If you’ve ever ridden the singletrack at Hickory Ridge or Area 178, hit a new trail feature, or enjoyed a path cleared of downed trees shortly after a storm, you’ve benefited from Dale’s hard work. A dedicated rider, multi-sport outdoorsman, and tireless trail steward, Dale is renowned across our trail community for his quick responsiveness and commitment to improving the rider experience.

We sat down with Dale to talk trail R&D, nature encounters, and the power of volunteer community:

Why do you love the trails?

“I enjoy the trails because of the space that we ride in. Every time you ride is different, and it creates new challenges to improve your skills, your appreciation for the area, and your gratitude for the people who made it possible to enjoy these wild areas.

Whether you meet new people or spot wildlife, there’s always something new. When you’re building or cleaning up a trail, you’ll often see tracks or sign from different creatures out there. One time riding at Hickory with a couple of others, we encountered a sow bear and her cubs! It’s an adrenaline rush, but it’s interesting to see how they live and share the woods.”

Why is CORBA important to you?

“CORBA brings together like-minded people who enjoy the trails and are willing to invest their time in maintaining them and advocating with property owners.

When you travel to different venues, you see new ideas. When there’s an issue on your home trails, having that broader perspective gives you a better idea of a long-term cure rather than just a Band-Aid fix. It’s fun to incorporate features you’ve seen elsewhere—whether it’s a balance feature or a fun little whoop-dee-doo—to make the trail safer, more novel, and accessible for more people.”

What is your favorite volunteer memory?

“Creating some of the features at Hickory Ridge, whether a log ride or a rock feature. The community created around each of those features stays in my memory the longest—the people who helped build them, brought forth ideas, and enjoyed riding them afterward.

You might focus on the 20 or 30 feet in front of you and ride a feature in two or three seconds, but a group of people spent days creating it so you could improve your skills and take your mind off life’s problems. From fundraising to land manager coordination to the cupcakes at the end, it really takes a community.”

Keeping the History Rolling at Hickory Ridge

From Deer Fly Chases to Long-Term Stewardship Dale’s journey with trail volunteering began in 2011 shortly after picking up his first mountain bike through his son, an employee at Trek at the time. Looking to get involved, he stepped up to help local advocate Noah Michaelson prepare the course for the annual Deer Fly Chase at Hickory Ridge—a race famous for debuting brand-new sections of singletrack each year.

After retiring in 2013, Dale turned that initial taste of trail work into a central passion, dedicating countless hours to maintenance, feature construction, and rerouting steep sections alongside fellow volunteer stewards.

“When you volunteer, you meet other volunteers, and that attitude to help out becomes contagious,” says Dale. “In general, you get back far more than you put in.”