Mind the Track

Driven by curiosity and wonder of the natural world, as a kid, Steve Byrne was so obsessed with the weather that classmates nicknamed him Weather Boy. As an adult, Steve’s passion for weather and the power of nature has only amplified, posting daily observations at his website, Tahoemountainweather.com. If you are a weather nerd, you will love Episode 98, as we talk about Kelvin waves, bomb cyclones, vorticities, a historic approaching El Niño and what it will mean for our winter here in Tahoe. Even if you aren’t a weather nerd, but you spend a lot of time in the backcountry, Steve will give you reasons to consider becoming one. Unlike a basketball court or a baseball field, the backcountry environment we all recreate in is dynamic and always changing. But there aren’t any resources in the Tahoe region weather forecasting specifically for the backcountry. Steve believes that the better we understand weather and how it interfaces with how we play outside, the more fun and safer we can all be.0:40 – Big Sallie calls in to explain why trees turn color in the fall5:00 – Introducing Steve Byrne – self-described weather nerd8:00 – Knowing the weather can help you find the best snow in winter9:10 – Running and ski traversing the ridgeline between Castle Peak and Basin Peak  11:50 – Growing up in South Carolina and becoming obsessed with weather and skiing14:10 – Discovering the Lake Tahoe region in high school visiting his uncle16:00 – Steve’s obsession with weather and his consideration of a weather career20:20 – Being called “Weather Boy” and being made fun of as a kid27:10 – Starting Tahoemountainweather.com – local backcountry weather observations35:50 – Has AI weather forecast modeling been more or less accurate than traditional models?40:00 – Bryan Allegretto proves that human observation is still relevant in an AI model world42:50 – What’s the weirdest weather phenomenon you’ve ever seen?45:20 – Why should people who aren’t weather nerds be weather nerds?49:25 – Will El Niño impact our winter in Tahoe?1:01:56 – Are you a white ribbon of death guy or wait until the snowpack gets deeper?1:06:30 – The importance of wonder, curiosity and the power of the natural world1:08:20 – Steve’s stint as a college radio DJ and his love for Argentine rock music1:10:50 – Steve takes his skis to the Start Haus and walked away really impressed1:12:33 – How can people in the backcountry best use Steve’s weather forecasting?1:13:50 – What’s the biggest misconception people make about weather forecasts?1:17:30 – What is the future of Tahoemountainweather.com?1:20:20 – Steve and his involvement with Tahoe Backcountry Alliance1:24:20 – Steve’s relationship with skiing the Eastern Sierra Nevada1:27:50 – What is a Kelvin Wave?1:33:40 – Will El Niño dampen the effects of bomb cyclones?1:40:30 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

Ski Pow. Eat Ramen. Smile More. It was Kyle Smaine’s mantra. Jenna Dramise first met Kyle when she picked him up hitchhiking in New Zealand in 2010. While it wasn’t love at first sight, Jenna was drawn in by Kyle’s irresistibly positive energy and love for life. They started dating in their early twenties while competing together on the professional world circuit, Jenna as a snowboarder and Kyle as a skier. They moved in together, living in South Lake Tahoe with Kyle’s dad and brother. In 2014, Kyle and his dad taught Jenna to mountain bike, and although she struggled at first, she found her new favorite sport thanks to Kyle. Kyle also taught Jenna the ways of backcountry skiing and how to safely navigate terrain. But only two months after Jenna and Kyle were married, while skiing Japan in January 2023, Kyle was killed in an avalanche while transitioning in a seemingly safe place. Kyle’s positive energy and kindness has touched so many lives, and to celebrate his life, Jenna and Kyle’s father started The Smaine Fund, supporting young athletes in their quest to become professionals.3:30 – Introducing Jenna Dramise recording in the dirty south of South Lake Tahoe.5:50 – Shred the Gnerd gets philosophical about Mind the Track.9:45 – Janky dangerous side hits on the Tahoe Rim Trail.13:00 – Riding Scott’s Lake Loop in South Lake