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 202 we have Miles Ramsey the creative director for 52Eighty Creative. Miles has been working with the PTBA, American Trails, along with others in the Trail Space to improve the marketing game on the outdoor infrastructure we all love to build and use. Miles also the person behind the Outdoor Marketing Boot Camp which was created as a way to help bring new and creative ideas to the outdoor recreation and trail world. The Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp will be hosted in a virtual format so traveling to and attending this conference will not be an issue. Miles has brought together more than 25 professionals who work in Outdoor Space as speakers at the Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp. This conversation also kicks off a partnership that Miles and myself have formed to help co-promote both the Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp and the Trail EAffect Podcast. Topics Include: How Miles got involved with the Trail World (PTBA / American Trails) Common themes Miles has seen in terms of room for improvement from a marketing and branding perspective Small Business ownership Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp Backstory Year One Successes Miles – on “Is it good for the client?” Speakers and the lineup for the 2026 Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp What should an attendee expect from participating in the Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp Various levels of experience Dates: February 17th & 18th 2026 What Miles looks for in a Trail Community The Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp Podcast Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: 52Eighty Creative: https://www.52eightycreative.com/ Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp: https://www.outdoormarketingbootcamp.com/ Outdoor Marketing Bootcamp Podcast: https://www.outdoormarketingbootcamp.com/podcast Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com 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 Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 200 we flip the script, and Pete Taylor takes over as the host, putting your regular host myself, Josh into the hot seat. We dive into the backstory how the Trail EAffect Podcast came to be, a mistake or two that I’ve made along the way along with a whole bunch of other topics that Pete had. Topics Include: The Driftless Dirt / Trail EAffect Podcasts Backstory Why Start Trail EAffect Where has Trail EAffect taken me Biggest Surprises and Mistakes Highlights from the show Difficulties that have come with the podcast Monetization of the show Scheduling of the shows, and time invested into the show Becoming proficient at podcasting, audio and editing Give advice, things I’ve learned through this journey The value of Trail Planning and Design Advice to Trail Organizations who may be lacking funding Favorite places / Little Gems for trail communities What does the future of dirt look like Thoughts on “expired” golf courses The future of dirt What’s next What Josh looks for in a Trail Community Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: Vernon Trails: https://vernontrails.com/ Bluedog Cycles: https://www.bluedogcycles.com/ Pertnear 20 Mountain Bike Race: https://www.bluedogcycles.com/pertnear-20-2022 Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/ Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com 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 Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 198, we’re catching up with Mike Repyak, who’s back on the show for the fourth time, this time with a brand-new role as Director of Development and Outdoor Recreation for the Kocourek Trailhead Foundation in Wausau, Wisconsin. We dive into Wausau’s ambitious trail plans, Mike’s continued work with IMBA, and highlights from the International Trails Summit that was held this past April in Madison, WI – Basically in Mikes backyard. Topics Include: Mike’s new roll: Director of Development and outdoor Recreation for the Kocourek Trailhead Foundation in Wausau, WI. Recap of what Mike Accomplished at IMBA as the Director of IMBA Trail Solutions. A recap of the International Trail Summit that was held in Madison, WI in April 2025. Pre Conference Sessions Concurrent Conference Sessions The City of Madison, WI as a true multimodal community A meeting about the possibility of starting a statewide mountain bike trail organization in Wisconsin Diving into the details behind Mike’s new role in Wausau, WI. What the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership is and why it exists. What the Private (with public access) trail development will look like adjacent to Rib Mountain State Park in Wisconsin. Effectively expanding access from private lands into parts of Rib Mountain State Park in areas that were previously more difficult to access The prospect of lift access for gravity trails adjacent to Rib Mountain State Park How Mike is still involved with IMBA in a part time capacity 2025 IMBA Trail Labs Foundations in Winona, MN Other Locations for Trail Labs Foundations Kafka Granite’s Wax Coated Pathway Mix (Trail Surface) What Mike looks for in a Trail Community Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership: https://greaterwausau.org/ Central Wisconsin Off Road Cycling Coalition: https://cwocc.org/ Visit Wausau Mountain Biking: https://www.visitwausau.com/outdoor-activities/biking-trails/ IMBA Foundations: https://www.imba.com/foundations Kafka Granite’s Wax Coated Pathway Mix: https://www.kafkagranite.com/natural-crushed-stone/pathway-materials/wax-pathway-mix/ Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/ Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com 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 Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 196 we have J.T. Horn, J.T, is the Trail Director for the Trust for Public Land. J.T. was also one of two guests on episode 192 where we discussed the Economic Impact that Mountain Biking can have on communities. For this episode we are discussing various ways to bridge the gap between Land Conservation organizations and the Trail Community. This topic can be a rather important topic because land access for trails is often one of the most challenging hurdles for trail development. As J.T. describes during this conversation, partnering with a Land Conservation Organization that understands the value of trails and outdoor recreation can be a critical step in the trail development process. I always really enjoy perspective that J.T. brings during our conversations and I hope you do as well! Topics Include: The J.T. Horn backstory What the Trust for Public Land is, and how the TPL came to be How to engage with the Trust for Public Land for a Land Acquisition