Trail EAffect with Greg Williams of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and the Downieville Classic – The Power of Trails AKA Dirt Magic
Greg leads the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship and is a descendant of the Deer Creek Band of Northern Sierra Miwok. Greg has spent his life in the Sierra Nevada Mountains living by the examples of his elders — developing a passion for community, clean streams, big mountains, and long trails.
Greg is a trailblazer and pioneer of backcountry mountain biking in Downieville, establishing Yuba Expeditions guide service in 1991 and the Downieville Classic mountain bike festival in 1995. In 2003 Greg founded the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship in order to maintain and enhance the trail system, create local jobs, and grow the recreation economy in the Lost Sierra region.
- Early Years with Greg Williams
Being Shaped by DownievilleThe realization that people might pay for Downieville Shuttles and Guide ServicesSanta Cruz Bikes and their support of the Sierra Buttes Trail StewardshipThe resistance of mountain bikers coming into Downieville in the early yearsBringing an economy to DownievilleThe growth of trail work days and need to organizeStepping up to take care of the trails for the U.S. Forest Service in 2001Creating the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship in 2003- The value of naming the organization a “Trail Stewardship”
20 years of SeriousnessBuilding the model backwardsThe Power of TrailsHow the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship has become a sizable employer in the regionStudent internships and giving them legit life skillsConnected Communities600 miles of trail6 counties2 states4 national forestsBipartisan supportHow broad this goal isPivoting the public feedback plan during CovidHow this plan will be a document for other communities to follow – A recipe book for Dirt MagicMultiuse TrailI.D.E.A. – Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, AccessGreat Ideas that maybe weren’t so great… around the Downieville ClassicRon’s House of Big Air Ramp jump25th Year of the Downieville ClassicMark WeirRaising the bar for competition at the Downieville Classic – TalentDigging out the course one yearRules for the All Mountain World ChampionshipsThe Downieville Classic – the All-Mountain World Championships- Racing Both days for an overall title
Trails are in great shape for 2023Getting to The Lost Sierra – Hint, Reno, NV is closeOn track to build the 200th mile of trail in 2023 (actually closer to 220)Closing Comments and how to contributeSierra Buttes Trail Stewardship: https://sierratrails.org/
Connected Communities: https://sierratrails.org/connected-communities/
Downieville Classic: https://downievilleclassic.com
Dirt Magic: https://youtu.be/lFAuFH9V5mc
Trail EAffect Show Links:
Trail Effect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com
KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh
Worldwide Cyclery Affiliate Link: https://www.worldwidecyclery.com/?aff=559
Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/
Contact Josh at [email protected]
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This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services