Tahoe.14:40 – How many times have you ridden Corral Trail?16:15 – Training for the Leadville 100.18:10 – Bikepacking the Toiyabe Crest Trail in Central Nevada.20:20 – Growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and getting into snowboarding at Lee Canyon.22:45 – Moving to Truckee, joining Northstar snowboard team and competing in half pipe.25:00 – Half pipe snowboard tricks – flips, spins and the naming conventions.29:15 – Transitioning away from competition to becoming an orthopedic physician’s assistant.31:00 – Becoming an endurance athlete after Kyle Smaine teaches Jenna to mountain bike.33:50 – Recapping the 170-mile Plumas County fire lookout ride with Trail Whisperer and Jenna.39:30 – Racing the Mount Hough Enduro and getting second place.41:00 – Crashing and getting cut to bone at Rahlve’s Banzai Tour at Palisades Tahoe.47:40 – Learning to snowmobile and sled ski.50:54 – Meeting Kyle Smaine while hitchhiking in New Zealand.55:00 – The difference between halfpipe snowboarding and mountain biking.56:30 – From competitive snowboarder to backcountry splitboard filming trips.57:45 – Kyle’s love for skiing in Japan, Japanese culture and skiing fun pow.1:03:45 – The Japan avalanche that took the life of Kyle Smaine.1:15:20 – How has Jenna’s relationship with the backcountry changed since the accident?1:17:35 – Commemorating Kyle’s life by starting The Smaine Fund.1:34:00 – What is the future path for The Smaine Fund?1:37:30 – Using stolen plastic hand baskets to carry bike and ski gear.1:39:20 – Kyle visited while on our ride in the form of a huge bald eagle.1:41:00 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

It’s peak dust season in Lake Tahoe and the trails are blown out with no precipitation in sight. Pow Bot is using his mountain bike as a drying rack for his wetsuit while Trail Whisperer goes to a Reno Aces game and cringes when he hears Sweet Caroline. The boys talk about new trails like Pines to Mines and Beckwourth Peak, pay respects to the life of Guy Eriksen, name some favorite pre-shred soundtracks, DOPE or DERP blasting that music in the parking lot while putting your ski boots on and DOPE or DERP quitting your job when ski or surf conditions are firing. Pow Bot introduces the concept of “Friction Country” – places that retain their unspoiled character because they are hard to get to and comment on the latest South Park episode about kids terrorizing neighborhoods on e-bikes. And a friendly reminder from Start Haus to get your ski gear tuned now before El Niño arrives! 3:20 – Mind the Track is a registered trademark!6:30 – Gordo has been mentoring PowBot in his Lieutenant Tangle wing foiling quest15:50 – Trail Whisperer focused on trail projects, but Floriston Fire impacts Verdi Ridge trail19:45 – Beckwourth Peak Trail in Portola is complete!22:50 – PowBot’s road trip to Mendocino28:00 – The concept of “Friction Country” – places that are hard to get to off the beaten path34:35 – More El Niño talk and flooding in the southwest37:25 – TW goes to a Reno Aces game and was very impressed, except for Sweet Caroline41:25 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE - PB shouts out Billy Strings for performing with Pearl Jam45:00 – DOPE or DERP – Pre-shred soundtracks – Metallica, Rage Against the Machine, Tool, Jane’s Addiction47:00 – DOPE or DERP – Blasting music in the parking lot before going skiing50:44 – An ode to the life of Guy Eriksen.56:30 – CORE LORD CALL-IN – Carter talking about doggy bags and limiting dog names1:02:20 – CORE LORD CALL-IN – Jed getting some brown pow and kudos to trail builders1:05:50 – Riding the new Pines to Mines Trail on Donner Summit1:08:10 – Mount Bohemia in Michigan tries to save skiing with a non-lift terrain expansion1:13:55 – DOPE or DERP – Quitting your job to ski pow in a big year1:19:55 – “Get so pitted” – channeling Michael Peasley - Making noises while surfing1:22:00 – Paying people to crowd out the surf lineup so you get more waves1:24:50 – The new South Park episode about e-bikes and kids terrorizing neighborhoods1:31:40 – Having Jenna Dramise on the show to talk about Kyle Smaine and The Smaine Fund1:32:55 – DOPE or DERP from the Start Haus – Get your skis and boots tuned now!

