
Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast
Podcast 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.
Latest episodes

Sep 18, 2017 • 43min
Ultra Endurance Record Holder Eddie O’Dea Shares His Bikepacking Tips
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, ultra-endurance mountain bike racer and record holder Eddie O’Dea talks about what it takes to be a bikepacking champion. (Hint: it involves staying awake for long periods of time.) Eddie holds course records in the Stage Coach 400, Trans North Georgia, and Huracan 300 ultra endurance mountain bike races, with more bikepacking course records than any other racer. This year he completed the Tour Divide and raised nearly $20,000 for the Georgia state high school racing league along the way.
Eddie talks about the unique skills that come into play in ultra-endurance racing and explains some of the tactics and strategies he’s found effective over the years. We also ask Eddie why he does what he does and talk about what he’s up to when he’s not riding his bike all day and night.
Related links:
* The Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League
* Endurance House Atlanta
* Eddie O’Dea on Twitter
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Sep 11, 2017 • 43min
Singletracks Summer Travel Updates
Summer is a busy time at Singletracks, with mountain bike events and trips seemingly booked solid from May to September. It’s a tough life, but someone has to do it. Greg and Aaron have been particularly busy over the past several weeks, so I thought it would be good to catch up with them and learn what they’ve been up to.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Sep 4, 2017 • 44min
The Past, Present, and Future of 29er Mountain Bikes
29ers are back! Or, maybe they never went away. There are so many mountain bike wheel size choices on the market today, yet today, the 29er is once again in the spotlight.
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, we talk about the history of the 29-inch wheel size, the advantages and disadvantages of 29er wheels compared to other wheel sizes, and the future of long-travel and even downhill 29er bikes.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Aug 28, 2017 • 27min
Making Mountain Bikes Lightweight
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, Greg and Jeff discuss mountain bikers’ obsession with lightweight bike frames and components. We’ll talk about how companies save weight on bikes, the advantages and disadvantages of lightweight bike parts, and how to save easy weight on your mountain bike.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Aug 21, 2017 • 54min
NICA is Guiding the Next Generation of Mountain Bikers
We talk with Kenny Griffin, NICA board member and the director of the Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League director about the exciting world of middle and high school mountain bike racing. It turns out NICA isn’t just about racing–it’s a much broader program that’s designed to introduce youth to the sport of mountain biking, and to mentor those young people using volunteer coaches. NICA is perhaps the most exciting thing to happen in mountain biking in many years, with leagues enrolling record-breaking numbers of student athletes all over the USA.
Learn more about NICA and the Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League, and find out how you can volunteer or donate to these outstanding organizations.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Aug 14, 2017 • 29min
Mountain Bikers Want to Know, What’s Happening in Northwest Arkansas?
In this episode, we talk about Northwest Arkansas’ ascendence as a mountain bike destination. Starting with a discussion of the area’s geography and topography, we’ll explore the history of mountain biking in Arkansas and what the scene is like today. Most importantly, we attempt to explain the unique characteristics that make Northwest Arkansas an appealing mountain bike destination, and what other up-and-coming communities can take away from the area’s success.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Aug 7, 2017 • 44min
How to Lead a Group Mountain Bike Ride
Aaron, Greg, and I have led our fair share of group mountain bike rides, and in this episode we share our tips for making your ride a success. We’ll talk route selection, communication, logistics, and what to do if you lose someone on the trail.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Jul 31, 2017 • 43min
Tips for Getting & Staying Fit for Mountain Biking
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, we’ll be sharing tips for getting and staying in shape for mountain biking. We’ll cover the basics for getting started, how to increase distance and speed, nutrition, and more. Finally, we’ll talk about methods for maintaining mountain bike fitness and how to avoid over training syndrome.
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Jul 24, 2017 • 25min
Your Local [Bike] Shop Is Not Trying to Screw You
In this episode we talk with our buddy Chris, owner of Loose Nuts Cycles in Atlanta, about the economics involved in owning a local bike shop. We ask what the bike shop of the future will look like in 10 years and also, Chris explains, “if you’ve bought a part online and you bring it in and we tell you that it’s not going to fit, it’s not because you bought it online–it’s because you bought the wrong part.”
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks

Jul 17, 2017 • 46min
Hacks to Help You Descend Faster on Your Mountain Bike
In this episode of the Singletracks mountain bike podcast, we share tips for getting faster on the descents. Here is an outline of the main topics we’ll cover:
* Trail vision, including line choice
* Technique, including body positioning
* Cornering
* Speed drills
* Mental tricks
* Braking tips
* Equipment selection and set up
--Keep up with the latest in mountain biking at Singletracks.com and on Instagram @singletracks