Singletracks Mountain Bike News

Rebecca Rusch is a 7-time World Champion in cycling, adventure racing, and cross country skiing events, a best-selling author, and a passionate community activist. She’s also an Emmy award winner for her documentary Blood Road which highlights the problem of unexploded ordnance in Laos that her Do Good foundation is working to solve. In this episode we dive into the life equations Rebecca has figured out like “blood flow = brain flow” and “passion = payoff,” and how these apply both on and off the bike. Rebecca shares how she approaches challenges, talks about why gravel riding is so attractive to all types of riders, and tells us about what her foundation is doing to help others around the world. We also ask Rebecca to weigh in on why women’s performance in ultra endurance events is more evenly matched with men than in other sports, and what it’s like riding for her new sponsor, Liv/Giant. Learn more about the Be Good foundation and keep up with Rebecca at rebeccarusch.com This episode is sponsored by Bo

Ryan White is the senior product designer at cycling apparel company Pactimo based in Denver, Colorado. He studied industrial design at Wentworth Institute of Technology and has been designing soft goods for almost a decade. In this episode, we dig deep into the design decisions that go into creating clothing that mountain bikers want to wear. If you’ve ever wondered why mountain bike apparel costs as much as it does, or what the true benefits are to wearing jerseys and shorts designed specifically for biking, this show will answer those questions and more. Learn more at Pactimo.com. This podcast was not sponsored, influenced, or directly supported by Pactimo in any way. Let us know if you’d like to hear more episodes like this one where we talk shop and geek out about gear! --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

If you’re a mountain biker, chances are you’ve seen Paris’s brilliant photography online and in your favorite magazine. He’s spent more than a decade capturing mountain bike culture through the eyes of its athletes and brands in locations around the world, and his highly regarded work is routinely showcased in both commercial and editorial features. In this episode, Paris talks about how he got started as a mountain biker, and later a mountain bike photographer. We hear stories about lost memory cards, dropped cameras, and one particularly unusual technique he’s used to get perspective in his shots. He’ll also share some great tips for budding photographers. View Paris Gore’s work online at ParisGore.com and follow him @ParisGore on Instagram. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Keri Hatley is the head coach at Shred Science Nutrition, a program designed to help clients lose weight and build lean muscle to unlock their optimum performance. She’s an athlete who has competed in everything from running and cycling to powerlifting and holds a certificate in Nutrition coaching. We’ll find out what macro nutrients are, and how tracking them can help mountain bikers — and anyone really — reach their fitness goals. Keri weighs in on current diets and intermittent fasting, muscle imbalance in cyclists, and the idea that food is fuel. We also talk about the ideal pre- and post-ride foods. If you want to get faster or feel better this year, listen in for some ideas to try! Learn more and connect with Keri at shredsciencenutrition.com This episode is sponsored by Boeshield (boeshield.com), makers of Boeshield T-9, a lube designed to waterproof your bike chain, lubricate cables, and prevent rust with its unique and effective all-in-one formula. This month Boeshield is giving away a free prize

There are few topics in the world of mountain biking more controversial than electric mountain bikes. While one side believes anything with a motor goes against the spirit of the sport and could have a devastating effect on trail access, the other side argues the new tech helps disabled riders and makes mountain biking even more fun. So who is right? Like most issues, the truth lies somewhere in between the extreme views on either side, and none of us know for certain how this will all shake out in the future. This is a debate that’s been going on for several years, yet today we’re starting to see how some of the early predictions of the impact e-bikes might have are coming true in terms of trail access and riders’ health. In this episode I’ll share two recent stories about e-bike trail access and a study that looks at the health benefits of riding an electric mountain bike, and how riders’ perceptions change (or don’t change) after riding one. You can read all three of these articles, written by Matt Mille

