These four riders share a common bond: they’re all members of the OutRide Club where Saranac Lake Middle School students go mountain biking on local trails after school. One of the leaders of OutRide is Karen Miemis, a teacher at the school, a board member for BETA, and an incredible advocate for local youth in mountain biking.

YOUTH MOUNTAIN BIKING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
“On average, kids spend up to 7 hours a day on screens. Mountain biking gets kids outside. It’s a great way for them to build strength and endurance, connect with the beautiful nature around us, and make new friends,” Karen shared. 

“We're working to bring people together, promote trail stewardship, make the sport more accessible for kids, and increase outdoor fun in our community. … From picking up trash to volunteering on BETA trail days, they're getting their hands dirty and making a real impact on our biking community.”

HOW THINGS CHANGE
“When I was 4 or 5 and my parents would go to Pisgah, I would walk right up the middle while they were [riding],” Sam recounted. Nowadays, Sam has no problem riding along with them at Pisgah, but his favorite place to bike is Craig Wood and Scott’s Cobble.

Simon thought about how his experience mountain biking has changed with time. “[I remember] looking at [some feature] and thinking, ‘wow, people can do that!?’ and now I'm the person doing it,” Simon said. 

“I think I’ll continue to get way better at [biking]. And people will look up to me because I’m older,“ Henry mused, thinking about what mountain biking will look like for him in the years to come.

ADVICE FROM YOUNG RIDERS
Henry and Simon had some words of wisdom for folks new to mountain biking. 

“I’d say don't feel like you have to be amazing right away, because you won't be, right?” encouraged Simon. 

Henry added, “Don't get down on yourself too bad. It takes time.”

WHAT THEY KINDLE
These four riders’ reflections remind us that mountain biking trails, like those that BETA works hard to provide, are more than just avenues to a fun-filled afternoon. 

They’re hubs for community and family connections, opportunities for personal growth through overcoming challenges, a place for healthy exercise, and an inspiration for dreaming big. They are soul-stirring places where people of all ages can learn who they are and who they want to be.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this story. It is the fourth and final in a series you’ve seen through the end of the year that featured a handful of incredible community members with a variety of stories and perspectives. We’re glad to have shared them with you as part of our Double Your Donation campaign.

DOUBLE YOUR GIVING POWER

​Happy update: We have hit our original target! Thank you so much to everyone who has given – our community truly rocks. Our anonymous donor was so impressed by your support that he has offered to extend the match from $12,500 to $15,000.

He has pledged to match every dollar of community donations, now up to $15,000, made to BETA between November 15th and December 31st, 2024.  All gifts received by December 31st are eligible to be matched up to a total of $15,000, worth $30,000 if fully matched!

​East Branch Community Trails (often shortened to just “East Branch”) is a story of powerful community buy-in, knowledgeable partners, and a user group coming together for purpose-built trails. The sense of community such an undertaking can create gets at the very heart of BETA’s purpose and mission.

TAPPING BETA'S EXPERTISE 
Joe Pete explained, “When we engaged in our community master planning in Keene, one of the top focus areas we identified was community recreation.” As the planning process continued, the Keene Youth Commission started pushing for more mountain biking trails. “There was nothing [in the area] for a kid or a family who wanted to try mountain biking.” Joe Pete observed. The Keene Youth Commission was incredibly motivated by this community demand and instrumental in securing the initial funding needed to create a visionary plan. From the start, they turned to BETA as an experienced and trusted partner.

“We realized we needed a partner with technical skills and with a real network of support.” Joe Pete said that BETA was the clear choice, especially given the organization's trail building accomplishments in the neighboring towns of Wilmington and Elizabethtown. “They’re the [local] leader in developing bike assets and multi-use trails – not just building, but making them a part of the community and having community involvement to maintain them.” ​

A Community Vision
Anyone who has pedaled, walked, or run at East Branch since the first trail opened in 2022 knows it offers a different experience than other trail systems in the region – and it continues to get better each year. 

The shared-used network was planned to provide fun experiences for a wide range of users, everyone from tiny striders to hikers to absolute air hogs. In addition to the trails themselves, East Branch boasts an exceptional trailhead that kindles community and connection. People can comfortably practice bike skills in the field before heading out on the trails. The large pavilion offers shelter and seating for maximum pre- or post-trail snackage. Designated fire pits can come to life in chilly evenings, inviting people to congregate after using the trails.

When asked about his own experience riding at East Branch, Joe Pete exclaimed, “Oh my God, it was so much fun.” He was especially entertained by Downriver, the first downhill-only trail of its kind in the region, with flowy turns, rollers, drops, and berms. Downriver is known to elicit spontaneous whoops of joy while the gentle rock outcrop at the top of the climbing trail offers a sense of reward, and, let’s be honest, a moment to catch your breath.

The Power of Stewardship
Joe Pete explained that trail networks like East Branch that are designed, maintained, and used by a local group of mountain bikers are perfect for a town like his because bikers come from a culture of stewardship, where taking care of the resources and respecting the neighbors is standard. 

“They promote that to new users and they bring those new people into the organization. [They] teach them how to build and maintain the trails. I think that makes them better stewards because they see what happens when something is damaged because they were involved in repairing it or maintaining it.” 

Since the construction at East Branch began, Keene locals have become a bigger part of the fabric of BETA as a result of this cycle of stewardship. “The local people who are involved with BETA are really invested – not just for that day’s ride, but for next week and next season and the season after that.”

