PayDirt
Overview
Apply for Funding
PayDirt Projects
Stewardship Partners
Digs
Overview
PayDirt is our commitment to increasing access to trails by supporting the work of people who make it happen. We’re pledging to donate $1 million over the next three years towards trail projects, local organizations, events and programs that are geared towards creating and strengthening opportunities for people to get out on the trails.
PayDirt funds projects or groups that share our mission. The application period is currently closed. We'll have more info about 2023 funding soon.
Funding guidelines, requirements, and frequently asked questions can be found here.
We like to do things that benefit riders and inspire others with our actions. This isn’t new, we’ve been doing it for years. Here are some of the ways we’ve supported greater trail access, maintenance and new trail construction:
PayDirt Projects
Moab Trail Mix
Moab Trail Mix (officially known as the Grand County Trails) partners with local land managers to design, build, and maintain trails around Moab, Utah.
Moab Trail Mix is funneling their PayDirt funds towards constructing phase two of the new Raptor Route, which will create 9 miles of new singletrack with a stunning view over canyon country. The route will provide riders with an intermediate-level alternative to the Porcupine Rim Singletrack section of Moab’s famous Whole Enchilada route. Visit @moabtrailmix on Instagram.
Grow Cycling Foundation
Grow Cycling Foundation was established to create new avenues for inclusive community building and career development in the cycling industry as well as to empower existing programs working to tear down the barriers to entry in cycling for marginalized communities.
PayDirt funds are helping to kick off Phase One for Grow Cycling, which is to build a pumptrack to serve as an offline community hub that will be an entry point for people take cycling to the next level. This is a long-term journey and Grow Cycling Foundation is also looking to provide education, access, and opportunities to tear down the barriers to entry in cycling for marginalized communities. Visit @growcyclingfoundation on Instagram.
Moose Mountain Bike Trail Society
Moose Mountain Bike Trail Society's mission is to advocate for, develop, and maintain mountain bike trails on Moose Mountain and the surrounding areas, and to promote active, fun, environmentally responsible community involvement.
PayDirt is pitching in for the buildout of their "Sweet Seacan Storage System" which will create a one-stop-shop to house and organize their trail equipment and make sure hosting trail days is a breeze. Visit @mmbtsinfo on Instagram.
Evergreen MTB Alliance
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, the nation's largest statewide mountain bike association, is committed to sustainable recreation, trail maintenance, trail building, advocacy, education, volunteerism, and fostering an inclusive and welcoming community of riders. Evergreen received two Heckler ebikes through the PayDirt program for use by their trail crew to make their resources and efforts go further in maintaining their trail networks. Visit @evergreenmtb on Instagram.
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship provides sustainable trail advocacy, development and stewardship services that bridge the gap between land managers and the public through community engagement and volunteer deployment.
PayDirt is throwing down funds to help rebuild the Westside pumptrack with a state-of-the-art asphalt facility, as well as kick off their plan to open the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument to the public with 25 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. Visit @santacruztrails on Instagram.
Oregon Timber Trail Alliance
The Oregon Timber Trail Alliance is dedicated to stewardship, education, community, and quality trail experiences throughout the Oregon Timber Trail corridor.
PayDirt funds are contributing to the Fugrass Connector Trail project, which will connect the Bunchgrass Ridge and Fuji Mountain Trails and finally close one of the few remaining gaps in a 100% singletrack route between two of of Oregon's premier mountain bike destinations: Oakridge and Bend. Visit @oregontimbertrail on Instagram.
Colour The Trails
Colour the Trails advocates for inclusive representation in outdoor spaces, working to subsidize outdoor adventures, create diverse content, facilitate mentorship programs, and make the change they want to see in the world. PayDirt funds will be supporting the group's MTB Mentorship Program, which aims at supporting Queer, Black, Indigenous, and Racialized folks who are new to the sport by connecting them with experienced riders in the community and providing opportunities for self-improvement and improved self-worth that is not tied to results or achievements. Visit @colourthetrails on Instagram.
Red Rock Trail Crew
Red Rock Bicycle Co. partnered with the Greater Zion Tourism office and Visit Cedar City to create the Red Rock Trail Crew program, which is all about trail development and trail maintenance in Southern Utah. PayDirt funds support the crew for a boots-on-the-ground workday to further their efforts to maintain their trail network. Visit www.redrockbicycle.com/articles/red-rock-trail-crew-pg1249.htm to learn more.
Indigenous Women Outdoors
Indigenous Women Outdoors (IWO) mission is to hold a space for Indigenous women* and non-binary community members to come together through outdoor sports and feel safe on the land. PayDirt funding will go towards mountain bike programming in the Sea to Sky corridor—which includes a mentorship program to bring intermediate riders to the next level, guided social rides to get brand new riders into the sport, and bike maintenance workshops. As a note, in IWO’s eyes, women* refers to gender expansive community members (cis women, trans women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, genderqueer community members, and any women-identified community members).
