Trail EAffect
Trail EAffect is a show that dives into the stories behind trails, the communities that embrace trails, and the people who rely on trails as a way of life by interviewing the personalities involved with the world of Trails and Mountain Biking.
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Episodes
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
Tuesday Mar 18, 2025
For Episode 189 we have Chase Draper the President of Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers otherwise known as BUMP. BUMP is another powerhouse volunteer driven trail organization that falls under the SORBA mothership in the South East region of the United States. Chase provides some exceltent stories about what can be accomplished when you are willing to outwork everyone else, and he’s got a pretty sarcastic personality as well.
Topics Include:
How and why Chase got into Mountain Biking
How Chase got involved with BUMP
Becoming the President of BUMP
The backstory of BUMP
Gravity Project at Oak Mountain State Park
Funding through Inovate Alabama
What the new Gravity Trails will do for the Region and Oak Mountain State Park
Tannehill Ironworks trail expansion and building the largest adaptive accessible mountain bike trail system in the Southeast.
IMBA Ride Centers and how BUMP is pursuing the Silver Level Ride Center Status.
Oak Ass Endurance Race – NUE Series Championships for 2025
Bump-N-Grind Race
Challenges that Chase has come across with leading the organization and managing volunteers
What makes a great trail community in Chase’s opinion
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers: https://www.bump.org/
Oak Ass Endurance Race: https://bumpngrindraces.com/oak-ass-100/
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh
Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
For Episode 188 we have Jarrod Harris and Josh Cohan back on from Jarrod’s Place Bike Park. We cover a handful of topics including what Josh & Jarrod have learned since opening Jarrod’s Place Bike Park and we went deep on All things Trail Armor – The first line of defense for protecting your Flow Trails, Jump Lines and Berms. There’s a lot of great things that Jarrod and Josh have been learning through their development of Trail Armor, but the most important aspect of all of this is that they are taking a chance and pushing innovation, and as we all know innovation breeds innovation and this is definitely a radical innovation!
Topics Include:
Jarrod’s Place backstory on purchasing the land
Lessons learned running the bike park since we last talked (Episode 91)
The diversity of Trail Experiences at Jarrod’s Place
The efficiency of operating shuttle trucks
The Trail Armor Backstory
Working with a carpet manufacturer
Testing different materials
How Trail Armor is helping to reduce overall costs in maintenance and improving trail consistency.
Riding through adverse weather conditions
Where Trail Armor is used and not used
The Evolution of Trail Armor
How Trail Armor is reducing or eliminating erosion including dust erosion
Trail Armor is available in various colors
Customers using Trail Armor outside of Jarrod’s Place
Installation and Repair of Trail Armor
Cost of Trail Armor
How Trail Armor helps to inspire confidence among newer riders
Hauling Trail Armor into a job site
80’s Movies
Art Installations at Jarrod’s Place
Building a great community at and around Jarrod’s Place
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Jarrod’s Place Bike Park: https://jarrodsplacebikepark.com/
For more information about Trail Armor email: info@jarrodsplacebikepark.com
Original Jarrod’s Place Episode (91): https://www.traileaffectpodcast.com/jarrods-place-bike-park-with-josh-cohan-and-jarrod-harris-91/
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh
Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
For Episode 187 we have Marty Caivano the Local Community Engagement Manager for IMBA and John Cox the Education Manager for IMBA. We discussed many topics including The IMBA Foundations (Formerly known as IMBA Trail Labs), along with a lot of the other community engagement and educational programs that IMBA is continuing to host in 2025… There is also the hint of the IMBA Epics Returning in 2025!
Topics Include:
How Marty got her start at IMBA
How John got his start at IMBA
IMBA Foundations Backstory – Formerly Trail Labs
Who IMBA Foundations is for
Taking IMBA Foundations to Winona and Duluth, MN
Bringing back the Trail Care School
Black Hills South Dakota
Trail Accelerator Workshop
Trail Management School
IMBA Ride Centers
What Marty looks for in Trail Communities
What John looks for in Trail Communities
The IMBA Epic’s is coming back…
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
International Mountain Bicycling Association: https://www.imba.com/
IMBA Foundations: https://www.imba.com/foundations
IMBA Trail Care School: https://www.imba.com/programs/trail-care-school
IMBA Trail Friendly Community Self-Assessment: https://https://www.imba.com/self-assessment/overviewwww.imba.com/assessment
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh
Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
Tuesday Jan 14, 2025
For Episode 186 we have Jason Aric Jones. Jason recently announced that he was stepping away from 30+ years of working extremely hard for mountain bike trail access and advocacy, and I know that it would be important to have Jason on the show to recount some of the experiences he has had along the way. Jason definitely took a creative approach to getting the job done, which eventually parlayed itself into the DTE Energy Foundation Trails, and multiple roles in statewide advocacy, that are even helping to influence regions around the entire state of Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula.
