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.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday May 17, 2022
Tuesday May 17, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 70 James Flatten the Original Flow Farmer
The James Flatten Story
The Story behind the Original Flow Farmer
Starting up Flow Farmer LLC.
How James & I met by chance
What goes into the trail building process for James
Building Free Lunch in Grand Junction / Starting working for Singletrack Trails
The first Downhill Trail on BLM Land
Working with the Bureau of Land Management
When Free Lunch was Built in Grand Junction
Trail Building in Salida and other iconic locations
The Dude Abides
Hooligan
Clients asking for more optional lines with trail construction
El Duderino
Trail Building in Iowa
Building the Palisade Plunge Trail – Massive Endeavor!
Bike Parks
Building at Powderhorn Bike Park
Purgatory Bike Park
James on the Separation of Trails at Bike Parks for a more family friendly experience #MachStupid
Trends that James has seen with Bike Parks and in the Bike Park industry
What James looks for in a Mountain Bike Community
James and The Flow Farmer LLC Trail Building Company
Where James would like to see Trail Building go as an industry
The hunger for world class riders getting tested on legal world class trails
The Trail that James is building right now in Bentonville in the Handcut Hollow Zone
More Trails Close to Home
Closing Comments by James
Links:
Palisade Plunge: https://www.copmoba.org/palisade-plunge/
The Original Flow Farmer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/originalflowfarmer/
Powderhorn Resort and Bike Park: https://www.powderhorn.com/explore-summer/about/powderhorn-in-summer.html
Purgatory Bike Park: https://www.purgatory.ski/activities/mtn-bike-uplift/
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Tuesday May 10, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 69 Benji Neff and Giants Ridge Bike Park and Resort
Benji Neff Backstory and entry into his role as Director of Mountain Sports at Giants Ridge Resort
The Role as Director of Mountain Sports – Winter and Summer
Why Giants Ridge got into Mountain Biking / Lift Access Mountain Biking
The Giants Ridge Advantage for size and topography
Giants Ridge Amenities
Lodging
Dining
Climbing Wall
Golf Courses
Bike Rental
Mountain Sports Academy (Women’s & Kids Camps)
Kids Camps
Building out Giants Ridge Bike Park and XC Trails
Dept of Iron Range Resources
How Iron Mining Tax Dollars helped redevelop the region and trails
Creating Bid Specs for the Building Process
How three separate Mountain Bike Trail Building Project collaborated and got the funding together to build out “Ride the Range”
The unique approach to hiring multiple builders for the region working together
Trail Building competition breeds competition among the builders which results in a higher quality build
How Giants Ridge Opened the Bike Park in 2020 during the start of the Pandemic
Staff at Giants Ridge for the Bike Park
Trail Maintenance Staff
Other Operations Staff
Bike Patrol
Future Plans for Giants Ridge Mountain Bike Trails
How Alternate Lines help build progression for riders to improve skills
Ride the Range and what that is
Redhead Trails
Tioga Trails
Cuyuna Trails
Zooming out a little for even more mountain bike trails in Northern MN
Benji’s Take on Trail Communities
Words of Wisdom by Benji
Closing
Links:
Giants Ridge Resort: https://www.giantsridge.com/
Ride the Range: https://www.ridetherange.com/
Redhead Bike Park: https://www.goredhead.com/
Reclaimed the Movie about Redhead: https://youtu.be/Qpscdce31YM
Tioga Trails: https://tiogarecreation.com/
Cuyuna Trails: https://www.cuyuna.com/
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Tuesday May 03, 2022
Tuesday May 03, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 68 Jeff Gannon of Affordable Trail Solutions
Jeff Gannon Back Story
Building in Arkansas
Seeps
Access and Planning as the way forward for accelerating building
Benefits seen in NW Arkansas Trails
Arkansas State Parks / and the State of Arkansas embracing mountain biking
Starting Affordable Trail Solutions Trail Building Company
Working with the Nature Conservancy for Trail Building
Trends in Trail Building according to Jeff
Trail Maintenance
Limited Volunteers for Maintenance
More Trails Close to Home
A discussion about a Trail Maintenance Fund and / or other ways to supplement Trail Maintenance
Trail Adoption Program
What’s going on with ATS in 2022
ATS and Drones / YouTube
Training Volunteers for Trail Maintenance
What makes a great trail community according to Jeff
Removing Ball Fields and Replacing them with Bicycle Playgrounds
Rail Yard
Bringing Affordable Trails to Smaller Communities
Pumptracks should be Asphalt / Hard Surfaced to elevate maintenance
Pickleball Courts
Closing Comments
Bonus Content
Patreon VS Industry Funding / Sponsorship and Trail EAffect
Value of the Trail EAffect Podcast
