Growing a magazine and media platform from scratch is both exhilarating and daunting. The fact that I started Trail Builder Magazine without funding or backing also means I have very little overhead. We're nimble. As a result, I have the freedom and flexibility to grow it sustainably and experiment along the way.

A couple of times a year, I like to pull back the curtain and give updates about the magazine and this media platform with you. I am also sharing this with you now in anticipation of the release of our next print issue in the next few weeks. So, what is new around here?

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) invites community members to register for the Bicycle Technician Program’s new Bike Tech Community classes, which will be held on Saturdays during June. The program is offering four biking community classes designed for those wanting to learn essential bicycle maintenance.

As mountain biking has grown, the absence of a national body to advocate for the UK’s trails has left them unsupported and vulnerable. The UK MTB Trail Alliance now offers trail associations, bike parks and informal trail groups the chance to share knowledge and pool their influence. With over 100 groups already on board, today’s official launch seeks support from riders to accelerate the progress already made by contributing to their crowdfunding campaign.

The great outdoors has always been a place of wonder and adventure, and now, thanks to a visionary partnership between the One Track Mind (OTM) Foundation, Timberland Hills Foundation (THF), and Burnett County, a new and exciting chapter is unfolding in the heart of Wisconsin. With the spotlight on the Timberland Hills Recreation Area near Cumberland, a destination-quality single-track mountain bike trail system is about to become a reality, creating a trailblazing experience that will captivate outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

The Take Care of Your Trails campaign is based on a successful pilot project developed by national member Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS). In 2017, IMBA Europe adopted the concept and worked in partnership with DMBinS to turn TCoYT into a pan-European event. The objectives of the TCoYT campaign are to promote trail stewardship & improve the image of our sport; to recognise the work of many MTB volunteers; to encourage new or strengthen existing partnerships; and to protect the places we love to ride.

Williams Lake, BC – January 24th 2024 – the BC Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program (IYMBP) announces the world premiere and release of a new documentary film, Dirt Relations: The Story of the Indigenous Youth Mountain Bike Program, on opening night of the 2024 Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival, Friday, February 23 at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver.