Greg Heil

Greg began mountain biking in 2005, and since then, the pursuit of singletrack has taken him around the world. While Greg first started adding trail reviews to Singletracks in 2008, his career in mountain bike media officially began in 2010. He started writing for Singletracks in 2011 while simultaneously finishing his formal secondary education in writing and publication. Greg has the distinction of being the first employee that Singletracks ever hired, and he went on to serve for seven years, including five years in the Editor in Chief role. After a six-year hiatus, Greg is back at Singletracks, serving in the Managing Editor role.

While Greg has reviewed innumerable mountain bikes and products over the years, his true passion lies in writing about mountain bike trails and destinations. Greg has ridden over 8,000 trails and visited 21 countries (and counting). He recently spent four years traveling full-time, including two spent living in a camper van with his wife, Christine. In between epic trips, he now resides in Durango, Colorado.

Author snapshot

MTB Background and expertise

  • Riding experience: Primarily trail and enduro, with experience including endurance XC, bikepacking, downhill, and gravel riding.
  • Mountain biking since: 2005
  • Number of trails ridden: 8,000+
  • Number of countries visited: 21+
  • Current stable: Pivot Switchblade V3, Pivot Vault, Scott Big Jon

Education and writing experience

  • Bachelors of Arts, English: Writing and Publication, University of North Georgia
  • Other publications: Strava, FATMAP, Dirt Rag Magazine, MTB Project, Hiking Project, GearJunkie, Outside 365
 
