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 yellow mountain bike with green accents is positioned on a grassy area. It features a sturdy frame, wide tires, and a suspension fork, showcasing its suitability for off-road riding. In the background, trees and a fence are visible, indicating an outdoor setting.
A cycling heatmap for the year 2012, displaying routes taken by Greg Heil. The map is primarily monochrome with varying shades indicating cycling activity, along with labeled mountains and towns in the surrounding area. An orange banner at the top features the Strava logo and the title "Cycling Heatmap."
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A close-up of a pressure gauge displaying measurements in both PSI and BAR, with a black dial and yellow markings. The gauge is mounted on a stand on a gravel surface.
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A portable camping stove with a bright green kettle on top, set against a stunning mountain landscape under a clear blue sky. A blue collapsible cup is positioned nearby on rocky terrain.
Vast landscape of mountains covered in dense greenery under a partly cloudy sky, showcasing rolling hills and a rich variety of trees in different shades of green.
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A vibrant red mountain bike positioned on rocky terrain, with a scenic backdrop of rolling green hills and blue skies. The bike features high-quality components, including thick tires and a suspension fork, ideal for off-road cycling.
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budget hardtail mountain bike buyers guide
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A sleek black mountain bike with orange accents, prominently displayed against a dark background. The bike features high-performance components, including a dual suspension system and distinct Shimano branding on the drivetrain. The front suspension forks are notably highlighted, emphasizing the bike's design for rugged terrain.
A close-up view of a black and gray Northwave cycling shoe, featuring a textured upper, a dial closure system, and additional strap fasteners, set against a rocky outdoor backdrop.
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A mountain biker pushing their bike uphill along a dirt trail surrounded by trees, with snow-capped mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
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A mountain biker navigating a rugged trail surrounded by dense forest, with rocky terrain and greenery visible. The biker is leaning forward on a red bike, showcasing a dynamic riding posture, while mountainous scenery can be seen in the background.
A sleek black motorcycle helmet with a carbon fiber finish. The image shows the helmet from the front and side angles, highlighting its aerodynamic design and ventilation features. The interior is padded for comfort, and there is a logo visible on the side. The background is dark, emphasizing the helmet's shiny surface and details.
A close-up view of a bright yellow inflatable sleeping pad with a textured surface, featuring a pattern of raised, cushion-like sections. The pad is laid out flat and partially illuminated by sunlight, emphasizing its rippled design.
A close-up view of a partially unzipped sleeping bag with a yellow interior and a white exterior, resting on green grass dotted with small yellow flowers. The bag is laid out in an outdoor setting, showcasing its soft material and bright colors against the natural backdrop.
A young wizardStanding in a dramatic pose, wielding a wand, with a swirling, magical blue mist emanating from it against a dark, atmospheric background.
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A mountain biker navigating a rocky trail in a desert landscape under a clear blue sky, with snow-capped mountains visible in the background. The biker is wearing a helmet and sunglasses, and appears focused as they tackle the challenging terrain.
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A cyclist riding a mountain bike on a rocky trail, with mountains in the background and the sun setting behind them, casting a warm glow. The scene is framed by bushes and grass, highlighting a vibrant outdoor landscape.
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A pair of black knee pads with textured protective shells resting on a rocky, dirt surface. The pads feature yellow accents and are designed for impact protection in sports or outdoor activities.
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A pair of black knee pads with protective plastic shells on top, placed on a gravel surface. The pads feature a yellow outline and are designed to absorb impacts during sports or outdoor activities.
A person riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail, wearing a red jacket, helmet, and sunglasses. The scene features a backdrop of trees and a partly cloudy sky.
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A group of individuals working on a hiking trail in a natural setting, using tools to clear vegetation. The scene is lush with greenery, with blooming plants and trees in the background.
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A black-and-white landscape image featuring a mountain range in the background, with a foreground of wildflowers and a dirt path. The text overlay reads "FIVE 2 RIDE COLORADO," with a red location pin graphic around the number '2'.
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A mountain biker navigating rocky terrain, wearing protective gear including knee pads and a helmet. The rider has a backpack and is focused on maneuvering the bike over the uneven surface. Surrounding the scene are trees and blue skies, indicating an outdoor setting.
Image features an orange background with the Strava logo at the top. Bold white text reads "The New Home of Your Athletic Life" with a subtitle “Introducing Athlete Posts” underneath. The text emphasizes a new feature or offering related to athletic activities.
