For Episode 190 we have Chris Riley from Central Maine. Chris is the president of the Central Maine Chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, and a board member of the New England Mountain Bike Association. Chris and his organization have come up with some innovative ideas on how to handle both new trail construction as well as handling annual trail maintenance. Maine and the New England region has a ton of momentum with mountain biking and trails, and that is really showcased during this conversation.

Topics Include:

• How Chris got into Mountain Biking
• Chris’s early years in mountain biking
  • Including several trips to ride in the Austin Texas area
• How Chris got involved with Mountain Biking and Advocacy in Maine
• Volunteer Engagement and Community Engagement with CE ME NEMBA
• Bringing on paid staff for trail building and maintenance
• Trail Systems that fall under the CE ME organization
• Buying an excavator to accelerate trail building in the region
• Various ways for funding trails
• Maine Trails Bond initiative
• Road Tripping to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
  • Marquette Trails
  • Houghton Trails
  • Copper Harbor Trails
• Creating destination riding communities
• Gravity Bike Parks in Maine
• Partnering with a local land trust for a new trail system
• Trail Systems proximity to communities for riding in the region
• Hub and Spoke Trail Model
• NEMBA and the 3 Year Strategic Plan
• Maintenance Matters
• What Chris looks for in a Trail Community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Central Maine NEMBA: https://cemenemba.org/

New England Mountain Bike Association: https://www.nemba.org/

Episode Sponsor - Coulee Creative: www.dudejustsendit.com https://www.couleecreative.com/

Trail EAffect Podcast Website: www.traileaffectpodcast.com

KETL Mtn Apparel Affiliate Link: https://ketlmtn.com/josh

Trail One Components: https://trailone.bike/josh

Smith’s Bike Shop – 130 Years of Excellence: www.smithsbikes.com

Contact Josh at evolutiontrails@gmail.com

This Podcast has been edited and produced by Evolution Trail Services