Howdy.
The Dirt Journal is the online refuge and (so-far) inconsistent journal of me, Jason Brummels. Anything posted here is my writing, thoughts, opinions, and creativity, not those of the non-profit I serve, or any of my partners, supporters, colleagues, or collaborators.
So...who am I?
A father, husband, mountain biker, cyclist, and sometimes racer; an adventurer, traveler, dog lover. I enjoy good coffee, good food, and craft beer (unless it's dry January). I work to be a fair-minded, level-headed thinker with a creative streak and a genuine, kind, and caring personality.
I dropped out of engineering school after learning that working full-time, having a passion for cars, motorcycles, and bicycles, and finishing engineering school were an impossible combination. Working almost entirely as an entrepreneur since leaving college in my early 20s, I have created, operated, and consulted for numerous organizations and businesses across technology, marketing, retail, manufacturing, and hospitality - supporting teams into the hundreds and budgets and revenues well into the millions.
After supporting and participating in the cycling and mountain bike community since the early 2000s, and serving on the Board of Directors for Trails Have Our Respect from 2015-2021, I was humbled to take on the challenge of building trails and community across the Central Midwest as THOR's first employee and Executive Director in January of 2022.
THOR is a non-profit organization that develops, builds, and maintains trails in Nebraska, Western Iowa, and Southern South Dakota. THOR is primarily focused on growing the trail and outdoor community through neighborhood-accessible trails and diverse programs that support all riders, including underserved communities and women. We're also working toward creating a handful of destination-worthy mountain bike trail systems across the region. Over the past few years, we have helped guide the investment of over $6M in new trails and trail systems, bringing the total to 150+ miles in our region. You can learn more about our current work projects by visiting thortrails.org.
Outside of my work life, I am focused on my family, friends, riding and racing mountain bikes, digging when I can break free from my desk duties, and finding a few moments to care for my house and gardens.
The list below does not include all of the amazing people and partners that help make my professional and personal adventures possible, but please consider these great brands when you shop:
If you're looking for the next great place to ride, check out trailforks.com.
