Autumn is a time of transition and the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance (OTTA) met the changing of the season by bringing on some new faces to the board. In early October we gathered at the Warner Canyon Ski Area near the Fremont Tier to welcome back long-time OTTA enthusiast Mike Vanderberg as board president and introduce Nancy Serrano, Steve Brook, and Everett Ó Cillín to our working board. We look forward to seeing what’s up next for the OTTA in 2024.

Mike Vanderberg (him/him) has spent much of his life studying forests and recreating their awe-inspiring networks of trails. A native of Pennsylvania, he grew up riding BMX and digging dirt jumps before transitioning to racing mountain bikes at age 14, as a member of the National Off Road Bicycle Association. Bikes have been a constant in Mike’s life, and he is happiest spending time with others riding and exploring the trails and roads that crisscross our amazing forests.

Nancy Serrano (she/her) is a college student who advocates for DEI in the outdoors. She currently works for the university’s Outdoor Program as a bike mechanic. She loves taking friends out to go mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping. Nancy joined the Oregon Timber Traill Alliance in hopes of getting folks of all backgrounds and ability levels out on the trail. Bikepacking is an amazing experience that everyone should have the ability to enjoy!

Steve Brook (he/him) is the president of Atainium, a business consulting firm. He enjoys the Oregon backcountry and the Oregon Timber Trail for its opportunity to highlight the beauty, adventure, and challenge that exists along the route. With a tendency to look for the road less traveled, he is often inclined to choose the logging road, overgrown path, or just plain bushwhack as the preferred route. Steve is committed to working with the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance to improve the accessibility, ride options, inclusivity, and mutual support between trail towns and the Alliance.

Everett Ó Cillín (they/them) is a curator, organizer, and adventure cyclist based in Eugene, Oregon. As a co-founder of the Radical Adventure Riders, and ambassador with WeGotNext, Everett seeks to foster community and connection through bike travel and trail stewardship. They seek out the narrative in the landscape, routing exhibitions and expeditions that connect people, places, and ideas. You can find their essays on art and cycling in Adventure Cyclist Magazine and The Bikepacking Journal.