On the Road Again: The Klein File

Joey Klein and Kathy Summers are mid-way through their second year as Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew No. 2. A Colorado native, Klein is an accomplished skier and endurance mountain biker, with a first-place finish in Montezuma's Revenge - the epic of epics - as evidence. TCC No. 2 had already traveled 25,000 miles in 2000 when we caught up with Joey north of San Diego.

ITN: Where are you now?

Klein: La Jolla, California.

ITN: What is a typical week like?

Klein: The last week or so, we haven't had a super-tight schedule. Mostly we are relationship-building with land managers, local clubs and members, looking at work done on previous visits or what people have done after attending an IMBA Trailbuilding school.

ITN: What are some challenges of the job?

Klein: We meet so many wonderful people that it would be nice to be stay and work at each location a while longer. We could really push the relationships to a higher level. We are there to help get the local people to the next level. They are doing great work, but maybe need to learn how they can take some of the burden off the local land manager's shoulders. We are able to show the land managers good situations where multi-use, sustainable trails are in place and working effectively. We can show them how to make it work in their area.

ITN: How much is being the Trail Care Crew different from your previous employment?

Klein: Well, this is a "real job." Prior to this, we were either skiing or riding every day. We really wouldn't even think of it as work. Now, we basically are always "on." It's not a bad thing. But, sometimes we'll be at a gas station filling the Subaru, not really thinking about anything, and someone will see the car and really want to know about IMBA and who we are and what we do and what we've done. They are really excited and enthusiastic and it's fun to talk to them. But, we've had to learn to switch pretty quickly from thinking about nothing to being the Trail Care Crew. But, it is fun, everyone is so excited to see us and know we are out there.

ITN: What's the most rewarding part of your job?

Klein: Meeting all these really incredible people and going to some amazing places that I never would have thought of going. Beautiful, positive, inspiring places all over. You name it: Nebraska, Texas, Nevada, everywhere. We've met all sorts of people - brain surgeons, rocket scientists, attorneys, auto mechanics all finding time to be involved in improving the trails in their backyards. It's really motivating.

ITN: How much riding do you get to do?

Klein: Lately, we've been doing about 4-5 days a week. When we get busy, it might only be about 2 days. I've started running too. Just to get out on the trails. I'm trying to train for Montezuma's Revenge, so I've mostly been sneaking out by myself for a few hours. I just enjoy being out on the trails, seeing the birds and animals, and all the plants and flowers.

ITN: Favorite place you've ridden?

Klein: That's a tough one. As a traveler, I'm always thinking about the new, next place, but I always enjoy getting back to Fruita, Aspen and Durango (Colorado) and Sedona (Arizona). Those places have really great energy. What I'm really looking for though is a lush, green, ridge line, rocky, rolling, surfing, emerald green, dark canyon singletrack, to fly through the trees, over the rocks and roots and end next to the water. Actually, yesterday's ride (on the Epic route in Julian, California) was pretty close to that.

ITN: Any parting thoughts?

Klein: It's been really fun seeing some of the people we met with last year all doing really well. They are super fit and riding really well. I just want everyone to remember to keep it fun and remember we are doing all this work to enjoy the trails. You have to find a balance between how much you work and how much you play. Keep it fun.

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	On the Road Again: The Klein File Joey Klein and Kathy Summers are mid-way through their second year as Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew No. 2. A Colorado native, Klein is an accomplished skier and endurance mountain biker, with a first-place finish in Montezuma's Revenge - the epic of epics - as evidence. TCC No. 2 had already traveled 25,000 miles in 2000 when we caught up with Joey north of San Diego. ITN: Where are you now? Klein: La Jolla, California. ITN: What is a typical week like? Klein: The last week or so, we haven't had a super-tight schedule. Mostly we are relationship-building with land managers, local clubs and members, looking at work done on previous visits or what people have done after attending an IMBA Trailbuilding school. ITN: What are some challenges of the job? Klein: We meet so many wonderful people that it would be nice to be stay and work at each location a while longer. We could really push the relationships to a higher level. We are there to help get the local people to the next level. They are doing great work, but maybe need to learn how they can take some of the burden off the local land manager's shoulders. We are able to show the land managers good situations where multi-use, sustainable trails are in place and working effectively. We can show them how to make it work in their area. ITN: How much is being the Trail Care Crew different from your previous employment? Klein: Well, this is a "real job." Prior to this, we were either skiing or riding every day. We really wouldn't even think of it as work. Now, we basically are always "on." It's not a bad thing. But, sometimes we'll be at a gas station filling the Subaru, not really thinking about anything, and someone will see the car and really want to know about IMBA and who we are and what we do and what we've done. They are really excited and enthusiastic and it's fun to talk to them. But, we've had to learn to switch pretty quickly from thinking about nothing to being the Trail Care Crew. But, it is fun, everyone is so excited to see us and know we are out there. ITN: What's the most rewarding part of your job? Klein: Meeting all these really incredible people and going to some amazing places that I never would have thought of going. Beautiful, positive, inspiring places all over. You name it: Nebraska, Texas, Nevada, everywhere. We've met all sorts of people - brain surgeons, rocket scientists, attorneys, auto mechanics all finding time to be involved in improving the trails in their backyards. It's really motivating. ITN: How much riding do you get to do? Klein: Lately, we've been doing about 4-5 days a week. When we get busy, it might only be about 2 days. I've started running too. Just to get out on the trails. I'm trying to train for Montezuma's Revenge, so I've mostly been sneaking out by myself for a few hours. I just enjoy being out on the trails, seeing the birds and animals, and all the plants and flowers. ITN: Favorite place you've ridden? Klein: That's a tough one. As a traveler, I'm always thinking about the new, next place, but I always enjoy getting back to Fruita, Aspen and Durango (Colorado) and Sedona (Arizona). Those places have really great energy. What I'm really looking for though is a lush, green, ridge line, rocky, rolling, surfing, emerald green, dark canyon singletrack, to fly through the trees, over the rocks and roots and end next to the water. Actually, yesterday's ride (on the Epic route in Julian, California) was pretty close to that. ITN: Any parting thoughts? Klein: It's been really fun seeing some of the people we met with last year all doing really well. They are super fit and riding really well. I just want everyone to remember to keep it fun and remember we are doing all this work to enjoy the trails. You have to find a balance between how much you work and how much you play. Keep it fun.


Help \| Site Map \| Copyright