Jill Kintner shares her outlook on how mountain bike races are won, gives cornering tips, and dishes on her favorite places to ride.
The Axis hip pack from Mission Workshop is a simple, sturdy pack designed to carry just the right amount of trail gear.
The first two races of the 2019 NAES series visit Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and Revelstoke, Canada, leaving all of the celebratory duties to the final event at Snow Summit, California.
This was the weirdest looking new product at Sea Otter. We had to take it for a ride to see what this front end linkage mountain bike is all about.
Brands like Rotor and e*thirteen are finding new and innovative ways to add more range to one-by mountain bike drivetrains.
A stand up mountain bike, full suspension gravel bike, vintage telescoping fork, race day tire sealant, and more from Sea Otter 2019. Or maybe it's 3019?
Remot Bikes are igniting their brand new fire with a carbon trail bike for under $4,000 that looks ready to party.
CushCore has new product with wider applications, and some science they say backs up their claims.
The Raleigh Tokul 3 hardtail mountain bike ticks most of the right boxes on the spec chart and looks great too.
The MRP Ramp Control PRO gives riders even more adjustability than the MRP Ramp Control. We also check out the new Raven mountain bike fork.
We round up 6 notable and interesting hardtail mountain bikes from Sea Otter 2019, ranging from steel to carbon and titanium. Every one of them sports at least 120mm of front travel.
A few new items around Sea Otter including shoes with impact-resistant soles, waterless bike wash, and lights by Knog.
Giant launches a brand new flat pedal mountain bike shoe, the Shuttle Flat. Here's what we know so far after wearing them for a couple days.
Go big or small on your mountain bike rides with these bags from Ortlieb and Evoc.
Walmart's Viathon M.1 mountain bike is a racy, XC bike being marketed as fun, comfortable, and practical which begs a few questions.
US distributor Cycle Monkey brings German Brands Nicolai and Tout Terrain to the states with Gates Carbon Drive and Pinion gear boxes.
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast we talk about what enduro is, and why it matters to the sport of mountain biking. From athletes and races to bikes and gear, enduro is a reflection of how many of us approach riding.
This multi-sport GPS watch has a ton of features, but it misses the mark in a couple key areas.
We test out Patagonia's 2019 mountain bike line which includes the Dirt Roamer short, Nine Trails jersey, and Endless Ride bib liner.
Hutchison's pro mountain bikers asked for a faster gravity tire, and worked alongside company engineers to create just that.
The Urge Archi-Enduro RR full face mountain bike helmet was designed by the most qualified enduro experts in the business.
Oak trees are native to six of the seven continents on earth, so chances are you have mountain biked among them. Learn more about this magnificent tree species.
Updated Norco Revolver XC bike comes with 100mm or 120mm of rear travel. Plus, there are new forks from Cane Creek and Marzocchi, moto-inspired MTB rims from Zipp, and tall tires for wet and loose conditions from WTB.
The Vee Flow Snap is an enduro mountain bike tire from the Thai company. It's a little on the heavy side, but seems to be a great aggressive trail tire.
The Mountainsmith Cycle Cube is a bike-specific duffel bag meant to manage lots of awkward and stinky bike gear.
Deborah Meghen and Niall Davie talk about the development of new mountain bike trails all over Ireland.
The Bluegrass Eagle Armour Lite D3O is a lightweight and simple vented spine protector.
A San Diego mountain biker finds a barbed wire trail trap and a rider in Colorado leaves the scene of another trap with several broken bones.
There's a lot of hype about the new WaveCel structure in new Bontrager helmets. Competitor responses came just as quickly, and it's hard to recognize who's right in the end.
We check out mountain bike multi-tools from top brands like Pro, SIlca, Pedro's, Topeak and Pro Bike Tool.
New 12-speed hub options, alongside a more affordable 4-piston brake and 203mm rotor option, show Shimano's dedication to entry-level riders.
Link your Singletracks and Wahoo accounts to get free mountain bike trail routes on your GPS.
It's easy to let negative externalities ruin mountain biking's moments. Here are a few tips and philosophies to focus on the now.
Pro mountain bikers like Katy Curd know how to adapt and learn a new game. Katy shares her tips for building skills and managing fear.
We test ride the new Revel Rascal trail bike in Moab.
The Clear Creek 10 is Mountainsmith's first hydration pack marketed for mountain bike. It's fairly simple and affordable.
This week we get news on who's dominating the EWS, new bikes from Diamondback and Bold, and another NICA expansion.
Check out the trails, bikes, skills, and good times from the 2019 Singletracks Ride-N-Rally.
The Leatt DBX 4.0 pants are tailored, tough, and ready for the trail.
A Georgia mountain biker takes on the Huracan bikepacking race for the third time, and find new challenges along the way.