A bright turquoise mountain bike with a modern design, featuring a lightweight frame, front suspension fork, and rugged tires. The bike is positioned at a slight angle, showcasing its drivetrain and quality components, including Maxxis tires. It is displayed against a white background, highlighting its sleek appearance and advanced engineering.
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A high-quality mountain bike wheel featuring a black rim and tire. The rim displays the Mavic logo and is designed for durability, with multiple spokes radiating from the central hub. The tire has an aggressive tread pattern suited for off-road terrain.
A black mountain bike rear shock absorber with adjustable settings, featuring branding from RockShox and a maximum pressure indication of 350 psi. The shock has a compact design with a noticeable air valve on the top.
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Two mountain bikers are riding on a dirt trail through a forest. One rider, dressed in a red and black jersey, is airborne above a jump, while the other rider, wearing a green jersey, is in a lower position on the path. The scene is surrounded by tall green trees, creating a vibrant outdoor atmosphere.
A winding dirt path through a lush, green forest, surrounded by tall trees and scattered foliage. The trail curves gently, inviting exploration in a serene natural setting.
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A mountain biker navigating a trail in a scenic landscape, with mountains in the background and fields below. The text overlay reads "FIVE 2 RIDE NEW ZEALAND," accompanied by a map pin icon. The image has a monochrome effect, highlighting the natural beauty of the environment.
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Black lightweight pants featuring a side zippered pocket, displayed on a white background. The fabric appears smooth with a subtle sheen.
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A circular bicycle cassette featuring a layered design with gold and black levels. The inner section is gold, with interspersed cutouts, while the outer layer is black with a toothed edge, showcasing a detailed and modern gear system for cycling.
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A split image featuring two scenes: the top half shows a mountain biker navigating a dusty, tree-lined trail, kicking up dirt as they lean into a turn, while the bottom half depicts a serene landscape with a lone mountain biker riding along a grassy trail surrounded by mountains and forests. The word "OR?" is prominently displayed in the center, suggesting a choice between the two biking experiences.
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A gray insulated jacket lying on a snowy ground with some grass peeking through the snow.
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A fat tire bike parked in a snowy forest setting, with two black handlebar mitts attached to the handlebars. Pine trees surround the bike, and a winding snow-covered path is visible in the background.
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A pair of black winter gloves laid out on a light background. The left glove features a textured leather design, while the right glove combines fabric and leather with a patterned grip. Both gloves have an adjustable cuff and are labeled with the brand "Sugoi," emphasizing their waterproof capabilities.
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A group of volunteers is working on a trail in a green, wooded area. Some individuals are holding tools like axes and shovels while others gather nearby, wearing hats and outdoor clothing. The scene is sunny, surrounded by bushes and grass, indicating a day of outdoor labor and conservation efforts.
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Alt text: A black and white image featuring mountain bikers riding through a scenic landscape in New South Wales, with the text overlay "FIVE 2 RIDE" and a location pin icon.
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A mountain biker is performing a jump in mid-air against a backdrop of a ski lift and scenic greenery. The image includes a banner on the left that encourages viewers to vote for the best lift-accessed bike parks for a chance to win prizes.
A bright red mountain bike with large, wide tires. The frame features a sleek and modern design, with visible suspension components and a prominent shock absorber. The handlebars are equipped with grips and a throttle, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. The tires are labeled with the brand "Schwalbe," and the bike is positioned against a neutral background, showcasing its details.
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A person riding a mountain bike along a dirt path through a grassy landscape, surrounded by rolling hills and mountains under a blue sky filled with fluffy clouds. Pine trees are visible in the foreground and background, creating a scenic outdoor environment.
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A scenic view of a winding dirt trail surrounded by lush green meadows and rocky slopes, leading towards towering, rugged mountains under a clear blue sky. Snow patches are visible on the peaks, suggesting a mountainous terrain that invites exploration.
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A person riding a mountain bike with thick tires is navigating over rocky terrain covered in snow. They are wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and winter clothing, creating a dynamic scene against a clear blue sky. Snow is being kicked up from the bike wheels as they maneuver through the winter landscape.
A brightly colored mountain bike with a turquoise and green frame is positioned on rocky terrain, with a mountainous landscape in the background. The scene features dramatic cloud coverage, showcasing the bike's suspension and tires, designed for rugged trails.
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Close-up of a bicycle brake lever and handlebar mounted against a brick wall, highlighting the Deore XT branding and intricate details of the component.
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A black and white image of a mountain biker navigating a rocky trail with trees in the background. The text overlay reads "FIVE 2 RIDE" with a location pin icon and "ALABAMA" below.
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A red mountain bike with a sleek design, featuring a full suspension system, wide tires, and prominent branding on the wheels. The bike is positioned against a neutral background, showcasing its lightweight frame and intricate components.
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Illustration of a bicycle crankset featuring a close-up view of the chainring, crank arm, and bottom bracket, showcasing the integration of a motor or drive system.
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A mountain biker performs a trick in mid-air during a jump over a dirt ramp, with a forested mountain landscape and a few houses visible in the background.
A dirt path winding through dry grass leads to a tree, with a brown sign in the foreground indicating "No Bicycles" surrounded by a grassy landscape under a clear blue sky. The sign is from the East Bay Regional Park District.
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A blue fat bike is positioned on rocky terrain with rugged desert scenery in the background. The landscape features red rock formations and sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky.
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Two mountain bikers navigating a snowy landscape, with one cyclist descending a rocky section while the other rides slightly behind on a snow-covered trail. Icicles hang from the rocks in the background, and trees with bare branches line the scene, indicating a winter setting.
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A mountain biker riding on a rocky terrain with a clear blue sky and snow-capped mountains in the background. The landscape features reddish-brown rock formations and a hilly terrain, showcasing the natural beauty of the outdoor environment.
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A black and orange mountain biking shoe resting on a rock surface, featuring a sleek design with adjustable Velcro straps and a rugged sole for traction. The background shows a dry, outdoor landscape under a blue sky.
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A blue fat bike with thick tires rests against a rocky surface. The bike features a camouflage-patterned frame bag and is positioned in an outdoor setting with natural stone formations in the background. Sunlight highlights the bike's details, showcasing its rugged design.
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Scenic view of a winding river bordered by rocky cliffs and rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky. The foreground features a dirt path surrounded by dry vegetation and shrubs, leading to the edge of the landscape.
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