Meet the ‘26 -’27 Crew Ambassadors

Hi! I’m David Baldus. If you come across me on the trails, I’ll probably be mountain biking but I may also be hiking with my family or wrangling my dogs and I’ve even been known to enjoy a trail run or two. All-day rides and races have been my favorite adventures over the years but lately I’ve been focusing more on the newest adventure of raising a kiddo! When I’m not out on the trails I’m probably in a creek or thinking about streams at my day job as a Water Resource Scientist at Barr Engineering.

To me brave leadership is about creating spaces and situations for people to feel welcome, heard and valued. This happens in big ways like putting on an event to introduce new riders to the trail system and perhaps, more importantly, in small ways like sharing snacks with someone new at a group ride to start a conversation and make sure they are well nourished!

This season I’m excited about finding new ways to help folks get the whole family outside on the trails. I’m also hoping to get some early morning or later evening trail meet ups going for parents with small children to get out for a rip or a trot!

Lindsey is a Crew lead and is passionate about building resilient, connected, empowered community members. Her life’s work has involved doing just that through the medium of the outdoors. The Crew is the current iteration of this work. Lindsey describes brave leadership as using your own unique combination of gifts, privileges and lived experiences to inform decisions that improve quality of life for everyone. This requires courage, reflection, evolution, humility, effort and fun! Because, as the saying goes, “we might not have it all together, but together we can have it all!” Lindsey is most excited about partnering with Crew members and community organizations to strengthen volunteerism, inclusivity in the outdoors and an overall positive culture around recreation in our area! She enjoys leasing rides with all genders, but FTWNB events have a special place in her heart as she has watched friendships form and both skills and confidence build through these over the years.

Hi! I’m Tom—one of the leaders of the new COGGS Crew.

I moved to Duluth about five years ago, seeking a place surrounded by incredible trails and outdoor recreation. What I found was even better: a community built around those experiences. Since then, I’ve leaned into that community as much as I can. I currently serve as Membership Director for COGGS and sit on the Duluth Enduro Series committee.

Mountain biking has been a constant in my life for a long time—I strapped on my first number plate as a kid in the early ’90s and never really stopped. The sport has taken me across the country and beyond, including USAC National Championships, Trans BC Enduro, races throughout Arkansas, and more recently a handful of 100+ mile ultra events. These days, I’d call myself a bit of a bike park rat—I’m happiest pointing my bike downhill and seeing how fast I can go (ideally without crashing).

Professionally, I work in banking/finance, helping entrepreneurs across the U.S. build and acquire small businesses. But outside of work, I’m most energized by connecting with people and building community.

To me, brave leadership means listening more than talking—taking the time to understand what motivates people and creating space for them to step into their own version of leadership. I’m still working on that every day.

One of the things I’m most excited about with the COGGS Crew is helping folks from outside our area experience what makes Duluth so special—especially people visiting for the first time. We have something truly unique here, and I’d love to see our trail system grow from a “hidden gem” into a world class destination for riders everywhere.

I’m Alison and I’m excited to be a part of the COGGS Crew this year! I love being involved in anything that gets me outside, including hiking with my 15 year old min pin, biking, and cross country skiing. I am fairly new to mountain biking and I am excited to be a part of a community that is welcoming to people who might be nervous to start something new. Brave leadership to me means seeing potential in people and inviting them in. Anyone can be a leader, not just people who are in charge.

I'm stoked to help build the mountain biking community here in Duluth! Riding has been a major part of my life since I moved here 6 years ago - it keeps me happy, healthy, and getting fresh air year-round! We are lucky to have such an incredible variety and quantity of trails here in town and throughout the twin ports and north shore as well. Let's get as many people as we can out there enjoying the trails!

Hey, I’m Amanda! I have been running and riding Duluth trails my whole life. When I’m not out in the woods, you might find me at the beach with my dog, cooking, or playing video games! I am super excited to be a part of a community minded crew. Showing brave leadership in this role means showing up when it’s hard, having an open mind and always being honest with yourself and others. I’m looking forward to helping non-bikers enjoy our multi-use trails, and getting people who might not know what is available to them, excited about what we have to offer. I also am looking forward to trail work days and giving back to the trails we love.

My name is Cole Webster and I am excited to be a part of the ambassador program to support the trails and promote Duluth’s outdoor community. I am excited to build the outdoor recreation community by organizing mountain and fat bike rides, cross county ski outings, and drinking coffee outside!

