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
IMBA is surveying members with valid emails as of April 30th about their 2016-2020 plans, though non-paying mountain bikers won't be included.
After four months recovering from ACL surgery, Greg rediscovers why narrow singletrack riding creates an unmatched flow experience that road biking simply can't replicate.
Niner Bikes is opening a factory storefront at their Fort Collins headquarters to sell bikes directly and offer demo fleet rides.
Greg Heil explains why asking strangers to fund your mountain bike through GoFundMe is entitled, insulting to real athletes, and just plain wrong.
Santa Cruz Bicycles donated $500,000 to build trails in San Vicente Redwoods, with an anonymous donor matching the gift for trail development.
Industry Nine unveils second-generation UL235 and EN305 rims featuring wider profiles, improved bead hooks, and enhanced durability through optimized material placement.
SRAM's new Eagle 1x12 drivetrain has internet commenters raging, but here's the truth: nobody is forcing you to upgrade your bike.
Specialized debuts 24+ wheel size with the new Riprock kids mountain bike, featuring 2.8" tires for improved traction, stability, and confidence on the trails.
Rocky Mountain debuts the Pipeline, an aggressive carbon trail bike with 150mm fork and 130mm travel built specifically for 27.5+ wheels and 1x drivetrains.
Yeti's new SB5.5c 29er features 140mm rear travel with Switch Infinity suspension, designed for 160mm forks and standard tires up to 2.4 inches.
A new weekly column tackling mountain bike topics in a casual, conversational tone—just like chatting with friends over a cold beer.
Ibis launches six new asymmetric rims in carbon and aluminum, featuring improved strength and lighter weight, optimized for plus-size tires.
Mavic revamps their Crossmax Pro and Elite wheels with wider 22mm internal rims, hookless beads, and Boost spacing for both sizes.
RockShox unveils new metric-sized Deluxe and Super Deluxe rear shocks, designed from the ground up to prioritize performance over traditional sizing constraints.
Whistler-Blackcomb's $345 million Renaissance expansion could double the bike park's size, adding 50km of new downhill trails over the next 4-5 years.
Marin County rangers will enforce a 15mph speed limit on trails, targeting mountain bikers with fines in the birthplace of mountain biking.
New Zealand's rugged peaks and thousands of miles of bike-friendly trails make it the ultimate mountain biking nation, from Rotorua to Queenstown.
Club Ride says that these pants are designed for cool-weather rides, so for winter use I added a thermal layer beneath them.
The smartphone is the single most ubiquitous piece of technology today. These days, everyone from your 80-year-old grandma on down to your 12-year-old nephew is walking around with their head down, tapping away…
SRAM officially launches Eagle 12-speed drivetrains in XX1 and X01 variants, featuring a massive 500% gear range via a 10-50 tooth cassette.
Mountain biking faces an identity crisis: most riders pedal responsibly through nature, yet media portrays us as berm-slashing, jump-building daredevils.
The Hincapie Fahrenheit Jacket is surprisingly warm for its featherweight construction, but durability concerns and a temperamental stow pocket leave room for improvement.
Bar Mitts' Extreme Cold Mountain Mitts use 6mm neoprene to block wind and trap warmth, keeping hands toasty in frigid temps while maintaining dexterity.
In this review we test the Sugoi Zap Split Finger gloves for mountain biking in cold winter temperatures.
Ibis offers a Boost 148/27.5+ swingarm retrofit kit for existing Mojo HD3 owners, plus a new factory 27.5+ build option.
Purpose-built for fat biking, the 45NRTH Wolvhammer boots keep feet warm and dry down to 0°F, turning cold winter rides into care-free adventures.
Arkansas is flush with excellent mountain bike trails, and is home to challenging topography thanks to not one, but two mountain ranges: the Ozarks and the Ouachitas.
Leadville, Colorado sits at 10,200 feet elevation and offers some of the best fat biking in the USA with groomed trails and epic views.
San Diego Mountain Bike Association opposes IMBA's wilderness stance, citing California's massive trail losses and arguing that changing federal rules is the only solution.
New South Wales offers diverse mountain biking from Sydney to the Great Dividing Range, with technical XC, flowing DH, and pristine alpine singletrack.
Here's a one-sentence excerpt in the Singletracks.com style:
**The Scott Big Jon proves that a well-designed fat bike doesn't require a premium price tag, offering modern geometry and smart features for just $1,600.**
MTBparks' annual Best Bike Parks Survey is open now through February 29th, with $50,000 in prizes including bike park getaways and suspension.
Ibis releases the new Mojo 3 as a 27.5+ bike that seamlessly switches between 2.3", 2.5", and 2.8" tires without geometry changes.
IMBA takes "assertive stance" against trail closures and considers legal action in Montana, but won't support efforts to open Wilderness Areas to bikes.
Our latest survey of 4,334 mountain bikers reveals that 96.2% believe at least some Wilderness areas should be opened to bikes, debunking common myths.
Here's a suggested excerpt in the Singletracks.com style:
**"Fat bike season is in full swing with new releases from Ibis, Diamondback, Devinci, and more hitting the market this winter."**
(19 words)
Giant USA will sell bikes online starting August 2016, but orders will be shipped to local dealers for pickup, not direct to customers' homes.
Shimano has slashed prices up to 40% on components above SLX level to help bike shops compete with online retailers selling at OE pricing.
SRAM's new NX drivetrain brings true entry-level pricing to 1x11 at just $310, using proven technology with a weight penalty over pricier options.
Alabama offers surprising mountain biking with temperate winter weather, featuring diverse trail systems from flowy cross-country to technical downhills across five must-ride destinations.
Santa Cruz's new Hightower fills the Tallboy LT gap with 135mm VPP travel, switchable 29er/27.5+ compatibility, and Boost spacing starting at $4,599.
A hidden motor was discovered in a cyclocross bike at the UCI World Championships, marking the first confirmed case of "mechanical doping" in professional cycling.
Here's a 24-word excerpt in Singletracks.com style:
Freeride legend Kelly McGarry died Monday while mountain biking in Queenstown, New Zealand. The 33-year-old was an exceptional rider and genuinely beloved member of the MTB community.
Former IMBA chair John Bliss explains why he joined the Sustainable Trails Coalition, citing bureaucracy and IMBA's unwillingness to challenge Wilderness access restrictions.
The 2016 Kona Wo is a nimble, lightweight fat bike with natural handling and solid components that won't break the bank.
Editor Greg Heil skipped racing in 2015 and argues that mountain biking is better without the costs, stress, and constraints of competition.
Mountain biking in Mississippi? These are the five trail systems you should ride.
Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minnesota is opening its lifts for downhill fat biking on Sundays, possibly the first ski resort to offer lift-served winter riding.
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