Every time we cut a new trail through the woods, not only are we changing the landscape, but we’re also changing the future of the communities that surround it.

Most of us don’t show up to a dig day thinking about hotel occupancy rates, tax revenue, or rural economic development. We’re thinking about drainage, sightlines, sustainable grades, rockwork, and building the best trail we can. And that’s exactly how it should be.

But whether we intend it or not, every trail eventually becomes part of a community’s story. In some places, it even becomes part of its economy.

That idea has fascinated me for years.

When Marcos Groenenberg left Patagonia for Whistler, British Columbia, he never intended to stay forever.

Instead, he viewed the world-renowned bike park as the ultimate classroom. For years, he immersed himself in one of the most respected trail building programs on the planet, learning not only how to build exceptional trails but also how successful trail systems can transform entire communities.

The goal was always to return home.

Today, that vision has become Patagonia Trail Evolution, a company helping shape the future of mountain biking across Argentina.

Local Idahoans in the Treasure Valley have always been into biking, from BMX racing and building jumps to road and cross-country rides in the foothills. The endless opportunities for outdoor fun are part of what makes Southern Idaho’s Treasure Valley such a great place to live.

Have you ever been making great progress on a trail project, then have it come to a screeching halt due to a boulder or hidden rock outcropping?  In this article, we will go over some ways to remove this type of obstacle, with and without explosives.

There are trail tools that look good in a catalog, and then there are trail tools that earn a permanent spot in the trailer because they solve real problems in the field. The Rake by Camelot Tools falls firmly into the second category.

Dinosaurs lurk in the forests of Vancouver’s North Shore. Decades old, these relics of a different time are a poignant reminder of how time waits for no one. Seemingly forgotten, and rarely given a second thought by most who might find them, the ladder bridges and skinnies that once were at the forefront of the freeride movement are an important part of mountain biking history, returning to the earth.

Tucked between Italy, Austria, Croatia, and Hungary, Slovenia is so small you might skip over it on your next biking trip — but that would be a huge mistake. Smaller than the size of New Jersey, Slovenia has it all: emerald rivers and lakes, cliffside castles, mesmerizing caves, jaw-dropping waterfalls, rich wildlife, beautiful forests, a diverse coastline, and some of the best restaurants in the world. If we switch our focus to the world of mountainbiking, Slovenia boasts diverse terrain, ranging from rugged alpine trails to picturesque forest paths, offering an exhilarating playground for riders from all corners of the globe.  

Get to know Ama Koenigshof! Ama grew up in Niles, Michigan, tearing around on go-karts and motorcycles, and roguing seed corn fields at just 11. With a fierce ‘prove you wrong’ attitude, she’s embraced every challenge, including taking up mountain biking in her thirties to stay connected to the evolving trails industry. She’s not hitting big jumps, but you’ll find her putting in the work creating and designing trails with a smile.

There are trails that exist because they were approved. And then there are trails that exist because nothing else did.

In the forests of southwest Germany, one trail builder operates in both worlds. He works within the system, advocating for legal trails. And at the same time, he builds outside of it.

A mountain biker rolls along precariously balancing on 20-foot-tall skinnies through the forest: a common sight pre-2003 when the Gillard trail network was a well-kept secret in the mountainsides of Kelowna, BC.