Local Legends - Episode 19 with Susie Murphy
Advocating for mountain bike trails in San Diego
Susie Murphy has a huge impact on the trails we ride in San Diego. Her role as the Executive Director (since 2015) at San Diego Mountain Bike Association, a non profit advocacy group aiming to improve trails in San Diego for mountain biking since 1994, puts her on the ground, in meetings, and planning to advocate for trails. Her role is multifaceted from creating relationships with partner organizations and land managers, to coordinating volunteer work and projects to get new trails in the ground or improve current trails. It’s because of Susie, her team, and the volunteers at SDMBA that mountain bikers can enjoy some epic singletrack from Chula Vista to Carlsbad to Laguna Mountains.
In this interview, we discuss:
Her journey with biking, racing (cross country and Super D), and raising a family
Being a native San Diegan - Growing up in La Mesa, attending Monte Vista HS and San Diego State University
Events and projects that SDMBA achievements and current projects - such as Archipelago Ride, Mt. Laguna Trail Fest, new Bike Park, new trails in Laguna, Penasquitos Canyon, and Black Mountain
SDMBA mission - improve trail access for mountain bikers since 1994 with 1850 members and counting
Her vision of mountain biking with new trails
Working with local grown race directors - Victor Sheldon (Ep 1) and MMX (Ep 2)
Charity partners for BWR
Importance of volunteer support both with helping with trails, financial support, and CTA with City Council Meetings. $39 cost for annual membership
SDMBA Website- https://www.sdmba.com/
More information about Mt. Laguna Trail Fest - October 14-16