As meteorological Fall and the “ber” months arrive, the boys play some bike polo and continue talking about El Niño, with the hopes of a wild and wet winter. Meanwhile, in the absence of any rain, the Hawk Fire in Reno scorches 15,000 acres on Peavine Mountain, burning trails and 40+ homes. A woman swimming in Lake Tahoe is attacked by a river otter, a group of hikers become Dumb Ass Rescued Persons after asking AI to plan their ill-fated ascent of Mount Shasta and Vail Resorts faces a third anti-trust lawsuit alleging ski pass price fixing. Big Sally calls in with an Edward Abbey quote, Trail Whisperer rants about being a part-time crusader and the boys chew on a few DOPE or DERPs including taking home restaurant leftovers, fasting, paying to park and ride mountain bikes and Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. 3:00 – The boys play bike polo at The Backcountry in Truckee9:00 – The beginning of meteorological Fall has arrived on Sept 111:20 – Wet weather is coming to Tahoe? More super El Nino hype14:15 – Devastating flash flooding in Grand Canyon, Zion National Park and in Nepal17:45 – Preparing for a 3-day bikepacking adventure with big mountain bike rides21:30 – The Hawk Fire in Reno burns a lot of Peavine Mountain and 40+ homes lost30:20 – A woman was attacked by a river otter while swimming in Lake Tahoe33:35 – Dumb Ass Rescued Persons on Mount Shasta after asking AI how to hike the peak41:45 – Vail Resorts is now facing a third anti-trust lawsuit, brought by a shareholder45:50 – Big Sally calls in with an Edward Abbey quote putting life into perspective52:00 – Lee from Marin County calling to say The Crooked Stuff is DOPE.55:00 – DOPE or DERP – Not eating all your dinner at the restaurant and taking home leftovers1:03:00 – DOPE or DERP – Fasting1:11:30 – DOPE or DERP – Paying money to park then ride mountain bike trails1:18:30 – DOPE or DERP – listening to podcasts in 1.5x or 2.0x speed1:19:35 – DOPE or DERP – Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline1:22:00 – Ski Bowl Songs – Top 40 songs listened to over and over again at Tom’s childhood ski hill1:25:45 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE - talk about Def Leppard, The Osees, KEXP and All Them Witches1:30:00 – Mount Rose Meadows – solving the ongoing winter parking issues along the highway1:35:45 – Going on a road trip and joining Harvest Host – service for 10,000 places to boondock

Wildfires, triple digit temperatures and dusty, blown out trails – it must be the middle of August in Tahoe. Episode 94 features a grab bag of topics including the relationship between dogs and bears, magicians and the ice cream man, new Tahoe trails, Heavenly opening its gondola to mountain bikes, Palisades Tahoe offering a midweek pass for $699 while Alterra gets sued for price fixing, poisoned trees in Incline Village and the development of the largest El Niño in recorded history. Also, the 888 COR LORD hotline blows up with voicemails, Trail Whisperer gives his initial impressions on his new Aventon Current EXP, issues a call to action in Nevada to stop Greenlink North and the boys shout out Kyle and Jessica Aster for donating $250,000 to TAMBA for finishing Meeks Ridge Trail. Throw in a couple DOPE or DERPs and On a Musical Notes, this is a variety-packed episode.3:00 – Buy a Mind the Track hat at Start Haus in Truckee!4:10 – Downieville Classic Recap – Tobin Ortenblad and Marco Osborne winners!6:50 – Cosbey witnesses carnage on Baby Heads8:30 – Big fires in Reno/Tahoe area – Bug Fire, Stallion Fire and Talbot Fire14:25 – Pow Bot’s two brothers visit from Michigan and ride Tahoe16:00 – Trail Whisperer gives his initial impressions on the new Aventon Current EXP20:00 – Core Lords Call In – Josh from Loyalton – Tahoe Donner, Glizzys and Bike Polo25:40 – Lauren – Picking up a new truck camper while listening to truck campers.26:40 – We have female listeners, Glizzy Gauntlet results and 7-Eleven is lame34:13 – Jon calls in and praises Gordo as well as prioritizing play over work41:17 – Eric calls in and shares a funny ice cream man story46:36 – Magicians are like the ice