Singletrack Trails Phased into Retirement
Today is a day that I have been looking at for months and maybe years. Today is a day I knew would happen, but deep down, I wished it never would happen.
After 20 years of having a business that builds outdoor recreation infrastructure, today is the last day we will have field staff employed to build trails.
I don’t know what to feel. I don’t know where to look.
Today is the day that Singletrack Trails exhales a final breath, and I inhale the first breath of the next steps of my life.
All transitions start with an ending.
To jump, one must leave the ground. This is the easy part. No one ever gets hurt in the air. To jump, one must reconnect with the ground. This is when people get dirty. This is the risk we all must assess.
Over the last twenty years, I have personally put it on the line. I have worked shoulder to shoulder with many people who have put their best effort forward to change the world to a better place and create a positive impact on those who use our product. I owe thanks to so many people. I have made friends. I have irritated others. I have been privileged to travel the world preaching the benefits of and needs for trails.
Singletrack Trails didn’t fail. I didn’t fail. My colleagues in the company didn’t fail. We all pushed our limits. We took managed risks. I simply realized I could no longer manage the stress to move the team in the right direction. I needed to put myself first. And there is nothing wrong with that.
Over the next days, months, and years, I will analyze my actions over the last 20 years. I will look at each scar I have and remember its story. That story may change over time, as all stories change. I will work with others to pass on what I learned about those scars.
Many people will read the word “scar” in this post and think only negative concepts of the word “scar.” But a scar is a visual of healing. A scar is a visual of learning. A scar is the start of change and resurrection. A scar is knowledge.
Today is a day of sadness that needs to be acknowledged and accepted. Today is a day to embrace the actions of the past. Today is the day to implement the learnings of past lessons in a positive future.
Time to close my eyes. Let off the brakes. Put faith in the skills that I have learned to get me through.
All transitions end with a beginning.
Today, I look to the next Act of my life. I have built a foundation of knowledge that is more than just how to build a trail. Over the last twenty years, I have built a path of knowledge on how to run a business. I will leverage the power of my Master of Business Ass-Kickings and apply that to the next endeavor.
I look forward to building the Backslope Tools brand to cover more industries than just trails. We have ideas that will span markets and retail avenues. I enjoy bringing to life the tool modifications we all discuss around the fire pit.
I look forward to building on my education as the Chief Encouragement Officer for Singletrack Trails and applying this knowledge as a fractional Chief Motivation Officer consultant for companies inside/outside the Outdoor Recreation Industry. I know what it is like to be so close to the problem that you can’t see the solution. I will leverage my scars to help others find their blind spots and see through them.
I will see you on the trail.
Words: Greg Mazu Photos: Greg Mazu
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Greg Mazu
As an outdoor enthusiast turned entrepreneur, I've transformed my passion for trails and outdoor recreation into a thriving career, with over 20 years of experience and a significant impact on six ventures. Notably, as the Chief Encouragement Officer at Singletrack Trails since 2016, I've spearheaded remarkable growth, doubling revenues, expanding our dedicated team, and diversifying revenue streams, evolving from a boutique trail construction company into a multi-faceted outdoor recreation development firm that challenges industry norms. My journey began as a volunteer trail steward, and I've consistently sought training to enhance my expertise, transitioning to a professional role as the trails coordinator for Lory State Park near Fort Collins, CO, in 2003, successfully implementing trail improvements and fostering a vibrant volunteer stewardship program. Throughout my career, I've managed large-scale natural surface trail construction projects across the USA, gaining invaluable insights into local conditions across 45 states and three continents, and my dedication to the trails industry continues to drive me as I inspire and lead others in the pursuit of exceptional outdoor experiences.