Charles Merritt and his team at Buddy Insurance offer something novel: On-demand accident insurance for mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking and any other outdoor pursuit (except wingsuiting). Find out why they think the concept will fly...

Views from the Treehouse

Can an RVA startup transform the risk-reward calculation for outdoor enthusiasts?

When Anne Poarch tired of a career in financial services, she turned to hospitality and showcasing the region she loves. Five years later, Basket and Bike, her bike-touring brainchild is growing steadily -- showing visitors and locals alike how to slow down and enjoy the ride.

Basket and Bike: Touring the Virginia Capital Trail in Style

In the world of paddlers, mountain bikers, surfers, and other outdoors enthusiasts, "dirtbag" isn't a pejorative; it's a lifestyle choice, one Michael Stratton -- local kayaker, ultrarunner, and MTBer -- lives despite also holding down at least one real job. Stratton straddles worlds, but it's hard to keep a girlfriend when home has no heat and a sleeping bag beckons every night.

A Dirtbag Diary: The Michael Stratton Story

Scott Turner and his company, True Timber Arborists, have reimagined what tree work looks and feels like in Richmond. It starts with caring about the natural world.

What If Your Tree Guy Was Also a Physicist/Naturalist?

What do you do when your Phd work isn’t doing it for you anymore? If you’re local Richmonder, Max Pendergraph, you take a sabbatical to work for Backroads bike touring company. And when you realize guiding trips and fixing bikes is your true passion?...Well, why not just go for it?! Check out what Max is doing to help people plan and have an awesome experience on long distance cycling trips throughout Virginia and beyond.

Bike touring from Richmond just got a whole lot easier

This summer Virginia became the 12th state to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation. Meet Cass Rasnick; she's in charge.

Virginia Gets Serious About the Business of Outdoor Recreation

McLane Grow discovered a talent for distance running after through-hiking the Appalachian Trail. Now the local science teacher and Blue Ridge Marathon winner wants to figure out how good he can really be.

Enter the 'Pain Cave' with an RVA ultrarunning champ -- and try not to throw up

For a year and a half, Andy Thompson and Matt Perry have put the questions to Richmond’s outdoor recreation leaders. Now they’re on the other side of the table, bringing in a guest host to help interview each other about how they got to this point in their outdoor lives. In this second installment, Andy Thompson and Brad Cooke, Collegiate School's Director of 'Outdoor Collegiate,' interview Matt Perry on the past, present and future of his own outdoor pursuits and where the RVA outdoor rec scene is headed.

Views from the Treehouse' host Gets Grilled on RVA's Outdoor Rec Scene

For a year and a half, Andy Thompson and Matt Perry have put the questions to Richmond's outdoor recreation leaders. Now they're on the other side of the table, bringing in a guest host to help interview each other about how they got to this point in their outdoor lives. In this first installment, Matt Perry and Crossroads Coffee and Ice Cream owner, Will Herring, grill Thompson on the past, present and future of his own outdoor pursuits and where the RVA outdoor rec scene is headed.

Views from the Treehouse Hosts Hit the Hot Seat

Buck Robinson is a co-founder of Outdoor Access, the Richmond-based company that wants to pair landowners with hunters, anglers, campers and other outdoorsy types. Can his model become the AirBnB of the outdoors?

Local startup takes aim at AirBnB -- one hunting/camping/fishing trip at a time

You've seen the bumper sticker: "Quit Bitching. Start a Revolution." That's how Brian Bell rolls. Instead of complaining about all the litter he saw in the outdoors, the veteran hiker started a non-profit to do something about it.

For this RVA Outdoorsman, there's no time like the present to Make Va. a Little More Cozy

Maurice Jackson wears many hats, but his newest challenge will shape the future of Shockoe Bottom for years to come. The question at hand: How to make the gleaming new 17th St. Market a must-see destination for Richmonders and tourists alike?

Rapping with the Richmond hip hop talent who runs the new 17th St. Market

It's been over a year since, Ralph White, the legendary James River Park manager joined us for our first-ever Views from the Treehouse podcast. That inaugural effort is still our most listened to episode, so we brought Ralph back to help us celebrate, teach us about salamander sex and let us in on his secret firefly watching spot (and more). This one is not to be missed!

Ralph White Returns: 1st Anniversary Podcast is an Instant Classic

As Richmond's sustainability czar, Alicia Zatcoff tries to encourage best practices in everything from recycling to vehicle fleet emissions. But this isn't a battle you win in a year -- or 20.

For RVA, It's Not Always Easy Being Green

RVA's Best Kept Outdoors Secret? The Richmond Ski Club Has Been After Fresh Powder for 65 Years

Where we get real with RVA’s outdoors leaders -- 20 feet up a in tree

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Views from the Treehouse

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