Online retailer Moosejaw is now offering complete mountain bikes for sale from brands including Evil and Niner.
The Pisgah Stage Race is already well known for five days of riding the best mountain bike trails in Pisgah. Key changes for 2019 seek to make the 11th edition the best one yet.
The way a rider treats their mountain bike will affect its lifespan. Here are five things you can do to keep your bike healthy for the long haul.
In this episode of the Singletracks podcast, I ask Jeff Kendall-Weed about his inspirations, favorite places to ride, skills progression, and how he makes time for riding.
Adding an eMTB category to the EWS has some riders calling it the EEWS.
This new product allows mountain bikers to ditch packs of any form and fit cargo directly on their lumbar.
Pick up trash during your mountain bike rides in April to join in the plogging phenomenon. Share photos of your haul on Instagram to win prizes from Singletracks. @singletracks #bikeplog
Life is busy, but often it's easier than not to ride with friends. Matt reflects on a trip years ago that formed lasting friendships.
1
![[caption id="attachment_260751" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="size-large wp-image-260751" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AP-1PJ1ASXJ92111_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> All photos courtesy of RedBull.[/caption]
When your palmarès span the full spectrum of mountain bike and BMX racing, you earn a crown, and <a href="https://jillkintner.com/">Jill Kintner</a> has done just that. The five-time queen of <a href="https://www.crankworx.com/">Crankworx</a> also has a bronze medal in BMX from the Beijing Olympics, has won 20 elite USA National Championships across a variety of disciplines, has been the UCI 4-cross World Champion thrice, appeared on Oprah, and stood on the podium at five UCI World Cup downhill races -- to name less than half of her stash of medals.
Most recently, Jill turned up at her first ever Enduro World Series race in <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/Tasmania-bike-trails_0.html?pageNo=1&filterBy=|field168:Derby">Derby, Tasmania</a>, where she took second place behind series leader Isabeau Courdurier, just 22.2 seconds off the lead pace. Following her surprise performance in Australia, Jill returned to the US to earn the top step in the Sea Otter pro downhill and dual slalom events.
Off the podium, Jill is busy training, creating art, and managing a professional mountain bike team alongside her partner <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brynatkinson/">Bryn Atkinson</a>, in her trail-riddled hometown of <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/Mountain-Bike-Trails-bike-trails_0.html?filterBy=|loc:48.759722~-122.486944~25~Bellingham%2C+WA">Bellingham, Washington</a>. The Pacific Northwest loam-capital has a massive variety of trails and pump tracks that clearly provide ample training grounds for the world-class athlete.
I recently had the chance to learn a bit of Jill's story, including what keeps her stoked to push as hard as she does.
<img class="size-large wp-image-260746" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AP-1PJ1AWFYN2111_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780">
<span class="im"><strong>I have read several stories about your passion for creating art. What are your chosen tools of the trade?</strong>
</span>
I keep a sketchbook at all times, but I am more sporadic with art stuff. This year I do have a few projects that will be insane and involve a lot of drawing and animation. I do my custom jersey designs, pick bike colors, designed our sprinter van, and have little projects all the time that start with a sketch or idea and end in Illustrator usually.
<span class="im"><strong>What is the most helpful piece of advice you have received about riding or racing in your career? </strong>
</span>
That my best IS good enough. [It is] kind of a mantra at this point [...].
[caption id="attachment_260748" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="size-large wp-image-260748" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/1380324113059-1992844271_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> "Jill Kintner competes at the UCI MTB World Cup Finals, in Leogang, Austria, on 20 September 2013." -RedBull[/caption]
<span class="im"><strong>If you had more time, what is one thing you would like to do with it? </strong>
</span>
I’m happy with how I spend my time, but I would just try to learn more and do a lot of other jobs to acquire useful skills.
<span class="im">
<strong>Do you have a favorite bike from your fleet?</strong>
</span>
Not anymore. I think I have been in it so long that it’s kind of fleeting. The ones I was all sentimental about, like world title or Olympic bikes are just under the house doing nothing, so it’s kind of a waste. I want to scan them in 3d and have mini replicas. There’s a place that does that nearby.
<img class="size-large wp-image-260750" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AP-1PJ1ASP492111_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780">
<span class="im"><strong>When you have an "off day" on the bike, what are some ways you can try to turn it around? </strong>
</span>
I sort of don’t really think about that. My goal is to do the best I can with the challenges in front of me. Days of perfection are rare, but when you get them, holy smokes, [there is] nothing better. I think we all hold out hope for those moments. Ying and yang.
