{"id":458292,"date":"2026-03-05T04:31:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T04:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/458292\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T04:31:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T04:31:19","slug":"the-shimano-trail-born-funds-one-goal-is-to-produce-more-mountain-bike-trails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/458292\/","title":{"rendered":"The Shimano Trail Born Fund\u2019s one goal is to \u2018produce more mountain bike trails\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Doqos Trail, Redding, CA. All photos courtesy Shimano.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a simple fact of life: without trails, we wouldn\u2019t have anywhere to mountain bike. To help us keep our wheels rolling (and their drivetrains selling), Shimano has committed a laudable $10 million over 10 years to building new mountain bike trails through the \u201cTrail Born Fund.\u201d And they\u2019re crystal clear on what their goal is: to \u201cproduce more mountain bike trails, get more people on mountain bikes, and do it in a way that [doesn\u2019t] have as much red tape.\u201d That\u2019s how Scott Jewett summarizes the goal. \u201cOur main metric is miles and kilometers of new trail in the world.\u201d Jewett, who has worked alongside Shimano\u2019s marketing department for years, now spends most of his time as the Project Lead for Trail Born in North America.<\/p>\n

Those efforts, and Shimano\u2019s financial investment, are paying off. Since August 2024, Trail Born has supported 18 projects globally and helped fund 48.5 miles of trail.<\/p>\n

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What sets the Trail Born Fund apart<\/p>\n

The Shimano Trail Born Fund<\/a> was announced in the summer of 2024 very discreetly, as a teaser at the start of a film tour with Anthill. At that point, Shimano had a page on their website about Trail Born but didn\u2019t even have a call to action or a way for groups to contact them. The initial projects in that first year came from Shimano\u2019s own internal network and existing contacts.<\/p>\n

While many bike companies run a non-profit arm that gives back to mountain bike trails, \u201cTrail Born itself is planned similar to a marketing effort, although it lives on the trail advocacy side of Shimano,\u201d said Jewett. \u201cThe way it works is that we budget and allocate funds. As you know, Trail Born has committed $10 million over the next 10 years globally, so that funding has been secured, and we use it as a budget pot that\u2019s associated with a marketing spend that gives back to trails. Planned advocacy money is generally dedicated to awarding grants that are commonly used for maintenance and operational costs. With Trail Born, it\u2019s way more simplified.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted to take the feasibility, the extra paperwork, and the red tape out of the process and just look at projects that are really interesting. We highlight the projects that are really going to make a difference in people\u2019s communities,\u201d Jewett continued.<\/p>\n

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How does Trail Born choose projects?<\/p>\n

When it comes time to choose the projects, Shimano is most excited by hero trails, \u201cthe trails that are really going to become those flagship trails in the community, help grow mountain biking tourism, and get more people on bikes.\u201d Since Trail Born is a marketing line item, the story that the trail tells is of paramount importance to the brand.<\/p>\n

Next, Shimano is only interested in trails that are shovel-ready. The project needs to be ready to go immediately, which Jewett says is different from how most other grant programs work. \u201cThat\u2019s also why we don\u2019t talk about Trail Born as a \u2018grant,’\u201d he explained. \u201cWe talk about it as a \u2018fund\u2019 that we award.\u201d<\/p>\n

Due to this distribution strategy, Trail Born generally funds one noteworthy trail at a time. This means that most of their awards land between $30,000 and $80,000, averaging about $50,000 per project. However, Trail Born has a history of working with the same trail club for multiple years in a row. The Mount Hough<\/a> project by the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship is the foremost example of a long-standing partnership.<\/p>\n

The fund has been established to build trails globally, so Shimano is very intentional about having an even geographic distribution. This means having a footprint in almost every continent, but also spreading the builds around to different geographic areas within some of the bigger countries, like Canada and the USA.<\/p>\n

A big part of Jewett\u2019s work over the past year has been to codify the application process across the program to make it consistent and as easy as possible. With the new application process, trail advocacy groups begin by pitching their idea directly to Shimano during the application window. This consists of just a brief introduction of the story behind the trail and the project\u2019s general concept. If Shimano finds it interesting, they then send the applicant a formal submission form to complete. That submission goes into a global pool of proposals, which Shimano then narrows down using the selection criteria mentioned above. From there, groups are notified, agreements are drafted and signed, and then funds are disbursed.<\/p>\n

The application window is long to account for the differences in seasonal trail building windows globally. The window for 2027 projects opened in October 2025 and will run through July 2026. Once a project is approved, clubs can expect timely funding. Jewett said that funds will be distributed for all 2026 North American projects by early March.<\/p>\n

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Where is Trail Born building trails?<\/p>\n

