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
 
Logo of Bell Built, featuring a red badge design with the words "BELL BUILT" prominently displayed. The tagline "MAKING TRAILS" is included at the bottom, accompanied by a gear icon.
Logo of the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr), featuring a stylized compass design with a black outer circle and a white inner circle. The name "CAMBr" is prominently displayed in orange text across the center, with the words "Chicago Area" in smaller black text above it and "Mountain Bikers" below.
A scenic pathway winding through a vibrant meadow, lined with colorful wildflowers, leading into a lush forest of tall evergreen trees under a clear blue sky.
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Logo of Bell Built, featuring a red badge design with the words "BELL BUILT" prominently displayed. The tagline "MAKING TRAILS" is included at the bottom, accompanied by a gear icon.
A mountain biker navigating a narrow dirt trail surrounded by dense greenery and tall white aspen trees in a forest setting. The scene captures the essence of outdoor adventure and nature.
A serene outdoor landscape featuring a dirt path winding through grassy terrain with trees on the hillside, under a clear blue sky. A play button overlay suggests this is a video.
Close-up of a gloved hand gripping a handlebar as it makes contact with the dirt, creating a cloud of dust. The environment appears to be an outdoor trail, with a blurred background suggesting movement or action.
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A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape featuring lush green hills, a small town nestled at the base, and ski runs visible on the slopes above. The sky is partly cloudy, and the scene captures the natural beauty of the area.
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Logo of the Southern Off Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), featuring a stylized bike tire graphic with the acronym "SORBA" prominently displayed in red letters. The design includes blue outlines and accents.
Logo design featuring a stylized letter 'M' overlaid with a crown shape, accompanied by the word "Mammoth" in bold, playful font. The color scheme is predominantly black with a minimalistic style.
A detailed view of a bicycle rear derailleur in black, showcasing its various components including the pulley wheels, tension adjustment, and attaching mechanisms. The design features a sleek, modern shape suitable for high-performance cycling.
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A mountain bike with a sleek design, featuring a white and blue frame, positioned on rocky terrain. The bike has large tires suitable for off-road conditions and a prominent front suspension fork, showcasing its capability for rugged trails.
Close-up of a bike tire featuring a rugged tread design, partially covered in snow. The tire's surface is detailed with distinct, square-shaped knobs, which provide traction for winter riding conditions. The background shows a snowy landscape.
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A winding dirt path through a tranquil forest, surrounded by tall trees and patches of green moss. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting gentle shadows on the ground.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a gravel path alongside a river, surrounded by trees and rocky terrain. The scenery features hills in the background and a clear sky.
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A black and yellow GT mountain bike frame is positioned on a workbench. The frame features a stylish design with prominent branding and is equipped with a shock absorber. A small piece of wood is supporting the frame, and the background shows a power outlet and a row of electrical sockets along the wall.
A blue fat bike with oversized tires is displayed against a textured white background. The bike features a sleek design, with a modern frame and disc brakes. Additionally, a graphic reading "Coming Soon" is positioned at the top left corner, adding a promotional element to the image.
A mountain biker performing a jump off a wooden ramp in a forested area, surrounded by trees and greenery. The rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, showcasing an action shot that captures the thrill of the sport.
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A mountain biker skillfully navigates a rocky trail on a bicycle, with a wooden bridge in the foreground. The landscape features rugged terrain and sparse vegetation, showcasing the challenging environment of the bike ride.
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Close-up of a man’s face with a focused expression, accompanied by the text "dirtTV" in the top left corner and the words "BEYOND THE BIKE 'NEEDLES'" prominently displayed. The background is dark, emphasizing the subject's features.
Logo of "Bell Built" featuring a hexagonal design in red with the words "BELL BUILT" prominently displayed. The tagline "MAKING TRAILS" is included, accompanied by a gear symbol.
A person standing outdoors in a black t-shirt, speaking towards the camera with a scenic background featuring trees and mountains under a clear blue sky. A video player interface is visible at the bottom.
Voting is now live for the Eastern portion of the Bell Built Grant! <a href="http://www.bellhelmets.com/bellbuilt">Vote now through May 18</a>.

