For episode 181 We have Brice Shirbach for his third appearance on Trail EAffect. Brice knows trail communities like no other. Brice has been at this for well over a decade now and it shows! We covered how his Underexposed series came to be and, some of the communities that Brice has covered recently through the Underexposed Series. Brice has a very unique perspective on Trails and Trail Communities – This is a good one!

Topics Include:

• The backstory on how Underexposed came to be
• Pocahontas County, West Virginia – and West Virgina as a whole
• Marquette County, MI
• Fernie, BC
• What legacy means to Brice
• What Brice has seen change or evolve over the past decade regarding Trails and Trail Communities
• What Brice looks for in a Trail Community
• Bonus – POW – Protect Our Winters
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Underexposed Pocahontas County, WV: https://youtu.be/LN1cob0r-mc?si=6pXrHn9TON689YWu

Underexposed Marquette County, MI: https://youtu.be/6ebgf8pFAfg?si=TfxYUFANlaqtMaWq

Underexposed Fernie, BC: https://youtu.be/7xXeDawpssE?si=Yf1dkoqiKwo0EuYE

Protect Our Winters: https://protectourwinters.org/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 180 we have Charles Evans. Charles is the Trail Maintenance Coordinator for the Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreational Collaborative. The Snowshoe Highlands Region has nearly 400 miles of trail, is a IMBA Silver Level Ride Center, and is the region that has hosted Several World Cup Mountain Bike Races and Championships. We covered the ever-popular topic of Trail Maintenance, along with the Federal Reserve, and even talked a little bit about listening for aliens. Ultimately Charles provides a ton of insight around why The Snowshoe Highlands Area is an incredible place to ride you mountain bike.

Topics Include:

• How Charles got into the world of Trail Maintenance
• The region of Pocahontas County, West Virginia
• Trails and types of trails found in the region
• The Greenbank Observatory
• IMBA Silver Level Ride Center, and steps towards becoming a Gold Level Ride Center
• Monday Lick Trail System
• The role as the Trail Maintenance Coordinator
• How the Trail Maintenance is funded in this region
• Partnering with West Virginia University
• Generating Interest from the Federal Reserve
• What the lodging and other amenities for going to ride in this region
• Future Projects in the region
• The importance of Trail Maintenance
• What Charles looks for in a Trail Community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center: https://ridesnowshoehighlands.com/

Pocahontas County, WV: https://pocahontascountywv.com/

Pocahontas Trails: https://pocahontastrails.com/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 179 we have Luke Krolikowski – the Bike Park Manager of the Farside Bike Park at Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galina, IL. The Farside Bike Park is a relatively newer lift access bike park located in a topographically rich part of the upper Midwest known as the Driftless Area. Luke dives into all things Farside during our conversation. If you live in the Upper Midwest and haven’t checked out the Farside Bike Park yet, you should as we are embarking on fall and time will be running out before winter hits again!

Topics Include:

• How Luke got into Mountain Biking
• The move from MI to Chestnut Mountain Resort
• Taking over the Bike Park Manager Role
• The rainy spring and how that impacted opening the park in 2024
• Rider Numbers for 2024
• The Trail Layout and feedback from riders about the park
• How the Farside Bike Park fits into the rest Chestnut Mountain Resort
• Early days of Mountain Biking at Chestnut – Specialized Cactus Cup in the 90’s
• Future Trail Expansion of the Bike Park
• What Luke looks for in Mountain Bike Community
• Loam Pass
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Farside Bike Park: https://www.chestnutmtn.com/farside-bike-park-draft-2/

Chestnut Mountain Resort: https://www.chestnutmtn.com/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 178 We’ve got Mischa and Edoardo the two masterminds behind the International Trail Rating System. Mischa is based in Switzerland, and Edoardo is based in Italy. Both have a strong understanding about the nuance that goes into dissecting and rating a trail. While there is a lot that can go into how or why a trail is rated a certain way, this system is the most comprehensive approach I’ve seen for rating trails yet.

