Jeff co-founded Singletracks with his wife Leah in 1998 and has been dedicated to sharing the mountain bike information that inspires others to take epic adventures ever since. He started mountain biking in high school and served in the US Air Force before devoting himself full time to Singletracks in 2007.
Though formally educated as an engineer, Jeff began writing stories at an early stage, inspired by his mother who is a longtime accomplished author. He enjoys covering the world of mountain biking from every possible angle, whether it's trails or gear or skills. His goal for every story: that readers learn at least one new thing.
Author snapshot
MTB Background and expertise
- Riding experience: Trail, XC, and bikepacking.
- Mountain biking since: 1992
- Number of products reviewed: ?. I think my first product review for the site was this one for a plastic wallet.
- Current stable: Canyon Neuron, Orange P7 hardtail, and Scott Fun XC
Education and writing experience
- Bachelors of Science in Engineering, Duke University
- Masters of Business Administration, Duke University
- Other publications: Panther Press (Lakeside High School - Augusta, GA), CitySearch.com
A billionaire-funded mountain bike club with exclusive private trails across exotic global locations may actually exist, sparking controversy in Portugal over fenced-off land.
The Niner W.F.O. 29er impressed with responsive cornering and plush bump compliance, making it one of the best long-travel big-wheeled all-mountain bikes available.
The Louis Garneau Edge XC helmet features soft straps, efficient ventilation, and a low-profile fit that's comfortable enough for all-day epics.
Colorado and California dominate US mountain bike trail miles, while Rocky Mountain states offer the least crowded riding per capita.
Demo hundreds of bikes from Trek, Niner, Specialized and more at the first-ever Southeast Bike Expo this weekend at Georgia International Horse Park.
Bell boxes at California trailheads loan bear bells to mountain bikers, alerting hikers and equestrians to approaching riders on shared-use trails.
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Data from 150,000 registered riders reveals 29ers skyrocketing from 5% to 25% ownership since 2008, while hardtails decline and long-travel bikes gain momentum.
The Louis Garneau T-Flex 300 is a feature-packed XC shoe with replaceable ratchets, heat molding, and a removable carbon sole plate for year-round riding.
We checked out the latest mountain bike gear at Outdoor Retailer, including innovative shoes, hydration packs, helmet cameras, and high-tech apparel.
Dedicated GPS units are getting smarter with wearable designs, longer battery life, and better durability that smartphones can't match, starting at $80.
Fresh cables can transform your bike's shifting performance, and with the right tools and techniques, it's an easy DIY repair project.
With 100 days until the Cohutta 100, one rider embarks on a 12-week training plan to conquer his first century mountain bike race.
After testing six full suspension 29ers at Interbike, the author builds his first carbon mountain bike: a Santa Cruz Tallboy Carbon.
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From Marin County's birthplace of mountain biking to Moab's desert mecca, these eight iconic shops offer more than gear—they're cultural hubs for riders.
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**The Singletracks team shares their best MTB moments from 2011, from epic road trips and first races to dream builds and challenge rides.**
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Hans Rey's Wheels4Life charity auctions dream bikes with Crankbrothers to raise $50,000, enough to provide 500 bikes for transportation in developing countries.
A foggy December test ride on the Bear Creek-Pinhoti loop proved the perfect maiden voyage for a newly-built Santa Cruz Tallboy 29er.
Thanks to generous donors and JensonUSA, ten kids will receive new bikes and helmets this Christmas through our successful fundraising campaign.
New Zealand's Alps 2 Ocean trail opens new sections, offering a 200-mile, mostly downhill journey from Mt. Cook to the coast.
The second annual London Bike Show features new gear, deals, trials performances, and bike polo—plus we're giving away 10 pairs of free tickets!
IMBA has certified five Flow Country Trails worldwide, featuring smooth tread, bermed turns, and miles of flow suitable for all skill levels.
The Drift HD helmet camera delivers solid mounting options, reliable performance, and an LCD preview screen that makes capturing quality trail footage easier than ever.
Based on member ratings and expert input, we've compiled the world's gnarliest mountain bike trails, from Dakota Ridge's rocky spine to Moab's desert exposure.
Singletracks is raising $1,000 to provide 10 underprivileged kids with bikes and helmets this holiday season through donations and community support.
IMBA announced five new Epic rides for 2011, including two international trails, with the selection returning to focus on challenging backcountry experiences.
Exploring the superb mountain bike trails in Bent Creek Experimental Forest.
Team Singletracks grabbed third place at the Baker's Dozen 13-hour endurance race, logging 18 laps on the rooty Horn Creek trail in perfect fall weather.
October 21, 1976 marked the first Repack race on Mt. Tamalpais, where pioneering riders on Klunkers helped birth modern mountain biking.
The Southeast Bike Expo brings demo rides, night testing, and major bike brands to Georgia's International Horse Park this February, benefiting IMBA.
The Light & Motion Seca 800 offers hotspot-free illumination and intelligent power management, making it the best bar-mounted night riding light we've tested.
The Spy Optic Quanta sunglasses feature a patented venting system to reduce fog, grippy temples, and durable lenses for just under $100.
Interbike 2012 tire trends reveal tubeless options expanding rapidly, 29ers getting wider and more aggressive, and multi-compound designs becoming mainstream.
A test ride review of the 2012 Marin Rift Zone trail bike.
The Yeti SB95 brings 5 inches of plush Switch suspension to the 29er trail bike category, proving big wheels belong beyond cross-country racing.
All the 2011/12 mountain bikes from Interbike 2011.
The Giant Anthem X 29er full suspension defies preconceptions with lightweight performance, stellar climbing ability, and surprisingly nimble handling on technical terrain.
The Surly Moonlander pushes fat bike limits with massive 3.8" tires that float over loose terrain but struggle in corners on this rigid steel beast.
The Trek Rumblefish is a lightweight aluminum full-suspension 29er that climbs efficiently and descends with agile, responsive handling despite its unconventional geometry.
The Specialized Camber Pro 29er is a race-ready full suspension trail bike that climbs like an XC rocket and descends with confidence.
The updated Redline d680 29er features a lighter hydroformed aluminum frame, tapered head tube, and quality Fox and SRAM components for $2,900.
We tested the first generation Santa Cruz Tallboy cross-country mountain bike at Bootleg Canyon.
Trek and Gary Fisher bikes dominate Singletracks' reader-voted best MTB gear of 2011, while classic designs like Shimano M520 pedals continue their winning streak.
The official Singletracks Android app is now available, plus new trail progress bars help you track how many epic trails you've ridden.
The updated Singletracks iPhone app features account login, photo galleries, enhanced search, blog integration, and turn-by-turn directions to trailheads.
**Here are a few options:**
Calling out every rock, log, and branch on group rides might be courteous, but it ruins the spontaneous thrill of mountain biking.
**Alternative:**
Why constant trail callouts during group rides can kill your flow, break concentration, and spoil mountain biking's unpredictable rush.
**Alternative:**
Group ride callouts for every obstacle may seem helpful, but they spoil surprises and break the flow of true mountain biking.
Mountain bikers can catch Stage 5's climb to Rabbit Ears Pass and Stage 6's figure-8 loop around Golden's popular Front Range trail systems.
**Stage 3 features a spectator-friendly uphill time trial in Vail, while Stage 4's mellow terrain from Avon to Steamboat offers prime breakaway opportunities.**
Pro road racers will tackle dirt roads and 12,000-foot passes while mountain bikers can shred Doctor Park's "wildflower lasers" near Gunnison.