Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

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

No other man is as well positioned to talk about where mountain biking has been, and where it’s going in the future, than Gary Fisher. From organizing the first mountain bike races at Repack, to building an eponymous mountain bike brand and his current role at Trek, Gary is an outspoken and enthusiastic advocate for biking. Listen in as Gary recounts the early days of mountain biking and weighs in on where our sport is headed today. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Professional mountain bike racer Payson McElveen shares how he got started in the sport and talks about his favorite places to ride. His latest competitive projects involve establishing the fastest known times (FKTs) for iconic mountain bike routes like the White Rim Trail in Utah. We ask Payson for his training tips and how racing against the clock is different from racing the field. Follow Payson on Instagram @paysonmcelveen and check out his podcast, The Adventure Stache, available in podcast apps and on his website. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode of the Singletracks podcast I talk with Mike Brcic about the best ways to share the mountain bike experience with others, whether that’s leading a group ride or promoting mountain bike tourism in local communities. Plus, we talk about some of Mike’s favorite places to mountain bike around the world, including some up-and-coming spots to put on your radar. Mike is the founder of Sacred Rides, one of the top providers of mountain bike tours around the world. He’s an educator with the Adventure Travel Association, and a Co-founder of Bikes without Borders, a non-profit dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through bike-related solutions. Mike’s latest venture, Mastermind Adventures, hosts small-group adventures for entrepreneurs in top outdoor destinations. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

In this episode, Gerow gives us the low down on some of the mountain bike trails he’s discovered in Italy so far. We talk about mountain bike culture in this part of Europe, and discuss some interesting European mountain bike brands that may not be familiar to US listeners. --Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks