Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

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

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 Outdoor Recreation Partnership is currently advocating for at the state level? As a registered investment advisor, is the bike industry a good place for individuals to invest their savings and for retirement? As someone who has studied mechanical engineering, what frustrates you about the biking experience today? --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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 programs for e-bikes that are needs-based? Aside from PFB, who else is advocating for eMTBs? Do we need separate eMTB advocacy groups, or is this something that can fit into existing groups like IMBA and local clubs? Why should other mountain bikers care about e-bike access? Learn more about People for Bikes and eMTB policy at: peopleforbikes.org/topics/electric-bikes 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 craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com. --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 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 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 craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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 craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com. Are you a Singletracks supporter? Create an account at Singletracks.com to get our newsletter and to show your support financially. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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 doing on the bike at age 50, or even 70? At 36, are there things you still have left to learn and experience? Watch the Old Enough to Know Better series on YouTube and connect with Rab on Instagram @rabwardell 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 craft breweries, cafes and gathering spots that have earned Brevard the title as one of the best small towns in America in 2021. It all adds up to a premier mountain biking destination you’ll want to experience for yourself. Find out more at ExploreBrevard.com. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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

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

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 your clients over the years between racers and folks who just want to ride for fun? What are the risks associated with over training? How do you know if you’re over training? Why is full body strength so important for mountain biking? How are golf and cycling related in terms of fitness and mobility? Is it true that mountain biking is the new golf? How can riders deal with pain and fatigue on long rides? How does a lack of strength or fitness contribute to our risk for injury? What can we do to have more fun on the mountain bike next season? Find more information about Dee and learn about training programs at TrainToRide.com. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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 we’re doing? What is the ideal saddle tilt for mountain biking? How do you dial that in correctly? Are there pros and cons to trying a more rearward cleat placement for mountain biking? What do you think about the idea of video/online bike fitting?  To learn more or connect with Adam and his team visit apexchirobellingham.com or on Instagram @apexbellingham. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks