NE Dirt

NE Dirt is the show that captures the culture, people, and places of New England that makes riding bicycles on dirt the joy it is. His episodes include ride reports, interviews with trail managers, event hosts, and other great people directly involved with the sport of Mountain Biking, Gravel riding, and more.

NE Dirt: WWR Live - Single Speed New England 07/30/2024

NE DIRT: WWR, Ep 4 - Noelle Battle of Bikepacking Roots 07/26/2024

NE DIRT: Why We Ride, Ep 3 - Pat Engleman 05/29/2024

NE DIRT: Why We Ride, Ep 3 - Pat Engleman Over the years I’ve learned that even some of your closest friends have some of the greatest stories to tell and lessons to teach. I’ve had the pleasure of recording many episodes with various friends since I launched this pod back in 2018. But in this episode, you’ll hear from one of my best friends, Pat Engleman, who is a lifelong cyclist, event and race organizer, NICA Coach, and all around good dude. Simply put, Pat is as dedicated to getting more people on bikes as anyone I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting, riding with, or getting to know. The fact that I get to call him a dear friend is something I’m honored to do. Pat and I delve deep into his childhood, growing up on the bike, his family dynamics and exploring the world on two wheels. We then transition into his young adulthood - his ventures into being a bike messenger, working for some of the country's top bike shops, and eventually landing at Keswick Cycles, the same bike shop that I worked at in Philadelphia. We move on to Pat’s current role within the cycling world, especially the growth of cycling in the North East PA area, including his two gravel events and the . We also discuss what Pat’s legacy is and how his biggest goal is to increase awareness of, and appreciation for NE PA region as an active sports area, suitable for endless joy on the bike. Why we ride was intended to bring stories like Pat’s to the New England Dirt audience. We all have great stories and experiences that drive us to ride the bike. I hope you find inspiration and joy in my conversation with Pat, who truly leads by example. Thank you again for tuning into this episode of New England Dirt! Please take some time to learn more about Pat’s events at his website . Also make sure to check out the for a great next cycling trip, as well as the and their work in protecting and developing cycling resources in the region. As always I love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts, ideas, and feedback with me anytime you want. Email or on instagram @MTBBEN603 or @NE_Dirt_Podcast Until next time, I hope you get a chance to ride your bike today! /episode/index/show/cd8eae26-6559-4bd3-9855-f3277ec548df/id/31513167

NE DIRT: WWR, Ep 2, Single Speeding in New England 05/21/2024

NE DIRT: Why We Ride, Ep 1 04/24/2024

NE Dirt Ep. 10, Cross Vermont Trail with Ex. Dir. Greg Western 09/13/2023

NE Dirt Ep. 10, Cross Vermont Trail with Ex. Dir. Greg Western In this episode, inspired by a recent bikepacking trip in Vermont, MTB Ben talks with Greg Western, Executive Director of the Cross Vermont Trail Association. This past Labor Day Weekend, Ben and his buddy Kris Ivers (who you might remember from Adventures in Bikepacking Ep 2) and I rode the Rivers, Ridges, and Rails bikepacking route through North East Vermont. This 75 mile, overnight route starts in St. Johnsbury VT, following route 5 south into Wells River, where you pick up the Cross VT Trail west through Groton State Forest (where you camp for the night) and then into Marshfield VT. Here riders leave the Cross VT trail to climb up over Cabot and into Danvers where the Lamoille Valley Rail trails return “Loopers” (this is what the state park staff refers to riders bikepacking the route) to St. Johnsbury. Hands down, the most enjoyable section of this route is the section that follows the Cross VT Trail. This portion follows 25 of the 90 multi-use miles of path which connects towns, communities and natural areas across Vermont. Riders can start anywhere along the route, or go the whole length from Lake Champlain to the Connecticut River in New Hampshire. Greg shares a bit of background about his experience as a trail builder, and the history of the Cross Vermont Trail starting back in the 90’s. The two discuss the difference between wilderness/natural trails (Like the Appalachian or Long Trail) versus community trails like the Cross VT trail. As they dig deeper into the importance of the Cross VT Trail and how that has positively impacted the communities it connects, Ben and Greg discuss the trail users, how bikepackers have begun to connect routes via the Cross VT Trail, and how that has inspired other trails to form, like the Cross NH Trail. They wrap the conversation with discussing the most recent storms that hit Vermont in June and July, damaging many sections of the trail. As the two wrap the show they advocate for help, not only for the Cross VT Trail, but for all trails. Many forms of assistance are needed, from financial contribution, to actual trail maintenance and building. Look to connect with your local trail org, or visit crossvermont.org to get involved. Hope you enjoyed this episode. Remember to please like, comment, and follow this podcast, which helps to spread the word! Show Links: /episode/index/show/cd8eae26-6559-4bd3-9855-f3277ec548df/id/28020798

