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 close-up view of a mountain bike's front wheel and fork, featuring a Maxxis tire with bright yellow accents and a Fox suspension fork. The background showcases a mountainous landscape with green hills and sparse trees, indicating an outdoor setting.
A close-up view of a person's arm with a black Garmin watch displaying metrics, including distance (0.01), timer (20 seconds), and speed (0.0). The watch is positioned on a wrist in an outdoor setting with a rocky, grassy background.
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Close-up view of a black bicycle seat post, featuring a cylindrical design with a visible clamp mechanism at one end. The background is dark with visible textures and lines, suggesting a workspace or display area for bike components.
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An image of a bicycle's rear derailleur and cassette, showcasing intricate details of the components. The derailleur features a shiny metallic casing with the label "box one," and an orange-highlighted gear mechanism. The black chain and gears are clearly visible, set against a blurred background.
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Two cyclists navigating a narrow pathway lined with lush greenery and rustic stone houses on a sunny day. The scenery includes a backdrop of rolling hills and blue sky, creating a vibrant outdoor atmosphere.
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Close-up image of a blue bicycle gear mechanism showcasing intricate metal gears and components, with visible labels that read "MADE IN GERMANY" and "P1.9CR." The background features a blurred display environment, emphasizing the focus on the gear assembly.
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Alt text: A black mountain bike from Yeti, featuring a sleek design with turquoise and yellow accents, standing on a wooden platform. The bike has prominent Maxxis tires and is equipped with a front suspension fork. In the background, there are blurred figures and a wooden panel, suggesting a trade show or exhibition setting.
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A close-up view of a bicycle fork mounted on a tree trunk, with a blurred background showing a person walking out of a workshop or garage. The fork has a shiny black finish and is designed for suspension.
A close-up view of a black bicycle fork mounted beside a tree trunk, with a blurred natural landscape background. The fork features sleek design elements and is attached to a metal bracket.
A scenic view of a mountainous landscape featuring a post-wildfire area. The foreground shows a rocky outcrop with some vegetation, while the background is filled with tall, blackened tree trunks standing amidst green patches of regrowth. In the distance, faint mountain peaks are visible under a clear sky, suggesting a recovering natural environment. A small trail winds through the area, indicating access for outdoor activities.
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Close-up of a mountain bike tire showing the tread pattern. The tire is labeled "IKON" with specifications indicating a size of 27.5 x 2.20 and a maximum pressure of 65 PSI. The background features a blurred exhibition space with a sign that reads "We are ePerformance."
A vibrant red fat bike on display, featuring a sturdy frame with the brand name "Rocky Mountain" prominently displayed. The bike has large, knobby tires suitable for various terrains. In the background, other bikes can be seen along with a wooden display setting. A few individuals are casually observing the bikes. A sign in front labels the bike model as "SUZI Q - 90° RSL."
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Logo of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), featuring the letters "I," "M," "B," and "A" arranged in circular shapes. Below the letters, the full name of the association is written in a bold font. The design uses a black and white color scheme.
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A mountain biker navigating a rocky trail on a slope, with expansive mountain views in the background. The landscape features rugged terrain and remnants of trees, under a clear blue sky.
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A scenic view of rolling hills and mountains under a clear blue sky, with a winding dirt path leading through grassy terrain. A cyclist is seen riding along the trail, and a few sparse trees are scattered across the landscape. The area displays a mix of greenery and dry, brown hills, suggesting a mountainous region with varying vegetation.
A person riding a mountain bike along a rocky trail surrounded by dry grass and shrubs in a hilly landscape.
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A mountain biker navigates a rocky terrain during a race, while a competitor jumps off a wooden ramp in the background. A crowd of spectators cheers on the racers, with trees providing a natural backdrop. The image captures the excitement and intensity of competitive mountain biking.
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A winding dirt path through a mountainous landscape, surrounded by tall evergreen trees and patches of wildflowers, leading towards a distant peak under a cloudy sky.
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A dirt trail leading uphill, surrounded by green grass and scattered rocks. Fallen logs and debris are visible along the pathway, with a clear blue sky above.
A sleek mountain bike stands on a wooden log in the foreground, set against a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountains and a clear sky. The bike features large wheels with bright green accents, showcasing its modern design. The landscape is a mixture of grassy fields and rustic wood, highlighting the adventurous spirit of outdoor biking.
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A mountain biker skillfully navigating a dirt trail, leaning into a turn with dust and debris flying around. The rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, surrounded by trees and rocks in a natural outdoor setting.
A crowded scene at a mountain bike racing event, featuring numerous participants in colorful jerseys and helmets, riding through a grassy area. Spectators can be seen in the background, with tents and banners promoting the NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League. The atmosphere is lively, showcasing the excitement of the competition.
