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 nearly 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 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 bring joy, health, and connection built by people who ride them.
Our Values
- Craftsmanship: We take pride in every shovelful of dirt.
- Sustainability: We build with the land, not against it.
- Community: Great trails are built with the people who use them.
- Integrity: We do what we say, and we stand behind our work.
- Passion: We're riders first. It shows in everything we build.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Speedgoat Trail Co operate?
We’re based in the American West but work nationwide. We’ve completed projects in 12 states and are always open to exploring new terrain. Contact us to discuss your project location.
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?
Project timelines vary widely depending on scope, terrain, permitting, and season. A single-track mile can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. Full system designs and multi-mile builds are typically planned over one or more seasons. We’ll give you a realistic timeline during our initial consultation.
Do you work with land managers & permitting agencies?
Absolutely. We have extensive experience navigating the permitting process with Forest Service, BLM, state parks, county agencies, and private land. We can assist with environmental assessments, stakeholder engagement, and all required documentation.
How do we get started on our project?
Simple — reach out through our contact page or give us a call. We’ll set up a free initial consultation to discuss your vision, site conditions, budget, and timeline. From there, we’ll put together a proposal tailored to your project.