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Heather DeChoudens

@tart253

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Dirt & Debauchery
@evergreenmtb @evergreenws Project Manager + Trail Builder
@evilbicycles
@thegravitycartel
@fromhighabove
@summitatsnoqualmie

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ROCK ON, PORT GAMBLE🪨

Tell the tech lovers to get excited because the northern tech zone is getting… rocked!

We recently had a ton of rock delivered our professional trail crew have BIG plans. One black tech trail in particular is getting special treatment with rock drops, rock chutes, rock gardens, and the chunky goodness your tech-loving heart could desire. 🪨

Was it devastating to see the tech zone recently logged? Absolutely. It’s tough watching a familiar landscape change so dramatically. But sometimes, a blank canvas opens the door to a whole new vision and clearly, we like to dream big!

What was once a difficult change is becoming an opportunity to build something new, challenge riders in different ways, and give this zone a new personality.

Huge shoutout to our trail crew and all the volunteers joining in on the fun to push these new builds along. Your continued support gives us the motivation💚 Check the main evergreen calendar for the next work party.

#EvergreenMTB #TrailBuilding #MTB #pnw taken in Port Gamble MTB Trails by @tart253

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4 days ago

📸 Top of Poppin’ Tops, 2019.

First photo was MY first time ever at Raging River. I had no idea there were trails beyond Poppin’ Tops. I was new to MTB and was living in Southwest Washington.

I had no idea how much this place was about to change my life. Shortly after this ride, I moved back to the vicinity and began working for Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. Within a couple of years of coaching and Dirt & Debauchery- I would be tasked with flagging and leading build efforts on Executive Decisions and Trail E (until I broke myself) alongside best friends, fav coworkers, incredible volunteers, and an inviting community. Talk about a life plot twist 🤯

Since this first photo was taken, we’ve watched this trail system expand. CCDH, Reverence, Executive Decisions, Ferdinand, Way Back and now Wild Waves and Over & Out!! The other photos are from various stages of the building process👀

None of this happens by accident.
It happens because Evergreen and land managers, professional trail crews, dedicated volunteers, event organizers, educators, advocates, and members all keep showing up. Whether you’re clearing a drain, joining a clinic, signing up for a work party or simply paying your $50 membership each year; you’re part of it!!

These trails are more than just dirt.
They’ve given me a career. A roof over Tasso Bleus head🐶 A reason to drive off-road with an suv full of tools... A healthy way of life. A hobby I get to share with so many. And most importantly, a community that has become family. That’s what membership means to me. And the best part? You don’t have to be a builder to be part of the crew.

💚 Join us at a work party. 💚 Show up to an event. 💚 Take a class. 💚 Volunteer when you can. 💚 If life makes showing up in person tough, become a member. For $50/year, you can directly support the Evergreen chapter where you ride the most. Those dollars help put resources back into maintenance, education, advocacy, trails and community. A small price for the places that give us so much.

I’m pretty damn grateful yall! It’s been life’s greatest adventure🏁🤍
@evergreenmtb @evergreencts @evilbicycles

#trailbuilder #mtb #pnw #womenempowerment #evergreen taken in Raging River Mountain Bike Trail by @tart253

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10 days ago

WHAT A YEAR. And we’re not even done yet!

We’ve still got about 5 more weeks of programming but we had to pause for a second and celebrate what these instructors have already accomplished🥹

📈 1,286 students served in 2026.
That’s a 20% increase from last year’s 1,066 riders!

🤝 2,000 volunteer hours provided into making these programs happen

🌲 100 volunteer instructors statewide sharing their knowledge and love of riding with their communities.

The numbers are cool right? but the feedback from our students is what really gets us💚

💬 I have taken other classes before, but nothing compares to the quality instruction of this class.

💬 Thank you for creating such a welcoming first experience.

💬 The instructors were excellent at breaking down the skills… in a very positive, supportive environment

💬 Loved being able to see the progression in my skills

💬 Excellent instruction with such positive attitudes. It was fun and a great opportunity.

