052 - Graham Cracker route, 6300 ft descent over 17 miles. Restoring trails on Mount Graham. (Nat Gordon, SDMB)
08/22/23 • 66 min
Ever wondered what it takes to reconstitute and epic big mountain trail system with sick vertical drop? Today, we're fortunate to have Nat Gordon, a board member of the volunteer-run Sonoran Desert Mountain Bikers (SDMB) organization on the show, to shed some light on their organization and their efforts to revive the trails on Mount Graham in South Eastern Arizona. Nat shares incredible insights into the hard work, engineering, and environmental considerations that go into trail restorations, and how the unique conditions of the Sonoran Desert add an extra layer of complexity.
The conversation doesn't stop at trail building. We also stir up discussions about the important initiatives at SDMB to foster diversity and inclusion within their ranks. Here’s a little teaser: They are on a mission to recruit more female board members! And yes, they speak about the irresistible lure of Mount Graham, the heart of their remarkable project. It's not just about mountain biking; we also hear about the exhilarating road riding opportunities that this mountain has to offer.
Towards the end, we steer the conversation to the responsible side of mountain biking. Nat enlightens us about SDMB's "be cool" trail safety initiatives, bike skills, and bike Academy program aimed at promoting inclusion and trail etiquette. We explore the vital role of volunteers in keeping the organization running smoothly, especially in the post-pandemic world. Lastly, we also touch upon the fascinating world of trail maintenance, the cowboy gate etiquette, and the somewhat cryptic art of securing funding for these activities. So, if you're a mountain biking enthusiast or simply love hearing about behind-the-scenes operations, you can't afford to miss this episode!
Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists (SDMB) :
https://www.SDMB.org
Mount Graham Visitors Guide: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1086012.pdf
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Ever wondered what it takes to reconstitute and epic big mountain trail system with sick vertical drop? Today, we're fortunate to have Nat Gordon, a board member of the volunteer-run Sonoran Desert Mountain Bikers (SDMB) organization on the show, to shed some light on their organization and their efforts to revive the trails on Mount Graham in South Eastern Arizona. Nat shares incredible insights into the hard work, engineering, and environmental considerations that go into trail restorations, and how the unique conditions of the Sonoran Desert add an extra layer of complexity.
The conversation doesn't stop at trail building. We also stir up discussions about the important initiatives at SDMB to foster diversity and inclusion within their ranks. Here’s a little teaser: They are on a mission to recruit more female board members! And yes, they speak about the irresistible lure of Mount Graham, the heart of their remarkable project. It's not just about mountain biking; we also hear about the exhilarating road riding opportunities that this mountain has to offer.
Towards the end, we steer the conversation to the responsible side of mountain biking. Nat enlightens us about SDMB's "be cool" trail safety initiatives, bike skills, and bike Academy program aimed at promoting inclusion and trail etiquette. We explore the vital role of volunteers in keeping the organization running smoothly, especially in the post-pandemic world. Lastly, we also touch upon the fascinating world of trail maintenance, the cowboy gate etiquette, and the somewhat cryptic art of securing funding for these activities. So, if you're a mountain biking enthusiast or simply love hearing about behind-the-scenes operations, you can't afford to miss this episode!
Sonoran Desert Mountain Bicyclists (SDMB) :
https://www.SDMB.org
Mount Graham Visitors Guide: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1086012.pdf
Listen to Mountain Cog
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Spotify
Other Podcast Sites
Socials
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[email protected]
Previous Episode
051 - Ride Tucson… a desert oasis building bike community. (Jesus Frías)
Join us as we pedal our way through the world of cycling with our guest, Jesus Frías, a seasoned cyclist and owner of Ride Tucson, a new shop that focuses on building community. With over two decades of riding experience tucked under his helmet, Jesus opens up about his inventive business model that blends his love for cycling with a passion for local culture, food, and community engagement. This unique symphony of experiences has given birth to a cycling oasis in the heart of the desert that's as refreshing as a chilled bottle of Bacanora, made specifically for Ride Tucson.
Our conversation heads South as we hop on our virtual bikes and set course for South America, strapping ourselves in for an exploration of latin bike culture. Jesus' stories range from an intriguing history of electric bicycles to his escapades training dealers and customers with Specialized SBCU. We then gear up and race to Mexico, shedding light on the world of bike races, shops, and a pulsing cycling culture that rivals any Tour de France stage.
In the finale of our chat, we shift gears to discuss e-bikes - a phenomenon electrifying the biking industry. Jesus offers a unique insight into the brands he carries, the staggering growth of the e-bike market and the myriad of ways e-bikes are being used globally. From the thrill of Mexican wrestling culture - Lucha Libre, to his sunset collection inspired by Tucson's mountain views, this conversation is super interesting. So, get ready to embark on this ride with Jesus Frías, where every turn unveils a potential new and exhilarating cycling adventure.
Ride Tucson: https://ridetucsonaz.com/
The Loop (Tucson's 150+ mile paved bike path): https://tucsonloop.org/
Jesus's favorite place to ride in South America: Colonia, Uruguay: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonia_del_Sacramento
Aventon EBikes: https://www.aventon.com/collections/ebikes
Velotric EBikes: https://www.velotricbike.com/
Lucha Libre: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/lucha-libre-an-introduction-to-mexican-wrestling
Listen to Mountain Cog
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Next Episode
053 - If only our chief of police was an avid cyclist. Oh wait, he is! (Chad Kasmar, Tucson Chief of Police)
Today's guest, Tucson Police Department Chief Chad Kasmar, is a passionate cyclist with a fascinating career in public safety. Kasmar shares his journey from a tricycle-riding child to an avid mountain biking adult. We delve into his adventurous Leadville race experiences, discuss his transition from dirt bikes to mountain biking, and explore how his public safety career influences his approach to cycling.
Safety, of course, is paramount. Therefore, we zoom in on the critical aspect of cycling safety, where Kasmar stresses the importance of situational awareness, reflective clothing, and lights. Drawing from a chilling incident of his friend being hit by a car while cycling, he provides insights on collision prevention. We further examine the often-strained relationship between cyclists and motorists, the role of courtesy on the road, and the laws' significance.
Delving into the intersection of public safety and cycling, we investigate the potential of e-bikes in police patrols. As the discussion broadens, we touch upon the etiquette between cyclists and motorists, bike patrol's role in community policing, and the impact of biking on addressing community issues like poverty and bike theft. So gear up and join us as we traverse the challenging yet rewarding terrain of biking, public safety, and community involvement with Chief Chad Kasmar.
https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Police
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Mountain Cog - 052 - Graham Cracker route, 6300 ft descent over 17 miles. Restoring trails on Mount Graham. (Nat Gordon, SDMB)
Transcript
Did you know that you can't run through a campsite ?
JoshI know I didn't know that you can only ran
Joshbecause it's past tense .
MikeHe who's laughs last didn't get the joke that was . That was a good one , josh , I like it . So you know my son likes ketchup ,
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