Topics Include:
How Jason got into mountain biking
The reasons behind Jason getting into Mountain Bike Advocacy
Some of the challenges associated with mountain bike access in the early days
Early days of mountain bike advocacy
Creative ways to get mountain bikers involved with advocacy in Michigan
Getting access to the Waterloo Recreation Area for mountain biking (and how that started)
The Hell Riders (Black Hat Advocacy / Civil Disobedience) – FTW!
Getting appointed to the Michigan Trails Advisory Council
The Michigan Mountain Bike Association – and the value of Statewide Mountain Bike Organizations.
How the DTE Energy Foundation Trail came to be, and the details behind all of it.
Black Trails…
Actual Data behind trail use numbers and how mountain bikers are a huge part of that
Equestrian use and Mountain Bike use
Keweenaw Heartlands Parcels and the explanation behind that initiative at the MI Trails Advisory Council.
The power of Resolutions at the State Committee / Council level.
The Keweenaw Peninsula and why that region is important to Jason
What Jason looks for in Trail Communities
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Potawatomi Mountain Biking Association: https://potomba.org/
DTE Energy Trail: https://dtetrail.org/
DTE Trail - Pure Michigan: https://youtu.be/LctSL056YfY?si=6-wpG32OltelA4jU
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
Tuesday Dec 31, 2024
For Episode 185 we have Steve Kasacek back for his second appearance on Trail EAffect. Steve is the assistant Director of the Outdoor Sport Institute located in Maine. We covered a ton of various trail projects that Steve has been a part of in Maine, along with the value of building relationships.
Topics Include:
Updates with the Outdoor Sport Institute
The value of building relationships
Steve’s first PTBA Conference (Spring 2024)
Presentations that Steve was involved with at the Conference
Bike Optimized Trails and the value they provide to many user types
The Maine Land Conservation Conference
When is Conservation not Conservation
Seven Ponds Project in Monson, ME
Loon Echo Land Trust
Island Falls, ME
Ragged Mountain, Camden ME
Residents of Maine approving $30 million to help fund trails
Maine Trails Coalition
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Outdoor Sport Institute: https://www.outdoorsi.org/
More Human Powered Trails in Monson, ME: https://youtu.be/OlLY2_Onxgk?si=Nc700oGGOTt21Uxo
Loon Echo Land Trust: https://www.lelt.org/
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect
Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD
Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
For Episode 184 we have Uriah Steber, the Owner of Benchmark Trails, Founding Member of the Oahe Wheelmen, and a driving force behind the rise of trails and mountain Biking across the State of South Datoka.
Topics Include:
The creation of the Oahe Wheelmen and MT Biking in Pierre, SD
The rise of trails and mountain biking in rural communities
The start of Benchmark Trails
Unique Projects that Uriah and Benchmark Trails have been a part of
Deer Mountain Village
Western South Dakota and the Mountains in this region (Black Hills, SD)
Remembering the Children Memorial
The IMBA Trail Care School held in Spearfish & Rapid City, SD
2025 South Dakota Bicycle Summit
Engaging the Lawmakers in South Dakota and Trails
Patrick Lucas – Dirt Relations Documentary
How the summit is designed to function
Setting Santa’s Test Track for Striders and Adults in a Mall…
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Oahe Wheelmen: https://oahewheelmen.wixsite.com/oahewheelmen
Benchmark Trails: https://www.benchmark-trails.com/
South Dakota Bicycle Summit 2025: https://www.sdbikesummit.com/
IMBA Trail Care School Spearfish / Rapid City, SD: https://youtu.be/20YY8FIudOU?si=vB0j9GT9jIJ7Yu4J
Patrick Lucas: https://patricklucaswriter.ca/
Dirt Relations Documentary: https://iymbp.ca/dirt-relations-documentary/
Berryfast Bicycles: https://berryfastbicycles.com/
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect
Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD
Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
Tuesday Nov 26, 2024
2024 SORBA Year in review and 2025 Updates with Philip Darden | 183
For Episode 183 we have Philip Darden back on. Philip is the executive director of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association otherwise known as SORBA. During this conversation we recap some of the more notable events that Philip was able to attend in 2024, how the region was impacted by multiple hurricanes, along with some of the changes that SORBA will be implementing for 2025.