We’re hearing over and over that our instructors are creating spaces where riders feel supported, encouraged, challenged, and excited to keep progressing. That doesn’t happen by accident.

It happens because of the incredible volunteers who show up, teach, listen, adapt, cheer people on, and spend their free time helping others.

To every instructor, volunteer, student, and person who has helped make this season what it is: We appreciate you!

We’ve got 5 more weeks to go and our membership drive is in full swing! Did you know your membership comes with discounted MTB skills classes? Make sure to take advantage of these perks!

🎥 @tart253

#EvergreenMTB #MountainBikeEducation #MTBCoaching RideProgression

@evergreenmtb @evergreencts @evergreenws @southsoundevergreen by @tart253

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16 days ago

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out this weekend and put in the work with us on the trails!

Together, we shaped and packed a huge amount of tread surface! Helping to push Trail C and Trail E closer to the finish line. We wouldn’t be able to do this without every volunteer that shows up for Evergreen over and over again🤝

Shoutout to @jarettgrimm with @evoseattle for sponsoring this weekend and for their continued support of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. Your commitment to the trails and bringing our riding community together makes a real difference🙌
🏁Register for the Evo Fast & Loose Race at Raging River on October 3rd! Proceeds go back to Evergreen
🪏Register for the next Evo sponsored work party on October 24th! Halloween themed🎃

Trail work doesn’t happen without people willing to show up, get dirty, and invest their time back into the places we love to ride. So to every volunteer who has given us their time: THANK YOU💚💚💚

We’re in the final stretch on Trail E + Trail C, and it’s time to put the finishing touches on these new descents at Raging River.

This Wednesday & Thursday, September 23rd & 24th, from 2–6 PM, we’ll be out there: 🪏Shaping & packing tread 💧 Dialing in proper drainage 🌿 Raking up the corridors 
📍Meet at the yellow gate on Winery Road (not the main parking lot). We will carpool from there out to the work location. Please register on the main Evergreen calendar.

Don’t have time to join the crew? Make sure to renew/ Join our Evergreen Membership. Your $50 donation goes directly back into the zones you ride the most!

Build. Maintain. Advocate. Community.

@evergreenmtb #mtb #pnw #community #mountainbiking taken in Raging River State Forest by @tart253

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19 days ago

Luckily for me, I don’t experience the Sunday SCARIES cuz my schedule is never the same.

But the Bike Park SCARIES?😭 thats real.

I get a hot flash of anxiety every time I realize we’re down to just a few weeks of bike park riding. The countdown is on, and I’m not ready!

I’m clocking 25+ days of chairlifts, dusty laps, muddy laps, questionable decisions, big laughs, progression, and a whole lot of avoiding the words ‘one more run.’

So yeah… I’ve got the Bike Park Scaries..

🏁 Make every lap count! Closing weekend at Snoqualmie is Sept 27th. See ya this Friday and Sunday?!🫡

Thanks @zandroid for capturing my first ride back!🎥

@summitatsnoqualmie @evilbicycles @hustlebikelabs @fromhighabove @evergreenmtb

#pnw #bikepark #mtb #downhill #mountainbike taken in The Summit at Snoqualmie by @tart253

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25 days ago

Evo is turning 25! Let’s celebrate with shovels, races and bbqs!

September 19th & October 24th
We are in a CRUNCH to get one of our newest trails ready to OPEN! We are shifting this work party to Trail C. We will be packing down fresh new corners. Raking debris. Removing hazards…

Work Details:
Time: 10am to 2pm (work until about 1:40pm. Regroup in parking lot for bbq)
Meeting Location: Raging River! Please meet at the Yellow Gate on Winery Rd. Not the main parking lot.

What We’re Doing: Trail C!!!

What to bring: Sturdy footwear: Your most trusted hiking shoes/boots! Work gloves. Weather-appropriate clothing: Layer options are always great. Good idea to pack a rain jacket.

