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
Tantrum's new, patented Missing Link suspension design promises revolutionary climbing efficiency, without sacrificing descending prowess.
The Half Bottle adapter from Wolf Tooth adds a second mount for a tool to an existing water bottle mount.
Greg Heil reflects on a dramatically smaller Interbike, finding that face-to-face industry relationships remain the show's true value despite declining attendance and exhibitors.
Mavic's XA Pro shorts weigh just 6.7 ounces yet proved durable through 76 miles of Colorado Trail bikepacking in hot summer conditions.
The XA Pro Under Bib Shorts from Mavic offer excellent ventilation and a thick, comfortable chamois. The chamois is very absorbant, so much so that it left me feeling dry.
The Gunnison National Forest in Colorado is home to some of the best mountain bike trails in the world, including Trail 401, Doctor Park, and Mt. Crested Butte.
Bikepacking is both complex, and yet very simple.
The Mountainsmith Bike Cube hauls massive amounts of mountain bike gear to the trailhead, but lacks refined, bike-specific features for the price.
Greg Heil argues that 27.5+ tires are overrated, citing weight, flimsy casings, poor cornering, tire bounce, and lackluster traction in loose conditions.
Nipika Mountain Resort offers an off-grid escape deep in British Columbia's Kootenay National Park, with exposed singletrack along dramatic gorges and pristine wilderness riding.
The Scott Genius runs 29", 27.5+, or standard 27.5" tires with adjustable geometry, TwinLoc suspension, and weighs just 26.68 pounds.
Spank injects their vibration-damping Vibrocore foam into new wide, shallow-profile Spike 350 wheels, claiming better tracking and increased strength.
Fernie, BC delivers over 100 trails ranging from loamy beginner flow to gnarly old-school descents, plus world-class lodging in a mountain town.
Exploring whether true contentment comes from within or if choosing the right place to live matters more than Stoic philosophy suggests.
WTB's new Koda saddle was designed with female riders in mind, featuring a wide center channel, short nose, and two width options.
Terrene's new Cake Eater fat bike tire offers a faster-rolling tread than the aggressive Wazia, with studded versions starting at just $150 MSRP.
ENVE's new M Series wheels feature Wide Hookless Bead and Protective Rim Strip technologies designed to nearly eliminate pinch flats while improving durability.
MRP's new Ribbon Coil fork brings coil suspension performance to trail bikes with only a 203g weight penalty over its air-sprung counterpart.
Sacred Rides' Bring Your Partner Adventure solves vacation conflicts by combining epic mountain biking for riders with hiking, yoga, and adventure activities for non-riding partners.
The Spot Mayhem 29er's innovative Living Link leaf spring suspension and lightweight build create a versatile trail bike that climbs like a rocket.
Transition launches the Sentinel, a 140mm 29er with slack geometry, and updates its entire lineup with "Speed Balanced Geometry" for 2018.
Golden, Colorado's Proudfoot Cycles builds lightweight steel full suspension mountain bikes, and the playful 120mm Primed 29er weighs just 30 pounds.
Greg Heil explores why introverts need solo rides to recharge, away from group ride debates about trails, components, and meaningless mountain biking minutia.
Syncros' new Hixon iC integrated carbon bar/stem combo weighs just 290g and looks futuristic, but lacks adjustable bar roll.
Two mountain bikers tackle Colorado's Cottonwood Trail, climbing from 7,000 to 9,500 feet to test how quickly one can adapt to high altitude riding.
The hottest, most innovative mountain bike products of 2017 include drivetrain upgrades, electronic suspension tuning, and onboard tool storage.
Mountain bike advocacy support is greatest at the local level, with fewer seeing the need for trail advocacy at the national level.
Niner has re-introduced an aluminum version of the AIR 9 mountain bike with updated geometry and specs.
A 24-year-old mountain biker was killed by lightning while riding near Telluride, Colorado despite shelter attempts and extensive resuscitation efforts.
Find the most difficult mountain bike trail in every US state. Each of these black diamond bike trails offer advanced riders a true technical challenge.
The Guerrilla Gravity Shred Dogg is a USA-made aluminum shredder with quick-adjusting geometry that climbs fast and descends with precision on 135-145mm travel.
Mountain biking doesn't need justification through racing or fitness goals—it's worthwhile simply because we enjoy it, making the journey itself the destination.
We surveyed over 2,000 mountain bikers to find the best brakes, and Shimano XT dominated with more votes than all other brands combined.
Pearl Izumi's Launch shorts offer durable, stretch fabric and great features for gravity riding, though they run warm in hot weather.
Greg Heil explores two approaches to living in the moment: packing every second with activity versus intentionally slowing down to find peace.
After a six-day manhunt in Pisgah National Forest, fugitive Phillip Michael Stroupe II was apprehended after stealing a mountain bike at gunpoint.
Giant's 2018 Reign gets refined geometry, a trunnion-mounted shock, and a composite rocker arm, with models ranging from $2,700 to $8,200.
A Calgary man has been charged with fraud and public mischief after falsely claiming he was clotheslined by barbed wire while mountain biking.
Two mountain bikers were robbed at gunpoint by a fugitive in Pisgah National Forest, sparking a multi-day manhunt and temporary forest closures.
The Kali Interceptor is a lightweight XC helmet.
Greg Heil explores why some mountain bikers struggle to pull the trigger on a new bike purchase, even after extensive research.
Road-tripping with your mountain bike? Here are nine essential tips to ensure your ride arrives safely and ready to shred at your destination.
Revelate Designs' Mag-Tank top tube bag offers quick magnetic access to snacks and tools, but lacks the stability of zippered alternatives.
It comes as no surprise that Breckenridge, Crested Butte and the Grand Valley are among the top mountain bike destinations in Colorado.
Local mountain bikers question viral barbed wire booby trap story after rider creates $8,000 GoFundMe to replace 2008 bike worth around $1,000.
A mountain biker's neck was sliced open by barbed wire strung across a trail in Alberta, in what appears to be an intentional booby trap.
The Chuckbucket is a handlebar snack bag that's designed to accommodate up to a 1-liter Nalgene water bottle or a 40-ounce Klean Kanteen.
The Gearjammer is Oveja Negra's take on the classic seat bag--a must-have for any and every bikepacker.
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