The Purpose of the Trail EAffect Podcast
Funding for Trail Planning / Design, Advocacy and Maintenance
Companies that give back to Trails
Confusion around one Major Company giving back to trails, listen to find out…
Robot Shifting and Bluetooth Dropper Posts
Links:
Affordable Trail Solutions: https://www.affordabletrails.com/
Affordable Trail Solutions YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXciToHUC2znPlnC5rB_a4A/featured
Affordable Trail Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Affordable-Trail-Solutions-717382101949793/
Affordable Trail Solutions on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/affordabletrailsolutions/?hl=en
Bluffton Preserve on Trailforks: https://www.trailforks.com/region/bluffton-preserve-46745/
Rattlesnake Ridge on Trailforks: https://www.trailforks.com/region/rattlesnake-ridge-29847/
Professional Trail Builders Association: https://www.trailbuilders.org/
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support Trail EAffect through donations at: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect
You can also reach out and donate via PayPal or other means if you feel so inclined to do so.
Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 67 Erin Rushing of Trailblazers
Erin Rushing Back Story
The early years of trails and greenways in NW Arkansas
Razorback Greenway
The Transformation of Trailblazers
Unique common areas in Bella Vista that allowed for trail building and access
Greenway Extensions into Bella Vista
How Trailblazers develops trails
Building the Back 40 Trail System in Bella Vista, AR
Diversity of Trail Experiences within the Back 40 with different builders
40 miles of trail built in 9 months
The Ledges
Lessons learned through building out trails in NW Arkansas
More Green level trails needed
Tuning up the existing system and making trails better in 2022
Bicycle Playgrounds for kids in parks
Famous Failure and what was learned
Experimenting with trail surfaces
Quick to react
Building smaller systems – Larger / 10 to 12 miles to make a worthwhile trail system
More Neighborhood connections in 2022
What makes a great trail community according to Erin
E Bikes in NW Arkansas
Little Sugar as an E bike trail system
Commuting to work via trails by E bike
Closing Comments
Links:
Trailblazers: https://www.nwatrailblazers.com/
We Are ETHIC: https://weareethic.org/
OZ Trails: https://www.oztrails.com/
Professional Trail Builders Association: https://www.trailbuilders.org/
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Smith’s Bike Shop: https://smithsbikes.com/
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support Trail EAffect through donations at: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect
You can also reach out and donate via PayPal or other means if you feel so inclined to do so.
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Thursday Apr 21, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 66 Jeremy P McGhee Part 2 the UNPavement Project
Typically, this is where I would drop in a list of all the topics covered during the interview, but this interview is different, much different. Jeremy is a character; an inspiration and Jeremy was extremely open and candid about his life both before he was in an accident and afterwards during this interview. This is a very long interview, which is why it’s been broken into two parts. I encourage everyone to listen to the full interview as there is a ton of inspiration, stories and knowledge distributed throughout the who interview.
"Do What You Love" - Jeremy P. McGhee
The UNPavement Project is one of a handful of projects that Jeremy has created. The UNPavement Project might be the most important project I’ve had the opportunity to share on this show as it truly defines inclusive trails and how to create access into the outdoors for more people. But let’s be clear, this does not include “dumbing down” existing trails.
Links:
UNPavement: https://theunpavement.org/
Jeremy P. McGhee: https://www.jeremymcghee.com/
UNPavement YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jeremypmcghee
VanDoIt: https://vandoit.com/
JPM Pro Offroad Hand Trikes: https://jpmpro.bike/
Drop In Bloody Couloir: http://dropinproject.com/get-dvd/
Allan Jacoby: https://dirtyteeth.wordpress.com/
Mammoth Mountain: https://www.mammothmountain.com/
Professional Trail Builders Association: https://www.trailbuilders.org/
Trail Blazers: https://www.nwatrailblazers.com/
OZ Trails: https://www.oztrails.com/
Unpaving the Way Via Trail Runner Magazine: https://www.trailrunnermag.com/people/unpaving-the-way
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Smith’s Bike Shop: https://smithsbikes.com/
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support Trail EAffect through donations at: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect
You can also reach out and donate via PayPal or other means if you feel so inclined to do so.
