Singletracks Mountain Bike News

Terry Palmeri is the Executive Director of the Southern Off Road Bicycle Association (SORBA). The organization has been around since 1989 and today SORBA is made up of 48 chapters spread across seven states. In this conversation we ask: Why and how did SORBA get its start? What sorts of issues were southern mountain bikers struggling with in the late 1980s? How is SORBA organized? How many miles of singletrack trails do SORBA chapters support? How many individuals belong to a SORBA club? How do you think that number compares to the number of active mountain bikers living in the southeast? How is SORBA funded? What is the relationship between SORBA and IMBA? What are some of the bigger trail projects that are currently in the works? Are there any unique challenges to trail building in the southeast? Is there much opposition to mountain bike trail access in the region? What does the current discussion around e-bike trail access look like for SORBA? What’s the biggest constraint SORBA faces

Pat White is a longtime product manager for Kona Bicycles and Doug Lafavor aka Dr. Dew has been designing bikes at Kona for decades. In this episode we ask: Which factors make a hardtail 'hardcore' or more aggressive compared to say an XC or entry-level hardtail?  What are aggressive hardtails good for in terms of riding style or trails? What are the limits? How important is frame material when it comes to designing a hardtail? Is there one material that’s generally superior to the others? Are there higher costs involved in building hardtails from steel than aluminum? Where does the compliance in a hardtail frame come from? Do you look at component selection differently for a hardtail vs. a full suspension bike? If so, what are the key areas where the builds differ? Is there any lingering debate about wheel size when it comes to hardtails? Are sliding dropouts an important selling point? What do you think about Internal cable routing on hardtails?

Susie Murphy is the executive director of the San Diego Mountain Bike Association and is also a board member with the California Mountain Biking Coalition. What is the San Diego Mountain Bike Association's mission, and how are you organized? When and why did the SDMBA get its start? How long have you been with the SDMBA, and how did you get involved? Did the recent boom in mountain bike participation translate into SDMBA membership growth? What are some of the most popular trails your group helps support? Are there many opportunities for new trail builds in and around San Diego? Several years ago the chapter was pretty vocal about the bikes in wilderness issue. Why is or was that so important in your area, and where are we now? Do you think protesting can be an effective tool for mountain bike advocates? What does the current discussion around e-bike trail access look like for SDMBA? What’s the biggest constraint SDMBA faces in carrying out and growing the mission? I How does SDMBA work w

Manon Carpenter is a downhill mountain bike world champion and advocate for the environment living in Caerphilly, Wales . She recently premiered a documentary film titled Trails on Trial that explores how trails connect the land with communities and various stakeholders. In this interview we ask: When did you first get interested in the idea of environmental protection? Was the connection between biking and the environment always pretty clear to you, even as a professional racer? What are your local trails like? Who builds and maintains them? Why do you think mountain bikers have a bad reputation among some environmental groups? What can we do to change that? If "trails come and go," what does that mean for us as mountain bikers? Where are some of your favorite places to ride around the world? Should we be concerned about the potential impact over-tourism might have on places? How can this be mitigated or offset? Do you see a connection between climate change and trail conditions? Check out some

Travis Counsell is the executive director of the new England Mountain Bike Association, also known as NEMBA. He’s currently based out of Vermont. Tell us a bit about NEMBA. What’s the organization’s mission and how large is your membership? How is NEMBA organized? How many miles of singletrack do NEMBA clubs support? When and why did NEMBA get its start? What were you doing before joining NEMBA? NEMBAfest is back for 2022. What will the festival look like this year? Did the recent boom in mountain bike participation translate into NEMBA membership growth? Given population density, are there many opportunities for new trail builds in the northeast? What are some ways you’ve been successful in countering folks who are against MTB trail access? How popular is fat biking in New England? Is fat bike grooming something that chapters devote a lot of resources to in the winter? What does the current discussion around e-bike trail access look like for NEMBA? What’s the biggest

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Matt interviews Jeff about bikepacking the Huracan 300 in Central Florida. This was Jeff's first big bikepacking trip and there was much to be learned over three days of seemingly non-stop riding. Matt asks: Why did you decide to ride the Huracan? How did the trip unfold? What were the biggest surprises? What did you learn that will be helpful for next time, if there is a next time? --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Matt Lyon is the President and CEO of Hydrapak. He’s worked in the outdoor industry for decades and serves as the Board Chair of the California Outdoor Recreation Partnership. In this episode we ask Matt: How did Hydrapak get started? How many leaky reservoir prototypes did you go through? What’s the hardest part of the pack to reliably seal? Do you have any tips for cleaning and caring for hydration reservoirs? When you go out for a ride, do you prefer bottles or a hydration pack? What are the challenges when it comes to making environmentally friendly products? How big of an impact does using recycled materials make versus creating long-lasting products that need to be replaced less often? Aside from supply chain issues, has the pandemic caused you to rethink your businesses in any significant ways? What are the advantages of building products in the US using US-sourced materials? Do you think this plays a big role in consumer purchasing decisions? What are some of the things the California Out