cream man – people don’t like either49:10 – Stop the Greenlink North power line from running along Highway 50 in Nevada53:00 – Does your dog make you safer in bear country?58:15 – Someone is poisoning and killing dozens of trees in Incline Village1:04:00 – Huge shout out to Kyle and Jessica Aster – THANK YOU for donating $250k to TAMBA1:06:50 – The new Panorama Trail at Heavenly opens, as well as the gondola opening to MTBs1:11:20 – Palisades Tahoe bringing back midweek season pass for $6991:12:30 – Class action lawsuit against Vail, Alterra, Powder Corp and Boyne for price fixing1:15:05 – The Super El Nino of 2026-27 seems to be a certainty at this point1:22:15 – DOPE OR DERP – Cell phone mounts on bike handlebars1:28:40 – DOPE OR DERP – Hand guards on a mountain bike1:35:50 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – Organically Good Trio1:39:05 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – Genesis Owusu1:40:30 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – The Crooked Stuff1:49:20 – Sept 11-13 – Mount Hough Enduro and Grinduro. Be there!1:51:07 – The Crooked Stuff – Waking Alive

Regardless of whether you have a van, a pop-up camper, an RV, a rock crawler or just a basic old pickup truck, the vehicles we own help facilitate the adventures we want to have. In Episode 93, we camp at White Rock Lake with Harry Wagner of @harrysituations and KP Pawley of @zerodeclination and talk all about adventure vehicles and what set-ups are best suited for different purposes. Both Harry and KP have vast experience traveling around the globe and living in different rigs, gaining unique insights on what works – and more importantly – what doesn’t work. They’ve built, driven and seen nearly everything and share with us their experience. Topics include roof top tents, if you need a winch, diesel versus gas, traction boards, the best tires and the most common modifications that make people’s vehicles worse, not better. We also discuss the astronomical cost of new vehicles and some of the best used vehicle values that make for great adventure builds on a budget. Whether you have a six-figure build or just an old beater and a tent on the ground, you can learn a lot in this episode. 2:30 – Recording from White Rock Lake near Mount Lola5:00 – The legend of the Warren Lake trail8:00 – All About Adventure Rigs with KP Pawley and Harry Wagner16:02 – Old and new Toyota Trucks – slow and expensive but reliable19:00 – How Harry and KP know each other21:05 – Universal hatred for UTVs and side by sides24:08 – The difference between people who want a van vs a pickup with a camper26:20 – Pow Bot’s Ford Bronco he grafted a fiberglass camper onto29:25 – How important is the pass-thru from cab to camper?30:20 – A brief background on Harry Wagner’s 4x4 adventure career31:40 – A brief background on KP Pawley, living full-time in his camper33:20 – Taking 3 years to drive the Pan American Highway in 201634:50 – What was your biggest breakdown on the Pan American Highway trip?36:47 – Was there a piece of gear that saved your trip?39:00 – Have you ever been extorted by law enforcement?42:10 – Is a gray market import from a foreign country a good adventure vehicle? 44:50 – What was Harry’s favorite overlander/adventure vehicle he owned?46:40 – What is your most essential creature comfort in an adventure vehicle?49:40 – Roof top tents – Harry is not a fan. Why?54:00 – The rise of the six-figure adventure vehicle58:20 – Everything you do to your truck makes it worse1:01:20 – Why have Toyota Tacomas become so popular?1:02:10 – Harry is driving a 2015 Mercedes GL550 he bought for $10k1:05:40 – The astronomical cost of new vehicles1:08:30 – What are some used trucks that are reliable and affordable?1:13:35 – The shortsightedness of gas prices and old V8s versus new EVs and hybrids1:14:35 – Diesel vs gasoline – what’s more reliable?1:21:00 – Zero Declination – building a full-size truck camper that fits gear like a van.1:26:20 – What is it that pulls you away from the pavement?1:27:45 – Advice of what not to do, winches, traction boards and Hi-Lift jacks, best tires1:33:40 – The “power move” – one thing on your rig that makes other people jealous?1:35:45 – How important is a shower or a toilet?1:38:30 – You have $10,000 to go adventuring, what are you going to buy?1:40:40 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