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 65 Jeremy P McGhee Part I The UNPavement Project
Typically, this is where I would drop in a list of all the topics covered during the interview, but this interview is different, much different. Jeremy is a character; an inspiration and Jeremy was extremely open and candid about his life both before he was in an accident and afterwards during this interview. This is a very long interview, which is why it’s been broken into two parts. I encourage everyone to listen to the full interview as there is a ton of inspiration, stories and knowledge distributed throughout the who interview.
"Do What You Love" - Jeremy P. McGhee
The UNPavement Project is one of a handful of projects that Jeremy has created. The UNPavement Project might be the most important project I’ve had the opportunity to share on this show as it truly defines inclusive trails and how to create access into the outdoors for more people. But let’s be clear, this does not include “dumbing down” existing trails.
Links:
UNPavement: https://theunpavement.org/
Jeremy P. McGhee: https://www.jeremymcghee.com/
UNPavement YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jeremypmcghee
VanDoIt: https://vandoit.com/
JPM Pro Offroad Hand Trikes: https://jpmpro.bike/
Drop In Bloody Couloir: http://dropinproject.com/get-dvd/
Allan Jacoby: https://dirtyteeth.wordpress.com/
Mammoth Mountain: https://www.mammothmountain.com/
Professional Trail Builders Association: https://www.trailbuilders.org/
Trail Blazers: https://www.nwatrailblazers.com/
OZ Trails: https://www.oztrails.com/
Unpaving the Way Via Trail Runner Magazine: https://www.trailrunnermag.com/people/unpaving-the-way
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Smith’s Bike Shop: https://smithsbikes.com/
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support Trail EAffect through donations at: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect
You can also reach out and donate via PayPal or other means if you feel so inclined to do so.
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 64 Aaron Rogers of Rock Solid Trail Contracting
Topics Covered:
Updates with Aaron and Rock Solid from 2020 to now
East Bluff Bike Park
Additional Trail Development heading towards the Keweenaw Point
Split Rock Wilds, In Northern MN
Zone 4 in Bentonville – OZ Trails at Handcut Hollow
The World Cup UCI Cyclocross Cross in Fayetteville, AR
Worldcup XC Course at the same venue
Arkansas State Parks Monument Trails
What Aaron has Learned and future trends
Trail Hubs
Create More Social Experiences
Building Trail Head Facilities for future numbers
Being More inclusive
How Destination Trail Systems are helping trails gain traction in local communities
Gravity Trail Systems like East Bluff that provide the gravity experience without lifts or shuttles
Trail Use and Paying for use to provide maintenance, and in turn providing jobs
Dream Big by Aaron Rogers closing
People need to be outdoors
Health and Wellness should be on the forefront
Links:
Rock Solid Trail Contractors: https://rocksolidtrails.com/
Copper Harbor Trails Club: https://copperharbortrails.org/
UCI Cyclocross / 2022 World Championships: https://www.cyclocrossfayettevillear2022.com/
Monument Trails: https://www.arkansas.com/monument-trails
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Smith’s Bike Shop: https://smithsbikes.com/
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support Trail EAffect through Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect
You can also reach out and donate via PayPal or other means if you feel so inclined to do so.
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 63 Charlie Dundas of Tri State Company Inc
Part 1 of the PTBA Sustainable Trails Conference 2022
Topics Covered:
The Charlie Dundas Backstory and how he got started in Trail Building
How a map from 1914 was pivotal
Charlie’s first trail build, the 32-mile Kanawha Trace is 60 years old in September of 2022
Early Tools of Trail Building for Charlie
How Charlie got into mechanized trail building with a Gravely Tractor and rotary cultivator
The Start of Tri State Companies for employing a trail crew as economic development
Starting trail building for the US Forest Service
The transition to using Mini Excavators
Building to US Forest Service Standards
Flying a rented Mini Ex to the build site via Helicopter
Mini Excavators and Ring Gears that don’t wear out with CAT Mini Ex’s
The transition to 48” wide trails
Going into the Sutter Mini Dozer to increase daily production
Transition from Plate Compactors to Double Drum Rollers
Adding a mechanical mule and a chipper to the trail building train
Building from 250’ a day to 2,000’ a day of completed trail with a staff of 2-3 people
What Trails do for communities according to Charlie
The various projects in urban areas and for private developers for their developments
What Mountain Biking has done for the trail building industry
Charlie’s NICA Trail that Tri State Companies Built
Charlie’s view on “Shared / Multi Use Trails” and the standards that said trails need to get built to
Charlie’s Words of Wisdom
Sands through the Hour Glass of Life and respecting Volunteers Time
Links:
Tri State Company Inc.: http://www.tri-statecompany.com/
Professional Trail Builders Association: https://www.trailbuilders.org/
Kanawha Trace Trail: https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7007530/kanawha-trace-50k
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Smith’s Bike Shop: https://smithsbikes.com/
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support Trail EAffect through donations at: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect
You can also reach out and donate via PayPal or other means if you feel so inclined to do so.
