A few years ago, Trail Builder Magazine was just an idea scribbled in the margins of a notebook after a long day shooting photos at a trail work party. I remember it clearly—sitting back at my van, soaked, boots caked in mud, coffee in hand.

In that quiet moment, it hit me: the stories of trail builders—the real, gritty, inspiring ones—deserve a place to live. That’s where this all started.

Since then, Trail Builder Magazine has grown into something much more than a publication. It’s become a platform to elevate the people, places, and passion behind the trails we ride and build. And now, we’re taking the next step: offering magazine subscriptions.

But this isn’t about selling magazines—it’s about sustaining a movement.

Trail building is often a quiet act of devotion—a labor that takes place early in the morning, in the rain, or long after the last rider has left the trailhead. For Gerry Creighton, what began as clearing brush in Southern New Jersey has evolved into leading build crews in Bellingham, WA, where he now stewards trails like Swirlz and Brown Pow. His work is rooted in a deep love for the ride, shaped by personal loss, and sustained by community. We caught up with Gerry to hear more about his journey, the evolution of his trail work, and why raw loam still makes his heart race.

Three years ago, I launched Trail Builder Magazine with a simple dream: to tell the stories no one else was telling.

Stories of people quietly shaping the landscapes we ride. Of advocacy and dirt. Of purpose built into every turn, every climb, every hand tool. It was never meant to be flashy. It was meant to be real.

And in so many ways, it has become exactly that.

On a recent trail scouting mission, I strapped the Clyde Jr to my pack and hit the trail. The route had seen better days—ruts forming, water not shedding properly, and a few stretches that clearly needed drainage work. I wasn’t out there for a dig day. I was scouting. But the Clyde Jr changed the way I approached the task.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves in nearly every industry, and trail building is no exception. While the idea of using AI in a field traditionally built on hands-on craftsmanship and creativity might seem contradictory, trail builders are beginning to explore how it can complement their work. To better understand how AI is being applied in trail building today and where it might be headed, I spoke with three trail builders who offered a mix of optimism, skepticism, and practical insights.

Trail building is an inherently rugged and often remote endeavor, where safety concerns are as critical as the trails themselves. While the physical demands and environmental challenges are well understood, the unpredictable nature of accidents remains a persistent risk.

Enter Twiceme, a company pioneering smart safety technology that enhances emergency response and preparedness.

By integrating near-field communication (NFC) technology directly into personal protective equipment (PPE), Twiceme transforms helmets into essential safety tools—allowing instant access to vital medical information, geolocation tracking, and emergency alerts.

In this interview, CEO Christian Connolly discusses how Twiceme’s technology is helping trail builders stay safer, reduce response times in critical situations, and foster a culture where safety is as much a priority as the trails themselves.

Pulling open the side doors of Nacho the Van, I reached for my gloves—damp, muddy, and tucked inside the Small Mesh Bucket from Stōd Gear. The bucket had been bouncing around my van for weeks, stashing and carrying everything from soggy gloves to wet gear after a long day out on the trail. The first thing that struck me about this piece of gear? Its durability.

Trail builders and mountain bikers are constantly managing a mess—whether it’s hauling tools, clearing debris, or stashing gear on a multi-day trip. The last thing we need is flimsy storage that can’t take a beating. Stōd Gear’s Small Mesh Bucket is anything but flimsy.

Cathy Naveaux, a DIRTT Tutor and trail advocate, shares her journey from dedicated volunteer to professional trail builder. Driven by her passion for the sport and commitment to environmental protection, she advocates for education, funding, and community collaboration to create sustainable trails.

For professional and volunteer trail builders, having gear that stands up to the challenges of rugged environments isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. The Trail Builder 35 is engineered to be the ultimate work companion, combining heavy-duty construction with a meticulously designed organizational system that caters specifically to the needs of those who build and maintain our trails. Curious how this game-changing pack can transform your trail work? Read on to uncover its innovative features and see how it stacks up against the competition.

Trail builders are the heartbeat of mountain biking. Without them, the rides we live for—the flowy descents, the technical switchbacks, the long backcountry epics—simply wouldn’t exist. But trails don’t build themselves. They take vision, sweat, and a deep connection to the land. And while much of the work is driven by volunteers and advocacy groups, some brands take it a step further, weaving trail building into their DNA.

That’s where Oregon Territory Outfitters comes in. Founded by Cedar Kyes, this Oregon-based brand isn’t just about guiding epic backcountry experiences—it’s about stewardship, sustainability, and giving back to the very trails that fuel adventure. Their ethos? Build it. Ride it. Protect it.