Winters in the Pacific Northwest are dark, damp, and bone-chillingly cold. No, not cold in the sense of snowy climates with sub-zero temperatures. But the cool temps plus all the rain has a way of chilling you to the core. A day out on the trail, whether building or biking, means layering up.

When it comes to mountain biking, I'm first and foremost a shorts guy. While my favorite is a good pair of jorts (jean shorts), I know that most of you are probably looking for something with a little more performance than a pair of Old Navy jeans with some stretch in the fabric that were converted to riding shorts at the end of their life.

While I love my jorts and their functionality for both mountain biking and gravel riding, they are not the best for the winters here. Therefore, when NAR Supply Co. reached out about sending me a pair of their 3/4 tech pants, I knew it was time to address my winter riding gear.

Within trail building and mountain biking, there are hot topics that are rife with controversy. That is code for people having REALLY strong opinions on different subjects. One of the ongoing topics of conflict is e-MTBs. Some love them. Some think of them as abominations from the depths of a fiery abyss. However, there is such an e-MTB that is bound to unite trail builders … the Tern Orox.

The journey from discovering the versatility of a concrete placer to designing and bringing to life the Champions Mattock has been an incredible adventure. Through research, prototyping, and collaboration with Up.Bike, and valuable feedback from trail builders, this tool has evolved into the Terracotta, a beautifully crafted and lightweight companion for trail champions and trail enthusiasts alike. With its multifunctional design and the convenience of eliminating the constant tool swapping, maintaining trails has become more efficient and enjoyable. The Terracotta stands as a testament to the passion and dedication of trail champions and serves as a powerful tool to ensure the preservation and enhancement of our beloved trails for future generations to enjoy.