Cycling, in all its forms, has a way of transcending geography and culture. Prime Ability, a bike-based nonprofit in Washington, D.C., is dedicated to empowering BIPOC youth through the transformative power of cycling.
Prime Ability Founder Alex Clark is a passionate cyclist and a health and physical education teacher at Dunbar High School, in Washington, D.C. Through Prime Ability, Clark established D.C.'s pioneering youth cycling team of color.
He sees cycling as a vehicle for education and exploration; a chance to learn about the city’s history; a way to see it in a different light; and an opportunity to cultivate a passion for cycling among the BIPOC community.
In this episode, Clark shares what inspired him to start Prime Ability, and how cycling has impacted his teaching—and his life. He speaks to the importance of getting more students of color and students from underserved communities into mountain biking, road racing or any facet of cycling.
This episode is possible thanks to the support of Yeti Cycles.
@yeticycles @primeability @broadwayclark #themountainflyerpodcast
As the executive director of Vermont’s Kingdom Trail Association, Abby Long carries on a legacy that began 30 years ago. The Kingdom Trails encompass more than 100 miles of trails and pump tracks in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. The region is known for its remote location, rural character, and mountainous landscape that lends itself to skiing and mountain biking alike.
In this episode, Long reflects on the unique nature of the public-private partnerships that make the Kingdom Trails viable. Whereas in the Western United States there are vast amounts of public land, the opposite is true in Vermont. The Kingdom Trails traverse the land of more than 100 private landowners.
Long also speaks to the positive economic impact the trail network has on the region. Riders travel from Canada and throughout the U.S. to experience what the Kingdom Trails have to offer. In thinking about the future, Long says sustainability and community are paramount in maintaining—and expanding—the Kingdom Trails network.
Listen to the full episode at Mountainflyer.com/podcast
Support for this episode of the Mountain Flyer Podcast comes from ABUS Cycling.
@abigailannlong @abus_cycling @kingdomtrails Abigail Ann Long #themountainflyerpodcast
During the early aughts of mountain biking, men dominated the scene and took most of the credit for the birth and progression of the sport. It’s a fact that early rider and photographer Wende Cragg reflects on with a good-natured laugh, before shrugging off the egos that like to take credit for what has become a global phenomenon.
Cragg played a pivotal role as one of the first female mountain bikers. She always carried a camera on her adventures, mainly to capture images of wildflowers and the idyllic California landscape. Along the way she happened to document the birth of mountain biking in and around Fairfax, California, and Crested Butte, Colorado. Cragg’s collection of photography can be viewed at the Marin Museum of Bicycling, on The Radavist and through her frequent posts on social media.
In this episode, she recalls her early rides on a 50-plus pound bike and the characters she shared the trail with. She reflects on what it was like to be part of the birth of a sport, and the importance of curating and preserving its history 50 years later.
Listen to the full episode at Mountainflyer.com/podcast
Support for this episode of the Mountain Flyer Podcast comes from Big Agnes.
@wendecragg12 @bigagnes_ #themountainflyerpodcast
Silverton is a remote outpost in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. The former mining town is known for the steep skiing at Silverton Mountain, and the narrow gauge railroad train that brings throngs of tourists from Durango. Most of the area’s established trails ascend steep, rugged terrain that’s best suited for expert mountain bikers, if they are rideable at all.
More recently, the Silverton Singletrack Society has embarked on a mission to add more purpose-built mountain biking trails to the area. Silverton local Klem Branner is president of the Silverton Singletrack Society. Branner, who also owns and operates Venture Snowboards out of Silverton, is a passionate mountain biker who is working to build more accessible trails in his backyard. Thirty miles of trail, to be exact.
In this episode, Branner speaks to the partnerships that are making that dream a reality. And he explains why the non-profit decided to work with the local land managers right out of the gate, instead of building pirate trails and asking for forgiveness down the line.
Listen to the full episode at Mountainflyer.com/podcast
Support for this episode of the Mountain Flyer Podcast comes from Big Agnes .
@klemensbranner @bigagnes_ @silvertonsingletrack @venturesnow #themountainflyerpodcast
Filmmaker T.C. Johnstone has been making documentaries for more than 25 years. So far his career in film has taken him to over 60 countries, including a trip to Rwanda with cycling legend Tom Ritchey. Most recently, he filmed In The Dirt, a moving documentary about the Native American cyclists who are growing the sport of mountain biking on the Navajo Nation, where no bike shops exist. It’s a moving film that shows how the bicycle can heal and bring together a community, whether through trail building, racing or giving castaway bikes new life.
In this episode, Johnstone explains why you don’t show up at a Navajo residence unannounced, describes the beauty of the Navajo Nation, and emphasizes the energy and passion Navajo riders exude while on their bikes.
Listen to the full episode at Mountainflyer.com/podcast
Support for this episode of the Mountain Flyer Podcast comes from Big Agnes.
@tcjohnstone @bigagnes_ #themountainflyerpodcast
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