A trail project often begins with a person.

Someone sees an opportunity for a new trail system. Or maybe they recognize that existing trails need more attention. Or they start asking why their community doesn’t have better trail access.

They begin talking to other people. A few riders get interested, and they chat about it over beers at a local brewery after a ride. Someone knows a land manager. Another person has experience with grants. A local bike shop wants to help.

Eventually, someone asks the bigger question: "Hey, should we start our own trail organization?"

One of the biggest misconceptions about social media is that creating better content requires a bigger budget.

We always think we need more cameras, more expensive software, more staff, and more equipment. I know I do too ...

Yet, for small nonprofit trail orgs, that can make communications feel out of reach before it even begins. But there's another reality at work.

For many trail orgs, there isn’t a communications person.

In the mountains of southern New Mexico, the difference between sanctioned and unsanctioned trails is not particularly close.

One local builder estimates that unofficial trails outnumber sanctioned trails by roughly ten to one. That ratio reflects a deeper divide over what kinds of trails should exist, who they should serve, and how long riders are expected to wait for something different.

Yes, there are sanctioned trails in the area. However, what is missing, according to the builder, are trails designed specifically for mountain bikes, particularly trails that challenge advanced riders.

The closest bike-specific trails are approximately 40 miles away and sit between 1,500 and 2,000 feet lower in elevation. During the summer, when temperatures rise across southern New Mexico, those lower-elevation trails can become uncomfortably hot.

For riders seeking steep, technical, and challenging terrain closer to home, the official network offers few options.

So they build their own.