Today I’ll be talking about mountain biking on a budget and ways to make mountain biking more affordable. The format for this week’s show is going to be a little different than usual. Instead of interviewing a guest or having a discussion, I’ll be reading a few reviews and articles and providing some commentary on this topic based on our readers’ comments. The reviews in this show include an affordable drivetrain from Box, a knock-off 4K helmet camera from VanTop, bikes from Marin and Raleigh. I’ll also share nine tips for saving money from Singletracks contributor Ray Southwick. View the latest hand-selected deals on mountain bikes and gear at singletracks.com/deals --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Kurt Refsnider is a badass bikepacker who is the only person to have won all three events in the Triple Crown of Bikepacking — the Tour Divide, the Arizona Trail 750, and most recently, the Colorado Trail Race. He’s also a former professor of geology, a cycling coach, and the founder of Bikepacking Roots, an organization that advocates for bikepacking and the environment. We talk with Kurt about competition, bikepacking, and seeking out personal challenges. Kurt shares his tips for mountain bike training, and his favorite piece of gear for any bikepacking expedition. We also learn about Bikepacking Roots and discuss the fight for bike access in Wilderness areas. Connect with Kurt at Ultramtb.net and bikepackingroots.org. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Jeremiah is an 18-time member of the USA Cycling National Team who has won countless cross-country, ultra-endurance, and mountain bike stage races all around the world, including gold at the Pan American games in 2003, overall wins at the Breck Epic and Pisgah stage races, National titles in both short track and marathon, and multiple overall wins in the National Ultra Endurance Series. He’s currently a member of the Canyon-Topeak racing team and lives in Harrisonburg, VA. We ask Jeremiah to share his tips for racing and recovery and how he deals with riding at altitude. As a long-time pro, we get Jeremiah’s perspective on modern mountain bikes and the riding scene in Harrisonburg. We also talk about some of the projects he’s involved in like Luv Trails (luvtrails.com), a program designed to raise funds for local trail groups. Learn more and keep up with Jeremiah at JeremiahBishop.com. This episode is sponsored by Boeshield (boeshield.com), makers of Boeshield T-9, a lube designed to waterproof your bike c

This week we’re re-sharing one of our listeners’ favorite episodes from 2019. On January 6 we’ll be back with fresh episodes including some big interviews you won’t want to miss. Stay safe and happy trails! In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Gerow and Jeff share tips for making mountain bike repairs in an emergency. From packing the right supplies (duct tape!) to finding creative ways to get rolling again, you don’t want to miss this helpful episode. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

This week we’re re-sharing one of our listeners’ favorite episodes from 2019. On January 6 we’ll be back with fresh episodes including some big interviews you won’t want to miss. Stay safe and happy trails! In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, we talk about the three main considerations when designing a set of mountain bike wheels, and break down the pieces that make up a wheelset from the rims to the hubs. We’ll also share some tips for troubleshooting and repairing wheels, and offer our thoughts on various rim diameters and widths. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Enrico Guala is the founder of Italy’s Superenduro series and an Enduro World Series board member. He also owns 4Guimp, a bicycle distribution company based in Italy. We talk about the history of enduro mountain bike racing, along with the challenges race promotors face. Enrico shares his thoughts on recent doping cases in the sport, and how e-bikes fit into enduro. Finally, we ask Enrico if he thinks courses will become more difficult as riders’ skills progress. Find more at superenduromtb.com and 4guimp.it. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Wendy Engelberg is the founder of Girlz Gone Riding, a mountain bike group working to get more women riding and enjoying the experience. Club rides routinely see up to 100 mountain bikers, and the group counts thousands of members spread across California and Arizona. We talk with Wendy about the challenges women face when it comes to getting started in mountain biking and finding others to ride with. Based on years of experience, Wendy shares her tips for leading a successful and accessible group ride for mountain bikers of all abilities. Later, we discuss the brands and women in the mountain bike industry that are setting an example when it comes to diversifying participation. For more information go to girlzgoneriding.com View the latest hand-selected deals on mountain bikes and gear at singletracks.com/deals --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Alex Gardner, Nick Gibson, and Tommy Magrath started the Trans Cascadia 4-day enduro race five years ago as a way to allow riders to experience forgotten trails and incredible riding in the Pacific Northwest. Over the years they’ve forged relationships with the Forest Service and other trail user groups like the Backcountry Horsemen and have used the race as a way to give back to the trails. Despite the steep entry fee, Trans Cascadia routinely sells out from year to year as riders have come to appreciate the incredible trails, delicious meals, and a party-like atmosphere in between racing. Alex, Nick, and Tommy share their tips for bike selection and preparation for a multi-day enduro race and talk about how their model for giving back and putting on a great event could work for other locations. Editor’s note: The audio quality isn’t great for portions of this episode, but it’s definitely worth the listen! The guys were gracious enough to make time to record while in Wenatchee, Washington following a meeti

The Singletracks team traveled far and wide to cover the world of mountain biking this year. From fat biking during the Polar Votex in Wisconsin to racing across BC and Croatia, we saw a lot of trails in 2019. Listen in as we talk about our favorite mountain bike destinations, including St. George, Utah; Whistler, British Columbia; Czech Republic; Indonesia; Slovenia; Bellingham, Washington; Palisade, Colorado; Santa Cruz, California; Greece; Denmark; and Croatia. This podcast is sponsored by Gloworm Lites. Gloworm is a mountain bike light brand founded almost a decade ago by two mountain bikers in New Zealand, and today the company offers some of the most customizable, highest quality bike lights on the market. Gloworm’s complete line of lights start at 1200 lumens and range up to a blinding 3400 lumens, all at reasonable prices.  glowormlites.co.nz Save 15% off all light systems on the Gloworm website with the coupon code SINGLETRACKS2020. Shop for lights here: https://www.glowormlites.co.nz/product-

