The Orogenesis Collective on Building the World’s Longest MTB Trail

The Pacific Crest Trail is well known in the hiking world and beyond, but what if there was a mountain biking version? Gabe Tiller has ambitions to establish a route — predominantly on dirt — from British Columbia all the way to the southern tip of Baja Mexico, and founded the Orogenesis Collective to make it happen. With the trail taking form — and slated for a “soft opening” in 2023 — we sat down with Gabe to get the whole story, including his vision for the trail and where the idea first took root; what’s gone into building and planning the trail; what still needs to be done; how you can help; and a whole lot more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Origins of Orogenesis (2:20)
• Planning & the Orogenesis Collective (3:53)
• The importance of local relationships (8:43)
• Route finding (17:12)
• The route (21:28)
• How Orogenesis will be used (27:22)
• The name “Orogenesis” (31:21)
• The Pacific Crest Trail as a template (32:42)
• Challenges of building a 5,000+ mile trail (37:19)
• How to get involved in the project (42:27)

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• Off The Couch
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