Trail EAffect

Kingdom Trails Executive Director Abby Long (#60)

Trail EAffect Episode 60 Abby Long the Executive Director for Kingdom Trails
 
Topics Covered:
Abby’s Backstory
A career in Leadville working for the Leadville Race Series
Economic Development through the Non-Profit / Race Series
Transition to the Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation
The Move back to New England
Getting Hired as the Kingdom Trails Executive Director
The Mission of the Kingdom Trails
104 Private Land Owners makes up Kingdom Trails
Rural and Economic Development and the benefit of Trails and Recreation
Economic Impact of Trails
Trail Networks Elevate Rural Communities
How Trails help attract and retain a quality work force
Grants from Kingdom Trails to other organizations within the community
The silver linings from the loss of a core area of trails in November of 2019
The Kingdom Trail Capacity Study / Partnering with the SE Group
Ride with Gratitude
Partnering with the Northern Forest Center
Engaging Ride with Gratitude and the local businesses
Implementation of the Capacity Study
Community Center
Community Parking
Links
Kingdom Trails and Staff at KT
Expansion of Trails in 2020 by Kingdom Trails Staff
Making adjustments to allow for more adaptive riders access on more miles of trail
The priority of Trail Maintenance at Kingdom Trails
The role of an Executive Director for a Trail Organization
Bike The Borderlands / Part of the Northern Forest Center
Trails and Mountain Biking are part of the Forest Industry
Federal Grants through the Northern Forest Center to help Trails and Communities
What’s on tap for 2022 in Kingdom Trails
Everyone Yields to Everyone at Kingdom Trails – Ride with Gratitude
Bike Bells on Trails
Closing Question – The Power of trails
Trails Are Essential
Closing comments by Abby
Engaging Youth with Trails
Ride with Gratitude
Links:
Leadville Trail 100 Legacy Foundation: https://www.leadvilletrail100legacy.org/
Kingdom Trails: https://www.kingdomtrails.org/
Dirt Church Brewing: https://dirtchurchvt.wpcomstaging.com/
Brice Shirbach Interview with Abby Long: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/interview-abby-long-executive-director-of-the-kingdom-trail-association.html
Beta Magazine Keys to the Kingdom by Devon O’Neil: https://www.betamtb.com/culture/key-to-the-kingdom/
Kingdom Trails Capacity Study: https://segroup.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=ff307acd023440d585c3c62aec25b47c
Ride with Gratitude: https://www.bikeborderlands.com/ride-with-gratitude
Bike Borderlands: https://www.bikeborderlands.com/
Northern Forest Center: https://northernforest.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 the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect

The Flowfeed App with Bryce Paden (#59)

Trail EAffect Episode 59 Bryce Paden and Flowfeed
 
Topics Covered:
Bryce’s backstory and how he got into mountain biking
The various business ventures Bryce has been involved with
Where the Flowfeed App began
Flowfeed, and starting with Trail Conditions as the first problem to solve
Data that goes into Trail Conditions on Flowfeed
Other Flowfeed features that will available on the Flowfeed Platform
Future deployment into other regions – getting the NW Arkansas Region dialed first
The simplification of “Trail Status’s” on the Platform
Freeze Thaw / and how that has been the most difficult aspect of Trail Conditions
How Bentonville has now turned into an incubator of massive knowledge for Trail and Mountain Bike Specific infrastructure and products due to Walmart and other large corporations moving talent into the region
How Mountain Biking and trails have become the “New Golf” in terms of developments and communities
How Supply Chain issues have led Bryce into getting into mountain biking via a Steal Single Speed Mountain bike
Closing Comments
The access to people and professionals within the Mountain Bike and Trail Industry in Bentonville, and how that lends to the success of Flowfeed
How Flowfeed may help professionals project manage future projects
How Flowfeed can predict trail maintenance needs based on storms or trail use
Involvement within the Trail Building Industry in NW Arkansas
Working with local establishments to get Flowfeed deployed within establishments like coffee shops
 
Links:
Flowfeed: https://www.flowfeed.app/
Bryce Paden Online: https://brycepaden.com/
 
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 the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect

Brian Kennedy AKA BKXC on YouTube (#58)

Trail EAffect Episode 58 Brian Kennedy / AKA BKXC on YouTube
 
Topics Covered:
Catching up with Brian and the 50 State Shred
Extended Stay in Bentonville / OZ Trails
The positive impact that OZ Trails is having on the trail industry
Riding in various locations while at OZ Trails
Riding with Rich Drew and the Ride Series
Everstoke – the Why & the proximity to the Lost Sierra
Downieville and the Lost Sierra
Trail One Components
Naming of Components at Trail One
Crockett Hills
Testing Trail One Components
Bike Sizing, and the move to a Medium Ibis Ripmo for Brian
Demo Bike Advice
Ibis Bikes
2022 Plans…
 
