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
 
Two mountain bikers are riding on a dirt trail through a forest. One rider, dressed in a red and black jersey, is airborne above a jump, while the other rider, wearing a green jersey, is in a lower position on the path. The scene is surrounded by tall green trees, creating a vibrant outdoor atmosphere.
A winding dirt path through a lush, green forest, surrounded by tall trees and scattered foliage. The trail curves gently, inviting exploration in a serene natural setting.
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A mountain biker navigating a trail in a scenic landscape, with mountains in the background and fields below. The text overlay reads "FIVE 2 RIDE NEW ZEALAND," accompanied by a map pin icon. The image has a monochrome effect, highlighting the natural beauty of the environment.
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Black lightweight pants featuring a side zippered pocket, displayed on a white background. The fabric appears smooth with a subtle sheen.
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A mountain biker in blue attire navigates a rocky trail through a forest, showcasing action and agility. Sunlight filters through the trees, illuminating the natural surroundings.
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A circular bicycle cassette featuring a layered design with gold and black levels. The inner section is gold, with interspersed cutouts, while the outer layer is black with a toothed edge, showcasing a detailed and modern gear system for cycling.
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A split image featuring two scenes: the top half shows a mountain biker navigating a dusty, tree-lined trail, kicking up dirt as they lean into a turn, while the bottom half depicts a serene landscape with a lone mountain biker riding along a grassy trail surrounded by mountains and forests. The word "OR?" is prominently displayed in the center, suggesting a choice between the two biking experiences.
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A gray insulated jacket lying on a snowy ground with some grass peeking through the snow.
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A fat tire bike parked in a snowy forest setting, with two black handlebar mitts attached to the handlebars. Pine trees surround the bike, and a winding snow-covered path is visible in the background.
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A pair of black winter gloves laid out on a light background. The left glove features a textured leather design, while the right glove combines fabric and leather with a patterned grip. Both gloves have an adjustable cuff and are labeled with the brand "Sugoi," emphasizing their waterproof capabilities.
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A mountain bike with a light blue frame and black wheels featuring red accents, standing on a grassy area with trees in the background. The bike is equipped with a suspension system and has a sleek design, showcasing its readiness for outdoor trails.
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A pair of black winter boots designed for cold weather, featuring a sturdy construction, adjustable straps, and a rugged sole. The boots are placed on a snowy surface, emphasizing their intended use for outdoor activities in winter conditions.
A scenic forest trail with lush greenery and trees in the background, overlaid with the text "FIVE 2 RIDE" and "ARKANSAS" in bold font, with a red location pin graphic integrated into the design. The image has a monochrome filter.
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A person riding a fat tire bicycle through a snowy landscape with distant mountains and a clear blue sky in the background. The cyclist is wearing a helmet and black clothing, with a backpack, and is navigating the snow-covered terrain.
A group of volunteers is working on a trail in a green, wooded area. Some individuals are holding tools like axes and shovels while others gather nearby, wearing hats and outdoor clothing. The scene is sunny, surrounded by bushes and grass, indicating a day of outdoor labor and conservation efforts.
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Alt text: A black and white image featuring mountain bikers riding through a scenic landscape in New South Wales, with the text overlay "FIVE 2 RIDE" and a location pin icon.
A green and gray fat bike positioned on a snowy landscape, with majestic snow-capped mountains in the background and a clear blue sky overhead. The bike features wide tires designed for optimal traction on snow and terrain.
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A mountain biker is performing a jump in mid-air against a backdrop of a ski lift and scenic greenery. The image includes a banner on the left that encourages viewers to vote for the best lift-accessed bike parks for a chance to win prizes.
A bright red mountain bike with large, wide tires. The frame features a sleek and modern design, with visible suspension components and a prominent shock absorber. The handlebars are equipped with grips and a throttle, emphasizing its off-road capabilities. The tires are labeled with the brand "Schwalbe," and the bike is positioned against a neutral background, showcasing its details.
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A person riding a mountain bike along a dirt path through a grassy landscape, surrounded by rolling hills and mountains under a blue sky filled with fluffy clouds. Pine trees are visible in the foreground and background, creating a scenic outdoor environment.
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A scenic view of a winding dirt trail surrounded by lush green meadows and rocky slopes, leading towards towering, rugged mountains under a clear blue sky. Snow patches are visible on the peaks, suggesting a mountainous terrain that invites exploration.
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A person riding a mountain bike with thick tires is navigating over rocky terrain covered in snow. They are wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and winter clothing, creating a dynamic scene against a clear blue sky. Snow is being kicked up from the bike wheels as they maneuver through the winter landscape.
