Front Lines MTB

The first part of our exploration into the Bike Industry’s influence on Mountain Bike Advocacy we focus on Mountain Bike Media. Looking at two examples, the first, when things go wrong and the second, when things go right. Our first guest is Steve Sheldon, Trail Director for the Tri-Cities Off-Road Cycling Association. And finally, we … Continue reading "Ep 23 – Industry Influenc...

This episode we sit down with the Marketing Chairperson at the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists, Brandon Gallagher Watson. Brandon lets us know just what the differences between Branding, Marketing & Promotions is and how your organization can find it’s voice and deliver it to your various audiences. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/18046/ep_22_-_2017-08-03_19.28_.mp3 Show Notes & Links ht...

A strong organization will almost always exist because of the existence of a strong Board of Directors. Without a Strong Board a local Trail organizations won’t be as capable of meeting the communities needs. A strong board can certainly happen by chance, but Ian Jones, President of the Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association explains how … Continue reading "Ep 21 – Building...

This episode we hear from Ziv Stamper about how Israeli Jews and Arabs met for a ride during a turbulent and violent moment in 2015. Despite tensions and communities becoming closed off, a group of Israeli Arabs made the choice to create an event, and to everyones surprise riders showed up, and their meet-ups have … Continue reading "Ep 20 – Bridge Between Communities: How Mountain Bik...

Arkansas and the Ozark is quickly exploding as a Mountain Bike destination. We hear from Brannon Pack, Executive Director of the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists (OORC) and learn more about the community behind the trails. The OORC has done ton to expand their reach and capacity: Brannon shares his club’s experience with growing branches, unique Land … Continue reading "Ep 19 – What&#8217...

We hear from Devon O’Neil, writer for BIKE Magazine about his four part article “Lines in the Dirt”. The piece explores trail access issues in three very different communities. In addition, we hear some feedback about last episode from Brannon Pack of the Ozark Off-Road Cyclists and learn a cool way for reporting on wet … Continue reading "Ep 18 – Lines in the Dirt: E...

Answering Jay Darby’s question of “How do we, as Trail Advocates, inform and educate users when it’s appropriate or not, to ride trails based on condition.” We listen to feedback from guests all over North America, including Alex Brieger, of the Central Washington Chapter of Evergreen, Matt Andrews of the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclist, Ben Horan … Continue reading "Ep 17...

This episode we hear from Kevin Loomis of the San Diego Mountain Bike Association. He’s the President of the 2nd largest city chapter of IMBA and has some concerns about the IMBA Board itself. Including the lack of IMBA Chapter Representation on the current Board, and how, despite, three rounds of layoffs for staff, no … Continue reading "Ep 16 – Digging Into the IMBA Board: Inte...

This episode we discuss the IMBA Chapter program and hear from 6 different voices. My guests come from different Trail Associations in the US, some have left the IMBA Chapter program and others have chose to stay. My first guest is Matt Andrews, Executive Director of the Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists and former Regional Director of … Continue reading "Ep 15 – The End of this Chapter?: Si...

This episode we sit down with IMBA’s brand new Executive Directer: David Weins. We discuss Dave’s work with the Gunnison Trails in Colorado, his new position as E.D., IMBA’s role in Washington, D.C., the chapter program and the future of the organization. There’s been much change at IMBA of late and we’ll hear David Weins … Continue reading "Ep 14 – IMBA&#...

The main guest is the Executive Director of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Yvonne Kraus. We discuss what their chapter program is all about and we learn what Lobby Day is. We also sit down with the President of their Cold Creek Mountain Bikers chapter, Eric Albers, and get their perspective. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/18046/ep_13_-_2017-04-18_07.54_.mp3 Show Notes & … Continu...

Taking a quick break from our 3 part series on Umbrellas and Consortiums, we look into two types of Non-profits in the U.S. Vernon Huffman of Access4Bikes in Marin County, California explains what a 501(c)(3) is and why A4B chose to be a 527 instead. We also learn about their upcoming event on May 20th, … Continue reading "Ep 12 – Politics & Non-Profits: Interview with Vernon Huff...