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
Thursday Mar 31, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 62 Rob Reed Mountain Bike Journalist
Topics Covered:
The Rob Reed Backstory
Starting up Arizona Offroad Adventures
Getting an internship at Bike Magazine
Becoming the Editor at Bike Magazine
Transition from Bike Mag to Freelance Journalism and some of the assignments Rob took on
Writing Way of the Snowboarder Book
How Freelance Journalism paved the way to reviewing high end SUV’s in the mid / late 2000’s
A hard left into the Software industry from journalism – Founding MomentFeed
Transitioning out of MomentFeed back to journalism with Forbes Life
Going full circle to reviewing high-end vehicles again, now for Forbes
Park City and the move from So-Cal to Park City for Mountain Biking…
Going Deeper on the Diversity of Riding in the riding in Park City
Community XC Trails VS Lift Access Trails
All Day Epic Rides of Mixed Park City Trails and Lift Access Riding
Testing Sram AXS Flight Attendant before it was released on a Specialized S-Works Enduro
A discussion about Enduro Bikes and Downcountry Bikes
How Modern Bike have gotten so good
How anything between 120mm and 160mm of travel is no-man’s land for bikes
FM
Huge Diversity in Guests
Can easily binge listen to the 15 episodes that are live
Ashley Korenblat
Cycling is a State of Mind and exploring that on Cyclogy.FM
Rob Reed Words of Wisdom
Find Something in Life that you can win at
Where you can find Rob Reed – AKA Max Gladwell
Links:
Cyclogy.FM Podcast: https://www.cycology.fm/
Clicks 2 Bricks Podcast: https://www.clicks2bricks.fm/
Rob Reed on Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robreed/?sh=3da997a02078
Way of the Snowboarder on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Snowboarder-Rob-Reed/dp/0810959399
Mountain Trails Foundation: https://mountaintrails.org/
Mountain Biking Park City: https://mountainbikingparkcity.com/
Deer Valley Mountain Bike Park: https://www.deervalley.com/things-to-do/activities/mountain-biking
Western Spirit Cycling Adventures: https://westernspirit.com/
Max Gladwell on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVsUQ-9sNUJmGkUqRjw1UZw
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Smith’s Bike Shop: https://smithsbikes.com/
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support Trail EAffect through Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect
You can also reach out and donate via PayPal or other means if you feel so inclined to do so.
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Trail EAffect Episode 61 CJ Scott the Trail Director for Kingdom Trails
Topics Covered:
CJ’s Back Story
From Intern to Trails Director
Early Days at Kingdom Trails on the Trail Crew
Relationships / Expansion of trails with Private Land Owners
Partnerships within the state of Vermont
The Kingdom Trails Trail Experience with magical soils for building and riding
The balance of building new trails and maintaining the old trails
Over sanitizing trails performing maintenance for sustainability
Bringing on Staff to benefit Kingdom Trails and the community
Having Staff, and working with Volunteers
Updating Kingdom Trails to be used in all weather conditions (outside of the spring thaw)
Building Bridges
Trail Hardening
Engaging local youth for volunteer trail work
What makes a great trails community according to CJ
Hiking the AT Trail
Closing Question – The Power of Trails
They Give People an outlet
Closing comments by CJ
Links:
Kingdom Trails: https://www.kingdomtrails.org/
This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services
Trail EAffect Show Support:
Smith’s Bike Shop: https://smithsbikes.com/
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support Trail EAffect through Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect
You can also reach out and donate via PayPal or other means if you feel so inclined to do so.
