For Episode 178 We’ve got Mischa and Edoardo the two masterminds behind the International Trail Rating System. Mischa is based in Switzerland, and Edoardo is based in Italy. Both have a strong understanding about the nuance that goes into dissecting and rating a trail. While there is a lot that can go into how or why a trail is rated a certain way, this system is the most comprehensive approach I’ve seen for rating trails yet.

Topics Include:

• How Mischa got into mountain biking
• How Edoardo got into mountain biking
• The International Trail Rating System and why
• The Survey about Trail Rating
• Four different Categories for Rating Trails
• Where the ITRS is Rooted – Safety and Decision Making
• Trail Builders take on Trail Ratings and the ITRS
• The width of a trail and how trail width factors in to how a trail is rated
• Becoming a Certified Trail Rater
• Implementation of ITRS
• Trailforks
• Having a 3rd Party rate trails
• What Mischa looks for in a good trail community
• What Edoardo looks for in a good trail community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

International Trail Rating System: https://itrs.bike/

Certified Trail Rater Training: https://itrs.bike/announcing-the-next-training-course-and-exam-to-become-a-certified-trail-rater/

Swiss Bike Park: https://www.swissbikepark.ch/

ITRS and IMBA Europe: https://www.imba-europe.org/knowledge-hub/international-trail-rating-system-itrs/

ITRS on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-trail-rating-system/

Trail Therapy: https://en.trailtherapy.ch/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 177 we have Emily Brown. Emily is a Co-Founder of the newly created Spearfish Trails Coalition based in Spearfish, SD. If you haven’t been to the Black Hills in South Dakota, this place is truly remarkable. Spearfish has a history of trails and mountain biking that runs parallel with the history of mountain biking itself. Emily discusses the importance of this new coalition and why it is being formed now. Emily is also a Field Guide for SRAM, and SRAM happens to have an office in Spearfish, this means SRAM is also investing in trails and trail advocacy in their backyard.

Topics Include:

• The Emily Brown Backstory
  • Women in Mountain Biking
• Field Guide for SRAM
  • Women Specific Aspects of Emily’s Role
• The Spearfish Recreation Path
• Black Hills Region / Black Hills National Forest
• Trails in Spearfish
• The Spearfish Trails Coalition
  • Founding this and why
  • The importance of having a plan
• Paying Respect to those who built trails before the STC in Spearfish
• Traveling to other communities as a SRAM Field Guide
• Joining the IMBA Local Program
• Working with local government and the Parks Department
• The goal to diversify trail experiences in Spearfish, SD
• The riding culture in Spearfish, SD
• SRAM Investing in their backyard
  • How SRAM has invested in Spearfish
• Sturdy Dirty Women’s Enduro
• Emily’s Take on the ideal Trail Community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Spearfish Trails Coalition: https://spearfishtrails.org/

Dakota 5-0: https://www.dakotafiveo.com/

IMBA Local: https://www.imba.com/local-partners

Sturdy Dirty: https://www.sturdydirty.com/

SRAM – Our Responsibilities: https://www.sram.com/en/company/campaigns/our-responsibilities

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services

For Episode 176 we have Mike Gehard, Mike is the current president of SORBA Chattanooga. If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ve heard several guests talk about Walden’s Ridge in Chattanooga, now you’ll get the full story on mountain biking in Chattanooga along with the fact that SORBA Chattanooga is currently looking to hire their first Executive Director. Mike Also provides a bunch of insight he has learned through volunteering and working with organizations.

Topics Include:

• Why Chattanooga, TN
• How Mike found Chattanooga
• Why Mike got involved with SORBA Chattanooga
• 2024 PTBA Conference as a presenter and an attendee
• Walden’s Ridge
• Shuttles and not the kind that you find at Bike Parks
• Building features on public trails and how many feature rich trails should be built on public lands
• Other Chattanooga Trail Systems
• IMBA – Trail Accelerator Grants
• SORBA Chattanooga is hiring and Executive Director and Why
• The benefits of being a SORBA Member Organization
• Giving back to your local trail organization
• What Mike looks for in a Trail Community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

SORBA Chattanooga: https://www.sorbachattanooga.org/

Walden’s Ridge: https://www.waldensridgepark.com/

SORBA Main: https://sorba.org/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Loam Pass Affiliate Link: https://www.loampass.com?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=track&utm_campaign=traileaffect

Loam Pass – Free Pass Protection Code: TAPOD

Trail One Components 20% off Coupon Code: trailpod

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/?ref=XavfBrRJfk4VOh

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services