Topics Include:

• How Mischa got into mountain biking
• How Edoardo got into mountain biking
• The International Trail Rating System and why
• The Survey about Trail Rating
• Four different Categories for Rating Trails
• Where the ITRS is Rooted – Safety and Decision Making
• Trail Builders take on Trail Ratings and the ITRS
• The width of a trail and how trail width factors in to how a trail is rated
• Becoming a Certified Trail Rater
• Implementation of ITRS
• Trailforks
• Having a 3rd Party rate trails
• What Mischa looks for in a good trail community
• What Edoardo looks for in a good trail community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

International Trail Rating System: https://itrs.bike/

Certified Trail Rater Training: https://itrs.bike/announcing-the-next-training-course-and-exam-to-become-a-certified-trail-rater/

Swiss Bike Park: https://www.swissbikepark.ch/

ITRS and IMBA Europe: https://www.imba-europe.org/knowledge-hub/international-trail-rating-system-itrs/

ITRS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-trail-rating-system/

Trail Therapy: https://en.trailtherapy.ch/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 177 we have Emily Brown. Emily is a Co-Founder of the newly created Spearfish Trails Coalition based in Spearfish, SD. If you haven’t been to the Black Hills in South Dakota, this place is truly remarkable. Spearfish has a history of trails and mountain biking that runs parallel with the history of mountain biking itself. Emily discusses the importance of this new coalition and why it is being formed now. Emily is also a Field Guide for SRAM, and SRAM happens to have an office in Spearfish, this means SRAM is also investing in trails and trail advocacy in their backyard.

Topics Include:

• The Emily Brown Backstory
  • Women in Mountain Biking
• Field Guide for SRAM
  • Women Specific Aspects of Emily’s Role
• The Spearfish Recreation Path
• Black Hills Region / Black Hills National Forest
• Trails in Spearfish
• The Spearfish Trails Coalition
  • Founding this and why
  • The importance of having a plan
• Paying Respect to those who built trails before the STC in Spearfish
• Traveling to other communities as a SRAM Field Guide
• Joining the IMBA Local Program
• Working with local government and the Parks Department
• The goal to diversify trail experiences in Spearfish, SD
• The riding culture in Spearfish, SD
• SRAM Investing in their backyard
  • How SRAM has invested in Spearfish
• Sturdy Dirty Women’s Enduro
• Emily’s Take on the ideal Trail Community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Spearfish Trails Coalition: https://spearfishtrails.org/

Dakota 5-0: https://www.dakotafiveo.com/

IMBA Local: https://www.imba.com/local-partners

Sturdy Dirty: https://www.sturdydirty.com/

SRAM – Our Responsibilities: https://www.sram.com/en/company/campaigns/our-responsibilities

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 176 we have Mike Gehard, Mike is the current president of SORBA Chattanooga. If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ve heard several guests talk about Walden’s Ridge in Chattanooga, now you’ll get the full story on mountain biking in Chattanooga along with the fact that SORBA Chattanooga is currently looking to hire their first Executive Director. Mike Also provides a bunch of insight he has learned through volunteering and working with organizations.

Topics Include:

• Why Chattanooga, TN
• How Mike found Chattanooga
• Why Mike got involved with SORBA Chattanooga
• 2024 PTBA Conference as a presenter and an attendee
• Walden’s Ridge
• Shuttles and not the kind that you find at Bike Parks
• Building features on public trails and how many feature rich trails should be built on public lands
• Other Chattanooga Trail Systems
• IMBA – Trail Accelerator Grants
• SORBA Chattanooga is hiring and Executive Director and Why
• The benefits of being a SORBA Member Organization
• Giving back to your local trail organization
• What Mike looks for in a Trail Community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

SORBA Chattanooga: https://www.sorbachattanooga.org/

Walden’s Ridge: https://www.waldensridgepark.com/

SORBA Main: https://sorba.org/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 175 we have Glen Jacobs back for Round 2 on Trail EAffect. Glen first appeared on episode 125, if you haven’t listened to the first conversation with Glen, I highly recommend it as, episode 125 will provide some context for this conversation.