THANK YOU
East Branch is a much-loved resource for the residents of Keene and a destination for visitors thanks to extensive initial planning and local support as well as the ongoing stewardship initiatives that help keep the network in incredible condition. As we wrapped up our conversation and said our goodbyes, Joe Pete reiterated, “We couldn’t do [this] without BETA as the backbone. Happy to do anything I can to help.”

The feeling is mutual. BETA appreciates working with land managers like Joe Pete across our region and we are excited to imagine what is possible through those partnerships. Thank you, Joe Pete, and thank you to every land manager we have the opportunity to collaborate with.

While many skiers are familiar with the Jackrabbit Trail, it is not the only thing in the Adirondacks named in honor of Herman “Jackrabbit” Johannsen. Johannsen’s Last Call (JLC) is a DIY ski touring challenge that Bill devised during the COVID pandemic as a means to encourage people to get outside in the wild spirit of Johannsen.

It only took an idea (inspired by a regional DIY mountain biking challenge called the Over Easy), a bit of route planning, and a social media presence to get people excited to get out and ski. The route strings together 28+ miles of the same trails that Johannsen braved over a century ago. The same challenge, excitement, and awe Johannsen must have felt as he skied through the snow-cloaked Adirondack wilderness in leather boots and wooden skis can still be felt today by modern adventurers sporting fiberglass and Gore-Tex.

WHAT'S IN A NAME
At the inception of Johannsen’s Last Call, the Cascade Nordic Center at the terminus of the route featured “the coolest old-school ski bar,” Bill recalled, explaining that the space was truly special. An essential aspect of the JLC was to reach Cascade before their literal last call. Johannsen himself was no stranger to the sweet taste of a good drink at the end of an adventure; he famously said, “The secret to a long life is to stay busy, get plenty of exercise and don't drink too much. Then again, don't drink too little.” The center is now managed by the Adirondack Mountain Club as the Cascade Welcome Center which focuses on hiker, biker, and skier educational programs and no longer operates a similar bar.

THE ROUTE
Bill laid out the 28+ mile route with the goal of featuring BETA-maintained ski trails – Wright Peak, Mount Marcy, Mr. Van, Whale’s Tail, and Avalanche Pass ski trails – while keeping people off avalanche-prone terrain. 

​The trails in the winter are different day-to-day depending on the conditions. Bill figures the Mr. Van Ski Trail near the end of the route is most people’s least favorite part of the JLC. "It's at the time when people want to be done." On the flip side, there’s a clear standout for the best section in Bill’s opinion: Avalanche Lake. “You just can’t beat that.” For many people, skiing to Avalanche Lake is plenty to test their skills and endurance while still enjoying both the journey and the destination – the views at Avalanche Lake (below) can be absolutely surreal.

TIPS FOR THE CURIOUS
For folks intrigued by the JLC, Bill has a few pearls of wisdom to impart. He cautions that, in general, you better know what you’re doing. While some folks add an extra layer of challenge to the JLC by striving for speed (like Jan Wellford who has set the fastest known time at an impressive 5 hours, 5 minutes), the name of the game is to enjoy your adventure. "We got no trophies, nothing like that," Bill said, but "there is some sense of accomplishment.”

As he stated in an Instagram post from 2020 at the launch of the JLC, “Only attempt if you’re confident in your backcountry ski abilities! … Do your research!” Part of that research should probably include checking BETA’s frequently-updated and incredibly detailed ski trail conditions report authored by another local legend, Tony Goodwin (who has been sharing these reports since the 80s). 

If striking out to do the entire route at once is daunting, he suggests doing it in sections before stringing them all together. His last piece of advice is to “Remember this is supposed to be fun!”

SIGNING OFF
Backcountry skiing in the Adirondacks is not just a recreational pursuit; it is an evolving tradition that connects people to each other, to the land, and to the history of this wild and beautiful place. We owe much to the private landowners and public land managers who have partnered with BETA, the generous contributions of dedicated volunteers, and organizations who have advocated for and maintained the trails in our region. You can count on BETA and our partners to continue our work to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same experiences that we appreciate today. When we glide through the woods on skis, whether for a casual mid-day foray or for a grueling dawn-to-dusk challenge like the JLC, we tap directly into that lively community and dynamic history.

Even so, Bill emphasized the importance of being grounded in appreciating your time on skis and accepting it for what it is. “Sometimes we’re literally just hiking with our skis and the turns are terrible. I call that the Adirondack Two-Turn. If I go out for 10 hours and I get two good turns in, then I did it right.” He chuckled at the fact that the skiing itself might be better at a nearby resort, but “I’d rather be out in the woods making my own adventure.” When reflecting on his hopes for this winter season, Bill has one thing in mind: “I’m just excited to ski!”

Remember Johannsen and “Ski, ski, ski!” this winter – whether you have the skills and knowledge to tackle an epic adventure or are just starting out!
​
​We hope you’ve enjoyed this story. It is the second in a series you’ll see through the end of the year that features a handful of incredible community members with a variety of stories and perspectives. We’re excited to share them with you as part of our Double Your Donation campaign.

​DOUBLE YOUR GIVING POWER
A generous anonymous donor has pledged to match every dollar of community donations, up to $12,500, made to BETA between November 15th and December 31st, 2024.

Give now to support trail maintenance and advocacy efforts that make epic adventures like the JLC possible for current and future generations to enjoy.

All gifts received by December 31st are eligible to be matched up to a total of $12,500, worth $25,000 if fully matched!

Together, we can ensure that our trails continue to be a source of connection and joy for our community.

Join us in making a difference.