Life Behind Bars

On this week's episode, we chat with three trail bosses who help manage three Indianapolis mountain bike trails. Indy Trail Collective, in partnership with HMBA, is a new chapter that oversees the mountain bike trails in Indianapolis: Fort Harrison, Town Run Trail Park, and Southwestway.

Get Involved with Indy Trail Collective!

• Fuel the Trails You Love! Become an HMBA Member Today!
  • "Ready to make a real impact on your local trails? Join the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA) and directly support the Indy Trail Collective! Choose Southwestway, Town Run, or Fort Harrison as your chapter, and every penny of your membership goes straight back into building and maintaining the trails you ride. Don't just ride, invest!"
  • Link: https://www.hmba.org/membership
• Stay Connected! Follow Us on Social Media!
  • "Get the latest trail updates, event announcements, and behind-the-scenes action! Join our vibrant community on Facebook and Instagram."
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569391372079
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indymtbtrails/
• Support the Trails with a Gift from Our Wish List!
  • "Can't make it to volunteer days? You can still make a huge difference! Check out our Amazon Wish List and send essential tools and supplies directly to our hardworking trail stewards. Every item helps us keep the trails in top shape!"
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/15B5QV6LLO6BM?ref_=wl_share
• Get Your Hands Dirty! Join Our Volunteer Days!
  • "Ready to build, dig, and shape the future of Indy's trails? Join our volunteer days! No experience necessary – just bring your enthusiasm! Check our social media for the latest updates."
    • Southwestway: Second Sunday of each month at 1 PM.
    • Town Run: Last Saturday of each month at 9 AM.
    • Fort Harrison: Coming Soon! Follow our social media for updates.
• Ride with Us! Group Rides Coming Soon!
  • "As soon as the weather breaks and the trails are prime, we'll be kicking off group rides! Follow our social media for announcements and join us for epic rides and good vibes!"
• Reach Out to Us Directly!
  • "Have questions, ideas, or want to get more involved? Contact our team directly!"
    • Terry: [email protected]
    • Adam: [email protected]
    • Andrew: [email protected]

On this week's episode, we chat with Carly Kane who is a a local elite BMX racer. Her hometown is Guilford, Indiana and she is a Pro BMX racer for Huffy. She's been racing bikes for 15 years and is extremely passionate about improving herself. She hopes to see more Hoosier get involved with BMX today. Check local groups on Facebook or visit https://www.pumptraxusa.com. This is a two part series! Listen to PART ONE here. To get involved today!

"BMX is a bicycle racing sport on tracks that feature obstacles, jumps and steep hills. No matter your age or skill, you can be a part of the BMX community." - USA BMX

Carly's Q Collar (https://q30.com) - The Q-Collar is a non-invasive device intended to be worn around the neck of athletes aged 13 years and older during sports activities to aid in the protection of the brain from effects associated with repetitive sub-concussive head impacts.

On this week's episode, we chat with a local BMX racer that has grown up in the culture and community of the sport. BMX racing was very popular in the 80s in the state and we talk about the ups and downs of why BMX has become less popular in Indiana. We talk about the history as well as the current races and tracks across the state. This is a two part series!

"BMX is a bicycle racing sport on tracks that feature obstacles, jumps and steep hills. No matter your age or skill, you can be a part of the BMX community." - USA BMX

To get involved today!

Columbus Bmx Track, Columbus, IN

(812) 371-5897

Website

Steelwheels Indoor BMX, Hobart, IN

(219) 947-3556

Website

Burdette Park BMX Club, Evansville, IN

(812) 422-9125

Website

Imagination Glen BMX, Burns Harbor, IN

(219) 406-9833

Website

Warsaw BMX Track, Warsaw, IN

(574) 268-7433

Website

Hire Park BMX, Warsaw, IN

(574) 268-7433

Fort Wayne BMX RACE PARK, Fort Wayne, IN

Closed ⋅ Opens 11 AM Sun

Website

Major Taylor Velodrome, Indianapolis, IN

(317) 778-1056

Website

On this week's episode we chat with Andy Kirchoff with STS Bicycles out of Rushville, Indiana. STS Bicycles creates custom frames for every rider. Specializing in off-road gravel bikes, STS Bicycles has a great history here in Indiana.

"From day 1, Andy has been here for guidance, passion, design, and occasionally riding a bike. A cycling enthusiast for over 35 years. Andy's life has always been dedicated to helping others, and these days it's helping others find their best ride." - STS Bicycles

Contact us at [email protected]

On this week's episode we chat with Andy Kirchoff with STS Bicycles out of Rushville, Indiana. STS Bicycles creates custom frames for every rider. Specializing in off-road gravel bikes, STS Bicycles has a great history here in Indiana.

"From day 1, Andy has been here for guidance, passion, design, and occasionally riding a bike. A cycling enthusiast for over 35 years. Andy's life has always been dedicated to helping others, and these days it's helping others find their best ride." - STS Bicycles

Contact us at [email protected]

On this week's episode, we interview the dynamic duo in Nashville.

Kate grew up BMX racing and in the outskirts of Detroit while Danielle and her friends rode bikes through the backcountry near Evansville Indiana.

