Trail EAffect

Inside a Statewide Mountain Bike Organization with Nick Bennette | 214
For Episode 214, we’re joined by Nick Bennette, Executive Director of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, better known as VMBA.
We talk about what it takes to support mountain biking at a statewide level, and the role an organization like VMBA could plan in your state.
Nick takes us through VMBA’s five-year strategic plan, trail grants, permitting, public access to private lands, and best management practices. We also get into adaptive mountain biking, the Velomont Trail, and working with other trail user groups across Vermont.
But wait, there’s more. We talk trail maintenance, e-bikes, politics, and what Nick looks for in a great trail community.
Set List:
Statewide Trail Organizations
VMBA 5-Year Strategic Plan
Best Management Practices
Incentivize Public Access to Private Lands for the Land Owners
Land Disturbance Permitting relative to Trail Development
VMBA Chapter Trail Grant Program
Adaptive Mountain Bike Trails in Vermont
The Velomont Trail
Politics and Trails – Statewide (working with other trail user groups)
Used Stuff – Trail Maintenance
E-Bikes – Warning This may trigger people… lol
What Nick looks for a trail community
Closing Comments
 
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Vermont Mountain Bike Association: https://vmba.org/
 
Show Support By:
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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 213, we have Noelle Battle, the Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots. We discuss the origins of Bikepacking Roots, its mission, and the organization's work to expand bikepacking through advocacy, partnerships, long-distance route development, and connecting people with the landscape. The conversation also explores the role of natural-surface trails and singletrack within bikepacking, the BOLT initiative, and partnerships with organizations such as IMBA. Together, these efforts show how mountain bike trails and long-distance routes can connect communities, landscapes, and riders through meaningful outdoor experiences.
 
Topics Include:
Backstory on Noelle & how she got into Bikepacking
Becoming the Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots
The origin story and what Bikepacking Roots is about
Alternative forms of transportation that aid in Bikepacking
Partnerships that Bikepacking Roots has with other organizations
What is the BOLT Act – Biking on Long distance Trails
The Department of the Interior and USDA open 30-day window to nominate trails for BOLT recognition
Existing and Potential BOLT Trails
What trails within the BOLT Report that captures Noelle's interest
Expanding on Bikepacking Roots and IMBA
Working with more local partnerships
The expansion of Bikepacking Routes in West Virginia
Looking ahead with Bikepacking Roots
What Noelle looks for a trail community
Closing Comments
 
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Bikepacking Roots: https://bikepackingroots.org/
Public Comment Period (until 8/3/2026) for U.S. Department of the Interior Bikepacking Routes:
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-seeks-nominations-long-distance-biking-trails-public-lands
Long Live Trails – BOLT Coalition Report: https://bikepackingroots.org/2026/06/bolt-act-long-live-long-trails/
 
Show Support By:
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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 212, we've got Udo Blenkhorn and Pat Pero out of Quebec Canada. Both Pat and Udo are heavily involved with volunteer trail building, so much so that they decided to create a nonprofit organization called Dig !t for the purpose of helping other volunteer trail-building organizations.
Dig !t serves many purposes for both individuals and trail organizations, with the central theme of organizing volunteer trail-building efforts. The latest addition to the Dig !t platform is a mobile app, which made its debut a couple of weeks ago on International Trail Day.
Ultimately, Dig !t was created with the goal of streamlining community trail building so you can spend more time digging and less time doing admin work.
 
Topics Include:
The Pat backstory and mountain biking
The Udo backstory and mountain biking
How Pat and Udo got involved with volunteer trail building
The Contagious Rock
Creating Dig !t
How mistakes led to efficiencies and getting it right
The Trail Fairies
How to find digs that are going on virtually everywhere
Professionals and volunteers working together to create trails
Different tiers of teammates, leaders, and chapter operators that are part of Dig !t
How all of this consolidates and streamlines tracking of actions across the platform
Operational efficiencies so you can spend more time working on trails and making the invisible visible
The sense of belonging that Dig !t provides
How people are assigned roles and levels of training to become a leader within Dig !t
Dig !t customization at the chapter level (waivers, for example)
Dig 24 – a 24-hour volunteer trail-building event
What Udo looks for in a trail community
What Pat looks for in a trail community
Closing comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Dig !t: https://digittrailbuilders.org/
 
Show Support By:
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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 211, we've got Willie Bittner, founder of Great Lakes Trail Builders, and current President of the Professional Trail Builders Association. Willie has been trail building nearly his entire life, starting out with Boy Scout projects, then working for various Conservation Corps organizations on, and alongside various trail builders before Founding WisCorps, and Great Lakes Trail Builders. Willie brings some insight and stories not commonly found with other guests here on Trail EAffect.
Topics Include:
How Willie got into Trail Building
Leaving Wisconsin to work for the California Backcountry Program
Getting into hand build stonework in the California Wilderness
Hand built trail vs Machine Built trail
Heading to the East Coast to work for the Vermont Conservation Corps
Transitioning from working with Conservation Corps to working with Peter S Jenson & Associates.
Accessible Trails
Starting Great Lakes Trail Builders and Co-Founding WisCORPS in La Crosse, WI
Meeting Willie for the first time
WisCORPS is and what it was like rebooting a Conservation Corps in WI.
The transition back to running Great Lakes Trail Builders
Going to South Argentina / Patagonia Region to build trails
The challenges of building in this region
Moving his family to Argentina for trail building
Being covered by National Geographic for Trail Building
Trail Building as a legit trade
Reflecting on the past 50 years of the Professional Trail Builders Association
The 2026 PTBA Conference in Boise
Becoming a PTBA member company
Willie becoming president of the PTBA
Training people in traditional stone work
Building in Superior National Forest in Northern MN
Rebuilding stairs out of stone (from wood)
The 2027 International Trail Summit in North Carolina
What Willie looks for in a trail community
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Great Lakes Trail Builders: https://www.greatlakestrailbuilders.com
National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/trail-builders-perfect-hike
Professional Trail Builders Association: https://www.trailbuilders.org
 
Show Support By:
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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 210, we've got Berne Broudy and Greg Durso back on for a follow-up conversation about their film, Best Day Ever. Berne and Greg were first on in episode 201 back in October of 2025, and since then they've been rallying hard on the film tour circuit, racking up an impressive 22 awards and showcasing the film in multiple countries. Best Day Ever has been making a real impact on how everyday people in the trail community think about adaptive trails and trails for all. This is a special episode and one worth sharing. If you haven't had the chance to check this film out, it's impressive and will take you through the full rollercoaster of emotions.
Topics Include:
Recap – Banff Film Festival World Tour
Awards
National and International Screenings
Experiences that have come from the film tour in various communities and theaters
What it takes to implement adaptive trails
Guidelines around aMTB Trails
VMBA 3 Park YouTube Series
Drive Range aMTB Trail System
Future Screenings of Best Day Ever
5 Point Film Festival (4/23/2026)
How you can screen the movie in your community for all the community leaders
Best Day Ever and SORBA
aMTB Trails – Not Dumbed Down or made easier
aMTB’s and Bowhead at Sea Otter
Reflecting on all the Traction this film has gotten since it’s gone live
The reception this film has gotten across theaters
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Best Day Ever Film: https://www.bestdayever.mov/
Best Day Ever on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestdayevermovie
VMBA Adaptive YouTube Series:
            Episode One: https://youtu.be/VLmq9z7hBNc?si=fNUZ5zVlW82Zv7Fj
            Episode Two: https://youtu.be/2n9roXXo3-I?si=WA0790_Xs2jvw0Hz
            Episode Three: https://youtu.be/pWpS2WM9C4Y?si=Pxh03QcnehKkBqMQ
Driving Range Trail System: https://www.richmondmountaintrails.org/the-driving-range
 
Show Support By:
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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

Evan Walterman & Doc Savage | Black Hills Bike Hub – Rapid City, SD | 209
For episode 209, We have Evan Walterman and Doc Savage representing the Black Hills Bike Hub based in Rapid City, SD. Doc is the current President, and Evan is the Director of Trails. We discuss all things mountain biking and trails in Rapid City which has some very unique trail systems. Rapid City was also just named an IMBA Trail Town, and we discussed that process as well.
Topics Include:
How Evan got into Mountain Biking and Trails
How Doc got into Mountain Biking and Trails
The Dakota 5-0 and the impact on the region
Project Echelon
The Black Hills Region
Remembering Kevin Forrester – K4 Trails
Rapid City and the backstory of trail systems in Rapid City Proper
Hansen-Larsen Memorial Park
Skyline Wilderness Area
Creating / Rebooting the Black Hills Bike Hub
The All-American Trail
Community Support of Trails and Mountain Biking
Becoming an IMBA Trail Town
IMBA Trail Care Workshop
What Doc looks for in a Trail Community
What Evan looks for in a Trail Community
Closing Comments
 
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Black Hills Bike Hub: https://www.blackhillsbikehub.org/
K4 Trails: https://k4trails.com/
Hansen-Larsen Memorial Park: https://www.hlmprc.com/
IMBA Trail Towns: https://www.imba.com/trail-towns
 
Show Support By:
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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 208, we have Ethan Edman, the Director of Trail Construction and Maintenance at the OZ Trails Bike Park. If you want a real understanding of how one of the most anticipated bike parks in the country is coming together, this conversation delivers.
Topics Include:
Ethan on Gravity Based Bike Parks
Ethan on his role as the Director of Trail Construction and Maintenance
Bike parks he’d visited, and the experiences Ethan has learned about them
Angel Fire Bike Park
Spirit Mountain Bike Park
Highland Bike Park
The value gained from riding and experiencing many different places
The Chairlift at the OZ Trails Bike Park, and the experience it will provide
Discussing different uplift experiences
Details on the 30 trails that the OZ Trails Bike Park will be opening with
Maximizing the 280’ of elevation at the Bike Park
The importance of Diverse Trail Experiences that will be offered
Anticipated Opening of the OZ Trails Bike Park
Dialing in operations ahead of opening and training staff.
Unique characteristics of having a truly blank canvas to create this bike park
Gravity Logic as the main contractor for the bike park, both for building trails and dialing in operations of the bike park as a business
Hours of Operation
Other amenities at the OZ Trails Bike Park
Rental Bikes
Skills Coaching / Lessons
How this bike park will cater to new riders from a skills perspective
Mena, AR Bike Park
What Ethan knows about the bike park in Mena, AR
How the OZ Trails Bike Park will complement a much larger bike park in Mena
The scale of the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas
Closing Comments and Thank You’s
Trail EAffect Show Links:
OZ Trails Bike Park: https://www.oztrails.com/oz-trails-bike-park/
 