Rachel Fussell is the electric mountain bike Policy and Program Manager at People for Bikes. The group’s stated mission is to change the world through bikes by focusing on empowering cities, creating connections, and supporting the bike industry. In this episode we ask: What are the current regulations at the federal, state, and local level regarding eMTB trail access? What types of conflicts exist where electric mountain bikes and regular mountain bikes share the trail?  Does basic trail etiquette cover eMTBs, or do we need to update and/or add new rules of the trail? Where and how are e-bikes gaining additional trail access? What do land managers generally think about e-bikes on trails? What are their concerns? How big of a role do studies and unbiased reports play into eMTB advocacy? Do opinions play into the discussion as well? Is there a risk that advocating for e-bike access could hurt traditional mountain bike trail access? What do you think about registration program

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast Gerow, Jeff, and Matt discuss current and future mountain bike trends, starting with a recap of what's been trending over the past couple of seasons. Mixed wheel mountain bikes More great trails in more places High pivot mountain bikes Electronic bits and baubles, from drivetrains to droppers Next, we move on to the trends we see shaping up for 2022. Longer travel dropper posts and fatter seat tubes Large scale trail projects with unique funding sources New mountain bike destinations and trails opening as a response to overcrowded ones Bikes and parts supply improvements High pivots on shorter-travel bikes MTB geometry stabilization Finally, we discuss some of the trends we'd like to see happen sooner rather than later. More customizable bike builds DH or enduro as an Olympic sport Athletes receiving a more livable wage This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard. Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says

Singletracks editors Gerow, Jeff, and Matt look forward to more mountain biking adventures in 2022!  In this episode we talk about the MTB stories that are on our 2022 editorial calendar in the areas of trails, gear, progression, and community. We also share our personal goals for skills, fitness, racing, travel, event coverage, repair skills, and trail building. This episode of the Singletracks podcast is sponsored by Explore Brevard. Professional mountain biker Adam Craig says it’s one of the top three places in the universe he’s ever ridden. Where is this magical mountain biking nirvana? It’s none other than Brevard, North Carolina, home to Pisgah National Forest and DuPont Recreational Forest. The area boasts over 300 miles of peerless singletrack, not to mention hundreds of miles of gravel roads, creating a near endless array of routes, terrains, and challenges to explore. Four vibrant bike shops will get you sorted, whether you need gear, service, or a top notch rental. Top it off with an array of

Rab Wardell is a mountain bike athlete and coach living in Glasgow, Scotland. He recently launched a new video series with Wahoo Fitness called Old Enough to Know Better. In this episode, we ask Rab: How did a big early race loss affect your outlook on your career as an athlete? What was it like to essentially retire in your early 20s? What did you decide to do instead? What are some of the biggest mistakes that stand out as being the ones where you learned the most? As an athlete, are there ways to learn beyond just personal experience? What risks are involved in becoming a professional athlete? What types of normal, everyday things have you decided to cut out of your life to focus on racing? How much of it feels like a sacrifice? Were there any times when friends or family members suggested you grow up and get a “real job”? What competitive advantages do you have at your age? Why is play important? Are there ways you’ve found to incorporate play into your training? What do you hope to be doin

This year we interviewed dozens of professional mountain bike athletes, skills and fitness coaches, and industry leaders including product designers and CEOs. Here are a few of our favorite moments from more than 50 hours of programming in 2021. If you enjoy what we do on the Singletracks podcast, please consider becoming a Pro Supporter (https://www.singletracks.com/support/). --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 revisit some of our favorite conversations on the Singletracks podcast in 2021. On the topic of mountain bike trails we speak with trail builders, advocates, environmentalists, and local riders to learn more about the places we ride. If you enjoy what we do on the Singletracks podcast, please consider becoming a Pro Supporter (https://www.singletracks.com/support/). --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

Dee Tidwell is a professional coach and the founder of Train to Ride which provides cycling-specific training programs and plans for mountain biking, road, gravel, and moto riding. He’s also a two time Big Mountain Enduro Master’s Champ and has worked with countless professional athletes including members of the Yeti/Fox Factory professional EWS race team. What is the Performance Pyramid, and how does it work? Walk us through each level. Is it OK to skip some of the lower levels and jump right to the top? How electric mountain bike riding and racing this differ from more traditional mountain bike training? Do you find that people really hate cardio so much that they avoid training altogether? Is equipment cost an excuse people use for not working on getting stronger? Is soft tissue therapy something folks can work on at home with foam rollers and massage guns, or is this one area where working with a physical or massage therapist in person is beneficial?   Have you seen a shift in the mix of y

