For Paul Tiege, Manager, Office of Applied Research and Innovation, a passion for biking didn’t come right away. It started with reluctance and a bit of skepticism.
After moving to the Kootenays, mountain biking felt more like an obligation than an adventure. It was something to try, not something to look forward to.
That changed when his wife Vickie started riding with friends who were deeply connected to local bike culture. Before long, she convinced him to give it a try.
“I’m so glad she dragged me along,” he said.
Paul now enjoys a few rides during the week, longer outings on weekends, and, with the Cranbrook campus bordering the Cranbrook Community Forest, you can often find him squeezing in a quick loop on his lunch break. He invites anyone along who would like to join him.
When asked how he’d describe his riding style, Paul has no hesitation:
“Definitely a patzer. One day I hope to make it to ‘mediocre.’”
It is a lighthearted answer, but it speaks to something real. Progress does not have to be dramatic to matter. Sometimes it is simply realizing that a trail that once felt out of reach is now doable.
That sense of progress is part of what keeps him, and many others, coming back.
As an avid runner as well, Paul has seen firsthand how much place can shape experience.
In central Alberta, running meant long, flat routes along grid roads. Every outing felt structured and predictable.
Here, it is something entirely different.
Now the forest becomes the backdrop. Trails wind through changing terrain, and every ride or run offers something new. What used to feel like a chore has become something to look forward to.
“Every run or bike in the forest is actually a treat. Well, the biking anyway.”
Though he jokes that it is a way to not have to run for the rest of the year, Paul is an annual participant in the Selkirk Slacker, an ultra trail run and relay in Golden where he takes on the eight-hour category. Clearly familiar with pushing himself, when it comes to mountain biking it is knowing he is getting better all the time, if only slightly, that keeps him coming back.
What began as a shared activity with Vickie quickly expanded. Rides turn into conversations, trail networks become common ground. Familiar faces show up at the same trailheads. And along the way, a bit of friendly competition finds its place too.
“Among Strava friends, it’s always about who can get the best segment time or the most segments.”
For anyone new to the region or thinking about trying mountain biking for the first time, Paul keeps it simple.
“Go slow. Enjoy the ride.”
Spending time outdoors has also influenced how Paul thinks about his work.
It has deepened his appreciation for how natural spaces and economic development can work together. Trails and landscapes are not just places to recreate. They are part of what makes communities stronger and more resilient.
That perspective connects directly naturally to the College of the Rockies community, where outdoor recreation is part of daily life for many employees, students, and residents across the region.
Favourite routes change often, depending on the day and the mood.
Right now, one combination stands out for Paul.
“Anything that includes Pole Dancer and Espresso in the same ride.”
For those who ride here, that needs no explanation.
While progress and great trails matter, the most memorable experiences are often the simplest.
A recent ride in Rossland stands out. Watching his kids take on the flow trails and seeing how much fun they were having brought everything full circle.
It is a reminder that outdoor recreation is about more than the activity itself. It is about connection, family, and moments that last.