Trail Born has been building trails around the world, and in 2026, they\u2019re expanding their impact. This year, Shimano is funding 19 different projects and are expanding to South America for the first time with projects in Brazil and Mexico. They\u2019re also expanding in Asia with new projects planned in Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia. In Europe, Trail Born will be building in France, Norway, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Scotland. And in North America, there are projects spread across both the USA and Canada. Even more projects are ongoing in places like Derby, Tasmania.<\/p>\n

Jewett and I spoke at length about the projects underway in North America. The number of builds is dizzying, and keeping all of the different projects with their various timelines straight is tough. Here\u2019s a brief rundown of the most noteworthy Trail Born projects spanning 2025 and 2026 (in alphabetical order), with links to more info if we\u2019ve already covered the project.<\/p>\n

Buzzard Butte Network, Pacific City, Oregon<\/p>\n

The Tillamook Off-Road Trail Alliance<\/a> (TORTA) has been working for years to turn the Buzzard Butte network near Pacific City into a reality, and Trail Born is now funding a new hand-built black trail on Ellis Mountain \u2014 a different aspect of the mountain from last year\u2019s machine-built work on Whalen Knob. Shimano athletes Carson Storch and Cam McCaul are heavily involved in the project, with Storch taking the lead on the build itself. \u201cIt\u2019s a scene and zone that people knew because Carson was holding Proving Grounds events there,\u201d Jewett said. \u201cIt hasn\u2019t really exploded, but there was this groundswell behind the region. And now they officially have a dedicated riding zone \u2014 it\u2019s getting ready to explode.\u201d<\/p>\n

Full article: \u201cConstruction could begin soon on a proposed 20+ mile trail system on the Oregon Coast<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n

Caballo Rojo, Marin County, California<\/p>\n

We just reported on the new Caballo Rojo<\/a> trail in Marin County, California, which officially opened at the end of January 2026, and Shimano Trail Born was a partner on the project. This new one-mile flow trail exiting the popular Camp Tamarancho<\/a> trail system was challenging to build, with environmental regulations and approvals driving an eye-watering $650,000 price tag. Despite the difficulty of the approval process, the end result is a massive win for Marin mountain bikers.<\/p>\n

Full article: \u201cMarin County opens new $650,000 bike-only flow trail after 10-year wait<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n

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Galbraith Mountain<\/a>, Bellingham, Washington<\/p>\n

Transition Bikes has partnered with the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition<\/a> (WMBC) to build two new trails in recent years: Blue Ribbon<\/a> and Blue Steel<\/a>. Both of these have quickly become two of the favorite lines in the massive 75-mile trail system. Transition is planning to build a third trail in 2026, and Shimano is supporting the project. The level of buy-in from Transition goes beyond just dollars: \u201cEven the owner is invested in this new trail, and their staff are allowed to put time in during their work day to build on the trail,\u201d Jewett said. \u201cSo it\u2019s a huge in-kind investment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Full article: \u201cGalbraith Mountain adds 5 new trails and 2 major rebuilds in 2025, with 20 more miles planned<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n

MadCATR Trail, KYMBA Bluegrass Network, Richmond, Kentucky<\/p>\n

The explosion of high school mountain biking shows no signs of slowing down, and Shimano is getting in on the action. In Richmond, Kentucky, a six-mile Olympic-style XC loop is being built at the local rec center. \u201cThe same way you would show up at a rec center and see a BMX track or a skate park or a pump track, you can see a full dedicated mountain bike loop, which is pretty cool,\u201d Jewett said. The trail, called \u201cMadCATR,\u201d is a collaboration between Trail Born, KYMBA Bluegrass<\/a>, SRAM, and NICA, with a mission to support youth mountain biking programming in the region. Full completion is expected by fall 2026.<\/p>\n

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Mount Hough Network Completion, Quincy, California<\/p>\n

Shimano\u2019s relationship with the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship<\/a> predates Trail Born entirely, but it\u2019s under the Trail Born banner that the Mount Hough project is reaching its finish line. The final section of the trail network \u2014 which will clock in at roughly 78 miles once complete \u2014 is slated to open in 2026. \u201cIt\u2019s pretty cool from Shimano\u2019s standpoint to be a partner of Sierra Buttes for so long, and kind of finish things up under the Trail Born badge,\u201d Jewett said. If you\u2019ve been following the Mount Hough buildout on Singletracks<\/a>, you already know how significant this network is \u2014 and the end is finally in sight.<\/p>\n

Full article: \u201cMt. Hough is poised to become California\u2019s next MTB mecca with a 38-mile expansion<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n

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Ono and Doqos Trails, Mule Mountain, Redding, California<\/p>\n

