In the demanding world of trail building, where safety and comfort are paramount, the Studson SHK-1 Full Brim Vented Safety Helmet emerges as an essential piece of equipment. This helmet is meticulously designed to meet the unique challenges faced by trail builders, offering a blend of advanced safety features and user-centric design elements.

The ØN3 Single Seat Organizer by ØNWRD Supply Co. is a game-changer for trail builders and mountain bikers who demand efficiency and organization at the trailhead. Designed to fit most driver and passenger seats, this organizer ensures that essential tools and gear are within arm’s reach, streamlining pre-ride preparations and post-ride cleanups.

The team at ØNWRD Supply Co. kindly sent me the ØN3 Single Seat Organizer and even participated in our recent giveaway. As the owner of a 1995 Chevy Sportvan (affectionately called Nacho the Van), I had the perfect vehicle to put the organizer to the test.

When the package arrived, I was immediately impressed by the exceptional quality. Before this, I’d been exploring plastic storage totes to organize essentials like tools, cleaning supplies, and my jump starter battery pack. The ØN3 Single Seat Organizer proved to be the perfect solution for managing my gear. So, what can you expect from it?

When it comes to building trails that flow like poetry and ride like a dream, you need tools that don’t just work—they inspire. Enter the Helmetor Trailblazer, a tool that stands as a testament to design, durability, and the unyielding spirit of the trail building community.

Every week and weekend, tens of thousands of heroes trek into the woods with shovels, rakes, and mattocks to work on trails. Some are paid to do this as it is part of their livelihood and careers. Others are leading non-profit trail advocacy organizations. Most others are volunteers giving back to their local trails and communities. Each group and each person is a hero in the truest sense … courageous, noble qualities, and so much more.

Around here at Trail Builder Mag, we believe that trail builders, the unsung heroes, are integral to mountain biking. You are the heroes in the story of mountain biking.

I’m excited to share our next article in the Trail Heroes series. Even more so because we get to highlight and celebrate Stephanie Jagl-Posch from Austria. Let’s jump into this …

Trail builders, advocates, and stewards from across the nation gathered in Tucson, Arizona, for the 2024 National Trails Workshop, packed with hands-on learning, cutting-edge insights, and invaluable connections. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sonoran Desert, attendees explored innovative techniques, shared expertise, and delved into field workshops that emphasized everything from trail accessibility to cultural storytelling. The workshop wasn’t just about trails—it was about building a stronger, more collaborative trail community dedicated to preserving and enhancing America’s landscapes.

Alan shares the journey of how his childhood love for BMX and skateboarding evolved into a full-fledged career, his philosophy on sustainable and inclusive trail building, and his vision for Todo o Nada, the groundbreaking freeride mountain bike event he created in South America. Through his innovative approach, Alan is redefining what it means to build for the biking community while fostering growth and access for riders of all levels. Our Marketing Director sat down with Big Al for a candid conversation about his journey of trail building and what drives his passion for creating spaces where riders can connect, grow, and push their limits.

Tom Cole, CRC Trails’ Lead Trail Designer and Project Manager, has dedicated his career to creating some of Scotland’s most beloved mountain biking trails. From grassroots beginnings in rural Scotland to designing iconic routes, Tom’s passion for sustainable, rider-focused trails shines through every project. In this interview, Tom shares his journey into professional trail building, the challenges of creating with nature in mind, and how innovations like adaptive bike trails and e-bike networks are shaping the future of the sport. Whether it’s hand-cut paths or machine-built flow lines, Tom’s work embodies a commitment to creating unforgettable riding experiences.

Last Saturday was a vivid reminder of why coffee matters. No, that is not hyperbole or an understatement. It matters A LOT. The temperature was in the low 40s, and the rain was constant. I was shooting photos of a volunteer crew re-routing a trail that had been washed out. The whole time, I kept thinking of two things ... (1) I need rain gear like Alaska crabbers being bounced around in a small boat in the Bering Sea, and (2) I need coffee.

It sounds strange to talk about hand tools when we’re primarily working with excavators and earth-moving equipment and try to do 95-99% of the work with a machine, including most of the shaping and compacting. It is always more effort when the shovels and rakes get pulled out, so when we pull them out, we really need them to work well for what we do. Here are my top three tools when I am utilizing them along with a machine.

In Aztec lore, Axolotl is the god of fire and lightning. Legend has it that he turned himself into a salamander to avoid being sacrificed. If you Google the word “axolotl,” you’ll find all kinds of articles on the Aztec god and the namesake salamander, originally found in several lakes underlying what is now Mexico City. Someday, if you Google that name again, the search engine just might point you to a mountain bike trail outside of Portland, Oregon.