Eugene Cathcart
Eugene Cathcart has been fired up about mountain biking since he was a kid. Growing up in Flagstaff, Arizona he had the opportunity to ride great trails, race as a junior, and attend a few trail work parties. In the year 2000 he visited Oakridge for the first time to race the Cascade Cream Puff, a 100 mile mountain bike race (at that time it was three laps on the Alpine Trail). Captured by the beauty of the area and the awesome event he took to heart the mantra of the event "It's all about the trails and the community." In 2005 Eugene moved to Oakridge to work at the Willamette Mountain Mercantile (the local bike shop), and Oakridge has been his home ever since. Eugene still loves riding bikes and can still be found at the Mercantile. For Eugene it's still all about the trails and the community!
1. What’s the one thing you wish all mountain bikers knew before hitting the trail? I guess I would say: Biking is all about having fun and enjoying being outdoors and in nature. It doesn't matter how far you go, how fast, or what road or trail you ride. Just focus on having fun!
2. Favorite trail snack? Dried mangoes and dark chocolate.
3. What’s the longest ride you’ve ever done in one go? Longest mountain bike ride ever in one day was 122 miles during the 12 hours of Willamette Pass back in 2003 (I think?).
I've also completed the Cascade Cream Puff 6 times.. those were long days too. And once I did 200 miles on a road bike riding from Bend to Medford (195 miles, plus 5 miles in town there to make it an even 200)”
Michelle Emmons
Michelle Emmons is a passionate advocate for trails and public lands, bringing decades of experience in outdoor recreation, nonprofit leadership, and conservation. As Co-Executive Director of Willamette Riverkeeper, she champions clean water, accessible rivers, and community engagement along the Willamette. She also serves on the Oregon Trails Coalition Steering Committee and the Oregon Recreation Trails Program Committee, helping shape statewide policy and funding priorities for trails of all kinds.
A self-proclaimed “renaissance recreationist,” Michelle can’t decide which trail she loves most. She’s just as likely to be spotted paddling downriver in a canoe, kayak, or raft as she is hiking, biking, riding horseback, or tossing a disc across a forested fairway. Her belief in inclusive access, responsible stewardship, and community powered trail building drives her service on the Oakridge Trails Alliance board.
Whether on dirt or water, Michelle is committed to protecting the places we play for everyone, for generations to come.
Lev Stryker
For Lev Stryker, mountain biking and trail work have been focal points since he was a teenager. His first foray into trail work was scratching in renegade DH trails in his hometown of Santa Cruz. From racing to all-day adventure rides, he even made a career out of riding bikes in the woods. As the owner of Cog Wild Bicycle Tours, he has been a leader in Oregon's mountain bike and trail work communities since the early 2000s.
Lev is a C-level Sawyer who teaches chainsaw classes to trail stewards on the Deschutes and Willamette National Forest. He's a trail crew leader, machine operator and trainer for the Central Oregon Trails Alliance. Some of the projects he is most proud of include designing and building the Whoops and Lone Wolf trails in Bend, as well as the log-out projects on Lawler, Alpine, and Dead Mountain Trails.
A high-level mountain bike skills coach, Lev trains and certifies coaches through the Global Syndicate of Mountain Bike Coaches and is the lead enduro team coach for Cascadia Junior Cycling.
Lev brings this lifelong passion to Oakridge Trails Alliance and is excited to grow the mountain bike scene in Oakridge and the Willamette National Forest.
Nick Gibson
Nick Gibson brings over two decades of experience in the cycling industry to his role on the Oakridge Trails Alliance board. A seasoned sales representative with Modus Sport Group, Nick has long represented iconic brands like Shimano, PRO Bike Gear, Schwalbe, and Pearl Izumi, supporting bike shops throughout Oregon and advocating for product innovation, dealer success, and the growth of the cycling community statewide.
Beyond the bike shop floor, Nick is a passionate trail advocate and backcountry steward. He co-founded Trans-Cascadia, a non-profit trail stewardship organization and home of the legendary multi-day mountain bike race dedicated to restoring and maintaining remote singletrack throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Through this work, Nick has helped recover and revive hundreds of miles of forgotten trail while elevating Oakridge and other Cascade towns as global mountain bike destinations.
Nick also founded Trans-Cascadia Excursions, a premier mountain bike outfitter based in Oakridge that offers guided adventures deep into the PNW region’s rich trail networks. His work through TCE merges his deep love for the outdoors with a commitment to rural economic development, sustainable recreation, and world-class adventure.
As a board member, Nick brings his industry insight and entrepreneurial experience to support the continued growth of Oakridge’s legacy as a world-class riding hub.
1. What do you think makes Oakridge such a special place for trail enthusiasts?
Oakridge offers a rare combination of raw access to backcountry terrain, unparalleled shuttle infrastructure, and a passionate, resilient community. The trails are immersive — surrounded by deep forest, big views, and a landscape rich with history. It’s more than just a riding destination; here, trails are woven into the culture, the economy, and the community’s identity.
2. If you had to choose a theme song for your time on the trails, what would it be?
"Survival of the Fittest" by Mobb Deep. Just fits for this bio :)
3. What advice would you give to others who want to get involved in trail advocacy or outdoor recreation?
Start local and stay consistent. Show up to a dig day, join a planning meeting, or support the people already doing the work. Trail advocacy isn’t always glamorous, but it’s incredibly rewarding. The trails we ride exist because people made it their mission to care for them — and there's always a place at the table for new energy and fresh perspective. Just get involved, stay curious, and be willing to put in the time.