Learning to Build MTB Trails, with Tony Boone

Tony Boone has been building mountain bike trails for more than 30 years, and literally helped write the book on the subject, contributing to IMBA’s Guides to Building Sweet Singletrack and Providing Great Riding. He established the first bike patrol in Colorado in 1989 and has been an active member of the Professional Trail Builders Association since 1995. In this episode we ask: What was it like working as a Boulder open space employee? How do the early trails compare to the ones you’re involved in creating today? How do you learn and establish best practices for trail building? What are some of the most common mistakes new trail builders make? How did you get involved working with IMBA, and building trails overseas? What was it like seeing the development of mountain biking in places like China? What are some of the trail projects you’re most proud of? What led you to create a community college trail building course? How do trail builders benefit from a more formal education? What is life like as a full time trail builder? How do concepts like sustainability and stewardship fit into recreational trail building? What does the Jim Angel quote, “People don’t need trails, the land does,” mean to you? Connect with Tony and learn more at tonyboonetrails.com. This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard. Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says it’s one of the top three places in the universe he’s ever ridden. Where is this magical mountain biking nirvana? It’s none other than Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont Recreational Forest. The area boasts over 300 miles of peerless singletrack, not to mention hundreds of miles of gravel roads, creating a near endless array of routes, terrains, and challenges to explore. Four vibrant bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need gear, service, or a top notch rental. Top it off with an array of craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com. ✏️ A written transcript of this conversation is available at singletracks.com. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks