For Episode 199 we have Pete Taylor of Vernon Trails, Bluedog Cycles and Camp Bluedog – the largest longest running kids’ mountain bike camp in the Galaxy. There are so many words that could be said about Pete but I’ll leave all of that up to him!

Topics Include:

• Moving to Viroqua, WI to open a bike shop, a place with zero access for mountain bike trails
• Starting with Single Track - Vernon Trails – The local trail organization
• Opening Bluedog Cycles in Viroqua, WI
• Pete’s take on NICA and how that’s impacted Pete’s Mountain Bike Community
• Camp Bluedog – Why start a kids mountain bike camp
  • The backstory behind why Pete and Alycann started Camp Bluedog
  • 19 years of Camp Bluedog just wrapped up
  • Trail Building as Part of Camp Bluedog
  • Partnering with Sugar Creek Bible Camp for the facilities and trails
  • Events at Sugar Creek Bible Camp… (Past and Future)
  • Volunteers of Camp Bluedog
• Pertnear 20 XC Race at Sidie Hollow every fall
• Connecting you to what Matters: T-Mobile Grant for Trail Mapping and Signage
• What Pete looks for in a Trail Community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Vernon Trails: https://vernontrails.com/

Bluedog Cycles: https://www.bluedogcycles.com/

Camp Bluedog: https://www.bluedogcycles.com/camp-bluedog

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

For Episode 198, we’re catching up with Mike Repyak, who’s back on the show for the fourth time, this time with a brand-new role as Director of Development and Outdoor Recreation for the Kocourek Trailhead Foundation in Wausau, Wisconsin. We dive into Wausau’s ambitious trail plans, Mike’s continued work with IMBA, and highlights from the International Trails Summit that was held this past April in Madison, WI – Basically in Mikes backyard.

Topics Include:

• Mike’s new roll: Director of Development and outdoor Recreation for the Kocourek Trailhead Foundation in Wausau, WI.
• Recap of what Mike Accomplished at IMBA as the Director of IMBA Trail Solutions.
• A recap of the International Trail Summit that was held in Madison, WI in April 2025.
  • Pre Conference Sessions
  • Concurrent Conference Sessions
  • The City of Madison, WI as a true multimodal community
  • A meeting about the possibility of starting a statewide mountain bike trail organization in Wisconsin
• Diving into the details behind Mike’s new role in Wausau, WI.
• What the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership is and why it exists.
• What the Private (with public access) trail development will look like adjacent to Rib Mountain State Park in Wisconsin.
  • Effectively expanding access from private lands into parts of Rib Mountain State Park in areas that were previously more difficult to access
  • The prospect of lift access for gravity trails adjacent to Rib Mountain State Park
• How Mike is still involved with IMBA in a part time capacity
  • 2025 IMBA Trail Labs Foundations in Winona, MN
  • Other Locations for Trail Labs Foundations
• Kafka Granite’s Wax Coated Pathway Mix (Trail Surface)
• What Mike looks for in a Trail Community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership: https://greaterwausau.org/

Central Wisconsin Off Road Cycling Coalition: https://cwocc.org/

Visit Wausau Mountain Biking: https://www.visitwausau.com/outdoor-activities/biking-trails/

IMBA Foundations: https://www.imba.com/foundations

Kafka Granite’s Wax Coated Pathway Mix: https://www.kafkagranite.com/natural-crushed-stone/pathway-materials/wax-pathway-mix/

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

For Episode 197 we have Adam Yeoman, the Executive Director for the Copper Harbor Trails Club. During this conversation we talk all things Copper Harbor 2025, which includes some past events, future events, new trails, and there is also some intel on what participants of the 2025 Copper Harbor Trails Fest might have in store in terms of both XC and Enduro Course. Adam covers a lot during our conversation, and Copper Harbor as a trail organization has a ton going on, so even if you are not from the Upper Midwest there are some pieces of information that you may find interesting or helpful for your trail community.

Topics Include:

• Brief bit of Copper Harbor and Keweenaw Penisula History
• The transition from club president to Executive Director
• Staff at Copper Harbor Trails Club
• Ride the Keweenaw Event
• Copper Harbor Trails Fest
  • Orbion – Title Sponsor of Trails Fest
• Women’s & Men’s Ride Clinics
• New Trails coming online
• Keweenaw Point Trail continues to be built
• New Start Hub at the top of East Bluff
• Winter Trails for Copper Harbor Trails Club
  • Nordic Skiing
• Hints about 2025 Trails Fest Course for both the XC and Enduro
• Other events that have been held in Copper Harbor in 2025
  • Rough Stuff Rally
  • 906 Adventure Crusher
  • 12 hours of All You Can East Bluffet – Endurance Enduro
• What Adam looks for in a Trail Community
• Closing Comments

Trail EAffect Show Links:

Copper Harbor Trails Club: https://www.copperharbortrails.org/

East Bluff Bike Park: https://eastbluffbikepark.com/

Orbion – Title Sponsor for Copper Harbor Trails Fest: https://orbionspace.com/

Rough Stuff Rally: https://bikejerks.com/pages/rough-stuff-rally

906 Adventure Crusher: https://906adventureteam.com/mountain-bike-events/the-crusher/

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