Glen is easily one of the most prolific visionaries in Trail Building. Glen Co-founded WorldTrail with Dylan Jeffries 20 years ago. They have since gone on to plan, design and build some of best mountain bike destinations on the Planet.

The overarching theme to this conversation is Glen’s desire to share the knowledge that he, and his team have learned over many years.

This conversation goes quite a bit longer than normal and I need to point out that mid conversation Glen lost power at his place so he pivoted from his computer to his phone to continue the conversation, then back to his computer once the power was restored. Glen is truly a world class human, and we are all very fortunate to have Glen as a professional in our trail community!

Topics Include:

• 2024 PTBA Conference
  • Key Note Speaker and Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
• 2023 Mountain Bike Hall of Fame
  • Shaun Palmer and Rob Warner
• Specialized Soil Searching
  • The progression of Mountain Bikes
• The Quark Knuckle
  • How Many Quark Knuckles have been put on one trail?
  • Many Shapes and Sizes of the Quark Knuckle
• Blue Derby Tasmania and why it’s so popular and successful
• Mountain Biking is just beginning
• Listener Question from Mike Gehard – President of SORBA Chattanooga – When Creating Trail Communities, the Top 3 Things for including everybody into Trails
• More Quark Knuckle Talk
• The need to verbalize and share knowledge
• Losing Power mid conversation…
• From the 90’s (Mountain Biking)
• Validating Trail Builders / Standards for Building and Trails
• The importance of Trail Design and the details that WorldTrail Employs during Trail Design
• The ARM – Adjustable Rock Matting
• WorldTrail Tools
• The size of WorldTrail
• Sharing Knowledge and Training Staff within WorldTrail
• Building World Class Trail Destinations
• Future Trail Conferences
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

WorldTrail: https://world-trail.com/

Specialized Soil Searching with Glen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juxlm5dorLU

Blue Derby: https://ridebluederby.com.au/

Glen Jacobs – The Elder Statesman of Trails: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF9-vwN3sPQ

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

Daniel Sapp – President of Pisgah Area SORBA / Trail Advocacy 174

For Episode 174 we have Daniel Sapp, Daniel is the current president of Pisgah Area SORBA, co-founder of The Backslope as well as colleague to the infamous Seth Alvo of Berm Peak. Prior to this Daniel was a journalist for Pinkbike, among other publications and Daniel has spent most his adult in various roles in the trail and mountain bike world. Ultimately Daniel provides his take on the importance of Mountain Bike Trail Advocacy.

Stay tuned to the end as we close this one out with a Mike Levy story involving a bad decision!

Topics Include:

• How Daniel got into Mountain Biking
• Daniel and Higher Education
• Traveling and landing jobs within the mountain bike world
• Not being afraid to walk your bike…
• The transition from Pinkbike into Advocacy
• Starting The Backslope
• 2023 North Carolina and the Year of the Trail Campaign
• Rails to Trails Trails and their role in the trail world
• Pisgah Area SORBA, and where Daniel started getting involved there
  • The growth of Pisgah Area SORBA
  • Hiring Staff
  • Cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service
  • Backcountry Horsemen of Pisgah
  • Rebuilding Trails in Pisgah National Forest
• A deep dive on infighting within mountain bikers (a discussion that had to happen at some point)
• The Butter Gap reroute / rebuild
• The Article – Without Trails we don’t need Mountain Bikes
• How can we bring more positive awareness around trail advocacy?
• What are the ingredients that Daniel thinks make a great trail community
• Getting involved with your local trail organization
• Bike Parks
• Closing Comments
• Bonus Content – Mike Levy…
• And a whole lot more!

Trail EAffect Show Links:

The Backslope: https://www.thebackslope.com/

Pisgah Area SORBA: https://www.pisgahareasorba.org/

Year of the Trail / The Great Trails State NC: https://greattrailsnc.com/

Backcountry Horsemen of Pisgah Movie https://youtu.be/3qPsMTQwW1E?si=RDFvxXQnfwt4KQB4

Without Trails We Don’t Need Mountain Bikes: https://bermpeak.substack.com/p/without-trails-we-dont-need-mountain

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services