Links:
BKXC on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/bkxc/featured
BKXC on the Web: https://bkxc.bike/
BKXC Products: https://bkxc.creator-spring.com/
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/
Trail One Treasury: https://trailone.bike/pages/projects
Crockett Hills: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/crockett-hills
Ibis Bikes: https://www.ibiscycles.com/
The Lost Sierra: https://sierratrails.org/the-lost-sierra/
The Ride Series: https://www.therideseriesmtb.com/
Trail EAffect Episode 3 with BKXC: https://traileaffect.podbean.com/e/trail-eaffect-brian-kennedy-bkxc-3/
 
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 the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect

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
Links:
Big Loop Trails / Maps: https://biglooptrails.com/
Southwest Colorado Cycling Association: https://swcocycling.clubexpress.com/
Phil’s World: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/mountainbike/philsworld
Boggy Draw Trails: https://www.trailforks.com/region/boggy-draw/
Hawes Trail Alliance: https://hawestrailalliance.com/
Rico Trails Alliance: https://www.ricotrailsalliance.org/
BLM Volunteer of the Year:
https://www.blm.gov/blog/2020-04-24/phil%E2%80%99s-world-gains-miles-trails-thanks-dedicated-volunteer#:~:text=Shawn%20Gregory%20was%20awarded%20the,personally%20accounted%20for%2010%20miles
https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/dolores-trail-builder-named-blm-volunteer-of-the-year-for-colorado/
 
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 the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect

Spider Mountain Bike Park (#56)

Trail EAffect Episode 56 Spider Mountain Bike Park with Christiana Hudson and Suzy Bauer
 
Trail EAffect will be moving off of Mountain Bike Radio to its own Podcast Feed and will be called:
Trail EAffect.
 
In order to continue to listen to future Trail EAffect Episodes please check out Trail EAffect everywhere Podcasts are consumed.
 
Topics Covered:
The Christiana Hudson Backstory
The Suzy Bauer Backstory
The Spider Mountain Back Story
Inspiration from Jackson Hole
Other Bike Park Resorts: Purgatory and Pajarito
The first chairlift in Texas
The Lift was purchased from Taos Ski Area & moved to Spider Mtn
The Trail Planning behind Spider Mtn
Suzy’s Perspective of Spider Mtn coming from Colorado, and getting new participants into Mountain Biking
The Future of Mountain Biking in Texas
The Trail Maintenance at Spider Mountain
Beginners at Spider Mountain
New Beginners Skills Park
Gear Rental
Complimentary Tips & Tricks to new riders
Partners with other Bike Camps and Riders in the area
Incredible staff
Family Friendly Company
Power Kids: 12 & Under Ride & Ski for Free
Thunderbird Lodge at Spider Mtn
Other Amenities such as water sports on Lake Buchanan
Numbers at Spider Mtn (only open for 3 years and weird years with the Covid Boost)
Growing the numbers
Next Trail – Advanced Flowtech
Famous Failures & Learning through failure
The Community Aspect of Spider Mountain
Mountain Biking Community
Community of Locals in Burnet TX
Closing Comments
Spider rides much bigger than it is
Committed to awesome trails on the terrain they have
Links:
Spider Mountain Bike Park: https://www.spidermountain.com/
Mountain Capital Partners: https://www.mcp.ski/
Thunderbird Lodge: https://www.thunderbirdlodgetx.com/
Support for Trail EAffect Comes from Smith’s Bike Shop in La Crosse, WI https://smithsbikes.com/
 
This show has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services, for more information go to:
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect

Mark Hayes of Highland Bike Park (#55)

Trail EAffect Episode 55 Mark Hayes of Highland Bike Park
 
This episode first aired on January 27th, 2022 on Mountain Bike Radio
 
Topics Covered:
The Mark Hayes Back Story
How a trip to Whistler Bike Park inspired Mark to create Highland Bike Park
How Mark found the property to build out Highland Bike Park
The details around Highland Bike Park
The Importance of entry level trails for growing the customer base and mountain biking in general
What is a beginner trail and incorporating the lesson component of the business
Getting people into mountain biking
The overview of Highland as a business and a brand
Platform A – Highland Bike Park
Platform B – Camps
Platform C – Highland Trails (Trail Building outside of Highland)
The impact of Covid on Highland in 2020
How Highland Bike Park also serves as a training facility for educating trail builders for Highland Trails
Building the Highland Team
The Evolution of trails from the start of Highland to today
The Evolution of Trails in terms of creating a trail system that constantly progresses as the rider’s progress.
ASSF – Amplitude, Speed, Sightlines and Frequency according to Brian Finestone (former manager of Whistler Bike Park)
Famous Failures / Learning Experiences by Mark Hayes
The indoor bike park structure
The differences between Private Bike Parks and Public Trails, and what Private Bike Parks offer over public trails
The Foothills Foundation, the public trails non profit that Mark is president of
The 1%er’s
Public Trails and Maintenance
The Upside of great trails in your community
The ingredients that make a great trail community according to Mark
Asphalt Pumptracks
Closing Comments
Making the sport accessible to everyone
Continuous Learning
E-Bikes
Thanking the Team at Highland Bike Park
Links:
Highland Bike Park: https://www.highlandmountain.com/
Highland Trails: https://www.highlandmountain.com/trail-building-services/about/
Highland Training and Camps: https://www.highlandmountain.com/camps-lessons/camps/overview/choose-your-camp/
Highland YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HighlandMountainBikePark
The Foothills Foundation: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/8684f506713c4b32b144dda45894fb48?item=1
 
