052 - Graham Cracker route, 6300 ft descent over 17 miles. Restoring trails on Mount Graham. (Nat Gordon, SDMB)

Mountain Cog

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Ever wondered what it takes to reconstitute and epic big mountain trail system with sick vertical drop? Today, we're fortunate to have Nat Gordon, a board member of the volunteer-run Sonoran Desert Mountain Bikers (SDMB) organization on the show, to shed some light on their organization and their efforts to revive the trails on Mount Graham in South Eastern Arizona. Nat shares incredible insights into the hard work, engineering, and environmental considerations that go into trail restorations, and how the unique conditions of the Sonoran Desert add an extra layer of complexity.
The conversation doesn't stop at trail building. We also stir up discussions about the important initiatives at SDMB to foster diversity and inclusion within their ranks. Here’s a little teaser: They are on a mission to recruit more female board members! And yes, they speak about the irresistible lure of Mount Graham, the heart of their remarkable project. It's not just about mountain biking; we also hear about the exhilarating road riding opportunities that this mountain has to offer.
Towards the end, we steer the conversation to the responsible side of mountain biking. Nat enlightens us about SDMB's "be cool" trail safety initiatives, bike skills, and bike Academy program aimed at promoting inclusion and trail etiquette. We explore the vital role of volunteers in keeping the organization running smoothly, especially in the post-pandemic world. Lastly, we also touch upon the fascinating world of trail maintenance, the cowboy gate etiquette, and the somewhat cryptic art of securing funding for these activities. So, if you're a mountain biking enthusiast or simply love hearing about behind-the-scenes operations, you can't afford to miss this episode!
Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists (SDMB) :
https://www.SDMB.org
Mount Graham Visitors Guide: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1086012.pdf
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Chapters

1. Mountain Biking and Dad Jokes (00:00:16)

2. SDMB's Mount Graham Project Development (00:03:22)

3. Trail Building and Erosion Control (00:13:44)

4. Choosing a Mountain Biking Destination (00:25:37)

5. Mountain Biking Trails (00:34:09)

6. Mountain Biking Trail Restoration and Diversity (00:45:34)

7. Promoting Inclusion and Trail Etiquette (00:51:16)

8. Cattle Gates and Trail Maintenance Funding (00:56:36)

9. Volunteering and Appreciation for Trail Maintenance (01:03:11)