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
Despite losing Boulder-White Clouds trails to Wilderness designation, Sun Valley still offers hundreds of miles of epic singletrack worth riding.
Maxxis expands their retro Skinwall tire lineup with the popular Ikon XC tire, now available in 27.5" and 29" models with 2.2" width.
Rocky Mountain's new Suzi Q fat bikes feature 27.5-inch wheels and race-oriented geometry designed to shatter the "slow, plodding fat bike" stereotype.
Mike Van Abel has resigned as IMBA Executive Director after 12 years, with Dan Brillon serving as interim director while the board searches for a replacement.
Sun Valley offers 700+ miles of fast, flowy XC singletrack—rare these days—with the epic Osberg's Ridgeline delivering 33 miles of high-altitude riding through stunning burn zones.
Sun Valley, Idaho offers endless cross-country singletrack and surprisingly accessible mountain biking experiences, whether you're camping on a shoestring or staying downtown.
Here's a suggested one-sentence excerpt in the Singletracks.com style:
**BLM investigation reveals Colorado wire incident was an old electric fence on unofficial cattle trail, not intentional booby trap.**
Switzerland's Nino Schurter and Sweden's Jenny Rissveds claimed XC mountain bike gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, both riding Scott's new ultralight Spark.
Here's a 24-word excerpt in Singletracks style:
Writing your Congressmen about mountain bike access in Wilderness areas isn't as hard as you think—and it might just make a real difference.
Hazardous obstacles were found at two popular Colorado mountain bike trail systems.
Specialized's revamped 2017 Enduro boasts slacker geometry, shorter chainstays, Öhlins suspension, and innovative SWAT storage integrating tools throughout the frame.
Intense's new Recluse trail bike features 140mm rear travel, updated I-Box pivot, Boost spacing, and a lightweight SL frame option.
Trek pledges over $1 million to NICA over five years, donating $1 per Bontrager mountain bike tire sold to support high school cycling programs.
Scott's new Spark Plus delivers 130mm of plush plus-sized trail capability at just 25.5 pounds, climbing efficiently while descending with confidence beyond its travel numbers.
Vail Resorts acquires Whistler-Blackcomb for $1.1 billion, adding the legendary bike park to its growing portfolio of mountain resorts.
Test riding the new SRAM 1x12 mountain bike drivetrain.
Intentionally set traps were found at a park in Northern New Jersey with spikes to puncture tires and injure riders.
No matter what you call them, hazards intentionally placed on trails to injure mountain bikers are not OK.
Terrene Tires is a new startup aiming to fill gaps in the mountain bike tire market with simplified "Light" and "Tough" construction options.
A homemade spike strip targeting mountain bikers was discovered near Camp Tamarancho, one of Marin County's few bike-legal trails, raising serious safety concerns.
# Here are a few options in the Singletracks.com style:
**Option 1 (19 words):**
Online mountain bike parts retailer PricePoint.com is closing after 20+ years, with final discounts up to 99% off today only.
**Option 2 (22 words):**
After months of rumors, PricePoint.com confirms closure, offering final deals up to 99% off—including $475 Easton wheels for just $60.
**Option 3 (18 words):**
Major online bike parts retailer PricePoint.com shuts down after 20 years, with massive final-day discounts ending July 28.
---
My recommendation is **Option 2**—it captures the rumor-to-confirmation narrative, includes the eye-catching deal example, and maintains that urgent, deal-focused tone Singletracks uses for time-sensitive content.
Greg Heil embraces his inner luddite by building a singlespeed and rediscovering the spiritual simplicity of doing hard things on a bike.
Salsa unveils two new plus-size hardtails: the carbon Woodsmoke with multi-wheel compatibility and the budget-friendly aluminum Timberjack, both arriving fall 2016.
IMBA releases statement opposing the Sustainable Trails Coalition's bill to amend the Wilderness Act, citing concerns about unintended political consequences and polarization.
Olympic mountain bike tickets are now on sale in Rio, with standing room currently available for the women's cross country race at about $12 USD.
Here's a 24-word excerpt in Singletracks style:
Sea to Summit's ultralight bikepacking sleep system weighs just 3.5 pounds and packs into a hydration pack, offering serious comfort without the bulk.
A mountain biker discovered fishing line strung across a popular trail in Northern Ireland in a dangerous attempt to injure riders.
A trail runner films his Wilderness run on a GoPro selfie stick, proving mountain bikes aren't the real threat to backcountry values.
Guerrilla Gravity's new Trail Pistol features 120mm travel, a flip chip for switching between 29" and 27.5+ wheels, and made-in-USA quality.
You can rest assured that you won't be left wanting at any of these epic East coast mountain biking destinations.
Historic legislation allowing local land managers to permit mountain bikes in Wilderness areas has been introduced in Congress by Utah Senators Lee and Hatch.
Greg Heil explains why high alpine singletrack above treeline offers the most rewarding mountain biking experience, from epic views to unmatched solitude.
Here's a 24-word excerpt in Singletracks style:
"From the Jekyll to the Capra, these 10 enduro bikes blend aggressive downhill capability with efficient climbing prowess—representing the best all-mountain rigs available."
Niner's redesigned JET 9 and RIP 9 now accommodate both 29" and 27.5+ wheels, with boosted travel and Boost spacing throughout.
Greg Heil argues that mountain biking's use of podium girls and objectifying photography sends the wrong message and needs to stop.
Montana wildlife officials confirm mountain biker Brad Treat collided with a bear on a trail with limited visibility, causing a defensive attack.
UK-based Orange Mountain Bikes returns to North America through Aventuron, bringing 26 models and decades of downhill racing heritage to US and Canadian dealers.
A grizzly bear killed Montana mountain biker Brad Treat near Glacier National Park, the first fatal bear attack in Northwest Montana since 2001.
You don't have to be a competitive athlete to take advantage of Strava for mountain biking.
WTB's new Convict gravity tire features tall, meaty knobs for aggressive riding, available in 27.5"x2.5" with multiple compound and casing options.
Salsa Cycles will begin selling bikes at 11 REI locations, a move that's drawing mixed reactions from independent bike dealers nationwide.
Greg Heil argues that allowing mountain bikes in Wilderness areas would actually reduce trail congestion by spreading riders across more distant routes.
Oakley Jawbreaker sunglasses provide genuinely high-definition optics that enhance trail visibility, making rocks and roots pop while delivering richer colors you won't want to remove.
Scott's 2017 XC race bikes include the ultra-light 849g Scale hardtail and 1,749g Spark full-suspension frame, setting new weight benchmarks in carbon fiber technology.
Mike Hall shattered the Tour Divide record by nearly 13 hours, completing the 2,745-mile route in under 14 days while riding disconnected from the world.
Red Bull Rampage returns October 14th with a new venue, no power tools allowed, fewer riders, and extended weather windows for safer competition.
Murder charges filed in the 2009 disappearance of Mountain Bike Hall of Famer Mike Rust after his remains were discovered in Colorado's San Luis Valley.
Greg Heil explains Singletracks' zero-tolerance comment policy: disagree freely, but personal attacks, hate speech, and vulgar assaults result in immediate bans.
3