I’m Dan, someone who believes deeply in the power of real connection — the kind that comes from shared challenge and time spent outdoors.

To me, brave leadership means showing up with vulnerability, creating inclusive spaces, and helping others discover confidence and belonging through shared experiences. I’m excited to help strengthen the Twin Ports and North Shore outdoor community by leading progressive MTB rides and supporting adventure‑based events that bring people together. My own experiences — from multi‑day enduro racing to climbing to long bike‑packing trips — have shown me how transformative outdoor community can be, and I want to help others feel that same sense of purpose and connection.

Hi! I'm Elena. Brave leadership to me means willing to experience discomfort in order to stand up for what I believe in. I hope to be a welcoming face volunteering and greeting folks out on the trails, reveling in this amazing place we live!

I am Elizabeth! I am a nurse who loves to mountain bike, ski, paddle, and run. I am looking forward to being out on our local trails, braiding hair, sharing snacks, and helping organize fun costume themed races! I am also passionate about introducing more FTWNB folks to downhill mountain biking. I’m excited to get out on the trails with y’all!

If you’ve seen that viral video of a little girl saying, “I’m not like a zoomer-arounder like you…” – that’s basically me! When we ride together, it’s likely that we’ll spend more time chatting, snacking, and sessioning features than we will stacking on the miles. I love working together to help others progressively stretch their comfort zone, work through fears of specific features, and get rowdy when they finally clean it, send it, or shred it! I’m excited to help foster new friendships and to spread the joy, adventure, and quiet confidence that comes with being a part of our epic mountain bike community.

I'm excited to serve as a COGGS Crew Ambassador because I believe our trails have the power to bring people together and strengthen our community. I want to help showcase the incredible trail systems and outdoor opportunities throughout the Twin Ports while making them feel welcoming and accessible to people of all backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels.

To me, brave leadership means creating spaces where people feel they belong before they feel they fit in. I believe the outdoors should be a place where everyone feels welcome—not because they're the fastest rider or the most experienced, but because they're willing to show up. My goal is to encourage others to step outside their comfort zone, try something new, build confidence through community, and discover that they have a place here. I hope to be an ally and advocate for anyone who has ever felt intimidated to take up space, ask questions, or see themselves as someone who belongs on the trails.

Hello, my name is Lauren Faherty and I am excited to be on the Coggs Crew! I participate in a variety of outdoor activities, including mountain biking, cross-country skiing, backpacking, and bikepacking. When not outside, you can find me sewing and making art in my studio.

To me, brave leadership is rooted in communication and moving through the world with respect to all while holding true to values of inclusivity and positivity. I am excited to help support the outdoor recreation community by supporting FTWNB group rides and group ski efforts and incorporating DIY craft into events and gatherings.

I'm Liz, dabbler of many things. I'm jazzed to be part of this friendly group to build a deeper connection with all of the outdoor recreation that the Twin Ports has has to offer and invite others to do the same! I'm passionate about getting kids outside and helping them build confidence on bikes or skis. I'm not an expert, but I'm a great at cheering people on!

Greetings,

I am Logan, Loggie, or hey you.

I am out here to explore and show you that having kids does not stop the fun. I push the limits of my comfort zone to be better preparade for adversity. Adversity is not something we can always avoid and you should face it every chance you get. #DoHardThings. I look forward to getting more family's out on the trail and building resiliency.

Hello! My name is Mary and I have been loving spending time outside in and around Duluth since I was a kiddo coming Up North on family vacations. I have now called Duluth home for over a decade and love getting out on the trails with my wife and son and our dog, Juneberry. To me, brave leadership means creating space for everyone in our community to thrive because we all do better when we all do better. I am excited to help create welcoming spaces for folks to get outside and connect with nature and each other. Hope to see you on the trails!

I’m Olivia -- equal parts cyclist, gardener, and dog mom (usually outside doing one of the three). I’m excited to be part of the COGGS Crew and give back to the biking and outdoor community I love.

To me, brave leadership means speaking up, trying new things, and making tough calls when needed. It also means listening, learning, and not pretending to have all of the answers.

I’m excited to help grow the outdoor recreation community in the Twin Ports because some of the best friendships, memories, and adventures start outside. I’m looking forward to helping more people experience that for themselves.