Videos have been posted for each of the proposed projects. Here’s <a href="http://www.bellhelmets.com/bellbuilt/yellow-river-bike-park">the video for Yellow River Bike Park, Atlanta, Georgia</a>:
<blockquote>Yellow River Park and its trails, features, and facilities has the potential to create an impact in Atlanta and showcase what mountain biking should be. Currently, the park offers a ‘mixed bag’ experience with many miles of wonderful singletrack intertwined with poorly designed and maintained trails offering a low quality riding experience. Improvements to the facility’s trail design and navigation, along with the addition of a skills area and/or pump track could make this a marquee metropolitan destination and potentially open the world of mountain biking to many thousands of local citizens.</blockquote>
For 4 reasons why <em>you</em> should vote for Yellow River right now, even if you don't live in Georgia, check out Jeff's opinion piece <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/opinion-4-reasons-why-you-should-vote-for-yellow-river-in-the-bell-built-grant-competition-even-if-you-dont-live-in-georgia/">here</a>.

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A mountain biker navigating a rocky downhill trail, leaning forward with intensity as he expertly rides his blue bike through a rugged, natural landscape surrounded by trees and rocky terrain.
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A cyclist navigating rocky terrain on a mountain bike, wearing a helmet and a red shirt, with trees in the background. The cyclist appears focused and is leaning forward, showcasing a dynamic riding posture.
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A high-performance mountain bike suspension fork with a black and silver design, featuring adjustable settings and a sturdy crown. The fork is shown from a frontal perspective, highlighting its sleek lines and branding.
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A sleek black fat bike positioned on snowy ground, showcasing its wide, knobby tires and sturdy frame. Pine trees in the background add a natural, wintry setting. The bike features a minimalist design with a small storage bag attached to the frame.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike tire showcasing its textured tread pattern, designed for grip and traction on rough terrain. The background features blurred earthy tones, indicating an outdoor setting.
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A cyclist riding a mountain bike on a snowy trail in a mountainous landscape, with trees lining the path and clouds in the sky.
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Image of a black bicycle suspension fork with red accents. The fork features a sleek design and is branded with the RockShox logo. It is viewed from the front, showcasing its dual legs and mounting points at the bottom.
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Two cyclists riding mountain bikes along a dirt trail near a lake. The scene features clear blue skies and rocky terrain, with one cyclist in a blue shirt and the other in a pink shirt.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike tire with a rugged tread pattern, set against a natural outdoor background with earthy tones and vegetation.
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A modern mountain bike featuring a black frame with bright yellow accents, equipped with thick, rugged tires and a front suspension fork for off-road performance. The bike is shown from a side angle, highlighting its sleek design and sturdy build.
A modern mountain bike featuring a sleek black and bright green design, equipped with dual suspension, wide tires, and intricate gear components. The bike is positioned to showcase its frame and handlebars against a plain background.
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A bright blue Santa Cruz mountain bike featuring a sleek frame design, prominent pink lettering, and thick tires with pink accents. The bike is equipped with high-performance components, including disc brakes and a multi-gear setup.
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Image alt text: A graphic promoting the Bell Built program by Bell Helmets and IMBA, featuring a map of the United States marked with states of finalists for new bike park projects. The image includes sections labeled "West Coast," "Central Region," and "East Coast," along with details about voting dates and project descriptions for each finalist location. The text encourages participation in the voting process, highlighting the chance to support trail-building projects.
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Close-up image of a bicycle tire showcasing the Kenda brand and the model EC70, set against a natural outdoor background. The tire tread and sidewall are visible, highlighting its design and texture.
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A mountain biker rides along a hillside at sunset, silhouetted against a vibrant sky filled with soft clouds and warm sunlight. The landscape features rolling hills and a distant view of mountains, with a shimmering body of water visible in the valley below.
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A mountain biker wearing a helmet and a red shirt rides down a sandy, winding trail surrounded by lush green trees. The rider is leaning forward, skillfully navigating a turn on the path.
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A mountain biker rides down a rocky trail through a vast desert landscape, with lush greenery and a winding river visible below. The scene captures the rugged terrain and the striking cliffs in the background under a clear blue sky.
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A mountain biker in protective gear skillfully navigates a rocky trail, kicking up dust as he leans into a turn. The backdrop features lush green trees, indicating a scenic outdoor setting. The image captures the energy and thrill of mountain biking.
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