Since before he could walk, Jim has been engaging the outdoors. As a child of the 70’s, the freedom he enjoyed in rural Pennsylvania was amplified dramatically when he first put a foot on a pedal. Once the training wheels came off, his adventures gained range and complexity. He has never looked back. 

Spending his late childhood and teen years in Idaho, Jim’s freedom and range only grew. His passion for learning technical skills and finding ever grander adventures found fertile soil in the endless mountains, rivers, and canyons of that vast and beautiful state. His hunting, fishing, backpacking and cycling expeditions, mostly with his father, Jim Sr., solidified his thirst for more. 

A four year sojourn to Carleton College in Minnesota saw him garner 3 All-American football honors and a number of prominent records as a wide receiver, while completing his degree in Chemistry with a focus on physics as well. Minnesota could not hold him with it’s own rare beauty. He needed mountains, so returned to his native Northwest.

After College, a 10 year career as a whitewater guide, guide instructor, and certified whitewater kayak instructor followed. This is where Jim’s deep love of being outside truly found its home. During that time, through hundreds of wilderness excursions, he honed his skills as a leader, caregiver, and teacher. He finds no greater joy than sharing the natural world with others and guiding people toward self discovery.

A robust and fulfilling career as a general contractor over the last 2 decades allowed more limited time for the adventures Jim craves. Since retiring from the construction world, he has rediscovered his long-held love of mountain biking. As a father and resident of SanDiego County, he has found mountain biking the perfect activity to engage his passion for the outdoors, love of technical skills, and sense of community, while enhancing time with his family. In only minutes, the local trail network allows access to endless miles of trail that connect throughout our greater San Diego area. Jim intends to share his passion for riding and adventure through his new enterprise Del Sur Dirt, where he will provide mountain bike instruction, lead daily rides, and support trail stewardship.