A mountain bike stands in a grassy field with a misty mountain backdrop. The sky showcases soft clouds and rays of sunlight breaking through, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The bike features a sleek black frame with vibrant orange and blue accents, highlighting its design and rugged tires.
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A mountain biker performs a jump on a dirt trail surrounded by green foliage and vibrant pink flowers, with snow-capped mountains and a blue sky in the background.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike's rear drivetrain, featuring a gold-colored cassette and a visible chain. The image captures the intricate details of the cassette's design against a backdrop of greenery and distant mountains.
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A wooden board with several screws protruding from its surface, partially covered in dirt, held by gloved hands against a backdrop of soil and debris.
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Alt tag: A collage of three images showing various objects featuring protruding nails or screws. The left image displays a vertical tree trunk embedded with several nails. The top right image shows a piece of dirt with a screw sticking out, and the bottom right image features a wooden board with multiple screws or nails embedded. The background consists of natural vegetation and dry grass.
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A mountain biker riding along a rocky trail surrounded by lush greenery and tall pine trees under a cloudy sky.
A hand holding a rusty, large metal comb-like tool against a backdrop of green trees and a dry hillside. The tool has a long handle and multiple rusted, pointed protrusions on one side.
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An advertisement with a bold yellow background, featuring the text "PRICE POINT IS CLOSING! 1 DAY LEFT" at the top. The central message reads "EVERYTHING MUST GO!" in large, eye-catching letters, followed by "UP TO 99% OFF" and a note stating "LOWEST PRICES IN THE COUNTRY. GUARANTEED!" at the bottom.
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A mountain biker riding along a dirt path through a grassy field, surrounded by trees and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
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A bright orange mountain bike is placed on a soft, forested ground, showcasing its lightweight carbon frame and thick tires. The bike features a modern design with a front suspension fork, black handlebars, and a well-defined drivetrain. Pine trees and natural foliage are visible in the background, creating a tranquil outdoor setting.
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A breathtaking view of a mountainous landscape featuring rolling hills, lush green valleys, and scattered patches of snow. The scene is framed by distant mountain peaks under a clear blue sky, creating a serene and expansive atmosphere. The foreground includes rocky terrain leading down into the verdant valley below.
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A cyclist navigates a dirt track during the Rio 2016 Olympics, with a bright sky in the background. The image includes the Rio 2016 logo and the text "THE EXCITEMENT WILL BE EVERYWHERE."
A lightweight, yellow and gray camping tent set up on a grassy area dotted with small rocks and wildflowers. The tent's entrance is open, revealing a sleeping pad inside. The surrounding landscape features green shrubs and a natural, outdoor environment.
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A hand holding a piece of transparent fishing line or string in a forested area, surrounded by lush greenery and trees in the background.
A winding dirt trail leads through a lush, green mountainside, dotted with vibrant wildflowers, while towering mountain peaks and a bright, partly cloudy sky create a stunning backdrop.
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A silver mountain bike with wide tires stands on a bed of straw, showcasing its sleek frame and suspension system. The bike features a prominent seat and handlebars, and is set against a backdrop of green foliage.
A mountain biker navigating a winding dirt trail in a lush forest, surrounded by tall trees and greenery. The cyclist is leaning into a turn, emphasizing motion and skill.
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A scenic view of a mountainous landscape with a signpost labeled "Pacific Crest Trail," indicating directions to either side. The area is surrounded by lush green trees and rocky terrain under a clear blue sky. Mountains are visible in the distance, creating a tranquil and inviting atmosphere for hikers.
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A winding dirt trail leads up a grassy hillside dotted with small yellow flowers, set against a clear blue sky. In the distance, rocky formations and a higher peak are visible on the horizon. The landscape appears serene and inviting for hiking in nature.
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10 best enduro mountain bikes 2016
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A mountain bike positioned on a dirt trail, surrounded by greenery and mountains in the background. The bike features a sleek gray frame, thick tires with visible tread patterns, and suspension components, highlighting its design for off-road riding. The vibrant landscape showcases a clear blue sky and rugged mountain peaks.
A cyclist wearing an Astana Cycling Team jersey is surrounded by two women, each giving him a kiss on the cheek, celebrating a victory or milestone. The background features a blurred yellow backdrop, suggesting a festive atmosphere.
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A close-up of a brown bear's face, showcasing its thick fur and expressive eyes, set against a blurred mountainous background with lush greenery.
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A close-up view of an orange mountain bike navigating a dirt trail, with dust being kicked up from the rear wheel. The rider, wearing dark shorts and black shoes, leans into a turn, showcasing the bike's front suspension and tire treads. The surrounding forest greenery is softly blurred, emphasizing the action and movement.
A close-up profile of a brown bear with textured fur and a focused expression, set against a blurred natural background.
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A hand holding a smartphone with a bright orange screen displaying the Strava app logo, set against a background of gravel. The phone shows a connectivity status with the Verizon LTE network and a battery percentage of 94%.
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