Support for Trail EAffect Comes from Smith’s Bike Shop in La Crosse, WI https://smithsbikes.com/
This show has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services, for more information go to:
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect

Neko Mulally of Ride Kanuga Bike Park (#54)

Trail EAffect Episode 54 Neko Mulally and Ride Kanuga Bike Park
 
This episode first aired on January 18th, 2022 on Mountain Bike Radio
 
Topics Covered:
Neko Mulally Back Story and how he got into Professional WC DH Racing
The formation of Neko’s own race program: Frameworks
Check out the Downtime and Vital MTB Podcast for more depth on the program
How the concept of Ride Kanuga Bike Park got started
Neko’s take on the land and topography that Ride Kanuga offered
2020 the Pandemic created the time needed to build out Ride Kanuga
Building Ride Kanuga
How Callie’s trail building experience helped shape the diversity of trails at Ride Kanuga
The Layout of Ride Kanuga
How Ride Kanuga offers a diverse trail experience
How Ride Kanuga / bike parks in general offer a different experience than public access trails
Diverse Trail Experiences
Regular Trail Maintenance through paid staff
Ride Kanuga Country Club
User Numbers at Ride Kanuga and how they have exceeded the expectations of Neko, and how this lets to having 5 trail builders on staff for building and maintenance
The differences between Windrock and Ride Kanuga bike parks
How Windrock Bike Park came to be, Neko’s Perspective on this
What makes Windrock great for high level downhill style downhill tracks to train and race on
500’ of vertical elevation makes for a great bike park
What Neko has incorporated into Ride Kanuga that he’s seen and ridden in other places
SE Style Jumpline
England Style Rut Tracks – GNCC
What makes a good trail community according to Neko (Hint: AMBC)
The Ride Kanuga Community
Ride Kanuga Holiday Party
Downhill Southeast and Enduro Southeast
Neko’s 2022 Sponsors
 
Links:
Ride Kanuga: https://ridekanuga.com/
Neko’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/NekoMulally/featured
Downtime Podcast Episode with Neko: https://www.downtimepodcast.com/nekobike/
Vital MTB Podcast Episode with Neko: https://www.vitalmtb.com/news/news/Neko-Mulally-Will-Race-Handmade-Alloy-DH-Frames-by-Frank-the-Welder,1407
  
Neko’s Sponsors and Support
Ride Kanuga: https://ridekanuga.com/
Fox Suspension: https://www.ridefox.com/subhome.php?m=bike
Fox Racing:  https://www.foxracing.com/
Maxxis Tires: https://www.maxxis.com/us/tires/bicycle/mountain/
Santa Cruz Reserve Rims: https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/reserve-wheels
GoPro: https://gopro.com/en/us
ODI Grips: https://www.odigrips.com/
Handup Gloves: https://handupgloves.com/
WD40 Bike Products: https://www.wd40.com/products/?category=bike
WTB Tire Sealant: https://www.wtb.com/pages/tcstiresealant
Spank Industries: https://spank-ind.com/
Factor Components: https://www.factorcomponents.com/
Kogel Bearings: https://www.kogel.cc/
Worldwide Cyclery: https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/
 
Support for Trail EAffect Comes from Smith’s Bike Shop in La Crosse, WI https://smithsbikes.com/
This show has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services, for more information go to:
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect

Ann Christianson of the Saris Foundation Bike Parks for Kids (#53)

Trail EAffect Episode 53 Ann Christianson of the Saris Foundation
 
This episode first aired on January 11th, 2022 on Mountain Bike Radio
 
Topics Covered:
Ann Christianson Back Story
How Ann found bikes
Working within the bike industry for multiple bike companies
Saris and what Saris Makes
The Saris Foundation
How Chris of Saris took multiple leaders to Zambia to see what the power of the bicycle really means
Bike Parks for Kids
Vacant Lots / Land and the opportunities that previous generations had with these spaces
How Public Bike Parks can serve multiple generations and demographics
Where the First Bike Parks for Kids Bike Park is being built
Where to find out more information about Bike Parks for Kids
How the Grant Making is Seed Money & connecting communities with communities that have done this before
Grant Application & next round is due on Jan 31st 2022
PDF Guide to Creating Community Bike Parks
More Details on the Grant Application
Stories on bike parks and what has been successful (Hint: Big Marsh)
Insight from Ann / Words of Wisdom / Closing Comments
 