Visit @indigwomenoutdoors on Instagram.
Pinecrest Mountain Bike Association
The Pinecrest Mountain Bike Association (PMBA) is dedicated to promoting economic development and the appreciation and enjoyment of the natural environment that is unique to the Pinecrest area through preserving and enhancing sustainable trail opportunities. PMBA received two Heckler ebikes through the PayDirt program for use by their trail crew to make their resources and efforts go further in maintaining their trail networks. Visit www.pinecrestmtb.com to learn more.
NorCal High School Cycling League
The NorCal High School Cycling League develops and produces inclusive interscholastic high school mountain biking programs in Northern California, which help teens build strong body, mind, and character.
PayDirt funds will be used to grow their NorCal Teen Trail Corp program, to create DEI (Diversity, Equality, Inclusion) education tools for their coaches, and to expand their GRiT [Girls Riding Together] program to include ten female ambassadors from diverse geographic regions who represent diverse racial identity and diverse body types. Visit @norcalleague on Instagram.
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship's mission is building sustainable recreation-based communities through stewardship, job creation, world-class events, and quality outdoor experiences supported by trail construction and maintenance in the Lost Sierra.
PayDirt funds are helping to kick off their Connected Communities project, which will link 15 towns within four economically disadvantaged counties in the Sierra-Nevada Mountains of California, creating some 300 miles of motorized and non-motorized dirt trails. Visit @sierratrails on Instagram.
Whistler Off Road Cycling Association
Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) works hard every year to sanction events that bring the mountain biking community together, foster the evolution of the sport through youth programs, and employ experienced trail builders and staff to construct, maintain, and advocate for Whistler’s mountain bike trails.
WORCA received two Heckler e-bikes through the PayDirt program for use by their trail crew in order to make their resources and efforts go further in maintaining their trail networks. Visit @worcawhistler on Instagram.
Handlebar
HandleBar is a 100% locally owned and operated craft beer and apres cafe located on the dark side (Blackcomb) of Whistler, BC. Their "Buy a Trail Builder a Beer" program supports their local unsung heroes that work day in and day out on some of the best trails in the Valley.
PayDirt put 100 beers on a tab... Cheers to the Blackcomb builders. Visit @handlebarbeer on Instagram.
People For Bikes
With the aim to help promote bikes and advocate for better bike facilities as well as industry representation on trade issues, Santa Cruz Bicycles has become a member company of PeopleForBikes. The nonprofit’s mission of “making riding better for everyone” is one we can stand behind, and we plan to work together in the long term on mountain bike and trail support. Visit @peopleforbikes on Instagram.
Cypress Charter High School
The Cypress Mountain Bike Club, is an after school organization at Cypress Charter High, an alternative education high school in Santa Cruz. Their main goals are to get students out on bicycles safely, teach bicycle maintenance, educate the students on trail etiquette, expose them to different jobs in the cycling industry, and provide them with a new way to appreciate the beautiful environment we live in.
The Club received bikes through the PayDirt program for use by the students to understand and appreciate their surrounding environment, take on personal responsibility, and build community.
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County is dedicated to protecting and caring for working lands, like farms, timberland, and natural areas with high conservation value – thus protecting water supplies, wildlife habitats, and open space.
Their San Vicente Redwoods project is a newly created open space preserve that will eventually be home to more than 38 miles of mountain bike-accessible trails that run from the Pacific Ocean to the crest of the Santa Cruz mountain range. With the help of Santa Cruz Bicycles and PayDirt, as well as their local trail organization Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, the park is slated to open to the public in 2021. Visit @landtrustscc on Instagram.
Moab Trail Mix
Moab Trail Mix (officially known as the Grand County Trails) partners with local land managers to design, build, and maintain trails around Moab, Utah.
Moab Trail Mix is funneling their PayDirt funds towards constructing phase two of the new Raptor Route, which will create 9 miles of new singletrack with a stunning view over canyon country. The route will provide riders with an intermediate-level alternative to the Porcupine Rim Singletrack section of Moab’s famous Whole Enchilada route. Visit @moabtrailmix on Instagram.
Grow Cycling Foundation
Grow Cycling Foundation was established to create new avenues for inclusive community building and career development in the cycling industry as well as to empower existing programs working to tear down the barriers to entry in cycling for marginalized communities.
PayDirt funds are helping to kick off Phase One for Grow Cycling, which is to build a pumptrack to serve as an offline community hub that will be an entry point for people take cycling to the next level. This is a long-term journey and Grow Cycling Foundation is also looking to provide education, access, and opportunities to tear down the barriers to entry in cycling for marginalized communities. Visit @growcyclingfoundation on Instagram.