When it comes to mountain bike races, nothing captures the essence of the sport better than the Downieville Classic. Since 1995, the Classic has evolved with mountain biking’s growth, challenging riders with soul crushing climbs and rocky, rugged descents pushing both rider and bike to their absolute limits. As one of the only point-to-point races left in America, the Downieville Classic is the ultimate test of what it takes to be a well-rounded mountain biker. Add in a historic Gold Rush-era town perfectly preserved in time, the Classic is as unforgettable to spectate as it is to participate. In Episode 92, the boys sit down once again with Marc Cosbey, aka Uncle Coz, who first arrived in Downieville with a mountain bike in 1990, helping make the Classic what it is today. Not only has the Downieville Classic made a huge impact on the sport of mountain biking, but thanks to the efforts of people like Coz, the event has helped keep this small town of 250 people from losing its identity long after the booms of gold and logging played out.    5:35 – Cosbey gets his first mountain bike in 1990 and his first clipless pedal experience12:00 – Discovering Downieville and meeting Greg Williams for the first time14:55 – Cosbey’s first experience riding the Downieville downhill from Packer Saddle18:00 – What was Cosbey’s first impression of Greg Williams?20:30 – In the early days, mountain bikers in Downieville were considered outsiders22:30 – Working at Yuba Expeditions and driving mountain bike shuttles28:00 – Mike Ferrentino entering the Downieville scene and doing trail work30:50 – Starting the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) in 200338:05 – Shoveling more than a mile of snow that almost canceled the race in 201145:26 – 15 year-old Henry O’Donnell beating Mark Weir in the Downieville Classic49:33 – The legend of Mark Weir and his reign of domination in Downieville53:48 – What impact has Downieville had on the sport of mountain biking?57:38 – The story of “Taze Bro” and winning “That Guy” award in Downieville1:02:20– “Ron’s House of Big Air” River Jump, “Cozmo’s Wild Island” and the Log Pull1:09:15 – Who was the most badass woman in the Downieville Classic?1:10:43 – The 2002 Single Speed Mountain Bike World Championships in Downieville

Ten years ago, Kurt the Trail Whisperer and four friends rode the 32-mile non-Wilderness portion of the Toiyabe Crest Trail, the longest trail in Nevada, about 30 miles south of Austin and Highway 50. The 13-hour adventure was ripe with bushwhacking and overgrown trail that hadn’t seen maintenance in 40 years. After the adventure, Kurt thought to himself if the TCT was maintained, it could be one of the greatest mountain bike epics in the country, so he bought himself a reciprocating saw and got to work in 2018. Eight years later, after thousands of hours of labor with friends cutting 32 miles of brush, the TCT is clear from Ophir Pass to Kingston Canyon. Last weekend, Kurt, Pow Bot and a cast of friends including Chad Kelly and Dean Kemp from @battlebornadventures shuttled to Ophir Pass to celebrate the achievement by riding the 32-mile maintained stretch of the TCT. It was a historic ride, reaping all the benefits after eight years of labor. Because of its high elevation, staying in the alpine between 7,500 and 10,500 feet, Pow Bot considers the TCT one of North America’s greatest mountain bike epics, calling it the closest thing to a long-distance, point-to-point ski traverse you can do on a bike. In Episode 91, the boys recap an unforgettable weekend spent in the remote wilds of Nevada, and dream about what’s next for this iconic landscape few humans ever set foot on. 2:35 – Introducing Guillermo – the new canine co-host of Mind the Track9:45 – It’s July and it rained hard in Tahoe. Super El Nino is living up to the hype13:50 – All three of the 10% off CORE LORD