Links:
Saris: https://www.saris.com/
Saris Advocacy: https://www.saris.com/advocacy
Saris Bike Parks for Kids: https://www.saris.com/advocacy/bike-parks-for-kids
https://www.saris.com/page/foundation?utm_source=homepagenav&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=navlinkmenu
A Guide to creating community bike parks: https://www.saris.com/Uploads/Saris/2021/12/Guide-to-Creating-Community-Bike-Parks.pdf
Saris Foundation Grant Application (first round due Jan 31st, 2022): https://sariscyclinggroup.wufoo.com/forms/grant-application-form/
Big Marsh: https://bigmarsh.org/
 
Support for Trail EAffect Comes from Smith’s Bike Shop in La Crosse, WI https://smithsbikes.com/
This show has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services, for more information go to:
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect

Chris Currie of Stan’s NoTubes and the Stan’s Connection Program (#52)

Trail EAffect Episode 52 Chris Currie of Stan’s NoTubes
This episode first aired on January 5th, 2022 on Mountain Bike Radio
Topics Covered:
Chris Currie backstory / early years in mountain biking
How Chris started one of the very first E Commerce Mountain Bike Sites in the mid 90’s – Speedgoat Bikes
Content Marketing way before content marketing was a thing
Building custom mountain bikes for people in the early years of mountain biking
Early Sealant / Tubeless Experimentation
Where Speedgoat Bikes was located and why
How Chris got interested in Suspension Design
Early days of 29” full suspension that Chris designed and the other misadventures that came along with that journey.
3VO Suspension Design, and how it functions
3VO suspension on Jamis Bikes
Famous Failures / Willingness to Fail
You gotta do a lot of things wrong to do a couple things right
Trails and how they have evolved from the early days of mountain biking to today
The involvement of a community for trails
Stan’s Connection program
Stan is a real guy, and how NoTubes came to be
How Stan’s Connection works
How Stan’s Connection is getting to the local, grassroots level of giving back
Creating a map to connect people
How organizations can get on the Stan’s Connection Map Suggest-a-connection (Link Below)
Partnering with Brice Shirbach on the Connection Program
Chris’ favorite Trails / Trail Communities
Words of Wisdom / Closing Comments
Links:
Stan’s NoTubes Connection – Suggest a Connection: https://www.notubes.com/suggest-a-connection
Stan’s NoTubes: https://www.notubes.com/
Speedgoat Designs: https://speedgoat.bike/
3VO Suspension Designs on Jamis: https://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/mountain-bikes/3vo-suspension/
 
Support for Trail EAffect Comes from Smith’s Bike Shop in La Crosse, WI https://smithsbikes.com/
This show has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services, for more information go to:
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect

Greg Mazu of Singletrack Trails (#51)

Trail EAffect Episode 51 Greg Mazu – Single Track Trails
This episode first aired on December 28th, 2021 on Mountain Bike Radio
Topics Covered:
Greg Mazu Intro and Back Story
The early days of trail building for Greg
Starting Single Track Trails Inc
Growing Single Track Trails by branching out across the country
Trails and Projects that Stick out to Greg
Palisade Plunge Trail Back Story – 32-mile epic trail build
Trail Planning, the importance of this and thinking about how a trail plan is like a business plan
The Manifesto
Creating Mortgage Paying Jobs
Selling the fact that Trail Building is a real profession to the masses (for those unaware)
How trails provide value to communities
The importance of having a variety of trails within trail systems / trail communities
Vee Hollow and how Vee Hollow provides that variety of trails within one system
Handcut Trails / Handcut Hollow in Bentonville
Advantages of Hand Built Trails
What the Ideal Trail Community looks like according to Greg
The Garage is my Trail Head
Mountain Towns and Jobs
Famous Failure(s)
Gregs Multiple Businesses
Desert Rat Tours
Tools for Trails
Backslope Tools
Recreation Fabrication – New for 2022
Redesigning the Mcleod
Supply Chain Issues for Trail Building Tools
Closing Comments
Links:
Single Track Trails: https://www.singletracktrails.com/
Backslope Tools: https://www.backslope.tools/
Tools for Trails: https://toolsfortrails.com/
Desert Rat Tours: https://www.desertrattours.com/home
 
Support for Trail EAffect Comes from Smith’s Bike Shop in La Crosse, WI https://smithsbikes.com/
This show has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services, for more information go to:
Evolution Trail Services: www.evotrails.com
Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com
Support the Trail EAffect through Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/traileaffect