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Alt text: Two news anchors, Frank Fraboni and Darcel Grimes, are seated in a studio presenting a segment on a bill related to trail spikes. A visual related to the topic is displayed behind them on a screen.
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A close-up of a black and yellow athletic shoe designed for outdoor activities, showcasing a textured upper with a prominent closure system and a rugged sole, resting on a natural, rocky surface with sparse vegetation in the background.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike handlebar featuring a red and black grip, a brake lever, and an adjustable stem. The background includes abstract text, enhancing the focus on the bike components.
A silver and red mountain bike is parked on a gravel surface with plants and stairs in the background. The bike features large, rugged tires, a dual suspension frame, and prominent branding. Brightly colored flowers and potted plants are visible in the background, adding a vibrant natural element to the scene.
A cyclist riding a mountain bike along a dirt trail in a wooded area during sunset. The scene features tall trees and lush green grass, with sunlight filtering through the leaves.
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A close-up view of a muddy mountain bike's drivetrain, showcasing the rear cassette, chain, and crankset. The bike's frame is covered in dirt, emphasizing its use in off-road conditions. The orange crankset stands out against the grime, while the intricate designs on the tires are partially visible.
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A split image showing a hand holding a length of orange string with several metal stakes attached to it on the left, and a forested area in the background on the right where a similar orange string is stretched between trees along a dirt path.
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A close-up view of a bike rack mounted on the back of a Toyota truck, showcasing the rack's design with black and orange components. The truck's rear is visible, along with a partial view of the vehicle's license plate and surrounding greenery.
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Close-up of a black bicycle tire, showing detailed lettering on the sidewall and a valve stem, with green foliage blurred in the background.
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Alt text: A modern mountain bike featuring a sleek gray frame, wide tires, and a sturdy front suspension fork, positioned against a white background.
A mountain biker in a blue shirt and helmet performs a jump over a trail in a dense forest, surrounded by trees and foliage. The biker shows an athletic stance with one wheel elevated off the ground while navigating the rugged terrain.
A black adjustable dropper seat post for a bicycle, accompanied by a black cylindrical tube and a blue hacksaw. The seat post is partially disassembled, showcasing its inner components.
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A mountain biker in a yellow shirt and helmet navigates a rugged, sandy trail, leaning into a turn as they ride downhill through a rocky landscape. The scene features dry terrain with sparse vegetation and a focus on the rider's dynamic movement.
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A group of young mountain bikers lined up at the start of a race under a large "START" banner, with spectators cheering from the sidelines. The scene captures a dirt path surrounded by colorful autumn foliage, with some participants wearing colorful jerseys and helmets, ready to begin their race.
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Everything You Need to Know About Mountain Biking and Visiting Pisgah National Forest
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Alt text: A collection of bicycle components featuring Shimano Deore products, including a crankset, derailleur, cassette, disc brake, and shifters, arranged on a sleek background.
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Close-up of a bicycle fork displaying "RockShox" branding, with a focus on the black frame and disc brake. Soft lighting creates a dynamic effect, highlighting the details of the component.
A mountain biker in a yellow shirt and helmet rides on rocky terrain, leaning forward as he navigates the trail. He is equipped with a backpack and gloves, and the landscape features distant hills and sparse vegetation under a cloudy sky.
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A black mountain bike parked on rocky terrain, with a rugged desert landscape in the background featuring distant cliffs and sparse vegetation. The bike is positioned on a dirt surface, showcasing its features and contrasting against the natural scenery.
A close-up view of the front wheel and suspension fork of a mountain bike, positioned on rocky terrain with a rugged landscape in the background. The bike features a green frame with orange lettering, and a black suspension fork equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. Surrounding the bike, there are various shrubs and rock formations under a partly cloudy sky.
A bright pink mountain bike with a sleek frame and rugged tires, showcased against a textured dark gray background. The bike features a dropper seat post, high-performance suspension forks, and a modern gear system, emphasizing its design for off-road riding.
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A black mountain bike with thick tires is parked on a rocky, reddish-brown trail. Surrounding the bike are green bushes, some of which have patches of snow on them, indicating a cold climate. The bike features a prominent suspension fork and a rear shock, designed for off-road riding.
A close-up image of a person's hand gripping the handlebars of a mountain bike, adjusting the brake lever. The focus is on the hand and lever mechanism, with a blurred background.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike front fork showing the "MRP" brand logo above a textured tire tread on a dirt trail background. The image highlights the bike's components in a rugged outdoor setting.
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