BUILD.RIDE.PROTECT

Welcome back to a SDMB's Meet the Board, where we introduce our current board members and give them an opportunity to talk about what motivates them to volunteer their time with SDMB. Fourth up, board member and mountain bike extraordinaire, Mike Mucker!

1. How long have you been involved with SDMB?

We did our first rides with SDMB in December of 2005 on a section of the Arizona Trail at Pistol Hill (which SDMB helped build) and for a photo shoot for Bike Magazine on the Arizona Trail at Kentucky Camp. We took part in various SDMB events over the next 10 years and I was invited to become a board member in June of 2015.

2. What about SDMB’s mission and work really motivates you?

I have a passion for cycling. I want to share that passion with others and create opportunities by increasing access for mountain bicyclists, building new sustainable trails, and improving existing trails.

3. What is one personal/professional asset you bring to SDMB?

I am also the founder of a bicycling organization in Pennsylvania, LHORBA (Laurel Highlands On & Off Road Bicycling Association), and served as president for the first 16 years. There I worked with eight different State Forest, State Park, and Regional Park land managers to help in new trail construction and trail maintenance. I made it a priority to teach trail advocacy to local cyclists. Through this I gained valuable experience in trail building, trail maintenance, trail advocacy, event planning, delegation and communication. I hope to use these skills to serve SDMB as a Board Member, Pima County Trails Program trail crew leader, Advocacy and Events committee member, and ride leader.

4. What do you want to accomplish with SDMB moving forward?

I would like to help build more trails in the Tucson region and improve the existing trails. I would also like to get more people on mountain bikes especially by helping to make the sport more inclusive and diverse.

5. What is your favorite trail to ride (local preferred, but anywhere works)?

There are too many great trails around Tucson to pick just one!

• The 36 mile section of Arizona Trail from the Green Forest Gate south of Lakes Rd to the Hope Camp Trailhead.
• Ridgeline and Wild Burro Trails in the Tortolita Mountains along with all of the trails in Honeybee for one big ride.
• Tucson Mountain Park including the trails at Starr Pass, Robles Pass and Enchanted Hills.

Here are a few my favorite trails that are not in Tucson:

401 in Crested Butte, CO; McKenzie River near Bend, OR; South Boundary Trail in Taos, NM; Hurricane, Gould, Jem Loop in St. George, UT; Bear Gulch, Sun Valley, ID; Surveyors Ridge, Mt. Hood, OR

Thanks Mike! Be on the lookout for more bios coming soon!