Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

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

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 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

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 on Instagram @singletracks

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. 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

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