Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

There are few topics in the world of mountain biking more controversial than electric mountain bikes. While one side believes anything with a motor goes against the spirit of the sport and could have a devastating effect on trail access, the other side argues the new tech helps disabled riders and makes mountain biking even more fun. So who is right? Like most issues, the truth lies somewhere in between the extreme views on either side, and none of us know for certain how this will all shake out in the future. This is a debate that’s been going on for several years, yet today we’re starting to see how some of the early predictions of the impact e-bikes might have are coming true in terms of trail access and riders’ health. In this episode I’ll share two recent stories about e-bike trail access and a study that looks at the health benefits of riding an electric mountain bike, and how riders’ perceptions change (or don’t change) after riding one. You can read all three of these articles, written by Matt Miller, on Singletracks.com, listed below. * Secretary of Interior Allows E-bike Access Across BLM Land, National Parks * We Asked Four Major Trail Organizations for their Thoughts on eMTB Trail Access * Study Suggests eMTBs Offer Nearly Same Workout as Non-motorized MTBs, Attitudes Towards eMTBs Change After Riding --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

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 Bishop, an 18-time member of the USA Cycling National Team, shares tips for racing and recovery, riding at altitude, and his perspective on modern mountain bikes. He discusses his involvement with Luv Trails, a fundraising program for local trail groups. The podcast also explores the thriving mountain bike scene in Harrisonburg and the impact of Nike in mountain bike racing. Jeremiah shares his favorite places to ride and emphasizes the importance of trail work and supporting local clubs.

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