Ryan Leech is a mountain bike trials riders who has starred in many mountain bike films over the years and has performed live in front of audiences around the world. He’s also a mountain bike skills coach and trainer, offering online programs covering topics like wheelies, cornering, and jumping. In this interview, Ryan opens up about the mental stress of performing mountain bike tricks, and also the physical toll it’s taken over the years. He fills us in on how yoga has helped heal both the mind and body, and how community makes his online mountain bike skills training and coaching program, the Ryan Leech Connection, unique. We also find out what it was like to perform in Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba show and how he came to launch a motivational speaking tour for teenagers call The Trials of Life. Connect with Ryan and learn more about his training program at ryanleech.com. This podcast is sponsored by Gloworm Lites.  Gloworm is a mountain bike light brand founded almost a decade ago by two mountain b

Enduro World Series founding board member Chris Ball talks about how he get into mountain biking, and the motivation for creating a race series outside of XC and DH competition. We find out how the first year of the UCI partnership went, and talk about EWS Travel, a program that lets riders experience iconic EWS destinations around the world. Chris shares the thinking behind adding the new e-bike race format to the EWS, the future of team competitions like the Trophy of Nations, and mountain bike safety. We also get Chris’s take on the best bike for enduro racing and his own personal favorite places to ride. This podcast is sponsored by Gloworm Lites. Gloworm is a mountain bike light brand founded almost a decade ago by two mountain bikers in New Zealand, and today the company offers some of the most customizable, highest quality bike lights on the market. Gloworm’s complete line of lights start at 1200 lumens and range up to a blinding 3400 lumens, all at reasonable prices.  glowormlites.co.nz Save 1

Sometimes, you just gotta vent.  Matt, Gerow, and Jeff talk about the mountain bike stuff that has us stoked right now, and the things that are bumming us out. From gear to trail access, we cover it all including e-bikes, flow trails, stage racing, slopestyle mountain biking, and even health insurance. With so many topics on the table, every listener is bound to agree and disagree with our staff writers on at least one item! This podcast is sponsored by Gloworm Lites. Gloworm is a mountain bike light brand founded almost a decade ago by two mountain bikers in New Zealand, and today the company offers some of the most customizable, highest quality bike lights on the market. Gloworm’s complete line of lights start at 1200 lumens and range up to a blinding 3400 lumens, all at reasonable prices. Save 15% off all light systems on the Gloworm website with the coupon code SINGLETRACKS2020. Shop for lights at https://www.glowormlites.co.nz/ --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and o

Rémy Métailler is a professional mountain bike racer who competes in both DH and freeride competitions around the world. He also posts skills videos and ride reports regularly on his popular YouTube Channel. We ask Rémy about how he got started in mountain biking, downhill and freeride competition, and what it’s like to ride in an urban DH race. Rémy shares his thoughts on the new Redbull Rampage qualifier format, Whistler Bike Park, and YouTube and social media. Connect with Remy at youtube.com/c/remymetailler and on Instagram @remymetailler. This podcast is sponsored by Gloworm Lites. Gloworm is a mountain bike light brand founded almost a decade ago by two mountain bikers in New Zealand, and today the company offers some of the most customizable, highest quality bike lights on the market. Gloworm’s complete line of lights start at 1200 lumens and range up to a blinding 3400 lumens, all at reasonable prices.  Save 20% off all light systems on the Gloworm website with the coupon code SINGLETRACKS19.

Darren Kinnaird is the general manager for the Crankworx World Tour and a board member of both the Enduro World Series and the Freeride Mountain Bike Association. We ask Darren about how Whistler has changed over the past decade, and how Crankworx has become a part of international mountain bike culture. In this episode we also talk about the possibility of slopestyle mountain biking becoming an Olympic sport, how freeride is getting more women into riding, and additional Crankworx stops in the future. For more information about Crankworx, visit crankworx.com. To get exclusive online retailer coupons and to find deals on your favorite mountain bike products, go to singletracks.com/deals. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Jenny Corso is a cyclist and R&D Scientist who has studied exercise nutrition and physiology through various undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs. She’s also a licensed USA Cycling coach, and has written many articles for Singletracks on topics including fitness, nutrition, and travel. Topics Discussed: How is exercise metabolism separate from just everyday metabolism? How are nutritional needs different for athletes? How do you look at studies regarding the health of certain foods, which are often contradictory, and what’s the best way to take this into account when making decisions about what to eat? Is gluten bad for athletes, or people in general? Nutrition and exercise clearly go hand in hand in terms of health. But does one win out over the other in terms of outcomes? Is intermittent fasting good for athletes? Why do you think nutrition is so difficult for many people to get right? Connect with Jenny for coaching and consultation through her website, truphys.com where she delivers objective inf