Matt Miller
Matt lives in the Front Range of Colorado and started working at Singletracks as a staff writer in 2018. He served in the Marines and has a journalism degree from MSU-Denver. Since joining Singletracks, he’s covered every corner of mountain biking, from racing, to tech development, and trail building efforts in remote corners of Central and South America.
Though he writes about all aspects of mountain biking, he's used his journalism education to excel as a reporter covering trail access issues and the intersection with wildlife, and population growth, and competing recreational interests. Still, he loves writing about a $30 camp stove or must-have piece of gear that elevates the outdoor experience. Want to talk MTB news? Send him an email.
Author snapshot
- Title: Managing editor
- Email: [email protected]
- Location: Morrison, Colorado
- Instagram: @mmmiller_
- Strava: Matt Miller
MTB Background and expertise
- Riding experience: Primarily trail, with occasional dabbling in XC and enduro racing and bikepacking
- Mountain biking since: 2012
- Number of products reviewed: Too many count—I started reviewing MTB and outdoor products full time in 2018.
- Current stable: Canfield Lithium, Ibis Ripley AF, Obed Boundary
Education and writing experience
- Bachelors of Arts, Psychology, University of Colorado, Denver
- Bachelor Arts, Journalism, Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Other publications: Colorado Community Newspapers, VeloNews, The News Station, 5280 Magazine, Eskapee, GearJunkie
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![[feature]
[caption id="attachment_241106" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/35958657465_8ed006b707_b.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-241106" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/35958657465_8ed006b707_b.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /></a> Secretary Zinke hikes with a BLM ranger on the Pacific Crest Trail. Photo: BLM Oregon.[/caption]
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Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke designated 19 new National Recreation Trails in 17 states this week, adding a total of 370 miles to the current 1,000 trails system, which is spread across all 50 US states.
“Our network of national trails provides easily accessible places to exercise and connect with nature in both urban and rural areas while boosting tourism and supporting economic opportunities across the country," said Zinke in a press release.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System and National Trails Day, the American Hiking Society is <a href="https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/">hosting hikes, bike rides, and other events</a> across the country tomorrow, Saturday, June 2.
“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System, I hope everyone will take advantage of a nearby national trail to hike or bike,” said National Park Service Deputy Director Dan Smith.
The National Trails Act of 1968 was passed to inspire Americans to recreate, be healthy, and to preserve and create a strategy and management system for trails across the country. National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails became classifications as part of the Act, but had a minimum or maximum length to receive the classification. <span style="font-weight: 300;">National Recreation Trails have no length requirement. </span>
National Recreation Trails can only be designated by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture. New trails are typically designated by the Secretary of the Interior every year ahead of National Trails Day.
The program is a joint effort between the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as non-profit and Federal organizations.
<h2>2018 National Recreation MTB trails</h2>
Among the recently designated National Recreation Trails, the following trails stand out for offering a singletrack experience to mountain bikers.
<h3>California</h3>
<strong> Mt. Umunhum Trail</strong>
The <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/mt-umunhum.html">Mt. Umunhum Trail</a> is a 3.7 mile trail, consisting of moderate terrain. All but the final 0.2 miles to the summit is open to mountain bikes.
<h3>Florida</h3>
<strong> Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park Trail System</strong>
[caption id="attachment_241249" align="alignnone" width="1170"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_6845129727.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-241249" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IMG_6845129727-1170x878.jpg" alt="" width="1170" height="878" /></a> photo: mlombar17[/caption]
Outside of Jacksonville, <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/kathryn-abby-hanna-park.html">Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park</a> offers a total of 20 miles of trail open to hikers and bikers. Trails vary from smooth hardpack to loose sand. The trails have some moderate technical features throughout the network.
<h3>Michigan</h3>
<strong> Iron Ore Heritage Trail</strong>
The Iron Ore Heritage Trail in Michigan is a 47-mile trail located in Marquette, MI, which sits in the state's Upper Peninsula. While the trail surface consists mostly of asphalt and crushed limestone, the trail is notable as a part of the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-events/hardest-race-youve-never-heard-marji-gesick-100/">epic Marji Gesick 100-mile mountain bike race</a> held each year.
[see_also id='231361']
<h3>Tennessee</h3>
<strong>Bays Mountain Park Trail System</strong>
[caption id="attachment_241250" align="alignnone" width="800"]<a href="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/mobile-1511318691.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-241250" src="https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/mobile-1511318691.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="449" /></a> photo: Bill Birdsong[/caption]
<a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/bays-mountain-park.html">Bays Mountain</a> in Tennessee offers plenty of trail for mountain bikes to explore. Most of the trails are moderate in difficulty, but there are a few green and black diamond rated trails also.
<h3>Vermont</h3>
<strong>Wright’s Mountain Trails</strong>
Mountain biking is allowed on some of the trails on Wright's Mountain, but not all.
Each trail will receive a certificate of designation, a set of trail markers, and a letter of congratulations recognition from Secretary Zinke. For more information and a complete list of the 2018 NRTs, r<a href="https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-zinke-announces-19-new-national-recreation-trails-17-states">ead the Department of the Interior's press release</a>.
<em>Which trails will you be out riding -- or maintaining -- on National Trails Day? Let us know in the comments.</em>](https://images.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/GIrls-on-Wheels-group-shot.jpg)
