Women Trail Builders Spotlight: Zelzin Aketzalli
Trail building can take people in unexpected directions. For Zelzin Aketzalli, the path to working on trails stretches from the streets of Mexico City to mountain bike racing, thousands of miles of long-distance hiking, the jungles of Mexico, and trail projects across the United States.
Growing up in Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Aketzalli learned early how determination, sport, and time outdoors could shape a life. She went on to study engineering, race cross-country mountain bikes, complete the Pacific Crest Trail, and eventually become the first person from Mexico to complete the Triple Crown of Hiking.
Along the way, trail building became another part of that journey.
Trailtool Review: Two-Year Report on the French-Made Tool
In the world of trail building, having the right tools directly translates to a better trail experience. But what if you could have a high-quality, multi-use tool that also fits in your backpack?
Enter the Trailtool Pocket, a versatile French-made tool including a collapsible shaft with a variety of heads. I’ve been using the saw, shovel, and their custom McLeod-like attachments.
Let’s dive in.
If the System Worked, Would Unsanctioned Trail Building Stop?
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.
How the PTH Excavator Crusher EC-S Helps Keep More Trails Open
Every trail builder knows the feeling.
A section has been damaged by water. Braking bumps have grown into deep holes. Rocks are pushing through the tread. A corner that once flowed now feels rough, loose, and tired.
The problem may be obvious. The harder question is what it will take to fix it.
Maybe the crew is working deep in the woods where hauling fresh material is difficult. Maybe a trail center cannot afford to keep a popular line closed for a week. Maybe the builders have the right machine on site, but not the right way to process the material beneath them.
This is the problem PTH Products hopes to address with the PTH Excavator Crusher EC-S, a compact attachment designed for mini excavators.
The Trust Gap: Why Rural Communities Don’t Always Welcome New Trails
Mountain bike trails and bikepacking routes can create opportunities for rural communities. Long-term success, however, depends on earning the support of the people who already call those places home.
What Happens When a Mountain Bike Park Becomes an Economic Engine?
For years, advocates have argued that mountain biking can transform rural communities.
Now, new economic data from Tasmania suggests that, under the right conditions, that argument is no longer just aspirational. It is measurable.
A recently released economic impact report found that Maydena Bike Park generated an estimated $53.96 million annually for the Tasmanian economy, accounting for nearly 46% of the state’s entire mountain bike tourism economy. Of that total, $45.1 million came from interstate and international visitors, bringing significant new spending into the region.
Can Rural Communities Build a Trail-Based Economy?
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.
Professional Builder Profile: Marcos Groenenberg of Patagonia Trail Evolution
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.
From the Ground Up: How Bogus Basin Built Idaho’s Gravity Mountain Bike Scene
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.
Rock Breaking for the Trail Builder
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.
