Meet Us
Founder, Cyclist
Kent Blackmer
Driven by a passion for Colorado's natural beauty, Kent Blackmer founded Pristine Riders after cycling the stunning drainages feeding the Roaring Fork Valley. Witnessing roadside litter inspired his vision to make these mountain routes entirely trash-free. His mission encourages cyclists worldwide to pick up just one piece of litter per ride. By offering complimentary jerseys to committed participants, Kent aims to build a global community dedicated to environmental stewardship.
Executive Director
Erik Skarvan
Pristine Riders Executive Director Erik Skarvan has been biking in Aspen, CO since the early 80s, after being turned on by the new fast growing sport of mountain biking. He started racing on a rental mountain bike in 1984 in the valley’s first race the Snowmass Fanny Buster. He begin road bike racing several years later. He resigned a hotel management position at the renowned Sardy House in the summer of 1993 to race road biking events around the country wrapping up with a Silver Medal in the Colorado State Road Championships. He began working in the health and fitness industry at top rated The Aspen Club, leading to founding Sun Dog Athletics in 1996 as Aspen’s first full time year round mountain biking and adventure sports instructors. He’s grown Sun Dog Athletics offering instruction and guiding in eight mountain adventure sports since, celebrating their 30th Anniversary in 2026. He’s continued to compete in bike racing and endurance events, taking part in over 600 events year round. “To ride and race bikes is to fly and be free!”
Erik has also been producing and hosting The Local’s Show since 2004, a weekly talk show on GrassRoots TV, America’s original public access TV station and featured Pristine Riders Founder Kent Blackmer as Guest of the Week. Incredibly inspired by Kent’s story and mission, combining a love and passion for biking and caring for the environment, Erik expressed interest in moving Pristine Riders forward. During the COVID pandemic, he elevated the non-profit to 501c3 status. He’s organized over 15 Trash Crush community clean up events, cleaning up the litter on the roads and paths coming out of Aspen with hundreds of local volunteers each spring and fall.
In 2022, Erik and Kent were awarded a Pitkin County Cares “Community Pride” Award for their efforts in helping keep the Roaring Fork Valley pristine, as one of the most stunningly beautiful places on Earth.
Through Pristine Riders and Sun Dog Athletics, Erik adopted U.S. Scenic Byway Hwy 82 east of Aspen past the North Star Nature Preserve through CDOT’s Adopt a Highway program. He cleans that area and other local roads and paths while riding on an ongoing basis, while sharing the message in the media including feature articles in the local media, social media and through his network of riders, family and friends.