Fuel: Plenty of water and snacks to keep your energy up while working. A small day pack to carry your gear/fuel while working down the trail.

What We Provide: Evergreen will supply all the necessary tools, safety gear, builder instruction, BBQ afterwards and a FREE RACE ENTRY for October 3rd @ Raging River!

Please RSVP on the main evergreen calendar.

Work Parties don’t work for you? Join Evergreens Membership! $50 a year will get you perks and support the trails you ride the most! Join the crew!

Any questions? email Heather at heatherdec@evergreenmtb.org taken in Raging River State Forest by @tart253

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a month ago

Coming back from injury has been harder than I expected. I guess I didn’t really know what to expect..

I’m learning how to ride with a foot that just isn’t the same. It’s good enough but not great. Working through the fear of hard compressions and trying to understand why trails and features that I once felt comfortable and confident now feel foreign and awkward. It’s so frustrating. My brain remembers what I used to do, but my body and confidence aren’t there. YET.

While I was away, Mr. Sparkle got a sick refresh of the lower half. Maybe it’s the new ending. Maybe it’s my fear. Maybe it’s a little of both. But for the last couple of months, I’ve been stuck.

This weekend we dedicated time to figuring it out. Sometimes date night looks like riding Mr Sparkle 10x.

And I’m happy to say… I got so much closer to cleaning the damn thing✨ The first part of the video was my first run in. The last half of the video was my full run through. The progression was quite significant🖤

Phoenix is another story. A trail I used to feel comfortable jumping now feels extreme coming back. A trail I begged for and helped design is now scary AF. But I’m learning to give myself grace.

One day at a time.
One feature at a time.
One small win at a time.

I’ll get there. 🚲

We are so lucky to have these parks a short drive away. To be able to session trails on repeat and coach others to nurture their progression. To be able to have access right off the highway and the variety. Can you believe this is our normal?! @evergreenmtb @evergreenws taken in Port Gamble MTB Trails by @tart253

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a month ago

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2 months ago

What is more fun than coaching someone on a mission to ride ALL THE TRAILS?! nothing.

Meet Barbara💜 an enthusiastic, XC rider and experience chaser who makes all the effort to discover ‘new to her’ trails across the states. She may be my more mature kindred spirit🥰 Barbara is 75. With the youngest of hearts.

Barbara came to me to progress her riding while exploring new places. Riding new areas can be intimidating! Having a coach familiar with location and riding ability- being able to target foundational skills, build confidence and get a tour all in one package🙌🏽

We began our adventure together about a year ago at Duthie Hill. Since then she’s visited Soaring Eagle, Big Finn…Today, we hit Tehaleh!  Next stop: Port Gamble. Swan Creek. Then 360… so on and so forth.

Today’s session focused on: ✨ Cornering skills ✨ Passive & active pumping ✨ Wheel lift variations to help with climbing.

Not only does Barb show up wearing the cutest and trendiest gear but she shows up ready to party🥳 Barbs willingness to try NEW things and make adjustments is impressive! We also rode 7 miles without a blink of an eye.

Between sessions- Barb travels. Meeting riders and friends to explore local trails in other states. She’s got her van and her bike and the eagerness to GO.

I love getting to be a part of this journey and watching her level up from one trail to the next. But also watching her life unfold. Barbara, keep chasing those trails! I’ll see you at the next stop orrrr bring me?

There are so many ways to ride a bike. There are so many places to ride your bike. There are so many varieties of bike riding. Biking looks different for each individual person and I love it. Own your own journey💖

Ciao!
* If you are a beginner to intermediate rider wanting to progress- book a lesson with me! We also offer so many group classes and on trail sessions. The possibilities are there to support you. Check out the main Evergreen site for information and to schedule🙃🌻🏁
#mtb #bff #travel #pnw #outdoorsforall taken in Tehaleh, Washington by @tart253

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2 months ago

Dungeon Crawlers & Vinegar Christmas do Canada!