Trail building in Redding isn\u2019t slowing down, and one of the next trails to open will be a double black-rated trail close to town. For a city where riders previously had to leave town to find serious terrain, that\u2019s a big deal. \u201cThere\u2019s no leaving Redding anymore to go ride these more challenging trails,\u201d Jewett said. \u201cThey have a new black trail in town, and Trail Born is a part of that.\u201d The project is on track to wrap up and open this spring.<\/p>\n

In addition, the Redding Trail Alliance<\/a> is building a beginner-friendly connector named \u201cDoqos\u201d to complete a loop in a lesser-utilized area of the Swasey Recreation Area<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Full article: \u201cRedding is California\u2019s sunniest city and it boasts over 200 miles of singletrack<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n

Powerhouse Plunge Rebuild, Squamish, British Columbia<\/p>\n

The Powerhouse Plunge holds a unique place in mountain biking history: it\u2019s one of Squamish\u2019s first trails and the first legal MTB trail built in the province of British Columbia. Trail Born is giving it new life with a full rebuild handled by Gravity Logic<\/a>. The story comes full-circle considering that Rob Cocquyt, one of Gravity Logic\u2019s founders and the original builder of the Plunge, is back on the project some 26 years later. \u201cTo rebuild that project and give it back to the community of Squamish is pretty exciting,\u201d Jewett said. Phase one of the rebuild is currently underway, with completion targeted for 2026, followed by phase two in the fall and an expected opening in spring 2027.<\/p>\n

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\u201cPutting on the Ritz\u201d and \u201cMemphis<\/a>\u201c, Mount Prevost Network, Duncan, British Columbia<\/p>\n

Mount Prevost<\/a> in Duncan, BC, has been home to some of the most iconic riding in Canada \u2014 it\u2019s the trail network that launched Stevie Smith\u2019s career, after all. Trail Born\u2019s first project there was \u201cPutting on the Ritz,\u201d a full rebuild tied to the launch of Shimano\u2019s XTR groupset and built specifically to showcase Jackson Goldstone in his backyard of British Columbia. \u201cThis was a full rebuild of an existing trail,\u201d Jewett explained. \u201cIt\u2019s 100% a brand new trail now that was given back to Duncan and Mount Prevost.\u201d The project came in under budget, and Jewett worked with the local advocacy group to put those remaining funds toward a second trail called \u201cMemphis,\u201d which is set to open this spring \u2014 meaning Duncan will soon have two Trail Born projects sitting side by side on the same mountain.<\/p>\n

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Trail Born Hub, Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, Idaho Springs, Colorado<\/p>\n

Virginia Canyon Mountain Park<\/a> already carries Trek\u2019s branding as a founding partner, but Trail Born has been quietly carving out its own dedicated zone on the mountain, and it\u2019s shaping up to be one of the most immersive Trail Born experiences anywhere. The vision is a contiguous Trail Born-branded zone running from mid-station all the way to the base. The proposal for this project is year-to-year, but the end result would be impressive. In 2026, the focus is on three shorter trails branching off a connection point on the mountain. The end goal would result in a full build right to the base of the park.<\/p>\n

\u201cA dedicated portion of the trail network would all be Trail Born,\u201d Jewett said, \u201cwhich is pretty cool.\u201d<\/p>\n

Full article: \u201cA long-time renegade trail system in Colorado gets a big expansion as it goes mainstream<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n

Upper Hot Dogger, The Driving Range<\/a>, Bolton, Vermont<\/p>\n

The Driving Range<\/a> is arguably the first fully-adaptive MTB trail network in the world, but that doesn\u2019t make it easy. The trail system is filled with gnarly tech lines and big jump trails \u2014 they all just happen to be wide enough for adaptive mountain bikes, too. Shimano partnered with Richmond Mountain Trails to revamp the Upper Hot Dogger trail, which is expected to open in 2026.<\/p>\n

Full article: \u201cIs the Driving Range the first fully-adaptive MTB trail network in the world?<\/a>\u201c<\/p>\n

Wentworth Ski Hill, Nova Scotia<\/p>\n

Nova Scotia has been something of a missing piece on the Canadian mountain biking map \u2014 local riders who progress past a certain level have had to head to Quebec or out west to British Columbia to continue honing their skills. Trail Born is working to change that in partnership with Wentworth Ski Hill, where a new enduro and DH-focused trail is under construction. \u201cTheir proposal to us was to build more of a legit gravity-fed downhill\/black enduro focused trail, where they could actually put themselves on the map a bit, with future intentions to host Canada Cup-level events on the East Coast,\u201d Jewett explained. The top half is already roughed in, with the crew planning to push hard this spring to finish the bottom section and open the trail by late spring or early summer 2026.<\/p>\n

Stay tuned as local trail advocates break ground on these major projects, we\u2019ll be sure to cover them in more detail on Singletracks. And if you\u2019re a local trail advocate who needs to secure funding for an iconic new trail in 2027, be sure to apply now!<\/a><\/p>\n

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