Preorder the Upcoming Summer 2024 Print Issue
YES!!! It’s that time! Time to release our next print issue into the wild. We’re excited to announce the upcoming release of Volume 2, Issue 1 of Trail Builder Magazine. It is set to release in June. As we continue to expand on the kinds of content in each issue, here’s what you can expect for the Summer 2024 issue and how to preorder …
Just like we did with the last issue, we’re taking preorders. Why is this important? It allows you to secure your copy and guarantee that you get one. When we released Volume 1, Issue 1, we sold out of every copy within a week. The only way to ensure you get a copy is to snag one before the magazine releases. To preorder Volume 2, Issue 1, click the button below.
What kind of content can you expect in our upcoming issue? We’re glad you asked! Here’s the rundown …
Women Trail Builders Spotlight: Zelzin Aketzalli | Emily Williams
We’re moving our women trail builders interview series to print! The latest interview by Emily Williams features Zelzin Aketzalli of Mexico. Here’s an excerpt: “Emily: How did you first start getting into trail building? Zelzin: In 2018, I was in charge of developing a trail project for Kali Ecopark, an ecotourism park in the Mexican jungle, where I was going to be in charge of exploration and planning. Working in the jungle was quite a challenge; in the end, I fell in love with the project so much that I volunteered to build this trail when I finished my work.”
Pedals and Paperwork: Cilenca Trails’ Journey to Mountain Biking Paradise | Sara Todorović
What does it take to build sanctioned trails? The answer to that depends on which country, state/province, or municipality you’re in. In this article, Sara Todorović takes the reader behind the scenes about what it took to build a whole new trail system in Slovenia. Here’s an excerpt: “This article unravels the compelling story of Cilenca Trails, a testament to perseverance, collaboration, and the unwavering passion of a dedicated mountain biking community. It delves into the legal landscape that shaped this project, shedding light on the intricate dance or should we say ride between vision and regulation that underpins the building as well as legalizing bike parks and trails in Slovenia.”
There are Dinosaurs on the North Shore | Sam James
The North Shore is shrouded in fog and mystique. Sam James claims dinosaurs are still lurking in the dense undergrowth on the North Shore. However, these are not relics from the Jurassic period but the bones and remnants from the North Shore’s freeride heyday. What’s happening today in this iconic place? Here’s an excerpt: “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.”
Singletrack Communion | Solana Kline
Have we ever considered our relationship with the land and the trails we hold so dear? Are trails merely ribbons of dirt to appease our outdoor recreational appetite, or is there more? Solana Kline challenges the reader to think more deeply about how we approach trails and the land we steward. Here’s an excerpt: “In the West, we are privy to seemingly endless public lands, some bursting with veins and arteries of trail networks that lead into vast wilds. Public land adjacent towns across the West are building trail infrastructure for access to epic landscapes. They are creating avenues for revenue with each turn and berm. Who will we choose to be in these nature communities?”
Warpaint Outdoors is Building Trails for All | Sean Benesh
Warpint Outdoors is building a new trail at Rocky Point Trails outside of Portland, Oregon. We already covered the first women-designed and women-built trail there (Fanny’s Yer Aunt). Warpaint is leading the charge for the first trail designed and built by the BIPOC community at Rocky Point. Here’s an excerpt: “As we walked towards the trail, Luis shared the vision of the trail. He mentioned they want this to be a ‘spicy blue’ based on trail ratings. More than that, at a time when most trails are made to flow with such features as sweeping berms, they are intentionally making this a bit more old-school of a trail. ‘Raw’ was a term used several times.”
Camelot Rake Review | Carrie Johnston
It’s review time! In our last print issue, we test-drove the Dakine Builder pack. This time, we’re reviewing the Camelot Tools Rake. As far as an excerpt? Well, you’ll have to read it in the magazine …
Rock Breaking for the Trail Builder | John Norman
Yes! It’s time to talk about explosives and blowing things up! Well, at least dealing with rocks and how to break them up. Here’s an excerpt: “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.”
Thanks again for your support! Secure your preorder magazine today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Benesh
Sean is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Trail Builder Mag. He is also the Communications Director for the Northwest Trail Alliance in Portland, Oregon. While in grad school, he worked as a mountain biking guide in Southern Arizona. Sean also spends time in the classroom as a digital media instructor at Warner Pacific University.
