Shawn Gregory - Big Loop Trails and Maps / Southwest Colorado Cycling Association (#57)

Trail EAffect Episode 57 Shawn Gregory of Big Loop Trails and Big Loop Maps

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 Big Loop Maps was created as a side business
How / Why the Southwest Colorado Cycling Association was formed – For Sand Canyon
Phil’s World, how it came to be as a riding location
12 Hours of Mesa Verde at Phil’s World
The Southwest Colorado Cycling Association
The balance of riding, running a business and volunteering
How selling his business and approvals for trail projects lined up an allowed Shawn to really focus on trail building.
Adding trails to the community so people will travel to the Cortez / Delores Area and spend multiple nights in the area
Stories about ranchers and others who have opposed new trails but eventually came around to realizing that the trails are good for the community
Working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
- The process of how and why trails are built or not built in certain places
2019 Volunteer of the Year for the BLM in Colorado
Covering the different reviews needed for trail projects to get approved
Big Loop Trails and Building in locations away from Cortez / Delores
- Hawes Trail Alliance Mesa, AZ
- Rico Trails Alliance
Shawn is a one man show and partners with volunteers for finish work to help accelerate club projects
Building a trail from Delores to Boggy Draw through private lands with easements
Shawn’s opinion on great trails and mountain bike communities
Closing comments