Instructor Spotlight: James Burnett, Cascades to Sound Chapter Volunteer Lead Instructor
05 | Nov | '25
Kristen McCune
Evergreen’s education program is led by a statewide team of over 100 certified instructors who help riders of all ages and skill levels build confidence and have fun on the trail. While our group classes take a seasonal pause for winter, private lessons are still available; and our popular youth Dirt Camps and spring group classes will open for registration soon in 2026. Meet some of the instructors who make it all happen!
What's your story of how you got into mountain biking? 
My wife and I moved to Seattle in 2019 from Washington, DC. While I was a pretty regular bike commuter in DC, I had not really been exposed to biking in the mountains aside from some lighter gravel rides around the DMV area. Coming to Seattle and literally staring at mountains from our apartment rooftop led to hiking. Seeing bikes (and post-ride drinks/grill outs/smiling people) at the trailheads led to biking, my first mountain bike, and my first mountain bike crash on Bootcamp at Duthie a week later. I quickly decided that I loved mountain biking (but not crashing), so I signed up for several Evergreen classes and started riding as much as possible - first alone and then with some new friends (which I found were pretty easy to make when mountain bikes were involved). I kept learning and progressing through Covid and welcoming our son into the world, and found mountain biking to be a great way to calm my mind and focus through a fairly stressful few years. I still crash occasionally, but keep coming back for the progression, new trails, friends (old and new) and the awesome community of riders.
What do you enjoy about being an instructor with Evergreen?
Sharing mountain biking with new and progressing riders; seeing the "ah ha" moments when a concept or skill clicks for a student; and the privilege of welcoming new folks to this special community of mountain bikers in WA.
Why should someone take a class with Evergreen?
To learn (or reinforce) mountain biking skills through riding (and re-riding) trails and personalized feedback; meet other riders; and progress in a fun and welcoming environment. It also doesn't hurt that course fees go back into the trails we all ride!
What's a fun fact about you?
I am originally from Kentucky and maintain a pretty big collection of Kentucky bourbons and whiskeys that I am always happy to share or geek out about.