Trail EAffect

Inside a Statewide Mountain Bike Organization with Nick Bennette | 214 For Episode 214, we’re joined by Nick Bennette, Executive Director of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, better known as VMBA. We talk about what it takes to support mountain biking at a statewide level, and the role an organization like VMBA could plan in your state. Nick takes us through VMBA’s five-year strategic plan, trail grants, permitting, public access to private lands, and best management practices. We also get into adaptive mountain biking, the Velomont Trail, and working with other trail user groups across Vermont. But wait, there’s more. We talk trail maintenance, e-bikes, politics, and what Nick looks for in a great trail community. Set List: Statewide Trail Organizations VMBA 5-Year Strategic Plan Best Management Practices Incentivize Public Access to Private Lands for the Land Owners Land Disturbance Permitting relative to Trail Development VMBA Chapter Trail Grant Program Adaptive Mountain Bike Trails in Vermont The Velomont Trail Politics and Trails – Statewide (working with other trail user groups) Used Stuff – Trail Maintenance E-Bikes – Warning This may trigger people… lol What Nick looks for a trail community Closing Comments   Trail EAffect Show Links: Vermont Mountain Bike Association: https://vmba.org/   Show Support By: KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com   Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 213, we have Noelle Battle, the Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots. We discuss the origins of Bikepacking Roots, its mission, and the organization's work to expand bikepacking through advocacy, partnerships, long-distance route development, and connecting people with the landscape. The conversation also explores the role of natural-surface trails and singletrack within bikepacking, the BOLT initiative, and partnerships with organizations such as IMBA. Together, these efforts show how mountain bike trails and long-distance routes can connect communities, landscapes, and riders through meaningful outdoor experiences.   Topics Include: Backstory on Noelle & how she got into Bikepacking Becoming the Executive Director of Bikepacking Roots The origin story and what Bikepacking Roots is about Alternative forms of transportation that aid in Bikepacking Partnerships that Bikepacking Roots has with other organizations What is the BOLT Act – Biking on Long distance Trails The Department of the Interior and USDA open 30-day window to nominate trails for BOLT recognition Existing and Potential BOLT Trails What trails within the BOLT Report that captures Noelle's interest Expanding on Bikepacking Roots and IMBA Working with more local partnerships The expansion of Bikepacking Routes in West Virginia Looking ahead with Bikepacking Roots What Noelle looks for a trail community Closing Comments   Trail EAffect Show Links: Bikepacking Roots: https://bikepackingroots.org/ Public Comment Period (until 8/3/2026) for U.S. Department of the Interior Bikepacking Routes: https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-seeks-nominations-long-distance-biking-trails-public-lands Long Live Trails – BOLT Coalition Report: https://bikepackingroots.org/2026/06/bolt-act-long-live-long-trails/   Show Support By: KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com   Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 212, we've got Udo Blenkhorn and Pat Pero out of Quebec Canada. Both Pat and Udo are heavily involved with volunteer trail building, so much so that they decided to create a nonprofit organization called Dig !t for the purpose of helping other volunteer trail-building organizations. Dig !t serves many purposes for both individuals and trail organizations, with the central theme of organizing volunteer trail-building efforts. The latest addition to the Dig !t platform is a mobile app, which made its debut a couple of weeks ago on International Trail Day. Ultimately, Dig !t was created with the goal of streamlining community trail building so you can spend more time digging and less time doing admin work.   Topics Include: The Pat backstory and mountain biking The Udo backstory and mountain biking How Pat and Udo got involved with volunteer trail building The Contagious Rock Creating Dig !t How mistakes led to efficiencies and getting it right The Trail Fairies How to find digs that are going on virtually everywhere Professionals and volunteers working together to create trails Different tiers of teammates, leaders, and chapter operators that are part of Dig !t How all of this consolidates and streamlines tracking of actions across the platform Operational efficiencies so you can spend more time working on trails and making the invisible visible The sense of belonging that Dig !t provides How people are assigned roles and levels of training to become a leader within Dig !t Dig !t customization at the chapter level (waivers, for example) Dig 24 – a 24-hour volunteer trail-building event What Udo looks for in a trail community What Pat looks for in a trail community Closing comments Trail EAffect Show Links: Dig !t: https://digittrailbuilders.org/   Show Support By: KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com   Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 211, we've got Willie Bittner, founder of Great Lakes Trail Builders, and current President of the Professional Trail Builders Association. Willie has been trail building nearly his entire life, starting out with Boy Scout projects, then working for various Conservation Corps organizations on, and alongside various trail builders before Founding WisCorps, and Great Lakes Trail Builders. Willie brings some insight and stories not commonly found with other guests here on Trail EAffect. Topics Include: How Willie got into Trail Building Leaving Wisconsin to work for the California Backcountry Program Getting into hand build stonework in the California Wilderness Hand built trail vs Machine Built trail Heading to the East Coast to work for the Vermont Conservation Corps Transitioning from working with Conservation Corps to working with Peter S Jenson & Associates. Accessible Trails Starting Great Lakes Trail Builders and Co-Founding WisCORPS in La Crosse, WI Meeting Willie for the first time WisCORPS is and what it was like rebooting a Conservation Corps in WI. The transition back to running Great Lakes Trail Builders Going to South Argentina / Patagonia Region to build trails The challenges of building in this region Moving his family to Argentina for trail building Being covered by National Geographic for Trail Building Trail Building as a legit trade Reflecting on the past 50 years of the Professional Trail Builders Association The 2026 PTBA Conference in Boise Becoming a PTBA member company Willie becoming president of the PTBA Training people in traditional stone work Building in Superior National Forest in Northern MN Rebuilding stairs out of stone (from wood) The 2027 International Trail Summit in North Carolina What Willie looks for in a trail community Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: Great Lakes Trail Builders: https://www.greatlakestrailbuilders.com National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/trail-builders-perfect-hike Professional Trail Builders Association: https://www.trailbuilders.org   Show Support By: KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com   Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For episode 210, we've got Berne Broudy and Greg Durso back on for a follow-up conversation about their film, Best Day Ever. Berne and Greg were first on in episode 201 back in October of 2025, and since then they've been rallying hard on the film tour circuit, racking up an impressive 22 awards and showcasing the film in multiple countries. Best Day Ever has been making a real impact on how everyday people in the trail community think about adaptive trails and trails for all. This is a special episode and one worth sharing. If you haven't had the chance to check this film out, it's impressive and will take you through the full rollercoaster of emotions. Topics Include: Recap – Banff Film Festival World Tour Awards National and International Screenings Experiences that have come from the film tour in various communities and theaters What it takes to implement adaptive trails Guidelines around aMTB Trails VMBA 3 Park YouTube Series Drive Range aMTB Trail System Future Screenings of Best Day Ever 5 Point Film Festival (4/23/2026) How you can screen the movie in your community for all the community leaders Best Day Ever and SORBA aMTB Trails – Not Dumbed Down or made easier aMTB’s and Bowhead at Sea Otter Reflecting on all the Traction this film has gotten since it’s gone live The reception this film has gotten across theaters Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: Best Day Ever Film: https://www.bestdayever.mov/ Best Day Ever on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestdayevermovie VMBA Adaptive YouTube Series:             Episode One: https://youtu.be/VLmq9z7hBNc?si=fNUZ5zVlW82Zv7Fj             Episode Two: https://youtu.be/2n9roXXo3-I?si=WA0790_Xs2jvw0Hz             Episode Three: https://youtu.be/pWpS2WM9C4Y?si=Pxh03QcnehKkBqMQ Driving Range Trail System: https://www.richmondmountaintrails.org/the-driving-range   Show Support By: KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com   Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services