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
The Apollo 3P is a lightweight tarp shelter pitched with a center pole that has more than enough room for two riders and all their gear.
The Nemo Equipment sleep system, comprised of the Argali 15F sleeping bag and the Tensor Insulated 20R sleeping pad, is extremely warm and comfortable--perfect for bikepacking. The unique waterproof tub design keeps the pad and the bag together, making for a very restful night's sleep.
What motivates us? Where do our desires to do certain things come from? Why do we want what we want? There are no easy questions in this Over a Beer column, but hopefully professional freeride mountain biker Cam Zink can give us some insight.
These are the 10 best fat bikes according to a survey of Singletracks readers. Top fat bikes include the Trek Farley, Specialized Fatboy, Salsa Beargrease, and more.
No more excuses! Give mountain biking at night a try.
Pearl Izumi's X-Project P.R.O. mountain bike shoe promises to be the one tool for all of your mountain biking needs, including hike-a-bikes. But in real life, it doesn't live up to its bold claims.
As you're confronted with the next obstacle between you and your goals, ask yourself: "how bad do I want it... really?" And, "what kind of pain am I willing to sustain?"
The Yakima Dr.Tray hitch-mounted bike has sliding trays which eliminate bike-on-bike contact while driving to the trailhead.
I found the Michelin Wild AM bike tire performs well as a lightweight rear tire in aggressive big mountain terrain. As a front tire, the Michelin Wild AM is a bit lacking.
The Zerode Taniwha enduro bike features a Pinion C1.12 gearbox transmission and a carbon frame with 160mm of suspension travel. It's expensive at $6,500-$9,500, but moving more drivetrain weight to the bottom bracket makes for a well-balanced mountain bike.
Look has just released their new X-Track mountain bike pedals, which they claim provide the best weight to contact surface ration on the market today. The X-Track XC SPD pedals provide 515 mm
The Flowtron dropper seat post from FSA features 125mm or 150mm of travel and a paddle-style remote, all for a reasonable price.
Mountain biker discovers $4.2 million illegal marijuana grow operation on Colorado's popular Rainbow Trail, leading to four arrests by authorities.
The Yeti winter bike shoe from Northwave is designed for fat biking and has an SPD cleat attachment, is rated to -13
Kali Protectives' Low Density Layer technology reduces rotational and linear impact forces, now available in the affordable $100 Alchemy helmet.
Worrying about the future and obsessing about the past--these two things rob us of embracing and enjoying this present, singular moment. Autumn teaches us to embrace these fleeting moments that collectively make up our lives.
GoPro has just released two new cameras: the Hero6 Black and the Fusion, which shoots spherical video.
Kuat and Yakima have released nearly identical hitch mounts that allow a bike rack to swing out of the way of the rear of a vehicle.
The KHS SixFifty 6600+ is a carbon full suspension enduro 27.5+ bike... and it only costs $4,000!
Patrol is launching a new 140mm 29er full suspension trail bike: the 591.
Thule's EasyFold XT ebike rack claims a 66-pound bike weight limit and includes a ramp to roll the bikes onto the rack.
Osprey's new TrailKit, SnowKit, and BigKit gear hauling bags are superbly engineered and feature-rich.
Pearl Izumi's first-ever flat pedal bike shoe, the X-Alp Launch, is light enough for all-day rides.
The Pardus Cyclone prototype features a fully-enclosed rear shock inside its carbon frame, designed by Niner co-founder Steve Domahidy for maximum protection.
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.
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