Tyler Trueman

What’s the name of the main spot you work on?

Graveyard Trails

Where is it located?

San Antonio, TX

Is it public or private?

Private

How did you get involved digging?

Since I was 6 or 7, I have always had some jumps/rollers in my backyard. Of course, I had no idea what I was doing so my dad would build them for me, and I would always be so psyched when he would finish a new jump. Years later, One of my friends from the motocross track came over and rode in my backyard told me about a place with some jumps over by his house. I went out there with him the next weekend and was instantly hooked. Since that day, Trailboss Josh has been teaching me the ways and I have been digging out there for about 4 years now.

What’s your favorite type of feature to build?

I love building big berms What is the key ingredient(s) to successful trails? The key to a successful trail spot is to have a close knit, hardworking, group of guys. If your crew can’t see eye to eye on what should be built, nothing will ever get done. If everyone just wants to ride all the time, nothing will ever get done. Everyone needs to put forth the time in effort and have the motivation to get stuff done. There’s nothing more frustrating than slackers at the trails.

What challenges do you have at your spot?

One of the main challenges we have is keeping the bums and trailer park kids away from the trails. I’m the past, they have stolen and/or broken our tools and hacked up jumps with them. There’s nothing worse than showing up to the trails and seeing everything destroyed. Aside from that, the only other real challenges are the creek drying up late in the summer and the brutal Texas heat. It’s no fun digging in the triple digits.

Digging is an art form, Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I have always looked up to and been inspired by the Credence crew. Those dudes are digging machines and make everything look so good you almost don’t want to ride them because you don’t want to mess them up!

Do you build lines more for flow or tricks?

I build lines more for flow than tricks. I prefer to build steeper jumps because it’s a blast to go as high as you possibly can and do a nice whip. Very few people have done big tricks at the trails because our landings are so steep that there is very little room for error. Though we build for flow, we do enjoy busting out some tricks every once in a while, so we do have a trick jump.

What tips do you have for working on Trails?

Make sure you have a good shovel! Nothing makes digging more difficult than using a crappy shovel. If you are looking for a shovel, go to Home Depot and get the $9 flathead and you will be set. Another little tip would be to get some sand paper and shine the bottom of your shovel to prevent the dirt from sticking to it while you are digging.

What trail rules or etiquette do you enforce at your spot?

The main rules at the trails are to pick up your trash, do your part to help out, and just don’t be a dick. If you can follow those 3 simple rules, you will be just fine.

Do you enforce “No Dig No Ride?” If so how?

We enforce no dig no ride for the most part. If it’s someone that knows how to use a shovel, then we will put them to work for a bit. But if they don’t know how to use a shovel, then we get them to grab a some buckets of water from the creek.

What’s your advice for someone showing up at a trail spot for the first time?

Introduce yourself to everyone and be ready to help. You will instantly be on someone’s good side of they see you are wanting to help. It doesn’t matter how awesome you can ride a bike, if you have a bad attitude, you don’t belong in the woods. Having a good attitude will get you a long way in the trails world.

Do you feel the trail scene is dying, growing or staying flat?

I think the trails scene has grown quite a bit over the past few years, especially in San Antonio. This past year, a bunch of groms from the track have been coming out to the trails and shredding it. It’s always cool seeing them progress and jump bigger and bigger jumps. It’s also cool to see them wanting to help out more and build jumps of their own.

How can we grow the trail scene?

I think we can grow the trail scene by helping out the kids that are really truly passionate about digging and riding trails. There aren’t very many kids that enjoy digging, so when you find one that does, foster them and help them out however you can.

Do you think Trailbuilders get the respect they deserve? Why?

I don’t think we do. If we did, we wouldn’t keep hearing about various sets of trails getting plowed.

What Bike do you ride at the trails?

Credence CCR

Any shout outs and thank you’s?

I would like to thank my mom and dad for supporting me and my riding, Josh for teaching me everything I know when it comes to digging and trails in general, Jon from Can You Dig It for everything he has done, and everyone else that has helped me get to where I am now!