Multi-discipline bike racer and outdoor enthusiast. I am excited to share the stoke for local racing while focusing on a love of the outdoors and the enjoyment from riding bikes with friends!

Description goes hereMountain biking has been my favorite way to explore Duluth since 2020. You'll usually find me chasing gravity at Spirit Mountain, marketing for COGGS, or out exploring the incredible trail systems that make this community so special. Whether I'm riding or volunteering, I'm proud to be part of the Duluth mountain bike community.

Hey crew, I’m Sloan. Newer to the area and not far into my biking journey either, so don’t be a stranger if you see me out on the trails figuring it out. To me, the best kind of leadership isn’t about being the strongest rider in the group. It’s about making space for the person who just showed up unsure but ready, because that’s me right now, and I already know how much a good community changes the whole experience.

That’s exactly what I want to help build here. You’ll find me on group rides and trail days learning as I go, cheering everyone on, and soaking up everything this community has to teach me. I especially want newcomers to know there’s a place for them in the pack, no matter where they’re starting from. Can’t wait to log some miles and meet you all out there!

I believe leadership is often less about being the person at the front of the group and more about helping others feel confident enough to participate. That can mean inviting a first-time rider to join a group ride, speaking up when someone's perspective isn't being heard, or volunteering to help organize an event when help is needed. Within the outdoor community, I've helped introduce friends and coworkers to mountain biking, Nordic skiing, and trail running, and I enjoy creating inclusive experiences that focus on fun, connection, and skill-building rather than competition. Whether it's organizing a group ride, helping coordinate an overnight bikepacking trip, or simply encouraging someone to try something new, I believe brave leadership is about creating a positive environment where others feel empowered to participate and grow. This year with the Crew I plan to host Thursday night FTWNB mountain bike rides and Nordic skis in the winter, and I'd love to organize a trail running series to explore some new trails on foot. Other ideas include a group rides up scenic Highway 61 to Cedar Coffee or portions of the Clover Valley Trail. I would also like to be involved with a local FTWNB bikepacking overnight trip later this summer.

I am honored to be choose to represent COGGS and the Ambassador Crew! I am looking forward to building community within families, kids and including everyone in the amazing outdoor spaces we have in this town. I feel brave leadership is sticking to your morals no matter th situation, treating everyone with the utmost respect regardless of who they are or where they come from and having the highest interest in every aspect of life!

Hi, I'm Alec. I fell in love with biking at the same time I fell in love with Duluth, and have spent the past decade doing my best to share that love and get people outside! Most recently that includes adaptive recreation, mountain biking with people with disabilities. I really love Bikepacking and long days in the saddle. See you on the trail!

I'm excited to continue my journey with the Crew and connecting relationships in my community. I love just getting outside in any capacity and excited to share that passion. I'm highly involved in the community through various organizing and would happy to connect folks and help in public advocacy.

As an outdoor enthusiast, you can find me traveling, hitting the trails on my mountain bike, on cross country skis, backpacking, hiking, or playing hockey. I’m an educator in Duluth, coach, and lifelong learner who believes that adventure and community have the power to build confidence, resilience, and belonging.

To me, brave leadership means showing up with authenticity, curiosity, and a willingness to adapt to the needs of the community. It means allowing space for others to be themselves and learn alongside you.

Our region offers incredible access to a range of outdoor experiences. We are lucky to live here, and I’m looking forward to helping to maintain recreational spaces that are welcoming, accessible, and inspiring for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Description goes hereHi! My name is Ann Farley, and I have been passionate bout endurance sports since undergrad. Brave leadership to me means showing up, doing something to the fullest because you said you would, and pushing to leave things better than you found it. I'm excited to continue to support women in sport within our community.

I'm Becca Grumdahl (she/they) and I love the outdoors! It is a critial time to stand up for the outdoor community and I'm proud to be part of the Coggs Crew that is doing just that. I am looking forward to creating a welcoming space for people new to biking and leading beginner specific rides and outings. I also love connecting different pieces of the outdoors together like my love of birding and my love of biking- simultaneously! I'm stoked to connect people to biking and the great outdoors!

