBA Trail Solutions have been up to in 2023 How Mike and IMBA got involved with helping to write this book Why this is not just a MN Guide, but a Guide that can be used worl…

Jake Carsten Author of the book: Mountain Bike Trail Development Guidelines for Successfully Managing the Process #148 Topics Covered in this show: Jakes Backstory relative to how he got into Trail Planning and Mountain Biking Jakes Deep History in Trail Building and Planning around the world Mountain Bike Trail Development: Guidelines for successf…

Adam McCoy - Treelines Northwest - Trail Building - Retallack Lodge - and More #147 Topics Covered in this show: How Treelines began – Inspired by Snowboard & Skateboard Apparel and Media Builders V. Loggers Video Shoot the Trails and Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition in Bellingham, WA The Treelines Van Growing the Treelines Brand The evolution of fi…

Jonas Sublett – Bike Life / Real Talk / Bikes are Therapy / Marji Gesick #146 Topics Covered in this show: Marji Gesick 2023 Dakota 5-0 2023 Jonas on Single Speeding Jonas on Not Finishing Unofficial Aid Stations at the Marji Gesick Bikes as Therapy Jonas on getting his brother Dion into riding bikes Jonas on getting his mother into riding bikes Jo…

Todd Poquette Re-Air – 906 Adventure and the Marji Gesick #145 This Episode first aired on October 21st, 2020 Topics Covered in this show: The Todd Poquette Back Story Why 906 Adventure Team was created 906 Adventure Events 906 Youth Programs Replicating 906 Adventure Programs in other communities Summer of Crusher 2020 Impact that Trails have on C…

Will Taygan Executive Director for the Chugach Mountain Bike Riders, Chugiak-Eagle River Alaska # 144 Backstory on how Will got into Mountain Biking The Backstory on the Chugach Mountain Bike Riders Mountain Bike Access in Chugiak-Eagle River Region Building Partnerships with various government agencies Partnering with Professional Trail Builders f…

Vance McCaw Trail Boss for Trek Trails in Waterloo, WI #143 Backstory on how Vance got into mountain biking Where Vance Started with Trek Moving into the Product Development Dept at Trek Transitioning into the Trek Factory Race Shop The C3 Project The evolution of mountain bikes C3 Project Stories Custom Paint for the C3 Project The Trek Trails Par…

Shawn Gregory of Big Loop Trails and Big Loop Maps – Re Air #142 Topics Covered: The Shawn Gregory Back Story How Shawn got into mountain biking The move from the Denver Area to the Cortez / Delores Region for a lifestyle choice to be closer to the outdoors Early years of trails or lack of in the Cortez / Delores Region, yet loads of potential Why …

Marcus Tillman – Recreation Trail Director for the City of Anniston, AL – Mountain Biking # 141 Randy Spangler & Building at Coldwater Mountain Gnomes & Trail Fairies Marcus Tillman Intro – Recreation Trail Director for Anniston, AL About Anniston, AL Coldwater Mountain and the Ability to Ride to Ride McClellan Mountain Biking The distance between …

Re-Air Joe Stone – Teton Adaptive Executive Director – Universal Trail Design Episode 140 The Joe Stone Journey Hitting and surpassing multiple goals The Joe Stone Foundation Wydahoe Rendezvous Teton Adaptive Living in Jackson Hole Not Forcing Things Editing / Long Form Platforms Film: Digging for Answers about Universal Trail Design Trail: Deepest…

R-Dog Ryan Howard Professional Mountain Biker / 805 Beer – The Build and more #139 Ryan "R-Dog" Howard is by far and away the chillest man in mountain biking. We dare you, nay, we challenge you, to find someone who has more fun riding their bike every day than Mr. Dog. You will not succeed. Style? Check. Good vibes? Check. Living in a van down by t…

Ryan Thibault – Mountain Bike Vermont / Ranch Camp / Trails and Bike Parks #138 Taken from MTB Vermont on Ryan Position: Graphic artist, writer, photographer Fame: Owner of Independent Allied, a design firm specializing in biking & beer… go figure. Spray: Ryan lives, breathes and eats bikes. He also eats dirt and crow. If he’s not flying down mount…

Story Time with Brian Hann – Appalachian Mountain Bike Club - Re-Air #137 Topics Covered: About Brian Hann How the AMBC and Urban Wilderness Came to be Linking Properties Together in South Knoxville The Partnership of Public Trails on Private Land South Knoxville Transition into machine building Volunteers & Paid Professional Builders The Kingdom T…

Philip Darden the Executive Director for the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association - SORBA #136 Topics: How Philip got into mountain biking Recap of the most recent SORBA Summit (Spring of 2023) The new Strategic Plan along with Mission and Vision of SORBA Bike Parks in the South East The Process of the Strategic Plan and hiring a facilitator for t…

Kristian Jackson – G5 Trail Collective / Pisgah Grandfather District / Donuts & Bikes Podcast: Part Two #135 Senior Lecturer, Recreation Management, Appalachian State University; Senior Course Conductor and Level 4 Coach, Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association, Trail Boss, Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park. Source – Bio from Donuts & Bikes P…

Kristian Jackson – Trail Boss / Builder / Coach / Advocate / Husband / Father and Connector: Part One #134 Senior Lecturer, Recreation Management, Appalachian State University; Senior Course Conductor and Level 4 Coach, Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association, Trail Boss, Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park. Source – Bio from Donuts & Bikes Pod…

Dustin Schiltz – drtpdlrs Youth Gravity Mountain Bike Programming #133 Topics: A look back at the 2022 drtpdlrs season Day Trips and longer multi-day trips Spirit Mtn, Duluth MN Going to Whistler Bike Park for a PMBIA Level 2 Air Certification Demonstrating and putting instruction to use Moving forward to 2023 Off Season Fitness / Training Program …

Tracy Paradise and the One Track Mind Foundation "Life is Once" #132 Topics: Tracy’s backstory and how it relates to her getting into mountain biking Why Tracy moved to MN Life is Once Starting the One Track Mind Foundation Not Focused on a specific location / region Things learned about the Trail Building side of things when starting the OTM Found…

Luther Propst – Trails, Community Development and Advocacy Key Note at International Trails Summit 2023 #131 Topics: Luther’s Backstory and how he got his start in Land Use Planning and Law Working with the World Wildlife Fund Founding the Sonoran Institute Joining the board for both IMBA and the Outdoor Alliance Why Luther Joined the Outdoor Allia…

Drew Pollak-Bruce (SE Group) – Value of a Professional Dirtbag Presentation Part 2 - International Trails Summit 2023 #130 Anyone can plan, design, and build a trail, right? As we all know the answer is no, and it takes not only technical skills but also the right combination of grit, humility, and endurance to be a professional "dirt bag". This se…