new bike discounts at Start Haus are claimed17:00 – Greg from Start Haus drops knowledge on disc brake maintenance19:15 – Mind the Track Deso Supply hats are in stock. Reach out to us if you want one or purchase one at Start Haus21:30 – Trail Whisperer orders a new Aventon Current EXP23:25 – Trail Whisperer buys Swan John an e-bike and it’s been an amazing investment26:00 – 4th of July mob of TikTok teenagers take over King’s Beach27:14 – Remembering the life of David Page – Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance28:55 – Colin – come participate in the Glizzy Gauntlet on August 16 – Sky Tavern30:55 – Stu wants to shout out Land Trusts in the Tahoe region and how important they are33:22 – Carlorado – imagine everyone getting along on trails, making room for each other35:15 – Big Sallie – believes we need to use chainsaws in wilderness and some forestry wisdom38:30 – Tell us your diarrhea story and what you did on your day off from work39:15 – Ripley V5 wants to hear some exploits about the wilds of Nevada, the 10 Shredmandments for MTB and an angry trail builder who destroys bridges43:25 – Riding the Toiyabe Crest Trail in central Nevada from Ophir Pass to Kingston45:30 – What was it about the Toiyabe that drew Trail Whisperer to spend 8 years cutting brush50:55 – How many volunteers have helped in resurrecting the Toiyabe Crest Trail?54:00 – Recapping the weekend and the logistics of completing the Toiyabe Crest Trail ride1:00:34 – Yuri Hauswald and Chris Brown recount their 2011 TCT ride1:09:45 – TW recounts his ride of the TCT in 2016 with Yuri, Chris and Scott Markewitz1:11:45 – Pow Bot’s experience riding the TCT – like a backcountry ski adventure on a bike1:17:30 – The concept of “A Third Place” – coined by Ray Oldenberg1:21:10 – Pow Bot’s story of losing his rear brake on the final descent and crashing1:25:25 – What was the feeling of completing the ride after 10 years of trail work?1:31:21 – Lightning round questions about the TCT1:34:30 – The TCT project has been a spiritual experience that has real meaning and impact

His co-workers know him as Gordon, but when he’s not working – which is often – his secret alter ego is Gordo, and all Gordo wants to be is outside. Whether it’s sailing, surfing, foiling, skiing, running, biking, swimming 22 miles from Catalina to San Pedro or hiking 2600 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, Gordo Clute has never in his life worked more than he can play. Over a successful 30 year career in shipping sales, Gordo elaborately lived a lie, being perceived as a dedicated hardworking employee when he was instead outside playing, his real dedication focused on finding the flow state we all seek. Gordo’s dedication runs so deep that he secretly moved his entire family to Mammoth for three years when his boss thought he was living 10 miles across town from work headquarters in Orange County. In Episode 90, we chat with ultra-Core Lord and Mind the Track superfan Gordo Clute, and the many life hacks he’s developed in shirking work to prioritize play, time with family and putting his mind in the track. 3:00 – Summer shenanigans and tourist dodging in Tahoe5:30 – Introducing Gordo Clute core lord superfan of MTT10:20 – The benefits and drawbacks of riding dirt bikes14:30 – Learning about Gordo’s background in sailing, ship captaining and becoming a ski bum17:00 – Solo endurance swimming 22 miles from Catalina to San Pedro starting at midnight and swimming solo 12 miles across Lake Tahoe23:30 – Who is Gordo Clute? There’s no information on the internet about him. Man of mystery.26:30 – Secretly moving his family to Mammoth from Orange County without his boss knowing29:00 – Gordo’s secrets to slacking success so he could be outside playing instead of working33:30 – “Diarrhea” – the magic word to get you out of any work jam37:00 – Coping with the redundancy of doing sales to make it work for an outdoor lifestyle40:10 – Buying ski resort lift tickets with the work credit card and expensing season passes for clients that he could end up using44:00 – Training clients, playing offense versus defense and