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.
Greg Jacob is a self-described “regular” guy who decided to attempt the Navad 1000, a 621-mile, single-stage mountain bike race across Switzerland with more than 100,000ft. of climbing along the way. He’s here to talk about how he went from basically zero mountain bike experience to completing a grueling race in just a short time.
In this episode, Greg shares:
His background in terms of fitness and spending time outdoors
His inspiration for signing up for the Navad 1000
How he prepared himself for the race.
The biggest challenges he faced in his training.
What surprised him about mountain biking relative to other sports he’s more familiar with, like road cycling.
How turning 40 this year puts him at a disadvantage for adventures like this, but also gives him some advantages.
Plans for mountain bike adventures in the future.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
Matt, Gerow, and Jeff talk about the link between mental wellness and mountain biking. Mountain bikers are using the sport to deal with depression, PTSD, learning disabilities, anxiety, seasonal affective disorder, and lack of confidence in inspiring ways, and we look at how this might work. We also discuss some specific programs that use mountain biking to address learning disabilities and improve mental wellness.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
Gerow, Matt, and Jeff share updates and impressions from recent and upcoming mountain bike tests, from gravel and XC to trail and enduro bikes. Plus, we preview other bikes we’ll be testing and reviewing later this year.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
James Wilson has been helping mountain bikers all around the world get strong and fit since 2005 through his online training programs and podcast. He’s also designed his own flat mountain biking pedal called the Catalyst to help riders improve both power and comfort on the bike.
In this episode, we ask James for mountain bike training tips, and talk about why flat pedals are better than clipless for many riders.
Connect with James at bikejames.com.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
Note: This episodes contains language some listeners may find offensive.
Mark Weir is a legend in the mountain bike world, having won the Downieville Downhill eight times and making his mark at WTB as a demanding product tester over two decades. He even has a mountain bike tire named after him, the WeirWolf.
In this wide-ranging interview, we talk about enduro racing, climbing a million vertical feet in a year, his near heart attack, trail advocacy, and electric bikes. Mark is an entertaining guest who could easily host his own podcast, so you won’t want to miss this one. It’s already one of our favorites! Here are some of the questions we asked.
* How is downhill endurance racing different from the more traditional, UCI-style downhill mountain bike racing?
* How does enduro racing connect with the ethos established in the early days of mountain biking?
* How and when did riders like yourself bring the French enduro race format to the US? Was there a natural transition from races like the Downieville Classic and super-D events to enduro, or was the change more abrupt?
* When did you start to see frame geometry and components shift in the enduro direction in the US?
* Based on your experience over the years, what’s more important in mountain biking: will or skills? Obviously, you need both, but what’s a good percentage split in your opinion?
* Last year you came dangerously close to suffering what’s known as a widowmaker heart attack. Part of your recovery following surgery has involved riding an e-bike. How has that helped you get back into riding and fitness?
* One of your many claims to fame is you climbed 1M vertical feet on your bike in a single year. Why did you set this as a goal for yourself? What did it take to make this happen?
* Mountain biking has taken you all over the world. What are some of the best trails that stand out in your mind?
* You’ve worked closely with WTB for at least a couple decades now. What are some of the projects you’re most proud to have been a part of? Where do you see opportunities for MTB product improvement in the future?
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
I was recently a guest on the Curiosityness podcast with Travis DeRose on the topic of getting started in mountain biking. If you’re listening to the Singletracks podcast, chances are you’re already a mountain biker, but you probably have friends and family members who are not (yet). So whether you’re looking for ways to convince your friends to join you, or you know someone who could benefit from this discussion, we hope you find this helpful. In this interview, I talk about trying mountain biking for the first time, trail dos and don’ts, how to shop for a bike, and how to find the best trails to ride.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
Dylan Renn is the lead coach at A Singletrack Mind where he teaches mountain bike skills to riders of all abilities. He’s been gravity racing since 1994 and has served as head coach for a two high school mountain bike teams.
In this episode, Dylan shares his tips for descending on a mountain bike. Whether you’re interested in racing downhill or just want to gain some confidence, these are the skills you need.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Gerow, Jeff, and Matt discuss trail advocacy news from the North America and Europe, and share the results from recent trail etiquette surveys.
* Riding wet trails
* Pirate trails going legit
* Who yields: climbers or descenders?
* Is skidding still cool?
* Trail terrorism
* IMBA EU
* Mountain bike impact review
* New bikes in Wilderness legislation
* Natural Resources Management Act
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
We’ve dedicated a couple Singletracks podcast episodes to mountain bike tires already, but things are changing fast! Based on popular demand, Matt and I talk about the latest in tire widths (is a 2.5″ tire mid-plus?), tread patterns, sealants, and tire inserts.
Want more? Go back and listen to our show about choosing the best mountain bike tires for conditions and our interview with Bobby from Maxxis about plus tires.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
Simon Lawton is the founder of Fluidride, a world-class mountain bike instructional school located in Seattle, WA. He’s helped riders all over the world in person and through his online videos. He’s also a tireless mountain bike trail building advocate and his nonprofit has helped disabled riders get back in the saddle.
I ask Simon about his overall approach to mountain bike skills instruction and he shares tips for cornering and manuals. We also talk about trail advocacy, favorite places to ride around the world, and how video is changing mountain bike skills instruction.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks
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