The Dirt Concern Logo
The Dirt Concern (TDC), SWMMBA’s Bozeman chapter, was launched in May 2023 in response to the unique opportunities within their coverage area, roughly the Bangtails, Bridgers, Gallatin Front, and the Gallatin Valley. TDC’s focus is community development through group rides and monthly member meetings, public outreach and education to ensure stewardship and accountability, and trail maintenance and development to serve Gallatin Valley’s growing trail-user community.
Upcoming TDC Events
While active year-round, summer is our busiest season, especially between June and September.
Trail work is every Tuesday
Group rides on the first and third Thursday
A ladies specific event once per month
The Events Calendar or Instagram is the best way to get the most up-to-date info.
BECOME A MEMBER, it’s free!
Board of Directors
The Dirt Concern is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors that coordinates efforts on behalf of regional SWMMBA members. The President of TDC also sits on SWMMBA’s Executive Board, representing TDC within the larger organization.
President
Kyle johnson
Kyle was raised in Minnesota farm country where he rode his BMX bike every day to visit friends. In 2008, he started working for REI and bought his first mountain bike shortly afterward. In 2010, Kyle took the opportunity to move to Bozeman along with his wife Emily. Since then, he has been a bike tech at REI and trail work volunteer. Kyle enjoys all forms of riding bikes—you may see him mountain biking on local trails with his two dogs, at a Wednesday night cyclocross race, or biking around town with Emily and their daughter Lindley.
Kyle joined SWMMBA to be more involved with trail building and maintenance. He’s looking forward to getting into the woods with the community where we can all make a difference in the sustainability of our local trails.
Vice President
Drew Maier
Growing up, you're often told to follow your passions. Well, Drew has always had a thing for playing in the dirt, which seems to have led him here. He moved to Bozeman in the mid-2000s to attend MSU and has been biking, working, and volunteering in the community since. For three years, Drew and his wife Bree moved to Northern Idaho and became deeply involved in the local trail organization there. Hand-building miles of new trail, repairing and caring for even more, and seeing a community come together and show passion for an idea, it changed his perspective.
Now back in Bozeman, Drew is stoked for the chance to push trail advocacy further, expand the existing bike network, and organize our community of bikers! He'd love to bring everyone together, because when we ride and work with each other to pursue a shared passion, great things happen.
Advocacy Director
TYLER BENNETT
Originally hailing from Salt Lake City, Tyler made the move to Bozeman, Montana, in 2008 after marrying his wife, Juniper, a native of Livingston. Quickly immersing himself in the local cycling scene, he spent years riding with Rockford Cycling, building strong ties within the community. Together with Juniper and their four kids, Tyler embarked on an 8-year adventure, traveling across North America in an Airstream. During these travels, he experienced some of the most incredible cycling environments the U.S. and Canada has to offer.
In November 2023, the Bennett family decided to settle back into their Bozeman home with a renewed commitment to give back to the community they love. As the Advocacy Director for The Dirt Concern, Tyler is eager to leverage his experiences and passion for cycling to help enhance Bozeman’s trail network. Inspired by the epic rides he’s encountered on the road, he’s dedicated to creating a similar experience for local riders, working to build a sustainable and inclusive mountain biking culture right here in Montana.
Development Director
MIKE STEM
Originally from rural farmland New Jersey (yes, that exists) Mike started to ride mountain bikes in middle school and spent many years in Colorado chasing powder. It wasn't until a return to the east coast that his passion for mountain bikes was renewed through a family member who entered him in local cross country races. He loves all types of riding on gravel bikes and trails, but his focus has been enduro racing for the past decade. When he's not selling real estate he can be found tinkering in his shop or out on the trails riding with his partner Emily and their two dogs Bug and Gizmo.
In Bozeman since 2017, he has wondered how he could help SW MT increase its relatively low number of bike specific trail systems. So, he figured he'd better get involved with The Dirt Concern and see if he could help. Without community financial support none of the amazing work from TDC/SWMMBA is possible. He's stoked to use his past and current work experience to help with the development and fundraising needs of the organization!
Events Director
Hilary Byrne
Hilary hails from the Green Mountains of Vermont where her altitude addiction was born. Although she often spends more time cleaning out cuts and tracking down bandaids than actually biking, she spends the majority of her free time seeking out the steeps. When she’s not cutting up her limbs on rocks, you can find her running, skiing, playing with her Boston Terrier, Doug, or pushing pixels and creating content for the MeatEater production team.
Hilary is passionate about trail advocacy, community connection, and sense of place. She’s thrilled to plan events for the Dirt Concern and motivate community members to meaningfully engage with the Bozeman bike scene.
Outreach & Engagement Director
Secretary
Pam Sponholtz
Pam moved to Bozeman from the mountains of Colorado in January of 2023 for work. Her work passions are aquatic conservation and helping people better understand the benefit of healthy rivers and streams. When not at work, Pam enjoys anything outside but can be found doing her favorite things, skate skiing in the winter and exploring new trails by bike. She feels blessed to live in such a special and beautiful place.
Pam is excited to be part of the Dirt Concern and help contribute to making our trails better.
Social Media & Marketing Director
Eilis Redmond
Mountain biking and Eilis have had a four year love-hate relationship. She can often be spotted randomly falling off her bike for no apparent reason, or from time to time accidentally rolling backward when attempting to go up a switchback. Eilis has always found mountain biking to be hard and humbling as ever, so why not get involved?! Together with her husband Matt, Eilis decided to join The Dirt Concern to give back to trails and enjoy the camaraderie! You’ll find her biking with Matt and their mini Aussie Avett.
Eilis is excited to see what we can do as a group for trails and bikes in southwest Montana.
Trails Director
Bio coming soon!