using procrastination to your benefit46:00 – The “Action Required – Not Really” flowchart – using procrastination to test importance49:20 – Shirking work and getting paid to do as little as possible52:10 – Time is the most valuable thing in existence. The only thing you can’t buy back.53:50 – Getting into mountain biking in the 1970s in Marin County at the dawn of the sport55:30 – The stress of crafting a life built around lies and being busted while caught in a lie1:02:00 – Two years into “funemployment” without a full-time job1:04:00 – Using Waymo as a wing foiling shuttle1:11:00 – Uphill vs downhill trail traffic – who has the right of way?1:21:10 – Lightning round questions with Gordo1:23:30 – Gordo’s ice cream man story, except he’s the propane man in Mexico1:25:55 – Burning Man – Gordo went from anti to pro Burning Man1:29:00 – Attempting to through hike the Pacific Crest Trail 2600 miles1:37:00 – Mountain biking the PCT with a permit after having to drop out with foot issues1:47:30 – DOPE or DERP – fireworks on the Fourth of July1:48:50 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

The pollen is thick, kids are out of school, the tourists have invaded Tahoe and temperatures are soaring, which means only one thing – summer is here. In Episode 89, Trail Whisperer recaps a mountain bike road trip out to the California coastal town of Eureka while Pow Bot fun hogs on Lake Tahoe with his wing foil. The boys stand corrected by listeners about their Strava rant, California considers instating an official Bruce Lee Day, people are dying from foraged mushroom poisoning, the Ice Cream Man is back again, and TW recommends seeing Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience. The boys also tackle the “Bieber-ification” of trails, aka, making them lame by dumbing them down, and how this act of Bieber-ing trails is a microcosm of society at large getting dumber, as evidenced by how easy Jeopardy questions have become. Also, TW ASS rants about preservationists protesting efforts to allow chainsaws in Wilderness areas so volunteers can clear a maintenance backlog many thousands of fallen trees deep. Plus – only two 10% off coupons for any new bike at Start Haus in Truckee remain! Just use the password CORE LORD and save. 2:20 – What are we going to do when we hit episode 100?3:00 – For newer listeners of MTT, go back and listen from Episode 1.5:00 – The pollen is thick. The tourists are here. It’s hot out. It’s SUMMER.7:45 – Recapping the Lost and Found Gravel Bike Event in Portola.8:55 – Drop into the Start Haus – 2 CORELORD 10% off a new bike discounts remaining!12:00 – Recapping a road trip to Eureka, California and riding Hatchery Ridge trails.22:15 – Foil Bot has been local fun hoggin’ and finally wing foiling properly.28:00 –Marlette Flume trail and Chimney Beach is back open after 5PM on weekdays.31:00 – Follow up on Strava – Pow Bot shares a Strava confessional.34:30 – How you can shut off the heat map on Strava so it isn’t shown publicly.38:00 – “Bumblies” is what they call clueless city people in the mountains in the UK.39:30 – California State Assembly bill will potentially create an official Bruce Lee Day.41:20 – Mind the Mycelium – 50 cases of mushroom poisoning including 4 deaths.44:10 – 2N Benn calls in with a PSA – don’t make new trails going around snow and down trees.46:50 – Don’t shortcut the trail or make it easier or more lame – aka – “Bieber-ing” the trail.53:20 – American culture is getting dumber and Jeopardy questions are getting easier.58:00 – Another ASS Rant about the Ice Cream Man.59:30 – ON A MUSICAL NOTE – Seeing Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience.1:05:50 – The Grit podcast having their intro song being flagged for copyright infringement.1:09:10 – Forest Service is considering allowing chainsaw use in federal Wilderness areas.1:16:00 – Motorized users are most often hated because of the noise factor, not the act itself.1:17:40 – Support your local non-corporate ski hill this winter and buy a non-Mega ski pass.1:21:55 – Met a welder who builds cloud seeding machines to increase winter snowpack.