Moose Mountain Bike Trail Society
Moose Mountain Bike Trail Society's mission is to advocate for, develop, and maintain mountain bike trails on Moose Mountain and the surrounding areas, and to promote active, fun, environmentally responsible community involvement.
PayDirt is pitching in for the buildout of their "Sweet Seacan Storage System" which will create a one-stop-shop to house and organize their trail equipment and make sure hosting trail days is a breeze. Visit @mmbtsinfo on Instagram.
Evergreen MTB Alliance
Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, the nation's largest statewide mountain bike association, is committed to sustainable recreation, trail maintenance, trail building, advocacy, education, volunteerism, and fostering an inclusive and welcoming community of riders. Evergreen received two Heckler ebikes through the PayDirt program for use by their trail crew to make their resources and efforts go further in maintaining their trail networks. Visit @evergreenmtb on Instagram.
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship provides sustainable trail advocacy, development and stewardship services that bridge the gap between land managers and the public through community engagement and volunteer deployment.
PayDirt is throwing down funds to help rebuild the Westside pumptrack with a state-of-the-art asphalt facility, as well as kick off their plan to open the Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument to the public with 25 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. Visit @santacruztrails on Instagram.
Oregon Timber Trail Alliance
The Oregon Timber Trail Alliance is dedicated to stewardship, education, community, and quality trail experiences throughout the Oregon Timber Trail corridor.
PayDirt funds are contributing to the Fugrass Connector Trail project, which will connect the Bunchgrass Ridge and Fuji Mountain Trails and finally close one of the few remaining gaps in a 100% singletrack route between two of of Oregon's premier mountain bike destinations: Oakridge and Bend. Visit @oregontimbertrail on Instagram.
Colour The Trails
Colour the Trails advocates for inclusive representation in outdoor spaces, working to subsidize outdoor adventures, create diverse content, facilitate mentorship programs, and make the change they want to see in the world. PayDirt funds will be supporting the group's MTB Mentorship Program, which aims at supporting Queer, Black, Indigenous, and Racialized folks who are new to the sport by connecting them with experienced riders in the community and providing opportunities for self-improvement and improved self-worth that is not tied to results or achievements. Visit @colourthetrails on Instagram.
Red Rock Trail Crew
Red Rock Bicycle Co. partnered with the Greater Zion Tourism office and Visit Cedar City to create the Red Rock Trail Crew program, which is all about trail development and trail maintenance in Southern Utah. PayDirt funds support the crew for a boots-on-the-ground workday to further their efforts to maintain their trail network. Visit www.redrockbicycle.com/articles/red-rock-trail-crew-pg1249.htm to learn more.
Indigenous Women Outdoors
Indigenous Women Outdoors (IWO) mission is to hold a space for Indigenous women* and non-binary community members to come together through outdoor sports and feel safe on the land. PayDirt funding will go towards mountain bike programming in the Sea to Sky corridor—which includes a mentorship program to bring intermediate riders to the next level, guided social rides to get brand new riders into the sport, and bike maintenance workshops. As a note, in IWO’s eyes, women* refers to gender expansive community members (cis women, trans women, non-binary, gender non-conforming, genderqueer community members, and any women-identified community members).
Visit @indigwomenoutdoors on Instagram.
Pinecrest Mountain Bike Association
The Pinecrest Mountain Bike Association (PMBA) is dedicated to promoting economic development and the appreciation and enjoyment of the natural environment that is unique to the Pinecrest area through preserving and enhancing sustainable trail opportunities. PMBA received two Heckler ebikes through the PayDirt program for use by their trail crew to make their resources and efforts go further in maintaining their trail networks. Visit www.pinecrestmtb.com to learn more.
NorCal High School Cycling League
The NorCal High School Cycling League develops and produces inclusive interscholastic high school mountain biking programs in Northern California, which help teens build strong body, mind, and character.
PayDirt funds will be used to grow their NorCal Teen Trail Corp program, to create DEI (Diversity, Equality, Inclusion) education tools for their coaches, and to expand their GRiT [Girls Riding Together] program to include ten female ambassadors from diverse geographic regions who represent diverse racial identity and diverse body types. Visit @norcalleague on Instagram.
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship's mission is building sustainable recreation-based communities through stewardship, job creation, world-class events, and quality outdoor experiences supported by trail construction and maintenance in the Lost Sierra.
PayDirt funds are helping to kick off their Connected Communities project, which will link 15 towns within four economically disadvantaged counties in the Sierra-Nevada Mountains of California, creating some 300 miles of motorized and non-motorized dirt trails. Visit @sierratrails on Instagram.