A brightly colored mountain bike with a turquoise and green frame is positioned on rocky terrain, with a mountainous landscape in the background. The scene features dramatic cloud coverage, showcasing the bike's suspension and tires, designed for rugged trails.
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Close-up of a bicycle brake lever and handlebar mounted against a brick wall, highlighting the Deore XT branding and intricate details of the component.
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Close-up view of a bicycle's crankset and chain, partially covered in mud, with blurred green foliage in the background.
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A black and white image of a mountain biker navigating a rocky trail with trees in the background. The text overlay reads "FIVE 2 RIDE" with a location pin icon and "ALABAMA" below.
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A red mountain bike with a sleek design, featuring a full suspension system, wide tires, and prominent branding on the wheels. The bike is positioned against a neutral background, showcasing its lightweight frame and intricate components.
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Illustration of a bicycle crankset featuring a close-up view of the chainring, crank arm, and bottom bracket, showcasing the integration of a motor or drive system.
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A mountain biker performs a trick in mid-air during a jump over a dirt ramp, with a forested mountain landscape and a few houses visible in the background.
A dirt path winding through dry grass leads to a tree, with a brown sign in the foreground indicating "No Bicycles" surrounded by a grassy landscape under a clear blue sky. The sign is from the East Bay Regional Park District.
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A blue fat bike is positioned on rocky terrain with rugged desert scenery in the background. The landscape features red rock formations and sparse vegetation under a clear blue sky.
A male mountain biker in a racing outfit rides aggressively on a dirt trail surrounded by trees. He is leaning into a turn, showcasing his skill as he navigates the terrain. The bike features a visible race number 311. The background is a lush green forest, indicating a competitive mountain biking event.
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A wooden boardwalk winding through a wooded area, overlaid with the text "FIVE 2 RIDE" and a location marker icon in orange, along with the word "MISSISSIPPI." The image is predominantly in black and white, highlighting the natural surroundings.
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Two mountain bikers navigating a snowy landscape, with one cyclist descending a rocky section while the other rides slightly behind on a snow-covered trail. Icicles hang from the rocks in the background, and trees with bare branches line the scene, indicating a winter setting.
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A mountain biker riding on a rocky terrain with a clear blue sky and snow-capped mountains in the background. The landscape features reddish-brown rock formations and a hilly terrain, showcasing the natural beauty of the outdoor environment.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike tire with an intricate tread pattern, showcasing its rugged design. In the background, trees and a natural landscape are visible, indicating an outdoor setting.
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A black and orange mountain biking shoe resting on a rock surface, featuring a sleek design with adjustable Velcro straps and a rugged sole for traction. The background shows a dry, outdoor landscape under a blue sky.
A mountain biker navigating a rocky trail on a steep cliffside, surrounded by lush greenery and distant mountains in the background. The focus is on the rider in a blue jacket as they maneuver along the rugged terrain.
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A black bicycle helmet positioned on a rock surface, featuring aerodynamic styling and ventilation openings, against a backdrop of dry, desert vegetation and clear blue sky.
A blue fat bike with thick tires rests against a rocky surface. The bike features a camouflage-patterned frame bag and is positioned in an outdoor setting with natural stone formations in the background. Sunlight highlights the bike's details, showcasing its rugged design.
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Scenic view of a winding river bordered by rocky cliffs and rolling hills under a partly cloudy sky. The foreground features a dirt path surrounded by dry vegetation and shrubs, leading to the edge of the landscape.
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A person wearing a helmet takes a selfie while standing on a wooden mountain biking trail that curves through a lush, green forest, with rain visible on their jacket and the trail.
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A blue fat bike with wide tires, a lightweight aluminum frame, and a simple gear system, displayed from the side against a neutral background.
Interior of a room severely damaged by fire, showing blackened walls, debris scattered on the floor, and remnants of insulation hanging from the ceiling. A broken window reveals light from outside. A table and chair are visible amidst the destruction, illustrating the extent of the damage.
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Two mountain bikers riding on a dirt trail through a scenic landscape filled with wildflowers and tall trees, with a lake visible in the background.
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A green mountain bike is positioned on a rocky ledge, with a panoramic view of lush green forests and misty mountains in the background. Soft sunlight filters through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere. The scene captures the essence of outdoor adventure and nature.
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A mountain biker balances on a narrow ledge overlooking a colorful coastal city. Below, terraced vineyards and residential buildings contrast with the blue ocean and sky. The scene captures a sense of adventure and urban exploration.
A scenic view of a mountainous landscape featuring tall evergreen trees in the foreground and rolling hills in the background. The sky is partly cloudy, creating a serene atmosphere.
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