10 Years of Trails with Santa Cruz Bicycles
Ten years into our partnership, and we’re still breaking ground on new ways to support local trails. The bike sweepstakes we’re running right now has, for the first time, a Santa Cruz AND a Juliana up for grabs. This means we’ll have two winners take home two bikes from two brands that are key supporters of trails. We think it’s pretty cool that they did that and it got our minds spinning on how much those two brands do for local trails…so much so that we ended up looking back at some of the pivotal trail moments they have been a part of.
2014 — Santa Cruz Bicycles Employees Help Build Flow Trail
Back in 2014, when Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS) only had 3 employees, Santa Cruz Bicycles employees showed up, shovels in hand, to help build the now iconic Flow Trail in Soquel Demonstration State Forest. Without a full-time trail crew, volunteers like the Santa Cruz employees played a massive role in building the Flow Trail. Just a few years later, Santa Cruz helped raise money for the Return of Sawpit which still supports work in Soquel Demonstration State Forest to this day.
Swipe through the photos below and you might just recognize some Santa Cruz employees.
2017 — Santa Cruz Bicycles Enable Trail Crew Leader Program
SCMTS Trail Crew Leaders play a key role in getting more volunteers on trails, and the Santa Cruz Bicycles team witnessed this first-hand during the Flow Trail build. A couple of years later in 2017, we were set to rehaul our renowned Trail Crew Leader Program, and wouldn’t you know it, Santa Cruz Bicycles jumped right in to help. Thanks to massive financial support from the SCB team, the 2017 class of Trail Crew Leaders was our biggest to date and they were all kitted out with custom SCMTS hard hats, crew leader shirts, hand saws, and Santa Cruz Bicycles swag. Santa Cruz’s support of this program during its initial launch helped make it sustainable for years to come. Many of the Trail Crew Leaders who were a part of the class of 2017 continue to volunteer at Dig Days across the county, teaching others how to best maintain and build sustainable trails.
Can you make out the SCB logo on the back, bottom right of the bright orange Trail Crew Leader shirts?
2018 — Juliana Sponsors First-Ever Ladies’ Dig Day
On Saturday, February 17th, 2018, Juliana partnered with SCMTS to host the first-ever ladies’ Dig Day. The day was an instant hit. Sixty-six women showed up to help maintain Emma McCrary Trail, followed by a raffle of Juliana swag and cold beverages from Venus Spirits. This event set the framework for SCMTS to host an annual ladies’ Dig Day which has proved to be one of our most popular recurring events!
2016-2019 — Santa Cruz Bicycles Sponsors Old Cabin Classic
In 2016, SCMTS hosted the first bike race in Wilder Ranch State Park in over 20 years. One thing’s for sure–we couldn’t have done it without the support we received from Santa Cruz Bicycles. Santa Cruz again provided the financial support that enabled the event to become a reality. And their own factory racing crew, headed by SCMTS Trail Crew Leader and Buyer at Santa Cruz Bicycles, Scott Chapin, ran course set up and course marshaling. Santa Cruz went on to sponsor the event all four years it ran!
Check out some photos from the event in 2016 (1-5) and 2019!
2013-2021 — Evolution of the Westside Pump Track
From supporting the original build in 2013 to providing financial and volunteer support of the rebuild of the paved track in 2021—Santa Cruz Bicycles has been one of the primary caretakers of the Westside Pump Track. It’s right outside the front door of their HQ, and they’ve helped ensure that the track’s a community gem for everyone to enjoy.
2023-Present — PAYDIRT
In 2020, Santa Cruz and Juliana funneled their support to PayDirt, which is an initiative that distributes funds to groups that support trail and bike access across the globe (including us)! Annually, PayDirt pitches in to support various SCMTS projects and with the Westside Pump Track rebuild complete, they’re focused on new mountain bike trails coming to the Cotoni-Coast Dairies property. You’ll also still see their employees out digging on the trails at least once a year. On top of it all, we’re also incredibly grateful to be one of the very few organizations that receive a Santa Cruz bike to give away in order to raise funds for trails.
Santa Cruz and Juliana have supported SCMTS and trail advocacy in the Santa Cruz Mountains for the past decade. Vote with your dollar, and ride a bike made by a company that uplifts local trails.
Support trails and give yourself a shot at owning one of their bikes today.
Thank you, Santa Cruz and Juliana!
Photos by Josh Sawyer, Bogdan Marian, Bruce Dorman, Campbell Steers, Pierre Tardif, Jay Melena, Drew Porter, Christine La, and Cass Cleave.
