Team Work makes the Dream Work
We are a group of mountain bike and outdoor enthusiasts…
who have a passion to contribute to the growth and improvement of our local trail system. We get excited about new trails, well built trails, trail improvements, pump tracks, community cycling events, and pretty much anything that gets us out on single track. Our team is diverse in skills, day jobs, and interests but we all come to the group with a shared desire for progress and community with regard to Redding’s trail system.
We work with local government agencies to plan, maintain and build trails. We connect with the community through hosting volunteer maintenance days and community outdoor events. We also team up with other local outdoor groups to ensure trail efforts are in alignment. Our team is excited to see Redding grow and evolve into a top notch mountain bike location.
Meet the Team
Board of Directors
Curt Babcock
Born and raised in Redding, Curt took up mountain biking in the early 1980's. His passion for mountain biking has only grown with trail expansion and changes in bicycle technology. Curt is a recently retired conservationist, who believes trails enhance our appreciation of nature and its intrinsic value. Curt joined the Redding Trail Alliance Board to support trail development and the RTA's Mission. Curt also enjoys gravel bike rides, bicycle touring, and cruising the river trail with his wife Rebecca.
Jessica Bigby
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Jody Burgess
Jody has been peddling mountain bikes for years. Not a skilled rider by any means, but a huge fan of the sport and its culture. It was two years ago that he realized his love for biking had become semi-fanatical, which is when his wife gifted him a coffee mug that reads, “Sometimes I wonder if my bike is thinking about me too”.
After graduating from college, Jody relocated with his wife to Redding to raise their three boys. They never looked back and have since enjoyed the expansive outdoor opportunities of this County.
Todd Dodds - Secretary
Todd started his love of cycling back in the 70’s riding his sister’s Schwinn Lil’ Miss bike. This was the beginning of a lifetime love of the bike, the freedom it brings to see so many things and the relationships formed with like minded people. Soon after learning how to ride, he started riding and racing BMX bikes which went on for many years. Eventually, he was introduced to mountain bikes and began exploring the limited trail network that was available in the late 1980’s in the Shasta County area. He has been fortunate to be around Shasta County and surrounding areas as the trail network has expanded to what it is today. He has ridden various types of bikes in many regions over the last decades and still views the trails that are being developed by the Redding Trail Alliance as his go to trails. He is very happy to be a part of the RTA board which is a collection of people who are passionate about the great work that the Redding Trail Alliance is doing now and in the future.
Jenée Eberlee
Jenée brings her passion and connection to our community to the table. A lover of all things with two wheels, Jenée loves our diverse trail system and plans on doing everything she can to not only ensure that it will be there for years to come for all to enjoy but that it will continue to improve and evolve into the world class trail system she knows it can be!
Paul Lehman
Paul was born and raised in Montana where he learned to appreciate the outdoors from a young age. After graduating at Montana State University and moving to NorCal he continued his love of outdoors and particularly mountain biking. Justine, his wife of 25 years enjoys the occasional ride and he’s working hard to keep ahead of his teenage man-cub, Jayce. Paul thoroughly enjoys the social aspect of the biking community and getting new riders out to enjoy the local trails and expose them to the amazing work being done to maintain and expand the single track in Redding’s backyard.
Tony Lewis - President
Tony immediately fell in love with Redding during his first visit in 1993. He chose this area to raise a family, recreate and start a business. He loves almost everything outdoors from golfing to mountain biking. He knew the area had so much potential, and when he got together with like minded people was excited to be a part of the formation of Redding Trail Alliance.
“Daddy” Mike Ruffell
Daddy Mike got the nickname after becoming a proud father to his daughter Ari. He started riding mountain bikes to train for triathlons but quickly fell in love with the sport and forgot all about wanting to do a triathlon. Mountain biking is a way to push himself every day when he’s out on the trails. Whether it’s from successfully navigating a technical rock section or sending a heart pumping double gap jump. He truly enjoys the fact that this is a sport you can never master. He shares his excitement with the other board members which in riding bikes, has allowed him to meet many awesome people. Being part of RTA Allows him to give back what he enjoys most, fun progressive trails that bring a smile to your face.
John Waldrop - Treasurer
John, a lifelong cycling junkie, feels like a kid every time he gets on a bike. He has been riding the roads and trails of Shasta County since the early 90’s and feels lucky to have such an awesome trail network as part of the local community. He is interested in the development of local trails and seeing it done in a thoughtful manner. At the turn-of-the-century, he worked as a staff member for the Sea Otter Classic, San Francisco Grand Prix, Tour of Georgia and US National Road Championships in Redding. He also served as the president of Redding Velo and worked on organizing the first local bike to work week.
Staff
Nathan Knudsen - CFO (Chief Flow Officer)
Proud husband of Camille and dad of Owen, Nate has traveled the Western States (and Canada) with them seeking out epic trails. As much as he loves doing this, he firmly believes Redding can have a trail system every bit as good as those he has visited.
Camille Knudsen - Coordinator of Chaos
Our little worker bee. Camille spends a huge amount of time with busy work to insure we are legit with the “man”. Recently taking on the role of our Program Director (Coordinator of Chaos) she hopes to be able to ensure that Redding Trail Alliance continues to grow in our ability to accomplish our mission. Don’t let her diminutive stature fool you when she throws a leg over a bike she’s a force to be reckoned with!
Super Supporters
Dan Arbuckle - Community Instigator
Dan is wild at heart and thrives in the outdoors. Whether it's on foot, in a kayak, or on a bike, Dan belongs in the wild. His love for community and trails brought him to Redding and to RTA. He's a lifelong cyclist who started racing bikes in the mid 90's as a kid. The Boy Scouts and Venture Program opened his eyes to the world of outdoor recreation and provided the foundation for what he would do for a career. Dan worked in the bike industry in his early 20's and eventually diversified into paddlesports. At 26 Dan founded Headwaters Kayak, a retail store and tour company that quickly grew to one of the most successful shops in California. The core guiding principles of Headwaters were, "If there is a community of people enjoying paddlesports, there will always be a need for a shop like Headwaters." Dan hopes to bring that same mindset to help Redding Trail Alliance further cultivate community, inspire trail stewardship, and engage with passionate trail users and businesses who support trails. "If there is a passionate community who uses trails, there will always be a need for pro trail stewards like Redding Trail Alliance.
Brian Sindt
GIS Specialist
Brian and his wife Barb love to spend their time traveling, hiking and of course cycling. He has joined the knowledge of the area with GIS skills to plan and layout trails for the past 15 years. Still gets excited as each new trail is completed.
Ryan Schuppert
Founding Member at Large
A true Renaissance man, Ryan excels at everything he does. His talent for mountain biking and trail building is one of the main reasons Redding Trail Alliance has been a success since day one. Although he is expanding his life’s resume and moving to Hood River, he has promised to return and help with some of our more important projects, including the bike park and the Mule Mt. DH.
Owen Knudsen
Official Mascot
The most famous of the RTA crew, Owen wears many hats. While out working with the trail crew he is ever vigilant, guarding them from outsiders, all the while making sure no stick goes un-chased. At events he makes sure to visit everyone and let all know they are loved by licking their legs.