Despite the fact that I've been a road biker and commuter (and have no mtn biking experience), I want to contribute to Duluth's outdoor community as a good steward of the land and trail systems I use daily for dog walks and trail runs. Access to wilderness and green space was a large part of the reason I moved to Duluth three years ago. I'm excited to champion north shore trails and hopefully increase exposure and access for those in more economically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Duluth. The mental and physical health benefits that fresh air and green space can provide should be accessible to all (Trails for All) and I'm hopeful to impact awareness of our trails! I'm also looking forward to trail building!

Hello! My name is Cullen and I am stoked to help create an open and inviting environment for all to get out and enjoy the outdoors. I look forward to supporting COGGS mission and help further opportunities that allow people from all backgrounds and abilities to enjoy the twin ports trails.

I enjoy the intersection of fitness and outdoor recreation. From a background in traditional sports, hunting, fishing, and camping, to action sports, mountain biking and snowboarding, I love testing myself outside. I also value slowing down and simply spending time in wild places. Extended wilderness trips from a decade ago have shown me calm, contentment, and confidence that I draw on during my busier life today.

Lately I’ve found it exciting helping others discover what they’re capable of. I’m a CrossFit coach and an active, supportive member of that community. I’m hope to share energy and stoke with the Twin Ports outdoor community so more people can accomplish whatever it is they’ve set out to accomplish. Whatever your goal is, I want to hear all about it—and I want to help.

To me, brave leadership means stepping forward even when outside your comfort zone, and creating opportunities for everyone to feel welcome in the outdoors. I’m excited to continue fostering an inclusive environment where all people can feel welcome.

My name is Josh Hofmann and I’m originally from Fergus Falls, MN. After living in Colorado and New Hampshire, my wife and I found our way back to Minnesota, landing in Duluth. I love all things outdoors, but you’ll most likely find me mountain biking, playing pickleball/spikeball, or skiing/snowboarding.

I believe brave leaders encourage and empower others. A huge part of trying new things and improving is feeling like you want to come back. This takes courage, but it helps to have a community that welcomes and supports you.

I’m excited to share my love of the outdoors with more people. I want to bring folks together and spread appreciation and awareness of the beautiful natural resources the Arrowhead Region has to offer.

Hello! My name is Laura (she/her) and I am stoked to be apart of the COGGS Crew. I am a new bike enthusiast in the last 1-2 years and like to dabble in a bit of everything when it comes to trails - mountain biking, trail running, gravel riding, paddling (cause water trails count too). The outdoor community is near and dear to my heart and I am excited to get more folks outside, help make Duluth a more inclusive and welcoming place to recreate, and facilitate opportunities for people to try new things!

Hey! I’m Matthew Rohrer (he/him), and I’m really excited to be part of the COGGS Crew this season. I’ve looked up to the work COGGS does for a long time—not just building and maintaining incredible trails, but helping create the kind of outdoor community that keeps people coming back to ride, connect, and feel like they belong.

I’m an educator in the Twin Ports, and a big part of what matters to me—both in my work and outside of it—is helping more young people feel like the outdoors is for them too. I’m especially excited about opportunities to connect Duluth youth with our local trail systems—particularly students of color, LGBTQIA+ youth, and other young people who haven’t always been welcomed, represented, or given equal access in outdoor recreation spaces.

To me, brave leadership means being willing to show up, build relationships, listen well, and use your voice to make spaces more welcoming and inclusive. I’m excited to help grow an outdoor community in Duluth and along the North Shore that feels fun, supportive, and accessible—whether that’s through advocacy, showing up for events, or simply helping more people find confidence and connection on the trail.

I’m grateful to be part of the Crew and excited to keep learning, riding, and helping build the kind of community I’m proud to be part of. See you out there!

On the trails, on the water, I love it all! A background in wilderness expeditions and currently leaning into micro-adventures with my tiny-tyke, I’m seeing the outdoors with a new lens. Getting outside, connecting with community, and making that possible for all matters to me greatly. Right now, I think about this most around micro-mobility, bikes as tools and toys, and am one of the E-Bike Duluth folks. It’s been inspiring to see more people getting out, connecting and having fun safely.

As an avid rider who has enjoyed our region's world-class singletrack for the last 7 years, I am eager to transition from just using the trails to actively giving back.

To me, brave leadership as a volunteer means taking the initiative on the ground to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment. It means stepping up to guide new riders, promoting safe trail etiquette, and showing up with a positive attitude during tough trail maintenance days. Ultimately, it is about leading by example and prioritizing the safety and belonging of our riding community.

