Trail Builder Magazine

Ama Koenigshof didn’t grow up riding trails. She didn’t even enjoy mountain biking at first. But she stepped into the industry anyway and built a career shaping trails from a different perspective. Her story is honest and worth your time. bit.ly/48g5EHg

There’s something happening right now in the trail world. You can feel it in the momentum building in places most people would never think to look. Different places. Same thread. And in putting together Vol 4:1, that thread became impossible to ignore. bit.ly/4cYsRAs

Let's now look at the other side of the conversation about unsanctioned trails ... from the perspective of land managers. How does this change the conversation for you?

For the builder we interviewed, it didn’t start with rebellion. It started with maintenance. But while he was maintaining trails and advocating for legal access, something else was happening. Nothing changed. Read more: bit.ly/4tQmipp

Getting trails approved can take years. Sometimes it never happens. So people grab a shovel and go anyway. That’s how a lot of trails start. But long-term access usually means going legal. What actually works? How do you navigate the politics + bureaucracy?

There are trails that exist because they were approved. And then there are trails that exist because nothing else did. In SW Germany, one builder operates in both worlds. He works within the system, advocating for legal trials, & he builds outside of it. bit.ly/4tQmipp

What motivates you to volunteer to work on trails?

What's the biggest fear of sanctioning your favorite bootleg trail?

Sanctioning trails doesn’t have to mean selling out. Read more: bit.ly/41QcEqG

There was a time the Gillard Trail Network was hidden. No signs. No maps. You had to know someone. Then came the fire. What followed was a shift. From unsanctioned to sanctioned. This story explores the tradeoffs of making trails official. bit.ly/41QcEqG

A lot of trail projects don’t fail. They just … stall. Inside Making the Case for Trails, you’ll learn how to: • Explain economic impact in plain language • Understand what decision-makers actually care about • And so much more ... Learn more: bit.ly/4qYXYjO

What skill should a trail builder learn first? Drop your suggestions below ...

For trail orgs, it’s tempting to treat social media like a marketing add-on. However, nonprofit trail organizations should treat it as mission infrastructure. We’re here to help you. bit.ly/3F2ydg6

What advice do you wish someone had given you when you first started working on trails?

There are many reasons why we build and maintain trails ... • Recreational amenities • Economic impact on rural communities • Lifestyle amenities • Outdoor opportunities for youth and adults alike • It's rewarding • Playing in the dirt is fun What's your main reason?

The Dakine 25-liter Builder Pack is the little sister to our favorite 45-liter Dakine Builder Pack. When you want a little less bulk with a little more stability, this is the pack I reach for every time. bit.ly/4rWydAs

Which piece of gear or equipment do you rely on the most?

In conversations with nonprofit trail leaders across the country, one topic keeps coming up: Too often, the organizations doing meaningful work are invisible … at least online … on social media. It's FREE. Just sign up for our newsletter: bit.ly/3F2ydg6

What was your biggest trail building win in the past 6 months? Could be a finished project. Hiring a new staff member. A rebuilt section. A new sponsor or partnership. Getting your city council on board. Would love to hear ...

East Africa is famous for producing world-class runners. Cycling, however, is a different story. Kasanje Bike Park in Uganda hopes to change that with trails, a pump track, and a free place for people to ride. bit.ly/3N2BVdD