Stay ConnectedPodcast host Jeff Barber, Editor-in-Chief at Singletracks.com, aims to inform and inspire with topics and interviews from the mountain bike world. Since 2015, we have been sharing weekly stories from under the helmets of the most inspiring and influential mountain bikers.
Join us as we learn from top athletes, product designers, trail builders, coaches, mechanics, artists, and leaders in the mountain biking community.
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
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
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 chain, lubricate cables, and prevent rust with its unique and effective all-in-one formula. This month Boeshield is giving away a free prize pack to a lucky listener! Visit singletracks.com/Boeshield to enter — open to anyone the contiguous United States, no purchase necessary.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
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
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
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
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
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 meeting with the Forest Service.
For more information, go to trans-cascadia.com
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
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-category/lights/
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
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 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-category/lights/
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
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