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 vibrant display of bicycles in a bike shop, featuring various mountain bikes in different colors, including pink and black. The bicycles are hanging from a rack, showcasing their frames and tires. The shop has wooden walls and displays of cycling gear and accessories in the background, creating a lively atmosphere for biking enthusiasts.
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Mountain bike featuring a sleek frame with a black and red design, equipped with FOX suspension forks, Maxxis tires, and a modern drivetrain. The bike is positioned against a black background, highlighting its components and detailed graphics.
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A gathering of people seated in a casual setting, engaged in discussion. The room features exposed brick walls, wooden floors, and tables with drinks. In the foreground, a speaker leads the conversation, while audience members listen attentively. Various artworks adorn the walls, and a television is visible in the background.
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A person in tactical attire aims a rifle at the shooting range, wearing protective ear and eye gear. Sunlight glints off the firearm, and trees are visible in the background.
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A woman rides a mountain bike along a dirt trail in a lush green forest, with two other cyclists visible in the background. The scene overlooks a vast landscape of trees and bodies of water, under a bright sky.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail surrounded by trees and pinecones, with a backpack and gear. The scene is set in a green forest under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
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Chattahoochee National Forest mountain bike trails
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A black bicycle fork with a straight shaft, displaying a smooth finish and a small red mark near the base, designed for attaching the front wheel of a bike. The fork features dual prongs with mounting holes for brake and fender attachments.
A sleek black bike saddle featuring ergonomic design, highlighted with a subtle red accent. The saddle has a streamlined shape for comfort during rides and includes a measuring scale along the underside.
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A wooded area covered in colorful autumn leaves, with a dirt path leading through a gentle slope. The ground is scattered with fallen yellow and orange leaves, and sunlight filters through the trees surrounding the scene.
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Close-up of a person adjusting a suspension system on a mountain bike. The focus is on a black RockShox shock absorber, with a person's hand operating the adjustment mechanism. The bike features a striking red frame with a white graphic design.
A close-up view of a black Suunto watch displaying the time as 19:51, with a date of 6/24 and a timer reading of 36 seconds. The watch is worn on a person's wrist with a background of smooth river rocks.
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A shirtless individual wearing a goat skull mask stands between two mountain bikes in an outdoor setting. The background features a dramatic cloudy sky, enhancing the edgy atmosphere of the scene. The person has tattoos on their torso and appears to be striking a powerful pose.
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A mountain biker navigating a curvy dirt trail in a wooded area covered in fallen leaves, with trees surrounding the path and sunlight filtering through the branches.
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A cyclist traverses a suspension bridge adorned with colorful prayer flags, set against a backdrop of majestic snow-capped mountains and a clear blue sky. The rugged terrain and steep slopes reflect the adventurous spirit of mountain biking in this remote area.
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A cyclist in an orange helmet rides along a dirt path through a high mountain landscape, surrounded by tall evergreen trees and expansive views of rugged mountain peaks under a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.
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A group of individuals wearing helmets and carrying tools and bicycles are hiking up a forest trail surrounded by trees and lush greenery. The word "ADVOCACY" is displayed prominently on the right side of the image.
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Map of the southern region of South America, highlighting the area surrounding the Falkland Islands, with a small inset showing its location within the continent. The main map features roads and geographical features on a dark background, indicating various landforms and infrastructure.
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A dark world map highlighting various regions with warm colors, representing activity heatmaps collected from the Strava app. The areas of color intensity indicate higher concentrations of physical activities, with Europe and parts of North America showing more vibrant activity zones. The map has a black background, emphasizing the colored data points. The word "STRAVA" is displayed at the top center.
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A close-up view of a fat bike riding on a snowy trail. The focus is on the rear wheel, showcasing the wide tire designed for snow, with a rider's foot visible on the pedal. Snow is kicked up around the bike as it moves through a winter landscape, with trees blurred in the background.
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A winding dirt trail lined with pine trees and green moss, set in a forested area. The path curves gently to the right, with tall trees providing a natural canopy overhead. The scene conveys a peaceful and natural environment, inviting outdoor exploration.
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A wooden sign with a brown background stating "Mountain Bike Trails Closed" in large white letters, with an additional smaller sign above it indicating a parking fee. The sign is positioned near a road surrounded by trees.
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Two mountain bikers are riding along a dirt path through a lush green valley surrounded by mountains. They are both wearing helmets and colorful biking gear, smiling as they enjoy the outdoor adventure. The sky is partly cloudy, adding to the scenic backdrop of nature.
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A mountain biker navigating a rugged trail through a rocky tunnel, kicking up dust as they ride with energy and skill. The image features the text "YT Bike Range 2018" prominently displayed on the left side.
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A mountain biker riding along a sunlit forest trail, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage. The view captures the handlebars of another bike in the foreground, highlighting the adventure in a natural setting.
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A person holding a drone with a camera attached, showcasing its features at a technology exhibition. The drone has green LED lights and is positioned above a table with various devices in the background, with attendees visible.
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A detailed topographic map showing the Baltimore Canyon Preserve and King Mountain Preserve, including various trails, roads, and landmarks. Key features include marked trail names such as Dawn Falls Trail, Ladybug Trail, and Huckleberry Trail, along with contours indicating elevation changes. The map highlights areas designated as private property with a notice to stay on designated trails.
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Alt text: A green mountain bike and a blue and black mountain bike stand side by side in a natural setting, each with speech bubbles containing symbols that resemble exclamations or frustration, suggesting a humorous conversation between the two.
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Three mountain bikers navigating a wooden trail winding through a forested area. The trail features a series of curved wooden sections elevated above the ground, surrounded by lush green trees. The riders are wearing helmets and protective gear, showcasing an active outdoor sport atmosphere.
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10 mountain bike upgrades under $100
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A panoramic view of expansive mountain ranges under a clear blue sky, with the logos of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) and the Sustainable Trails Coalition prominently displayed in the foreground. The landscape features rocky terrain, patches of snow, and lush green areas visible in the valleys.
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A black electric mountain bike parked on a dirt pathway surrounded by tall green grass and wildflowers. The bike features wide tires, a visible battery, and a sleek design, suitable for off-road biking.
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