The risk and financial lens Focus mainly on high impact larger projects Tualatin Mountain Forest – Portland OR. Due diligence in real estate: Four Key Components Value of the Land Land Survey (Size / Neighbors / Etc.) Title Search / existing rights on the property Environmental Status Bridging the gap between Conservation Organizations and the Trail Community The partnership between the Trust for Public Land and IMBA An example project between the TPL and IMBA Mono Pond State Park in CT The shift in mindset from conserving and preserving land to moving to creating more recreational land on these properties Winter and Summer economics that revolve around outdoor recreation Bethel, MA – Sunday River / Bethel Community Forest Carrabassett Valley, MA and Crocker Mountain Unit Catamount Outdoor Family Center Examples of avenues for funding opportunities Potential Partnership between forest product companies and Trail Organizations Life Wisdom by J.T. Horn Land Acquisition Strategy using good parcel data What J.T. looks for in a Trail Community Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: The Trust for Public Land: https://www.tpl.org/ The Tualatin Mountain Forest: https://www.tpl.org/our-work/tualatin-mountain-forest Mono Pond State Park: https://www.tpl.org/our-work/bigger-better-mono-pond-state-park Catamount Outdoor Family Center: https://catamountoutdoor.org/ Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/ Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com 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 Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 194 Martha Becton takes over again, this time at the 2025 International Trail Summit, which was held this past April in Madison, WI. Similar to when Martha took over last year at the PTBA Conference, Martha is back, and this time she’s got 6 other guests who dive back into the topic of Women in Trail Building. Topics Include: Intro by Martha Becton – Owner of Becton Trails Desi Jarrell – Director of Outdoor Recreation Perry County Fiscal Court Kathie Brennan – Vice President Ozark Trail Association Valerie Niles – Open Space Technician Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Heidi Tillmanns – Director Trail & Infrastructure Trans Canada Trail Stacey Dakin – Chief Program Officer Trans Canada Trail Kathie Brennan – Working with AmeriCorps staff Martha – Volunteering as a retirement job, and staying active when older in life Kathie Brennan – What is now my purpose? Erica Hirsch – Trails Program Manager Cleveland Metroparks Working for multiple winters in Patagonia Argentina Martha – What hooked you into trails – and how can you get into this career of trails Trails as a second career (later in life) Transferable Skills into trails – (Hint, everything is transferable) Desi and Kathie – NICA and getting kids and families on bikes Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: International Trails Summit: https://www.trails-summit.org/ Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/ Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com 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 Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 192 we have Jennifer Clinton and J.T. Horn both of the Trust for Public Land. Earlier this year the Trust for Public Land Partnered with IMBA to author a report on the Economic Impact of Mountain Biking. They also presented this report at the International Trail Summit that was held this past April in Madison, WI. We dug into the report itself along with some takeaways from the International Trail Summit during this conversation. Topics Include: About the Trust for Public Land Jennifer Clinton’s Backstory and background in economics Lab for Land and People The partnerships that were created to make this report happen IMBA and TPL Creating the Economic Impact of Mountain Biking Report Selecting data that was published in the past 10 years Mountain Bike Specific Data (not all-inclusive cycling data) Key Findings in the report Planning Considerations – Outside of trails for the community to be successful Chattanooga, TN – Example Community Gorham, NH – Example Community Events and what the event can bring to the community both during and outside of the event. Highlights and Findings that may have been surprising to Jennifer and JT Attending the International Trail Summit Concurrent Session about the report (Co Presenting w/ IMBA) Feedback during / from the presentation Best Practices for using the report Another takeaway from the International Trail Summit – Redhead Bike Park, Chisholm, MN Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: Trust for Public Land: https://www.tpl.org/ Economic Impact of Mountain Biking Report: https://www.tpl.org/resource/econmountainbiking Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/ Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com 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 Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 190 we have Chris Riley from Central Maine. Chris is the president of the Central Maine Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, and a board member of the New England Mountain Bike Association. Chris and his organization have come up with some innovative ideas on how to handle both new trail construction as well as handling annual trail maintenance. Maine and the New England region has a ton of momentum with mountain biking and trails, and that is really showcased during this conversation. Topics Include: How Chris got into Mountain Biking Chris’s early years in mountain biking Including several trips to ride in the Austin Texas area How Chris got involved with Mountain Biking and Advocacy in Maine Volunteer Engagement and Community Engagement with CE ME NEMBA Bringing on paid staff for trail building and maintenance Trail Systems that fall under the CE ME organization Buying an excavator to accelerate trail building in the region Various ways for funding trails Maine Trails Bond initiative Road Tripping to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan Marquette Trails Houghton Trails Copper Harbor Trails Creating destination riding communities Gravity Bike Parks in Maine Partnering with a local land trust for a new trail system Trail Systems proximity to communities for riding in the region Hub and Spoke Trail Model NEMBA and the 3 Year Strategic Plan Maintenance Matters What Chris looks for in a Trail Community Closing Comments Trail EAffect Show Links: Central Maine NEMBA: https://cemenemba.org/ New England Mountain Bike Association: https://www.nemba.org/ Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/ Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com 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 Contact Josh at [email protected] This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services