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 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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A black mountain bike tire with a knobby tread pattern, showcasing the WTB brand logo and model name. The tire is positioned at an angle against a white background, emphasizing its rugged design and size.
Close-up view of a mountain bike frame featuring suspension components, including shock and linkage, set against a rugged outdoor landscape with rocky terrain and sparse vegetation.
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A cyclist riding a mountain bike along a rocky trail surrounded by large boulders and vegetation, with two hikers in the background, one holding a dog. The scene captures a sunny day in a natural outdoor setting.
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A smiling person wearing a cycling helmet and sunglasses stands on a mountain biking path, surrounded by trees and rocky terrain under a clear blue sky. They are dressed in a green and white cycling jersey.
Two mountain bikers riding through a forested trail, with a focus on one biker's bicycle. The bike features a black and orange frame, and the cyclist wears a red jersey and black shorts. The scene is set among trees and rocky terrain, highlighting an outdoor adventure.
A cyclist stands in front of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection sign at the Antelope Wells border crossing in New Mexico. The cyclist, wearing a helmet and cycling gear, poses beside a bicycle equipped with saddle bags. Behind them, a British flag is displayed against the fence, with rocky terrain visible in the foreground.
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A mountain biker performs a jump off a rocky cliff, with a helicopter flying in the background against a dramatic landscape of mountains and a cloudy sky.
A smiling man with curly hair, wearing a black leather motorcycle jacket and white pants, sits on a motorcycle in front of a building with large windows. Various helmets and motorcycle gear are visible in the background. The scene has a bright, sunny ambiance.
Two mountain bikes are positioned on a dirt surface, with bushes in the background. Each bike has a speech bubble above it containing symbols often used to represent swearing or strong reactions, suggesting a humorous or exaggerated conversation between the bikes.
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A collage featuring four dynamic images of mountain biking in various landscapes, including a rider navigating rocky terrain in a lush forest, another cyclist performing a maneuver on a dirt path surrounded by trees, and two bikers traversing a scenic desert backdrop. The center highlights the text "Top 10 Mountain Bike Destinations United States," emphasizing popular biking spots across the country.
A close-up image of a mountain bike tire, showcasing its rugged tread design and sidewall details. The tire is black with distinctive knobs for enhanced grip on various terrains, featuring branding on the side.
A mountain biker in a colorful jersey and protective gear leans into a turn on a dirt trail, with trees and a sign visible in the background. The sun shines brightly overhead, accentuating the action.
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A countertop with various food items, including Honey Stinger product boxes such as Raspberry Protein Chews and Honey Waffles, bags of snacks, and other kitchen items like condiments and a plate.
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Wooden signpost with the text "NO BICYCLES" attached, indicating a no-bicycle policy in a natural forested area. The sign is secured with rope and features a symbol resembling a park service logo. The background includes trees and a dirt path.
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Two people smiling for a selfie in front of a wooden sign that reads "Buffalo Peaks Wilderness." The background features lush greenery typical of a forest. One person is wearing a black bandana and sunglasses, while the other is in a blue shirt and also wearing sunglasses.
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A mountain biker riding along a dirt trail surrounded by tall trees and lush green foliage in a forested area.
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A Subaru vehicle with a nature-themed wrap featuring trees and outdoor icons, parked in a natural setting. The car's hood displays vibrant green graphics, and the Subaru logo is prominently visible on the front. A clear blue sky and trees are in the background, indicating an outdoor atmosphere.
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A sleek black mountain bike positioned on a grassy area near a rocky path. The bike features wide tires, a sturdy frame, and a high-performance suspension system, surrounded by lush greenery in the background.
A mountain biker navigating a curved dirt trail in a lush green forest, leaning into the turn while surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.
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Map displaying a cable wire warning for several state forests, including Franklin State Forest, Wrentham State Forest, F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, and Freetown State Forest, with video playback icon.
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An image of a black mountain bike wheel with a wide, knobby tire, featuring prominent tread patterns. The wheel has a central hub with spokes radiating outward, and a label indicating "QUEST PRO" by Mavic. The background is plain white, highlighting the wheel's design and details.
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A close-up image showing a hand adjusting the quick release lever on a bicycle wheel. The focus is on the quick release mechanism near the disc brake rotor, with arrows indicating key components: the quick release lever (A), disc brake rotor (B), fork leg (C), and brake caliper (D). A warning message is included at the bottom, advising to replace the skewer if the lever opens too far, may catch in the brake rotor, or may cause the front wheel to lock up suddenly.
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A panoramic view of lush green mountains under a partly cloudy sky. The foreground features a rocky ledge, with verdant hills and valleys stretching into the distance, revealing layers of rolling mountains and blue sky.
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Close-up image of a bike dropper post with adjustment markings. The metal part is black and shiny, featuring a numbered dial for height adjustment. In the background, there are blurred, natural rock formations.
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A close-up image of a person's gloved hand holding a chunk of dirt with a rusty screw protruding from the top. The background shows a natural environment with scattered greenery and a dirt path.
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A bright yellow Specialized bicycle parked on a rocky dirt trail surrounded by trees and dry grass. The bike features drop handlebars, wide tires, and a small bag attached to the seat.
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A mountain biker navigating a narrow, winding dirt trail through a forest with tall trees, showcasing a blend of greenery and rocky terrain. The rider is wearing a helmet and a backpack, skillfully maneuvering along the path in a scenic outdoor setting.
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A cyclist in a green jersey rides on a dirt road surrounded by mountains and open fields. The cyclist is wearing sunglasses and appears focused as they navigate the rugged terrain under a clear blue sky.
Close-up view of a mountain bike's frame, showing the suspension components, drivetrain, and a prominent brand logo. The bike is positioned on a dirt surface with another white bike partially visible in the background. The suspension shock and other details highlight the bike's design for off-road use.
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Two mountain bikers maneuvering along a curved wooden track with a backdrop of large, rocky mountains under a clear blue sky. One rider is leaning into the turn while the other is slightly behind, both showcasing dynamic action in a natural outdoor setting.
A mountain biker navigating a rocky trail along a coastal cliff, with the ocean and blue sky in the background. Green trees and vegetation surround the path, creating a scenic outdoor setting.
A close-up view of a Shimano bicycle crankset, showcasing the chainrings, crank arms, and derailleur. The components have a sleek, modern design with a metallic finish, emphasizing precision engineering for cycling performance.
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A person standing on a grass field, operating a futuristic hovercraft-like vehicle with a sleek design and visible rotor assembly, under a partly cloudy sky.