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What happens when a small North Carolina factory lets the trail—not the spec sheet—make the call? We sit down with Dorene O’Malley and Brent Graves from Cane Creek to unpack 30 years of curiosity, craft, and rider-first design.

From rugged Pisgah prototypes to components trusted around the world, they’ve shaped everything from headsets and titanium cranks to the legendary Thudbuster seatpost and Invert Gravel Fork—all designed to make every ride smoother, more controlled, and more fun.

Step inside their Experience Center, see how forks and shocks are hand-built and tested, and hear their vision for a future where cities embrace cycling for everyone—from school bike buses to e-bike family rides.

Mike Andress
Host, Exploration Local
828-551-9065
mike@explorationlocal.com

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In this episode I sit down with South Yellow Mountain Preserve manager Park Greer to share the full, behind-the-scenes story: the surprise Earth Day donation, the eight months of deed work and surveying across a 33-mile boundary, and the careful plan that turned a generous transfer into a resilient, living landscape.

Park brings a rare mix of park ranger experience and land surveying chops, and it shows. He walks us through the amphibolite bedrock that fuels calcium-rich soils and exceptional biodiversity, then threads that geology into the mining legacy of Spruce Pine—mica, feldspar, and world-class quartz. From rare plants like Gray’s lily and Roan Mountain bluet to a closely monitored peregrine falcon site, we talk about how data, training, and seasonal protections guide every decision, down to when and where people can visit.

We also dig into the human side of stewardship: school groups that put down their phones and pick up field guides, citizen scientists mapping species with iNaturalist, and volunteers hauling out legacy trash from old mine dumps. You’ll hear how invasive species removal, pollinator habitat plans, and watershed protection keep clean water flowing to Spruce Pine’s reservoir and downstream wells. And you’ll see why guided access, local partnerships, and humble storytelling create ambassadors who carry the work beyond any boundary line.

If you care about Appalachia, clean water, wildlife corridors, and conservation that honors history as much as habitat, this story delivers both heart and detail.

Mike Andress
Host, Exploration Local
828-551-9065
mike@explorationlocal.com

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I sit down with advocate and author Palmer McIntyre to explore how North Carolina grew into the Great Trail State—and why that identity now shapes health, local business, and everyday life.

Palmer shares the story behind Great Trail State Day, the annual October celebration that invites everyone to step onto a nearby path and bring a friend along. We trace the momentum that began during the pandemic, grew through Year of the Trail, and led to more than $61 million in state investment for trail projects and the outdoor recreation economy’s $16.2 billion impact—fueling guides, outfitters, restaurants, lodging, and local tourism—and spotlight Old Fort’s trail expansion as a powerful example of how access can flip a switch for a small town.

We also dig into Trails and Treats, the new guide pairing 30 approachable routes with locally owned eateries across the mountains, Triad, Triangle, and Charlotte. You’ll hear how the authors chose lesser‑known gems to spread use beyond crowded hotspots, why urban greenways count as real adventure, and how food culture helps tell the story of place. If you’ve been waiting for a nudge to get outside—or a reason to try that bakery after your ride—consider this your sign.

Mike Andress
Host, Exploration Local
828-551-9065
mike@explorationlocal.com

Podcast Website
Facebook
Instagram: explorationlocal