I am very excited to help lower barriers for new riders across the Twin Ports and North Shore. I look forward to getting my hands dirty at trail digs, assisting with local races, and supporting community group rides. By being an active, visible volunteer, I hope to inspire others to get involved and foster a deeper sense of shared ownership and joy across our entire regional trail network.

I recently relocated to Duluth with my family and couldn’t be more excited to join the incredible cycling community here. While I’ve been a lifelong cyclist, I tend to be a pragmatist shaped by my surroundings. Most of my adult life has been spent year-round bike commuting on the streets of Chicago and road cycling in the mountains of Colorado, though I’ve always longed for more dirt, gravel, and snow in my rides.

Rejoice the trails of Duluth and the North Shore! I’m continually amazed by the community-built and community-supported trail system, and while I can’t wait to explore it, I’m even more excited to become an active part of such a rich and welcoming cycling culture.

As a Crew member, I hope to share my enthusiasm for cycling with riders of all backgrounds and experience levels while contributing to the proud tradition of COGGS. I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to a community that has already inspired me so much.

Im interested to support a non motorized activity for outdoor recreation in the beautiful topography of Duluth.

I'm Nicky - I am a sailor, downhill skier, and mountain biker! I also love to cook, garden, and just be outside. I am energized to help connect more disabled folks and LGBTQ+ folks - especially youth - to our outdoor recreation community. Brave leadership is taking action even when its uncomfortable. Especially when its uncomfortable.

Hi! I’m Sam Crow. As a COGGS Crew member, certified mountain bike coach, mental performance coach, and trail user, I’m excited to help others get out on bikes, build confidence, and feel more connected to our local trails. I’m always happy to share coaching tips, help riders work through fear or mental hurdles, and offer a fist bump at trail intersections to spread the stoke.

To me, brave leadership means stepping up in ways that make space for others. It means being willing to learn, listen, encourage, and help create a community where more people feel welcome and capable. I believe strong outdoor communities are built through connection, support, and shared responsibility for the places we love.

My name is Sammi Shimota and I am excited to join the COGGs crew this year! I am currently a masters student studying wildlife biology- but outside of classes and research I love to bike. I am stoked to spend the next year getting involved in our biking community around the Twin Ports by leading beginner and LGBTQ friendly group rides and fostering a positive biking culture that encourages meeting new people and having fun.

My name is Sarah, I am fond of bike packing adventures, snowball fights, and cats. I am pumped to carry on and grow the work that COGGS has been doing! To foster an inclusive and explorative attitude around land stewardship and playing outside is what I’m most looking forward to by joining this community.

Hello, my name is Sonja and I'm stoked to be apart of COGGS Crew! I love pretty much every outdoor sport, but right now my favorites are gravel and mountain biking, and going to the beach with my daughter Nova, 2. My husband and I are both teachers at East High School in Duluth; I will be teaching an Outdoor Leadership class this year that I am very excited about and hoping to have COGGS and other local organizations be a part of. I'm looking forward to expanding accessibility to the wonders of Duluth's outdoor recreation to local youth.

I absolutely love the Duluth biking community, and I am excited to contribute to its continued awesomeness. The Duluth Enduro Series has a special place in my heart and I will continue to help with those events. I'm at Spirit most weekends, so please say hi if you see a guy with blonde mullet and probably some blood somewhere :)

I've been riding and racing bikes for most of my life. I love Duluth for it's world-class trails, but the ability to ride to trails is compromised by poor infrastructure. As a life-long bike commuter, I want to work towards making our streets safer for riding. I highly-value the camaraderie and diversity of the Duluth riding community!

My family moved to Duluth in 2016 and have fully settled in to the area for the long haul. We live in the Piedmont area and I’m a stay at home dad for my 3 kids. I started riding in 2018: since then, it has developed into a source of connection to people and nature, as well as an outlet for fitness pursuits and outright joy for me. I want to help others develop their own interests, connections, and joy in whatever way possible.

I’m Travis! I grew up in Kansas, and after college moved to Colorado where my outdoor adventuring began to flourish. Duluth is now home and obviously an excellent place to be outdoors. My main focuses are road/gravel bike riding/bikepacking, but I love anything that gets me outside. Super excited to be more deeply connected with this Twin Ports community and help nourish a welcoming and fun-loving environment!