The Ozark Podcast Ep. 181 - Mike Rusch - Can the Cycling Boom in the Ozarks be a Positive Step for Conservation?
The Ozarks are experiencing a cycling boom unlike anything we've seen before. But with new trails, booming tourism, and a rapidly changing landscape come big questions about conservation, community, and how we can grow without losing the soul of the region. In this episode, we sit down with cyclist and community advocate Mike Rusch to explore the tensions and opportunities between the biking community and long-standing Ozark traditions like hunting, fishing, and land stewardship.
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Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry-defining scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Diamond State Fly Co. - The Region's premiere fly fishing shop
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
00:00 – Mike shares how cycling deepened his connection to the Ozarks
08:00 – Breaking down the three main cycling communities
20:40 – Tension between cyclists and non-cyclists
43:00 – Kyle’s challenge to the cycling community
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
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PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com