Whistler Off Road Cycling Association
Whistler Off Road Cycling Association (WORCA) works hard every year to sanction events that bring the mountain biking community together, foster the evolution of the sport through youth programs, and employ experienced trail builders and staff to construct, maintain, and advocate for Whistler’s mountain bike trails.
WORCA received two Heckler e-bikes through the PayDirt program for use by their trail crew in order to make their resources and efforts go further in maintaining their trail networks. Visit @worcawhistler on Instagram.
Handlebar
HandleBar is a 100% locally owned and operated craft beer and apres cafe located on the dark side (Blackcomb) of Whistler, BC. Their "Buy a Trail Builder a Beer" program supports their local unsung heroes that work day in and day out on some of the best trails in the Valley.
PayDirt put 100 beers on a tab... Cheers to the Blackcomb builders. Visit @handlebarbeer on Instagram.
People For Bikes
With the aim to help promote bikes and advocate for better bike facilities as well as industry representation on trade issues, Santa Cruz Bicycles has become a member company of PeopleForBikes. The nonprofit’s mission of “making riding better for everyone” is one we can stand behind, and we plan to work together in the long term on mountain bike and trail support. Visit @peopleforbikes on Instagram.
Cypress Charter High School
The Cypress Mountain Bike Club, is an after school organization at Cypress Charter High, an alternative education high school in Santa Cruz. Their main goals are to get students out on bicycles safely, teach bicycle maintenance, educate the students on trail etiquette, expose them to different jobs in the cycling industry, and provide them with a new way to appreciate the beautiful environment we live in.
The Club received bikes through the PayDirt program for use by the students to understand and appreciate their surrounding environment, take on personal responsibility, and build community.
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County is dedicated to protecting and caring for working lands, like farms, timberland, and natural areas with high conservation value – thus protecting water supplies, wildlife habitats, and open space.
Their San Vicente Redwoods project is a newly created open space preserve that will eventually be home to more than 38 miles of mountain bike-accessible trails that run from the Pacific Ocean to the crest of the Santa Cruz mountain range. With the help of Santa Cruz Bicycles and PayDirt, as well as their local trail organization Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, the park is slated to open to the public in 2021. Visit @landtrustscc on Instagram.
Moab Trail Mix
Moab Trail Mix (officially known as the Grand County Trails) partners with local land managers to design, build, and maintain trails around Moab, Utah.
Moab Trail Mix is funneling their PayDirt funds towards constructing phase two of the new Raptor Route, which will create 9 miles of new singletrack with a stunning view over canyon country. The route will provide riders with an intermediate-level alternative to the Porcupine Rim Singletrack section of Moab’s famous Whole Enchilada route. Visit @moabtrailmix on Instagram.
Stewardship Partners
Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship
Downieville, California is the temple to which staff and riders retreat in order to get in touch with, as Greg Williams puts it, “big empty spaces full of empty trails.” The trails and the experience of being in that area are golden but it’s only possible because of the hard work of SBTS.
From the SBTS website: “For 25 years, Santa Cruz Bicycles has been rallying down the Downieville Downhill right alongside us. Our partnership with Santa Cruz started back when the first Tazmon arrived. They are the Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Race and Festival title sponsor and helped us kick start SBTS back in 2003."
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship
Trail access in Santa Cruz does not come easy. Despite being the home to a lot of mountain bike companies and a lot of mountain bikers, the number of legal and non-threatened trails isn’t that great. Of the 220 miles of official trail in the county, less than 40 are open to mountain bikes.
Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (previously known as "Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz") works to support, preserve, and expand trail access and responsible mountain biking in Santa Cruz County. They promote legal and sustainable mountain bike access through trail building, races, events, and strategic partnerships with land managers, other trail users, the local bike industry, and enthusiastic volunteers.
San Vincente Redwoods Trails
In 2014, Santa Cruz caught wind of an exciting opportunity for a new trail system near the town of Davenport, California, just 10 miles up the Pacific coast from the company’s headquarters.
Over the prior 10 years, a local conservation group called the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County (LTSCC) led an effort to protect and purchase several parcels of land to create an 8,500 acre open space that extends from the Pacific Ocean to the top of the coastal Santa Cruz Mountain Range. Dubbed the San Vicente Redwoods (SVR), the park will eventually feature 38 miles of trail.
Factory Racing Dig Days
Santa Cruz Factory Racing is our in-house team, made up of people who work at the Santa Cruz factory, sponsors, friends, and family. We race everything from downhill to cyclocross in categories from Beginner to Pro. It’s not just about racing however.
These riders go out and help with dig days across the western United States; they host our events; they volunteer with setup and clean up at regional enduro races; and we’ll match any race winnings they donate to charity.