Trail EAffect

For Episode 216, we're joined by Isaac Cowart, Operations Director of WinMan Trails located in Northern Wisconsin. This is easily one of my top 10 conversations I've had the opportunity to host on Trail EAffect. Isaac brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this conversation. We cover everything from trail planning and construction to staffing, maintenance, and what it takes to operate a successful nonprofit trail organization. There is a lot to take away from this episode, especially if you're involved with a trail organization or help manage trails that are open to the public. Set List: How Isaac found his way to Northern, Wisconsin How Isaac got into mountain biking The WinMan Story according to Isaac A strategic plan was created Hiring trail builders The region where WinMan is located How WinMan is contributing to the tourism economy Bringing staff and trail builders in house Quality over Quantity and Trail Maintenance WinMan Basecamp, Camping, Cabins and Amenities Events or lack thereof and why Winter use and activities Directional Trails and why WinMan is 100% one-way trails Support trails when you can where you can, any trail system that you can What Isaac looks for a trail community Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: WinMan Trails: https://winmantrails.com/   Show Support By: KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh Smith’s Bike Shop – 131 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 215, we're joined by Daniella and Elliott Crowder. We talk about their journey from owning a bike shop in Newport, Oregon, to helping grow the local trail networks and getting involved in trail advocacy across the state, especially along the Oregon Coast. We also talk about their events, including Mountain Bike Oregon and Ride the Dirt Wave, trail stewardship, building mountain bike communities, and as usual, what makes a great riding destination. Set List: Moving to Oregon from Nor Cal and getting into Mountain Biking Starting a Bike Shop in Newport that becomes a community hub Expanding the trail network around Newport Expanding the Women’s mountain biking community in Newport NICA Trail Maintenance Mountain Bike Oregon – in Oakridge, OR Ride the Dirt Wave Other events – Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival | Ruta el Cardon, Todos Santos, Mexico What Daniella and Elliot look for a trail community Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: Newport Trail Stewards: https://newportnewts.org/ Mountain Bike Oregon: https://www.mtboregon.com/ Ride the Dirt Wave: https://thedirtwave.com/ Underexposed Oakridge, OR: https://youtu.be/A9pRXm2SBTk?si=IMTDojX9KDzeJFDe Ruta el Cardon: https://www.rutaelcardon.com/   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

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