Dr. Adam Phaneuf is a Doctor of Chiropractic with a degree in Exercise Science based in Bellingham, WA. He's also a bike fitter and has studied bicycle biomechanics. In this episode we ask Adam: Is it true that cycling is lower impact than other activities like jogging? Do you think mountain biking is higher impact than road cycling?  What are some of the most common ride-related issues folks tend to have?  Are certain muscles, or body parts, more prone to injury or pain for mountain bikers? Do oval chain rings work for reducing pain? Are there any biomechanical advantages to them that riders can benefit from?  How can riders know if it’s their form that needs to be changed, or if it’s something about the bike fit that’s wrong?  What is arm pump, and what causes it? Can vibration on the bike lead to any health or pain issues? Can things like suspension stems or seat posts be helpful for some people? How does bike fit change, if at all, based on the type or length of ride w

Singletracks tested dozens of mountain bikes in 2021 and three of our editors share their favorites in this special episode. From kids mountain bikes to enduro, and from electric to hardtail, we share the ones we liked best. In addition to sharing our favorites, we'll also talk about our runners up and some of the more unique and unusual bikes we reviewed in 2021. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/singletracks/support

This year Christopher Blevins became the first American man to win a World Cup race since 1994, taking first in the final XCO race of the season at Snowshoe, West Virginia. He’s also the reigning short track world champion, and has notched numerous podium finishes at national and international mountain, cyclocross, and road races. This month he’s got a short documentary film titled “The Long Traverse” that will be premiering online. How did the Durango DEVO community-based cycling program shape who you are as a rider? What is it about Durango that produces so many talented riders? Is it the elevation, or the terrain, or something else? How does being a playful rider translate on the race course? How did you get interested in spoken word poetry? What did you learn through the process of preparing for and then racing your FKT attempt along the Los Padres route? Which do you find more challenging: FKTs or World Cup racing? How are they different or the same? As a professional athlete, what do you se

Todd Branham had lived, worked, and played in the Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina for 22 years. He’s a professional trail builder and also directs the Pisgah Stage race, a 5-day, fully-supported mountain bike race that showcases 140 miles of the best singletrack in the forest. How did you end up in western North Carolina? What makes Pisgah National Forest and the surrounding area stand out among mountain bike destinations? For someone visiting for the first time, what are 2 or 3 must ride trails or trail systems? Are there any family-friendly rides? Which trails are the most challenging? Who builds and maintains the trails in your area? Are there tour operators or clubs visitors can connect with if they want to ride with locals? Where can visitors rent decent mountain bikes for the day or even for the week? Where do people hang out after the ride? Are there any bars or breweries that tend to attract mountain bikers? Do many visitors choose to camp when visiting P

Tyson Swasey is a mountain biker and trail builder who has lived in Moab, Utah for his whole life. He’s currently the Operations Coordinator for Grand County, Utah Active Transportation and Trails. In this episode we ask Tyson: Has Moab always been a tourist destination? Why was the town founded?  It seems like Moab was a mountain bike destination before there were mountain bike destinations.  What makes the area so great for mountain biking? How did the first trails get built? Which trails are the oldest? Are there any family-friendly rides or trails? Which trails are the most challenging? What are some lesser-known trails where riders can get away from the crowds? Who builds and maintains the trails in Moab? What type of bike do most people ride in Moab? Do a lot of people rent bikes when they visit? What are some of the more popular guided or shuttled tour routes in the area? Are there any regular group rides for locals that are visitor-friendly? Where do people hang out after the

Ryan Standish is a professional mountain bike racer from Australia who is currently living in the US. In addition to competing in top level mountain bike and gravel races, he’s also working to raise awareness for Multiple Sclerosis. In this episode, we ask: How long have you been riding mountain bikes? How old were you when you realized you were fast? How did you end up in the US after growing up in Alice Springs, Australia? How did you qualify for the World Cup XC and short track races in West Virginia this year?  Why did you decide to wear jorts in the races? What is it like to race in the World Cup? How is it different from the other races you’ve competed in? What type of race or ride do you like the most? Do you prefer sprint formats like short track, or longer races like gravel grinders and stage races? How are you able to recover with so many back-to-back races? How did you get involved in raising awareness for MS? What’s your favorite place to ride? Do you have a favorite trail?