Trail Builder Magazine

06/18/2025

Are we building trails that serve people and places or just selling the next big thing?

In the latest article on our website, Dillon Osleger doesn’t shy away from the hard questions.

“Price & Purpose” is a must-read for anyone who builds, rides, or advocates for trails.

He challenges the industry’s obsession with new builds, flow trails, and economic impact and instead calls for something deeper:

▪️Long-term stewardship
▪️Ecological responsibility
▪️Community-centered planning

This isn’t about halting progress. It’s about asking: Progress for whom? And at what cost?

Trail builder Dillon Osleger critiques the mountain biking industry’s focus on new trail development as an economic fix, arguing it often overlooks environmental damage, cultural displacement, and long-term sustainability. He calls for a shift toward restoration, equity, and deeper community invol...

06/17/2025

Could your town become a trail town?

It can even start with gravel. A handful of riders show up, and suddenly, a town sees the value of dirt. Those roads become a spark that ignites conversations, community support, and the first steps toward a comprehensive trail network.

Trail Towns from Scratch is a free guide for rural leaders, community organizers, and anyone asking, “Could we really build something here?”

It’s not about silver bullets. It’s about momentum.

This practical, hopeful resource shares what we’ve learned from towns that have turned trails into opportunities and how you can get started with what you already have.

Download the guide free when you sign up for our newsletter: https://bit.ly/3F2ydg6

06/11/2025

Why subscriptions? Why now?

We rolled out three subscription tiers: U.S. print, international print, and digital, not just to get mags in your hands but to give back more.

As Trail Builder Mag has grown, we’ve built solid relationships with brands that support the work you do. Now, we’re passing that support on to you: subscribers get exclusive industry discounts alongside each issue.

It’s more than a magazine. It’s a way to invest in the trail building community and get something extra while you’re at it.

Subscribe today and unlock the perks from brands like ShapeShifter Tool Co: https://bit.ly/44fVkOt

06/10/2025

What does it take for a forgotten town to find new life through trails?

That’s the question behind our newest resource at Trail Builder Magazine: a free downloadable guide titled Trail Towns from Scratch: How Small Communities Can Revive Their Economy Through Trails.

It’s more than just a how-to. It’s a roadmap for anyone wondering if a few miles of dirt and a strong vision could become the foundation for something bigger.

Download it free when you join our newsletter.

Discover how small towns can spark economic revival through trail building and outdoor recreation. Download Trail Builder Magazine’s free guide, Trail Towns from Scratch, packed with case studies, practical steps, and insights for rural leaders, trail builders, and advocates. Sign up for our newsl...

06/10/2025

Let’s stir the pot for a second… (not in a clickbaity way).

What are the real hot-button issues in trail building right now?

We’re talking about the debates that spark strong opinions at the trailhead or in planning meetings. Mixed-use vs. MTB-specific? Rogue trails? Machine vs. hand-built?

Drop your top 3 trail building controversies or unpopular opinions in the comments. Let’s hear what’s heating up the conversation in your region.

06/06/2025

What does it take to turn a dream into a world-class mountain bike destination?

In Oaxaca’s Sierra Norte, it started with three friends, thousands of vertical feet, and a vision to build something riders around the world would travel for.

Five years later, TranSierra Norte isn’t just a race. It’s a celebration of culture, dirt, and the deep roots of community-driven trail building.

From blind racing on Zapotec trails to lucha libre finales, this one’s got it all.

Read the full story now from Juan Francisco Garza Elenes and see how Oaxaca became one of the most talked-about riding zones on the planet.

Explore Oaxaca’s legendary TranSierra Norte mountain bike race—five years of high-altitude trails, cultural immersion, and grassroots trail building. Discover how a dream turned into a global MTB destination, fueled by community, passion, and the rugged beauty of Sierra Norte.

06/05/2025

“Every single piece of timber used in Norm’s builds was salvaged … hauled up the trail in a custom-made wheelbarrow Norm had designed himself.”

In our next issue of Trail Builder Magazine, contributor David Cook brings us an unforgettable portrait of one of Vancouver Island’s most dedicated trail builders. From old-growth cedar to hand-split deck boards, Norm’s quiet craftsmanship is a reminder of what trail building is really about—respect for the land, mastery of the tools, and joy in the ride.

This one’s for every builder who’s ever poured hours into a trail just so others can find flow.

Subscribe today: https://bit.ly/44fVkOt

06/04/2025

Willard Bruce is a name you probably haven’t heard, unless you’re deep in the trail-building or BMX scenes across the U.S. and Europe. A self-described mountain enthusiast now living in Barcelona, Willard has carved an unconventional path that weaves through BMX culture, mountain rescue, and trail building across continents.

In this candid conversation with Yari Alpizar, he shares his journey, opening up about the tools he loves, the trails he dreams of, and why Spain’s trail building culture still has a long way to go. His perspective is refreshingly honest and shaped by years of hands-on experience.

In this interview, trailbuilder Willard Bruce reflects on his journey from BMX roots in the U.S. to shaping trails across Europe. Now based in Barcelona, he shares insights on Spain’s growing MTB scene, the challenges it faces, and why more local trailbuilders are urgently needed.

06/03/2025

Trail science in your pocket.

A clinometer might be the simplest tool in your kit, but it’s also one of the most important.

Why? Because trail grade matters.

Too steep, and your trail becomes a rut-fest after the first rainy season. Too flat, and you’re left with standing water and zero flow. That’s where the clinometer comes in ... measuring slope to the degree so you can design sustainable, rideable trails from the start.

Whether you’re bench-cutting by hand or working with machines, knowing your grades helps you avoid erosion, minimize maintenance, and build trails that last.

Question: How often do you use one?

05/29/2025

Ditch the garden gloves.
We put Trail Manos’ leather work gloves to the test while clearing drainage and scouting trail damage, and they held up like a dream. No break-in. No blown seams. Just solid grip and all-day comfort.

Whether you’re out every weekend or once a month, these belong in your kit.

Trail builders need gloves that can handle real work. We tested Trail Manos’ leather work gloves while scouting trail damage and fixing drainage, and they delivered. No break-in needed, solid grip, and all-day comfort. Whether you’re a pro or a volunteer, these gloves are worth the upgrade.

05/28/2025

Can trails help rebuild a region? In Maine, they already are.

The paper mills may have gone silent, but the forests of Maine are echoing with something new ... bike tires on fresh singletrack.

In our upcoming issue of Trail Builder Magazine, we’re featuring the story of a new network of world-class trails rising from Maine’s logging legacy. Written by Haley Campbell, this piece explores how a once-booming timber town is finding hope again, but this time on two wheels.

Want stories like this delivered to you?

Subscribe today and get the next issue when it drops: https://bit.ly/44fVkOt

05/27/2025

Hot Take: Flow trails are the pumpkin spice latte of mountain biking

Comfortable. Predictable. And honestly? A little overrated. Give us jank. Give us tech. Give us something to remember.

How does this tech fit into your trail projects?