Beyond the Ride: Harlan Hottenstein

Author's Note:

Beyond the Ride is our love letter to the people who make mountain biking better. The series is meant to highlight the mechanics, builders, rippers, advocates, storytellers, coaches, land managers, and event organizers who make our sport the best version of itself.

Know someone you think deserves a feature? Nominate them here !

Harlan Hottenstein is always everywhere and nowhere; as a trail builder in a busy recreation corridor on the Wyoming / Idaho border, his efforts - whether weed-wacking, chainsawing downed trees, or re-shaping lips - don't go unnoticed, even if riders out for a post-work rip might not ever see him in action for themselves. And that tireless, back-of-house energy is what earned Harlan a nod for a feature in this series!

Name, age, current place of residence?

Harlan Hottenstein, 53, Wilson, WY.

What do you do (specifically related to mountain biking)?

I build trails for a living, mostly gravity-oriented mountain bike trails for the general public. I also assist in running Teton Freeriders, a nonprofit trail building organization responsible for the freeride trails on Teton Pass in northwest Wyoming.

What’s been the bike-related highlight of your year?

My wife Liz and I took our third trip to the south island of New Zealand, all of last March and a smidge of April. It's hard to overstate how incredible the riding is there, particularly the freeride trails around Queenstown: a perfect combination of technical steeps and beautiful jumps. I get warm fuzzies and goosebumps simultaneously whenever I think about it. Hats off to the Kiwis!

If you could leave any impact on mountain biking, what would you like to be remembered for?

I don't particularly care if I'm remembered for anything, but what I hope to accomplish when I build trails is to share the euphoric experiences that I have when I ride. Like nearly free-falling down a rocky chute, gliding and pumping through dips and turns in the woods, or sending a 35 mile-an-hour step up. I absolutely love riding and jumping bikes and I think that a lot of other people would too if given the opportunity to ride quality trails.

What, outside of mountain biking, makes you excited?

COFFEE!!!! Also scuba diving, snorkeling, powder skiing and snowboarding.

What are your goals for the next year? (They can be anything from race results, to injury recovery, to just trying to ride your bike more.)

Riding and building as much as possible, while keeping myself in one piece. Also more international traveling with my fast AF wife and our bikes; we've got Oaxaca and a second go at Madeira in our sights for the next off season.

What’s the most exciting trend in mountain biking you’re seeing right now (and how can we help it)?

There are some big time mtb athletes leveraging their reputations and resources to build quality trails and bike parks for us mere mortals. Just a few examples are Dyfi bike park in Wales courtesy of the Athertons, Windrock bike park in Tennessee first backed by Neko Mulally and now owned and operated by the Gwins, Sensus Rad Trails, a trail building non profit started by Cam Zink, and Velosolutions chez Claudio Caluori. It takes a shit ton of time and energy to provide facilities such as these and public support and recognition can help pave the way for more.

What’s the worst trend you’re seeing right now (and how would you fix it)?

I'll pass on this one. The glass is half full today.

What’s your trail of choice right now (and why)?

Fuzzy Bunny. It's in my backyard and it's got enough tech and jumping to get me jazzed. Also, I can shuttle it with my DH bike or pedal the trail bike up to it to get my cardio ya-yas.

What other question do you wish we’d asked?

Knock knock...

Any sponsors, friends, or family you’d like to thank?

I'd like to thank everyone who's ever had the gumption to get out and actually make something to benefit their cycling community instead of complaining about how things should be better than they are. Cheers to you!