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 Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
For Episode 191 we have Lars Romig of Sedona, AZ. Lars has been a long-time member of the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition, along with being a Trail Builder and Mountain Bike Trail Access Advocate. Most Recently Lars led the charge on building the Hardline Trail. This conversation is one that I’ve wanted to have with a Sedona Local for a handful of years now as there is a ton of riding content that comes out of Sedona, but not a lot of content around how the Trails and Trail Access for mountain biking came to be in Sedona.
Topics Include:
How Lars got into Mountain Biking
What Lars does professionally for a career
How Sedona Trails came to be for Mountain Biking
The various trail zones in Sedona, and the order of when those riding zones opened up for mountain biking
Pigtail Trail (within the Hogs network)
Started out as an IMBA Trail Day
Constant improvements to Pigtail
Western Movies in Sedona / Broken Arrow Area
Building a relationship with the U.S. Forest Service
The growth of membership and engagement with the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition
Singletrack Bypass Reroute
The Hardline Trail backstory
The timeframe of building the Hardline Trail
The Public Comment Period of the NEPA Process
Recommended Direction Trails
User Experience
The user reception of the Hardline trail since it opened up
Specialized and Soil Searching
The Letter: H
Trails that don’t start with the Letter H, that are still really great
Canyon of Fools and lessons learned from that trail
Monsoon Season and Riding Etiquette regarding wet trails
Forest Service Trail Crew
Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund
Funds Non-Motorized Trail Development and Maintenance
What Lars looks for in a Trail Community
Secrets to riding the Hardline Trail
The recommended route for a great ride that includes the classics and Hardline
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition: https://www.vvcc.us/
Specialized Soil Searching Hardline Trail: https://youtu.be/tJ06FMsIoy8?si=sBwZURjM5n-yFM3v
Sedona Red Rock Trail Fund: https://redrocktrailfund.org/
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
Friday Apr 11, 2025
Friday Apr 11, 2025
For Episode 190 we have Chris Riley from Central Maine. Chris is the president of the Central Maine Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, and a board member of the New England Mountain Bike Association. Chris and his organization have come up with some innovative ideas on how to handle both new trail construction as well as handling annual trail maintenance. Maine and the New England region has a ton of momentum with mountain biking and trails, and that is really showcased during this conversation.
Topics Include:
How Chris got into Mountain Biking
Chris’s early years in mountain biking
Including several trips to ride in the Austin Texas area
How Chris got involved with Mountain Biking and Advocacy in Maine
Volunteer Engagement and Community Engagement with CE ME NEMBA
Bringing on paid staff for trail building and maintenance
Trail Systems that fall under the CE ME organization
Buying an excavator to accelerate trail building in the region
Various ways for funding trails
Maine Trails Bond initiative
Road Tripping to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Marquette Trails
Houghton Trails
Copper Harbor Trails
Creating destination riding communities
Gravity Bike Parks in Maine
Partnering with a local land trust for a new trail system
Trail Systems proximity to communities for riding in the region
Hub and Spoke Trail Model
NEMBA and the 3 Year Strategic Plan
Maintenance Matters
What Chris looks for in a Trail Community
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Central Maine NEMBA: https://cemenemba.org/
New England Mountain Bike Association: https://www.nemba.org/
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 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