Show Support By:
Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp: https://www.outdoormarketingbootcamp.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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 207, Phil Waidner is our guest – Now if you read the title, it says West Virginia Mountain Biking and the Arrowhead Bike Farm – This is where Phil Lives and what Phil does, but how he got here is a whole lot of different stories. Phil took us from Indiana to Ashville, to China to Bolivia, to Vail Colorado and finally to Fayetteville, WV. He’s had a lot of different roles in the mountain bike community that span from Tour Guide / Instructor to Leading Teen Trail Corps for NICA and a ton more. There’s so much to unpack about this conversation that an intro just won’t do it justice.
Topics Include:
Phil Waidner Back Story
Heading to China to guide for climbing and mountain biking
Getting a job as a mountain bike guide in Bolivia
Transitioning back to the U.S. as a ski instructor in Vail, CO.
Moving to West Virginia to take a role as the Wheels Program Manager
at the Summit Bechtel Reserve Boy Scout Camp
Getting the keys to a brand new 35-mile trail system at the Summit Bechtel Reserve
The importance of Trail Maintenance
Hired by NICA to run the Teen Trail Corps – Nationwide
The success of NICA Teen Trail Corps
Coming onboard at the Arrowhead Bike Farm in Fayetteville, WV
Arrowhead Bike Farm Backstory
What the Arrowhead Bike Farm is and what they do there (lots!)
Mountain Biking in the New River Gorge Region
The uniqueness of West Virginia
Events and Festivals in the region
What Phil looks for in trail communities
Closing Comments
Bonus Bolivia Content
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Arrowhead Bike Farm: https://arrowheadbikefarm.com/
West Virginia Mountain Bike Association: https://wvmba.com/
Summit Bechtel Reserve: https://www.summitbsa.org/
Gravity Bolivia: https://www.gravitybolivia.com/
 
Show Support By:
Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp: https://www.outdoormarketingbootcamp.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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 206, I’m joined by Mark Eller from Leave No Trace. This might sound like a straightforward conversation. It isn’t. Mark is a veteran of the outdoor industry, with more than a decade at IMBA during a period of major program expansion, and he continues his work today at Leave No Trace. His background includes climbing, mountain biking, and decades of time spent outdoors. This episode sits at the intersection of marketing, mountain biking, trails, and how we show up outdoors in ways that are practical and low impact.
Topics Include:
How Mark landed in the Outdoor Marketing space more than 2 decades ago
Landing at IMBA doing Communications and Marketing
Mark working at IMBA during the time of the Trail Solutions Book, The Ride Center, Regional Directors, and more
The Impact of the Trail Solutions Book on Land Managers and Modern Trail Design and Construction taking a real science backed approach
What are some things that trails / mountain biking has gotten right and wrong from a marketing perspective
The Leave No Trace Backstory
The Seven Principals of Leave No Trace
Common Misconceptions about Leave No Trace
Best method for learning Mark has found during his career
Surprises for Mark while at IMBA and Leave No Trace
What bad habit would Mark get trail users to change
What Mark Looks for in Trail Communities
Outdoor Marketing Boot Camp
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Leave No Trace: https://lnt.org/
Show Support By:
Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp: https://www.outdoormarketingbootcamp.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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 205 we have Charlie Riou and Cullen McMorrow – the President and Vice President of the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club. While Austin may not be on everyone’s radar as a ride destination Austin certainly has a very deep history around mountain biking, mountain bike advocacy and trails. Both Cullen and Charlie provide some excellent stories about the history of mountain biking in the Austin Area along with what they are doing for the future of mountain biking in this region.
Topics Include:
The Austin Ridge Riders Backstory as a Mountain Bike Club
Barton Creek Greenbelt
How Cullen got involved with the Austin Ridge Riders
How Charlie got involved with the Austin Ridge Riders
Trail Work by the Austin Ridge Riders
Walnut Creek Metro Park work day
Benefits of cleaning up parks and trails
American Trails Webinar – Using Natural Surface Trails as Transportation Alternatives.
Working with other user groups to create Win – Win scenarios
Reimers Ranch Park 
The Quality-of-Life aspect of trails in Austin and how that’s a tougher sell in large metro areas like Austin (where lots of people are moving there regardless of outdoor recreation)
Where Charlie likes to ride in the Austin Area
What Cullen looks for in a Riding Community
What Charlie looks for in a Riding Community
Closing Comments
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Austin Ridge Riders: https://www.austinridgeriders.com/
Show Support By:
Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp: https://www.outdoormarketingbootcamp.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
Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
 
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services