For Episode 186 we have Jason Aric Jones. Jason recently announced that he was stepping away from 30+ years of working extremely hard for mountain bike trail access and advocacy, and I know that it would be important to have Jason on the show to recount some of the experiences he has had along the way. Jason definitely took a creative approach to getting the job done, which eventually parlayed itself into the DTE Energy Foundation Trails, and multiple roles in statewide advocacy, that are even helping to influence regions around the entire state of Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula. 

Topics Include:

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Potawatomi Mountain Biking Association: https://potomba.org/

DTE Energy Trail: https://dtetrail.org/

DTE Trail - Pure Michigan: https://youtu.be/LctSL056YfY?si=6-wpG32OltelA4jU

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

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 [email protected]

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 185 we have Steve Kasacek back for his second appearance on Trail EAffect. Steve is the assistant Director of the Outdoor Sport Institute located in Maine. We covered a ton of various trail projects that Steve has been a part of in Maine, along with the value of building relationships.  

Topics Include:

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Outdoor Sport Institute: https://www.outdoorsi.org/

More Human Powered Trails in Monson, ME: https://youtu.be/OlLY2_Onxgk?si=Nc700oGGOTt21Uxo

Loon Echo Land Trust: https://www.lelt.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 [email protected]

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 184 we have Uriah Steber, the Owner of Benchmark Trails, Founding Member of the Oahe Wheelmen, and a driving force behind the rise of trails and mountain Biking across the State of South Datoka.

Topics Include:

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Oahe Wheelmen: https://oahewheelmen.wixsite.com/oahewheelmen

Benchmark Trails: https://www.benchmark-trails.com/

South Dakota Bicycle Summit 2025: https://www.sdbikesummit.com/

IMBA Trail Care School Spearfish / Rapid City, SD: https://youtu.be/20YY8FIudOU?si=vB0j9GT9jIJ7Yu4J

Patrick Lucas: https://patricklucaswriter.ca/

Dirt Relations Documentary: https://iymbp.ca/dirt-relations-documentary/

Berryfast Bicycles: https://berryfastbicycles.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 [email protected]

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

2024 SORBA Year in review and 2025 Updates with Philip Darden | 183

For Episode 183 we have Philip Darden back on. Philip is the executive director of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association otherwise known as SORBA. During this conversation we recap some of the more notable events that Philip was able to attend in 2024, how the region was impacted by multiple hurricanes, along with some of the changes that SORBA will be implementing for 2025.

Topics Include:

Trail EAffect Show Links:

SORBA Main: https://sorba.org/

SORBA 2025 Membership Updates: https://sorba.org/membership-updates/

SORBA Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0T2q5g1ZqnS6cfDI54tuT7?si=054fdc5cbcfd41bf

Outdoor Alliance Grasstops Collective: https://www.outdooralliance.org/grasstops-collective

2024 IMBA Leadership Summit: https://www.imba.com/2024leadersummit

SORBA Donations: https://sorba.org/donations/

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 [email protected]

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 182 we have Daniel Sapp back on, this time Daniel is here to provide some insight around the impacts that Hurricane Helene had on Western North Carolina and the Communities around the Pisgah National Forest. Western North Carolina relies heavily on tourism, please consider supporting these communities and organizations in any way that you see fit as they clean up, reopen and rebuild.

Topics Include:

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Two Weeks Later: How Pisgah's Communities are Coping in the Aftermath of Hurricane Helene: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/two-weeks-later-how-pisgahs-communities-are-coping-in-the-aftermath-of-hurricane-helene.html

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

G5 Collective: https://www.g5trailcollective.org/

McDowell Technical College Trail Training: https://mcdowelltech.edu/academic-degree-programs/cewd/trail-construction-and-sustainability/

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 [email protected]

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

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

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 [email protected]

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

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 [email protected]

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

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 [email protected]

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

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 [email protected]

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

• Women Specific Aspects of Emily’s Role

• Founding this and why

• How SRAM has invested in Spearfish

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 [email protected]

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services