NE Dirt Ep 9 - How to Get into Bike Pack Racing, with Maggie Livelsberger 08/30/2023

NE Dirt Ep 8. Top 5 Favorite MTB Spots in New England 06/29/2023

NE Dirt Ep 8. Top 5 Favorite MTB Spots in New England When I originally started this podcast back in 2018 my goal was to shed a light on the amazing mountain biking we have here in New England. I wanted to highlight the trails, groups, brands, shops, and community that makes this region of the world what it is. If you missed any of my original shows which were featured as part of the Mountain Bike Radio Network, go check out the link on NE Dirt.com for the archived shows on Spotify. As I was talking about the show with one of my riding buddies and giving him the backstory it dawned on me that I’ve never given a rundown of my favorite riding spots here. I get asked all the time for recommendations on places to ride, from all skill levels too. My goal here is to not provide a comprehensive list on the riding areas, trails, and communities that are great for beginners, advanced, or expert riders, nor is it intended to be a travel guide of places to go and things to see. This is purely just me raving about some of my favorite places to go. As I worked through this list I started with a blank canvas - if I were to pack up my gear and head out today - where would I want to go ride RIGHT NOW… that was the simple basis to crafting this list. Strip away all the ego, pressure, influence, etc… Where do I want to ride right now… So here is my list, in no particular order, of my TOP 5 Favorite MTB spots in New England. About 14 miles of trail Climb up for an amazing playground Take your time to explore and session features Don’t miss: Serenity and Adrenaline Haulapalooza Cheddar to Shredder to Kimmers Features over 75 miles located across 4 different PODs - or riding centers all interconnected by various connector trails Fun spot worth the drive and a couple of days dedicated to exploring Varied terrain and conditions Don’t Miss: Newton’s Revenge w/a stop at the Stratton Brook Hut Jabba the Hut Bob’s Bruiser 22 miles throughout Moose Brook State Park (great camping spot) and through town of Gorham Something for everyone! Cool Enduro style area behind the Gorham airport Don’t miss: For Pete’s Sake Baggage Claim Howie Roll 10-miles Climb up - rip down! Cool cliff side climbs on the way up Don’t miss: Burning Spear Joe’s Six Flags 35+ miles, climbing a Monadnock (stand alone mountain - extinct volcano) Great variety of technical terrain and flow Beautiful beach or birch glades with trails winding through Don’t miss: Boulder Dash Rock N Roll The Grassy Knoll Honorable Mentions: Millstone Trails - Barre VT NOCO - North Conway NH Vietnam - Milford, Mass Cady Falls - Morrisville, VT Boston Lot - Lebanon, NH Places I Still Need To Ride: Lynn Woods - Lynn, Mass Pine Hills, Plymouth, Mass Arrowhead, Claremont NH Diamond Hill, Cumberland, RI Check out my YouTube: Follow me on instagram: email : Thanks for listening! /episode/index/show/cd8eae26-6559-4bd3-9855-f3277ec548df/id/27324387

NE Dirt Ep 7.5, Part 2 - The Great Belgium Randonnee 05/09/2023

NE Dirt Ep 7, Part 1 - The Great Belgium Randonnee 04/26/2023

NE Dirt Ep 6. "Surly Shakedown" 03/28/2023

NE Dirt Ep 5. - "Riding Buddies" 02/21/2023

NE Dirt Ep. 4, Adventures in Bikepacking - Part 2 01/20/2023

NE Dirt Ep 3. "Catching up with August" 12/09/2022

NE Dirt Ep. 2, Part 1 - "Adventures in Bikepacking" 11/22/2022

NE Dirt Ep 1. - "The Reboot" 11/21/2022

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