When they got together in 2013 these two truly started living a life filled with adventure: riding, racing, backpacking, camping and enjoying the beauty of nature. These experiences led to the launch of their first business, non-profit, "Live Adventurously" formerly known as, DNK Presents. Live Adventurously organizes and guides empowering adventure experiences for individuals, groups and businesses. Through experiential learning they help build confidence and self-esteem by encouraging and challenging individuals to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.

In the fall of 2018 Danielle and Kate moved to beautiful Brown County. As the adventure-filled excursions continued, a master plan began to emerge combining family, and yet, another business.

After years of planning they are proud to open the only full service bike shop in downtown Nashville, Indiana - Brown County Bikes. where they plan to expand their business of guiding through Live Adventurously. Truly a dream come true.

Danielle and Kate are Professional Mountain Bike Instructors through the Bicycle Instructors Certification Program (BICP) professional wilderness guides and carry Wilderness First Aid, CPR and are Leave No Trace Trainers. Kate is also an instructor for NINJA Mt. Bike Camps.

Come in, relax, and take a look at the wide selection of award winning bikes, rentals, service and accessories. Check out the "Events" page for upcoming group rides, and other special events. They are anxious to meet you and hopefully take a ride together soon.

Brown County Bikes..."Where the Good Times Roll!"

Bonus Episode! This short episode is a fun interview with Marc O'Leary's Uncles and father. Over the past couple of years, the Dust Bowl 100 has brought the O'Leary family together. The four O'Leary brothers always enjoy coming out to Eminence to support this race. We talk about their volunteer experiences and all the wonderful stories.

We recommend all listeners to take a moment to listen to the previous episode, check it out here!

To sign up to volunteer, visit: https://www.dustbowl100.com/

First episode of 2025 (Season 2) for Life Behind Bars! ​ On this week's episode we (finally) chat with Marc O'Leary, owner and race director of the Dust Bowl 100 Presented by Zipp. Connect with Dust Bowl 100 on Instagram and Facebook, also sign up to volunteer at the race today!

The Dust Bowl 100 presented by Zipp is meant to celebrate gravel, racing and community. Three distances are available (100 miles, 100K, and 44 miles), so whether you're a seasoned cyclist seeking a new and compelling challenge or an adventurous spirit eager to explore Indiana’s backroads on two wheels, we invite you to be a part of this journey with us.

Oh, and about the Dust Bowl name? Let’s just say it can be pretty dry around these parts in late summer. But it could also be rainy, or damp, or chilly, or absolutely beautiful. Remember, this is Indiana!

2025 is year #5 of Indiana’s Premier Gravel Race! The 2024 race sold out in 3 days, so sign up now to ensure you can Get Dusty with us this July! https://www.dustbowl100.com/

Audio snippets from VC Adventures (https://www.youtube.com/@TheVCAdventures) and Disney's Lady and the Tramp (https://movies.disney.com/lady-and-the-tramp, Ratatouille (https://www.disneyplus.com/movies/ratatouille/4zRnUvYGbUZG?v=var1)

On this week's episode, we chat with two Indiana DNR employees about the Next Level Trails (NLT) grant program. We talk about how to apply for this grant but also the ins and outs how to start to advocate and think about adding trails to your area. The Indiana DNR has been transforming the trails systems with the NLT program since 2018. Connect with the Indiana DNR today!

Email: [email protected]

Ross Tepe Trails Section Manager [email protected] 317-234-0717

Gary Schultz Trails Coordinator [email protected] 317-981-6418

Next Level Trails has invested $180 million – the largest infusion of State trail funding in Indiana history – toward the development of regionally and locally significant trails throughout Indiana. As part of Governor Holcomb’s broader Next Level Connections infrastructure program, Next Level Trails (NLT) is designed to incentivize collaborative efforts to accelerate trail connections. The Department of Natural Resources will administer the program. https://www.in.gov/dnr/state-parks/recreation/grants/next-level-trails/

Eligible Applicants: Local units of government or 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. One application per applicant per round. If awarded, the applicant will enter into a State Grant Agreement and must take responsibility for all aspects of the project through completion. Applicants acting in a fiscal pass-through capacity only are not eligible. Additionally, the applicant must fulfill at least one of the following roles:

• Own (or acquire) the trail corridor
• Manage and maintain the trail once developed
• Oversee and manage trail construction through completion

On this week's episode we chat with three young professionals with Health by Design who are enthusiastic about changing their local communities. These three hope to bring awareness to the resources the state already has for public health, bike and pedestrian infrastructure and advocacy. Health by Design is invested in four core program areas: walking, biking, transit and land use. Listen in on this great discussion about the current and past work by Health by Design and what they hope to accomplish as a team.

The Health by Design coalition consists of more than 300 organizations and 3,000 individuals representing various sectors and disciplines across Indiana and beyond. Our success is directly attributable to the strong partnerships that have been cultivated and nurtured for more than a decade. Together we have achieved countless planning, policy and project successes that help to ensure safe, accessible and connected transportation networks for all Hoosiers, regardless of age, ability or income.

Ashlyn Devine, Safe Routes to School Program & Policy [email protected]

Taylor Firestine, Walk & Bike Program [email protected]

Andrea Watts, Program & Policy [email protected]

To learn more about Health by Design, partnership opportunities and getting involved, email [email protected].