From Red Mountain ➡️ Revelstoke ➡️ SilverStar ➡️ Sun Peaks...

Six women. 12 bikes. Countless laughs. Miles of dirt. Dusty bikes. Full hearts. Ransom notes.

We chased flow through bike parks, hunted down the local tech trails, sampled the best ciders and potato chips, and somehow still found the motivation for one more lap.

Every stop brought new terrain, new challenges, new broken bike bits, hornet stings on my butt cheek(🤣) and another reminder that the best adventures are the ones shared.

The bike park blues is a real thing🥺 but my foot held up so well thanks to endless PT appts. We got there🏁 but also don’t show my PT this video😬

Do yourself a favor; ride somewhere NEW!!!
Where are we heading next? 🤘

@evilbicycles @fromhighabove @evergreenmtb
#mtb #mtbgirls #bikepark #vacation #bffs taken in Anywhere and Everywhere by @tart253

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2 months ago

Who’s ready to corner like they mean it?🤠

I’m subbing in for this Saturday’s Cornering Clinic at Duthie and I’d love to see some familiar faces out there!

Whether you’re washing out in flat turns, over-braking in every corner, or just want to carry more speed with less effort, this class is for you!

Together, we will be working on: 🪩 Bike-body balance 🪩 Vision & line choice 🪩 Carrying momentum 🪩 Finding flow through the trail 🪩 Berms, flat corners, and steep corners

Ditch the bad habits, build some better ones, and gain some confidence on the bike! Corners are way more fun when you’re smiling instead of surviving🙌🏽

July 18th @ 9am. Duthie Hill. Register at evergreenmtb.org or DM for the link! There are a handful of spaces to snag🫡

📽️ @kilpatrickphotography

@evergreenmtb @evergreencts

#mtb #mtblove #pnw #duthie taken in Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park by @tart253

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3 months ago

Foot Fetish Folks;

After months of no weight bearing, months of PT, medical bills and a lot of quality time with my own thoughts… I’m back😈

First rides? In my feels. Trails I’d drop into without hesitation have me questioning adult choices. Whistler had been looming and I was sadly dreading it! Thought I’d skip a season butttt here we are😬

First day was very meh. I skipped features, rode with fear, got stuck in my head, and had an internal pity party. I literally preach Ride w Intention!! Yeah. I missed my own memo.

Ride for YOU. Not cuz IG. Not cuz everyone else is riding that line. Not cuz you might survive it. I need to ride for where IM at TODAY. Not where THEY are all at today. Huge mental shift! Instead of chasing slabs and drops, I chased QUALITY. Slowed down. Balanced body. Absorbing terrain. Looking ahead and not what could snag my foot. Proper breaking. Riding with intention.

Guess what happened?
I PR’d all my fav trails👍🏽 (Don’t get me started on Strava after injury👎🏽)

Not cuz I was pushing harder but because I was focusing on riding smooth. Reacting to the terrain instead of riding defensive. Which in turn is safer, more playful which rewarded me with being faster.

How often do we confuse ‘surviving’ a descent versus riding it well? As a coach, students ask ‘Can you ride XYZ?’ Why does a singular trail define how good of a rider/ coach you are? Or student takes one class and expects to be jumping Iceman and skipping foundations? Are you relying on speed or skill? Survival will only get you so far. We work on foundations with every class we teach. I don’t want students relying on survival! Bad habits are hard to break and when most injury happens.

So now I’m choosing confidence over ego.
And that’s been one of the biggest progressions I’ve made this season.

I just completed my 10th bike park day between Snoqualmie, Silver Mnt, Stevens and Whistler and I’m so happy to be back on the bike, with friends and the community and huge thanks to my PT for never telling me NO but yes-ish?

Toodaloooo Friends ❌⭕️
📸 @hjrphotos

#mtb #mtblove #mountainbike #bikepark taken in Duthie Hill Mountain Bike Park by @tart253

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3 months ago