Topics Include:
Membership updates rolling into 2025 for SORBA
SORBA Summits
Storms that impacted many of the SORBA Chapters in 2024
Outdoor Alliance Grasstops Collective
2024 IMBA Local Leadership Summit that was held in Knoxville, TN
AMBC Fall Fest 2024 – Knoxville, TN
Giving Tuesday and supporting Trail Organizations
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
SORBA Main: https://sorba.org/
SORBA 2025 Membership Updates: https://sorba.org/membership-updates/
SORBA Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0T2q5g1ZqnS6cfDI54tuT7?si=054fdc5cbcfd41bf
Outdoor Alliance Grasstops Collective: https://www.outdooralliance.org/grasstops-collective
2024 IMBA Leadership Summit: https://www.imba.com/2024leadersummit
SORBA Donations: https://sorba.org/donations/
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect
Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD
Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
For Episode 182 we have Daniel Sapp back on, this time Daniel is here to provide some insight around the impacts that Hurricane Helene had on Western North Carolina and the Communities around the Pisgah National Forest. Western North Carolina relies heavily on tourism, please consider supporting these communities and organizations in any way that you see fit as they clean up, reopen and rebuild.
Topics Include:
The broad impact that Hurricane Helene had on Western North Carolina
Being allowed back into the forest for damage assessment and clean up
Chainsaws and being certified to work within the National Forest
Closed Areas of Pisgah National Forest and why it’s important to respect the closures
Volunteer Hours Logged to get trails open in the Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest
Unity in the Community of Western North Carolina
The Ranger District / Brevard and some other communities are back open and the community needs tourism in the areas that are open!
Including Ride Rock Creek and Ride Kanuga – Open for Business!
Fundraising for the communities in Western North Carolina
Giving Tuesday coming up!
Having paid staff at Pisgah Area SORBA and how that has helped the recovery efforts
How modern trail building standards and how the newer trails held up during this storm event
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Two Weeks Later: How Pisgah's Communities are Coping in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/two-weeks-later-how-pisgahs-communities-are-coping-in-the-aftermath-of-hurricane-helene.html
Pisgah Area SORBA: https://www.pisgahareasorba.org/
G5 Collective: https://www.g5trailcollective.org/
McDowell Technical College Trail Training: https://mcdowelltech.edu/academic-degree-programs/cewd/trail-construction-and-sustainability/
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect
Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD
Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
Tuesday Oct 29, 2024
For episode 181 We have Brice Shirbach for his third appearance on Trail EAffect. Brice knows trail communities like no other. Brice has been at this for well over a decade now and it shows! We covered how his Underexposed series came to be and, some of the communities that Brice has covered recently through the Underexposed Series. Brice has a very unique perspective on Trails and Trail Communities – This is a good one!
Topics Include:
The backstory on how Underexposed came to be
Pocahontas County, West Virginia – and West Virgina as a whole
Marquette County, MI
Fernie, BC
What legacy means to Brice
What Brice has seen change or evolve over the past decade regarding Trails and Trail Communities
What Brice looks for in a Trail Community
Bonus – POW – Protect Our Winters
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Underexposed Pocahontas County, WV: https://youtu.be/LN1cob0r-mc?si=6pXrHn9TON689YWu
Underexposed Marquette County, MI: https://youtu.be/6ebgf8pFAfg?si=TfxYUFANlaqtMaWq
Underexposed Fernie, BC: https://youtu.be/7xXeDawpssE?si=Yf1dkoqiKwo0EuYE
Protect Our Winters: https://protectourwinters.org/
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect
Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD
Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
Tuesday Oct 15, 2024
For episode 180 we have Charles Evans. Charles is the Trail Maintenance Coordinator for the Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreational Collaborative. The Snowshoe Highlands Region has nearly 400 miles of trail, is a IMBA Silver Level Ride Center, and is the region that has hosted Several World Cup Mountain Bike Races and Championships. We covered the ever-popular topic of Trail Maintenance, along with the Federal Reserve, and even talked a little bit about listening for aliens. Ultimately Charles provides a ton of insight around why The Snowshoe Highlands Area is an incredible place to ride you mountain bike.
Topics Include:
How Charles got into the world of Trail Maintenance
The region of Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Trails and types of trails found in the region
The Greenbank Observatory
IMBA Silver Level Ride Center, and steps towards becoming a Gold Level Ride Center
Monday Lick Trail System
The role as the Trail Maintenance Coordinator
How the Trail Maintenance is funded in this region
Partnering with West Virginia University
Generating Interest from the Federal Reserve
What the lodging and other amenities for going to ride in this region
Future Projects in the region
The importance of Trail Maintenance
What Charles looks for in a Trail Community
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center: https://ridesnowshoehighlands.com/
Pocahontas County, WV: https://pocahontascountywv.com/
Pocahontas Trails: https://pocahontastrails.com/
Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/
Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect
Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD
Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
