Cheddar Child - The Inside Line Podcast 17

Get to know one of the most passionate and motivated individuals in our industry who is helping move the needle forward for mountain biking in Idaho.

Jason_Schroeder
7/18/2022 4:07pm
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In this episode of The Inside Line podcast, Jason Schroeder sits down to interview his good friend and past landlord, Austin Smith, better known as Cheddar Child. Originally from Southern California and now residing in Boise, Idaho, Austin is first and foremost a ripping snowboarder. Introduced to mountain biking during his college years, his love for two wheels and digging trails have become his newfound passion. 

As the current Director of Innovations and Marketing at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area, he has played a huge role in growing Bogus’ new bike park, The Basin Gravity Park, which has moved the needle forward for mountain bike trails in the greater Boise area. He’s a staple in the community who is constantly organizing dig days and trying to improve the experience of every rider who visits the park. He also has some of the sickest backyard dirt jumps you’ll likely never see and a love for music festivals and drum and bass. Austin is truly a one-of-a-kind individual whose intensity for life and motivated personality leaves an impact on everyone who crosses his path.

 

Have a listen as Austin discusses growing up being a snowboarder in Southern California, jumping beach cruisers at Sheep Hills, what a degree in Ski Business & Resort Management involves, the costs of operating a bike park, what it means to be a nonprofit mountain recreation area, and what it’s like being queer in action sports. Enjoy!

Cover photo by John Webster

Thank you to jensonusa.com for supporting The Inside Line. They have new bikes and gear in stock with great deals to be had. Use coupon code “insideline” (all one word) at checkout and receive 10% off qualifying items.

Vali Holl and Jackson Goldstone took World Cup Downhill wins in Andorra this past weekend, and they did it on Maxxis tires. Hit up maxxis.com to see their full range of mountain bike tires for any riding style or condition.

Jackson took that Junior win on his Santa Cruz V10. Santa Cruz bicycles offer free, lifetime bearing replacement on all bikes, and they’re dedicating $1,000,000 over 3 years to trail projects through their Paydirt Fund. Visit santacruzbicycles.com for all the info.

Show Notes

Blue Beach Cruiser Send at Sheep Hills on Vital MTB

 

  

 


 

 


 


 

 

 

Clarification about discussion starting around 1:46:00: “I state that we had a successful capital campaign of 6 million dollars and that replaced a chairlift, which is not completely accurate. We had a successful capital campaign in the fall of 2017, and the funds were used to put in a snowmaking system in the summer of 2018, checking a box off our master plan. Then in February of 2019, we had our second record-breaking season pass sale, which provided funds to upgrade a chairlift. A new lift was only the next item on the list because we had already completed snowmaking the summer before with the capital campaign funds.” - Austin Smith

Related:
The Inside Line
The Basin Gravity Park
Bogus Basin
Austin Smith
17 comments

View replies to: Cheddar Child - The Inside Line Podcast

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Jess Goucher
2 years ago
Damn, Cheddar! This was such a good listen while digging in the dirt. Thank you to everyone involved in putting this together. Thank you, Cheddar for sharing so much of yourself. Your “rambles” are filled with poetic inspiration. It’s clear how passionate you are for what you do and I say hell yeah! It’s so rad. We are lucky to have stoke like yours in this community. Thank you for being you! Can’t wait to see your yard.
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chedderchild
2 years ago
Perfect place to listen Jess! So great seeing you when you were out here in Boise, and I hope it isn't the last time you come around - maybe we both won't be broken lol. I am glad that there are impactful sentiments somewhere in the non-linear non-sense I ramble on about. I am excited to have you pushing the bar higher for your community only a few states away!
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Losifer
2 years ago
This was truly one of my favorite interviews I’ve heard in a long time. While I’ve had the pleasure of digging with Austin, and working a bit with him on bike infrastructure planning at Bogus Basin, I really wish I had had the opportunity to get to know him better while I was in Boise.

I challenge anyone to find someone more motivated, harder working, or more stoked for mountain biking.

Boise is so lucky to have people like Austin, Braydon Bringhurst, Kevin Lillywhite, and so many others creating an absolutely fantastic biking community.
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chedderchild
2 years ago
Thank you for the words! I am so glad we did spend what little time we had together in Boise, and I know that timing is everything. I may have my heart and soul in this, but so do so many others, and the work being accomplished attests to the dedication this community has for growing the sport. I appreciate you also recognizing those individuals as they don't get nearly the credit they deserve! Big love as always <3
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Moosey
2 years ago
Wow that was awesome! Huge thanks to everyone involved. I’m very stoked that for the most part nowadays the MTB community is open and accepting, but 10 years ago when I was first getting into it, it wasn’t. We’ve made some great strides since then, but stuff like this can only help. 10 years ago when I was a confused teenager, hearing a podcast like this would have been an absolute game changer. Thanks Vital and Jason for putting this together, and Cheddar, fuck yea dude keep being you and advocating for the queer community. Thank you so much for having the strength to speak so openly and honestly. This can only make MTB a better community for everyone!
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chedderchild
2 years ago
I am stoked this hit hard for you - I am so grateful to be in a place and a space where I can share all the facets of my being with people who have mutual and different facets. I agree and can only imagine the positive change that would have existed if I had something like this during my 10-12 years of confusion. I am not perfect, and my experience is just my experience, but I am happy to share it, and I am thankful for the platform Vital provided to amplify it. Thank you for the affirming comment Moosey <3
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dolface
2 years ago
This is so rad, and I am SO stoked that parts/most of the MTB community are welcoming enough that folks feel safe being themselves in all their queer (or not) glory!
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kylechs5
2 years ago
Austin is one of the hardest working and dedicated people I have ever met, so stoked for everything he is doing for Boise. He is helping to build a scene that the groms can take advantage of and flourish under. It will be cool to see all the rippers coming out of the Bogus Basin scene in 5 years or so!
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chedderchild
2 years ago
Damn thanks Kyle <3 so grateful to be surrounded by amazing individuals like yourself in our blossoming scene! Truly makes my heart pitter patter to watch something so cool grow from pure passion and grassroots effort of a community!
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VitalMTB 2023 Repeater Powertrain-40 2
Jason_Schroeder
2 years ago
That's unfortunate. There is a lot of information in the last third of this interview that can help someone like yourself understand the queer community. It might be tough to have your thoughts challenged, but change fosters growth.
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chedderchild
2 years ago
Unfortunate but such is life – the best part of freedom is its free and for everybody. As Jason mentions, should you change your mind, we deep dive into the idea of personal freedom, identities, honesty, and self-expression. I hope life treats you well and is enriching <3 #WithDeepLoveFromTheQueers
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rgmann
2 years ago
Unfortunately, I do believe your chosen namesake, Shane McConkey, would have flipped a big double f you had he still been around. Shane embraced everyone and brought people together.
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