Behind the Machine:
The Speedgoat Story
Where architectural design meets heavy-duty construction. Speedgoat Trail Co. delivers premium, long-lasting trails crafted by a passionate builder with deep, field-tested expertise
Our Story
Borrowing the name from the colloquial term for the pronghorn—the fastest land mammal in North America—Speedgoat brings a unique blend of efficiency and dependability to every project. Now, no one is claiming Speedgoat is the fastest company on the continent, but it is far from the slowest.
Utilizing a “work smarter and harder” approach, Speedgoat Trail Co optimizes the building process to complete projects faster and more efficiently. For clients, that means a direct line to the builder, less administrative overhead, and superior, long-lasting trails delivered at a lower overall cost.
What truly makes Speedgoat unique is the thinking behind the machine. The company’s foundation is built on years of rugged, hands-on trail building experience paired with a formal architectural design education. This perfect background uniquely positions Speedgoat Trail Co to tackle the most complex aspects of any project. From initial ideas to final compaction, Evan doesn’t just understand how a trail should feel under a tire or a boot; he understands the structural engineering, landscape integration, and spatial design required to make it exceptional.
From municipal parks departments to private landowners, Speedgoat speaks the language of both blueprints and bulldozers.
Meet Evan Ely
Like many trail builders, Evan grew up building bike jumps and trails in the woods behind his home. While his friends focused on building bigger features, he realized those jumps were only as good as the trail connecting them. He soon found himself spending more time correcting drainage and perfecting trail flow than learning tricks—an early, unconscious insight into the world of sustainable trail design.
After graduating with an architectural design degree, Evan moved west to the Rocky Mountains. He began attending volunteer trail days and quickly found himself inquiring about the more specialized aspects of trail building, volunteering for the more challenging, technical rock-work projects in Colorado’s Front Range. In 2019, when the opportunity arose to transition into full-time professional trail building, Evan jumped at the chance and hasn’t looked back since.
As a professional builder, Evan has worked across more than a half-dozen states for a diverse range of clients—including the USFS, BLM, non-profit trail organizations, land trusts, and private landowners. His portfolio spans from hand-building remote sections of the Colorado Trail at 12,000 feet above sea level, to designing conceptual, bike-optimized flow trails in the East Bay of California. From starting out as the proverbial “new guy” to operating as Machine Operator, Project Manager, and Senior Trail Designer, he has worn many hats in the industry, gaining invaluable insight from every project along the way.
That diverse, field-tested expertise ultimately led to the launch of Speedgoat Trail Co. As the owner, operator, and driving force behind the company, Evan brings a deep wealth of real-world knowledge that can only be earned through years of hard labor in the mountains, forests, and prairies. Paired with his formal design background, this unique experience enables Evan to seamlessly guide any trail project from initial idea to final implementation.
Mission, Vision & Values
Our Mission
To design and build exceptional and enjoyable trails that connect people to the outdoors, foster community, and endure for generations all while protecting the natural landscapes we love.
Our Vision
A world where every community has access to well-designed, sustainably built trails that inspire health, connection, and joy for generations to come.
Our Values
- Craftsmanship: Taking pride in every linear foot of trail.
- Sustainability: Building with the land, not against it.
- Inspiration: Building trails that inspire people to get outside and fall in love with the outdoors.
- Integrity: Doing what I say, and standing behind the work.
- Passion: A trail user at heart, it shows in everything I build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Speedgoat Trail Co operate?
While most of my current projects are in North Carolina and Wyoming, I love traveling wherever the work takes me. Don’t let distance hold you back; reach out today to discuss your project! Mobilizing to your location is often far more simple and cost-effective than you’d expect.
What types of projects do you take on?
We handle everything from full trail system design and new construction to restoration, maintenance programs, and consulting for land managers, municipalities, resorts, and private landowners.
How long does a typical trail project take?
Timelines vary depending on project scale, terrain complexity, and seasonal access. A small private trail project can often be completed in just a week, while larger trail networks may be planned and executed across multiple phases. A realistic, detailed schedule is always provided right upfront during the proposal phase.
Did you go to trail building school?
Trail building schools weren’t around when I started… Instead, I earned my degree in Architectural Design and spent years in the field working for a major trail construction company. Learning directly from seasoned trail builders on real-world project gave me a level of hands-on field experience that you can’t get in a classroom. That blend of formal design schooling and years of field experience is the foundation that Speedgoat Trail Co is built on.
How do we get started on our project?
Simple — reach out through the contact page or send an email. We’ll set up a free initial conversation to discuss your vision, site conditions, budget, and timeline. From there, we’ll put together a proposal tailored to your project.