Kicking off a new 3 part series about Consortiums and Umbrellas, we ask: What happens when clubs and trail associations work together? It’s not always sunshine and rainbows; why is that? This episode we explore the many successes of the Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium and chat with the president and executive director, Thomas Schoen. Next … Continue reading "Ep 11 – Working Toge...

The future of mountain biking relies on the youth of today. This episode we explore two very different programs that provide community service to get kids on bikes. The benefits are huge, and my guests, Rocky Blondin of the Fraser Valley Mountain Bike Association and Bruce Martens of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association are pivotal … Continue reading "Ep 10 – For the Kids:...

After a bit of a hiatus here’s a quick episode discussing the role that Bike Shops might have to helping new riders entering the sport of mountain biking. What’s it like to walk into a bike shop with zero knowledge? While shopping for a stroller recently, I take a walk in someone else’s shoes and … Continue reading "Ep 9 – Barriers for Beginners: How Bike Shops Can Ma...

Looking at ways to increase diversity in Mountain Biking we explore the details of Urban Trails. This episode’s guest is Joshua Rebennack, the “Dirt Boss” for the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew and the author and presenter of “Knobbies in the Neighborhood”. Joshua shares his expertise on how Trail Association can develop and create trails … Continue reading "Ep 8 – B...

Continuing the discussion on diversity, we explore why inclusivity is so important and step outside the Mountain Bike world to learn lessons from the broader Outdoor community. My guest is Ambreen Tariq, founder of @brownpeoplecamping. Her project is sharing and promoting camping and hiking from the perspective of a proud South Asian Muslim American. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/18046/episode_7...

Following up with last episode and the discussion about diversity and inclusivity in the Mountain Bike community, I speak with Eric McKeegan. Eric is the Tech Editor at Dirt Rag and Bicycle Time and we discuss his article: A Presidential Speech for the Bike Industry. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/18046/episode_6_-_2017-01-05_14.27_.mp3 Show Notes & Links http://dirtragmag.com/the-rant-a-pres...

When it come to mountain bike trail names, which ones are just a joke and which ones are just plain offensive? And what does a trail name like “Squaw Hollow” say about our path to reconciliation? Are we preventing the sport of mountain biking from becoming more diverse and inclusive? Carrie Karsgaard is trail runner … Continue reading "Ep 5 – What’s in a Name?: Offens...

How can mountain biking be a part of reconciliation, Patrick Lucas and the Aboriginal Youth Mountain Bike Program are helping to build trails and relationships that do just this. Read more about Patrick and his program at Reconciliation Canada where you can find his article Digging For Reconciliation. https://podcasts-1.feedpress.co/18046/episode_4_-_2016-12-09_12.12_.mp3 Show Notes & Links ht...

Today I spoke with Tara Llanes of Tara Llanes Industries, about Adaptive Mountain Biking (aMTB) and just what Builders, Land Managers and Trail Associations can do to ensure trails are barrier free for all riders. If you’d like to see just what an aMTB is, check out the YouTube video located at the bottom of … Continue reading "Ep 3 – Second Chances: How Trail Associations Can Re...

Social Media is a key resource for any organization or business, yet for a Trail Association it’s often an under-utilized asset. My guest is Christine Tetrault from the North Shore Mountain Bike Association (NSMBA) in Vancouver, British Columbia. Christine works as the Administrator for the NSMBA and she shared some of her insight on how … Continue reading "Ep 2 – Getting Social:...

Episode 1 of the Front Lines Podcast explores the many roles and responsibilities of a Trail Association’s Board of Directors. My guest is Jay Darby, President of the Mountain Bikers of the Central Okanagan (MTBco) out in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. We discuss ‘board burnout’ and increasing a communities ‘buy in’ (Jay’s words). https://podcasts-1.feedpres...