<img class="size-large wp-image-260747" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AP-1VYR85ZCH2111_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780">
<span class="im"><strong>Considering all of the variables, where is a race truly won? In the mind? Corners? Dinner table? Other? </strong>
</span>
I think it’s in the preparation before a race. It’s about surrounding yourself with a winning formula of ability, training, nutrition, team, mental, and mechanical. All the pieces equal the whole and then it’s belief in the moment. When you are ready to win, you will. 'Til then, keep searching for small pieces to be better. Honestly, you have to know your weaknesses as a person, reflect, and make yourself better.
<span class="im"><strong>You had an amazing performance at your first EWS race in Tasmania. Do you plan to race any more events in the series this season? </strong>
</span>
Thank you! It was a rad experience, the trails and people in Tas were so fun, I loved it. Whistler and Northstar are my other EWS rounds on the schedule, plus I will have a couple of smaller events like Vedder, BC; Silver Mountain, ID; Colorado BME; and National Champs. I thought about doing Portugal EWS, but I made a plan at the beginning of the year and wasn’t super interested in doing the whole series. I wanted to have time to learn and make gains between the events. Enduro takes a lot of time and effort, and it’s pretty obvious the pace and what needs to be done. I was super nervous in Tas, and can still improve, so that’s what I want to do for Whistler, which will have a whole different set of challenges to figure out.
[caption id="attachment_260752" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="size-large wp-image-260752" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AP-1V5N3EF592111_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> "Jill Kintner competes against Kailani Hines at the Pump Track Challenge during Crankworx in Rotorua, New Zealand on March 22, 2018." -RedBull[/caption]
<span class="im"><strong>What are some of the things you enjoy about the trails and the town of Bellingham?</strong>
</span>
I enjoy how many trails we have and that everyone is so into biking. It’s a pretty insane reality we have, surrounded by four peaks and with so many trail builders with different styles. There are really good trails for every type of bike and rider. <a href="https://www.fanatikbike.com/">Fanatik</a> bike shop goes off as well. It’s cool to walk in there and people know what’s up, just quality insight on product.
[caption id="attachment_260749" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="size-large wp-image-260749" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/1380324116809-1773476871_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> "Jill Kintner competes at the UCI MTB World Cup Finals, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, on 30 August 2013." -RedBull[/caption]
<span class="im"><strong>What element of riding still challenges you, or excites you most? </strong>
</span>
There are a few things, but speed and corners are always my favorite. I actually go really slow my first time on a trail and try to learn it, then build speed. That’s part of why enduro is so hard, you can’t go your fastest without the repetition. I’ve always been quality over quantity, and it seems like that flips in enduro, but good sound fundamentals will get you through anything. I enjoy building up physiology, putting the pieces together, training hard, seeing the data and power improve. The long hours in the saddle are tricky too, but I am always proud of myself when I can get through a hard test. It builds toughness.
<span class="im">
<strong>Across all the different race genres that you have found success in, the common skill seems to be cornering speed. Can you share three pieces of advice or encouragement that will help readers corner faster? </strong>
</span>
Yeah. Try and open up the angle of the corners if possible to carry speed (set up), have your braking done before you actually change direction (before the apex), and keep your eyes looking up and ahead.
[caption id="attachment_260753" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="size-large wp-image-260753" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AP-1V5N3N2SW2111_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> "Jill Kintner performs during Downhill practice at Crankworx in Rotorua, New Zealand on March 23, 2018." -RedBull[/caption]
<span class="im"><strong>What have you learned in your role as team manager? </strong>
</span>
A lot, dunno really where to start. I think having a plan on paper and presenting it helps a ton. Also Bryn and I split jobs. We each have different strengths and weakness, but together can do most everything, and if or when we need help, we hire someone. I think spending money to make money is a big one in biking that so many people cheap out on. I always invest in myself and know what I need to perform. We took the manager out of the equation so we could run the parts we wanted and not have to settle for terrible logistics or accommodations.
<span class="im">
<strong>Outside of the Pacific Northwest, what is one of your favorite places to ride? </strong>
</span>
Ohh, that’s a tough one. <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/Tasmania-bike-trails_0.html">Tasmania</a> is now real high on the list, New Zealand, Finale Italy, Switzerland, Wales, Portugal, California has some fun spots, and Canada. I haven’t really been to South America other than Brazil for that World Cup in ’07, but I’d like to check that out.
[caption id="attachment_260754" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<img class="size-large wp-image-260754" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AP-1V5N3GP6W2111_hires_jpeg_24bit_rgb-1170x780.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="780"> "Winners Chaney Guemet, Kailani Hines, Tomas Lemione, Jill Kintner, Jonna Johnsen, Michael Bias celebrate on the podium at the Pump Track Challenge during Crankworx in Rotorua, New Zealand on March 22, 2018" -RedBull[/caption]
<em>Thanks to Jill for making time in her slammed training schedule to share this piece of her story with our readers.</em>](https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Barb_Wire.jpg)
