Dear Hiring Committee at Bikepacking Roots,

I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the Routes Program Manager position. As a dedicated bikepacker, route creator, and the first Board President of Bikepacking Roots, I feel a deep and enduring connection to your mission. I care deeply about the long-term stewardship of bikepacking routes and the continued growth of a values-driven bikepacking community.

For nearly ten years at Adventure Cycling Association, I worked as a cartographer developing and maintaining long-distance bicycle route maps and related spatial data—work that demands precision, consistency, and a deep responsibility to riders who depend on accurate information. As part of my work there, I designed and developed the Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route. That project required extensive field scouting, cross-jurisdictional coordination, evaluation of access, and the creation of comprehensive route resources for riders of varying experience levels.

Through this work, I gained direct experience navigating land management considerations, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring that route materials remain accurate over time. Maintaining route integrity across the miles—while managing updates and changing conditions—has shaped my belief that routes are living systems requiring ongoing lifecycle stewardship, not a one-time publication.

Currently, I am leading the Community Route Research Project, a grassroots initiative exploring the areas surrounding the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness with the goal of collaboratively creating a loop route that stays as close to the wilderness boundary as possible. This volunteer-driven effort invites riders to contribute to route research, field exploration, and refinement, with collective input shaping the final route and long-term stewardship model. Its purpose is to determine if community-informed route development—grounded in shared research, transparency, and collaboration—can produce stronger, more resilient routes that reflect both place and people.

In addition to my route development experience, I bring a structured product development mindset grounded in my professional background creating enterprise software and mobile, field-based mapping applications for users in the utilities sector. I have led the design of geospatial platforms that manage complex infrastructure networks and support distributed field crews who rely on accurate mapping data, offline capability, and intuitive workflows in dynamic environments. These systems required rigorous data governance, spatial accuracy, lifecycle management, stakeholder alignment, and iterative field validation.

There are strong parallels between building software and stewarding high-quality bikepacking routes. Both require:

• Deep understanding of user personas and real-world use conditions

• Careful data modeling and qualitative integrity

• Prototyping and field testing to validate assumptions

• Clear documentation and version control

• Structured feedback loops to support continuous improvement

• Ongoing lifecycle management and transparent communication of updates

I see routes not as static GPX files, but as living spatial products. Applying a product development framework to the Routes Program would strengthen quality standards, improve route vetting and updates, and create scalable systems for long-term stewardship across all routes.

My experience engaging with public land managers, local communities, and external stakeholders mirrors the cross-functional collaboration required in both route development and enterprise software development. Successful routes, like successful tech-industry products, depend on trust, clarity, and careful coordination. I am comfortable mentoring emerging route creators, refining submissions to meet established evaluation criteria, and collaborating closely to bring a route from concept to polished publication.

Technically, I am proficient with spatial GIS tools including ArcGIS, and I bring a strong understanding of cartographic clarity, spatial data organization, and long-term data maintenance. I also bring marketing-based graphic design skills that support the creation of clear, visually compelling route materials, maps, and supporting resources. Combined with strong writing and editing abilities, this ensures complex route logistics and nuances are translated into accessible, actionable content.

Bikepacking Roots has always been about more than just routes—it’s about stewardship, access, and community. I am passionate about fostering an inclusive, respectful, and values-driven environment. The opportunity to lead route stewardship, strengthen partnerships, and cultivate new collaborations excites me deeply. I would be honored to help evolve the routes program, ensuring that every route remains high-quality, accessible, and resilient for years to come.

Thank you for your consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to further discuss how I can support the ongoing growth and stewardship of the routes program at Bikepacking Roots.