Richard Shoop

Lawyer by day and mountain bike journalist by night, Richard brings a unique perspective to his coverage on Singletracks. He's been riding mountain bikes since 2010 and has been a NICA Level 2 coach since 2019. Richard resides in Tallahassee, Florida, and has ridden extensively across the Southeast. He's been a regular contributor to Singletracks since 2018.

Author snapshot

MTB experience

  • Mountain biking since 2010
  • Certifications: NICA Level 2 Coach
  • Current bike stable: Surly Krampus, Surly Karate Monkey
  • Favorite place to ride: Tsali Recreational Area and Fire Mountain in North Carolina

Education

  • Bachelor of Arts in History with General Honors and a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami.
 
Two mountain bikers navigate a dirt trail surrounded by lush green foliage in a forested area. One rider, wearing a red shirt and helmet, is in the foreground, leaning forward as they ride, while another rider in a black shirt and orange backpack follows closely behind. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a vibrant outdoor scene.
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A dirt bike trail carved through a lush forest, featuring two winding berms and a grassy area surrounded by trees. The scene is bright and green, indicating a vibrant, natural setting.
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A mountain biker navigating over rocks on a wooded trail, wearing an orange helmet and cycling gear, with trees in the background and sunlight filtering through the branches.
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A person wearing a helmet and sunglasses rides a mountain bike off a wooden ramp in a forested area. The rider is in mid-air, with the bike's front wheel lifted off the ground, and surrounded by tall trees under a partly cloudy sky. The scene showcases an action-packed moment in mountain biking.
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Two individuals in matching green t-shirts, engaged in a trail maintenance activity in a forested area. One person, wearing glasses and gloves, carries a piece of lumber on their shoulder, while the other follows closely behind. Sunlight filters through the trees, highlighting the vibrant greenery surrounding them.
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A mountain biking scene featuring three cyclists navigating dirt trails in a forested area. One rider is making a sharp turn on the left, while another is following closely behind on a separate path. The landscape includes lush green foliage and scattered rocks, with a bright blue sky overhead. Dust is being kicked up as the bikers navigate the terrain.
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A young man wearing a helmet and a white t-shirt stands next to a mountain bike on a dirt trail, smiling at the camera. The background features lush greenery and a sunset sky, creating an outdoor atmosphere.
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A young cyclist in a blue shirt and helmet performs a jump on a mountain bike over a dirt track surrounded by trees. The scene is bright and vibrant, showcasing the excitement of outdoor biking.
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A sleek, blue mountain bike is positioned on a wooden floor against a backdrop of corrugated metal. The bike features a sturdy frame, thick tires with a tread pattern suited for off-road riding, and high-quality components including disc brakes. The overall design showcases a blend of durability and style, ideal for outdoor adventures.
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A mountain biker performing a jump over a dirt ramp, surrounded by trees and power lines, with a city skyline visible in the background under a blue sky.
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A mountain biker riding along a narrow dirt trail surrounded by rocky terrain and sparse vegetation, with the sun setting in the background and illuminating the landscape.
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A person riding a mountain bike performs a wheelie on a dirt path surrounded by trees in a forested area. The cyclist is wearing a helmet, sunglasses, and a black long-sleeve shirt, showcasing a smile while balancing on the bike's rear wheel. Sunlight filters through the trees, illuminating the scene.
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A winding dirt path through a lush green forest, featuring grassy slopes and wooden ramps. The scene is bright and sunny, with trees beginning to leaf out, creating a serene natural environment ideal for outdoor activities like biking or walking.
A young child with a focused expression stands next to an older man, both engaged in repairing a bicycle. The child is holding a bike repair stand, while the man assists in adjusting the bicycle. In the background, bicycles are leaning against a white fence with the words "GARDEN" visible. The scene takes place outdoors, under overcast skies, in a space filled with tools and bicycle parts.
A mountain biker rides along a winding dirt trail surrounded by greenery and trees, navigating a curve with focused concentration. The cyclist is wearing a helmet and sports attire, showcasing a dynamic motion as they lean into the turn.
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A mountain biker navigating down a rocky slope, surrounded by a mountainous landscape with trees and sunlight breaking through the mist in the background.
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A young man in a bright pink shirt is animatedly speaking to an older man wearing a gray long-sleeve shirt and a black baseball cap. They appear to be in an outdoor setting, with greenery in the background and vehicles visible in the distance. The scene captures a moment of conversation, suggesting a discussion related to an event or activity.
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A mountain biker in a white jersey with the number 100 races down a rocky terrain surrounded by trees and spectators. The crowd, consisting of both enthusiastic fans and photographers, gathers on the sidelines, capturing the action. The setting suggests a vibrant outdoor event, likely a downhill biking competition.
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A cyclist is riding a mountain bike towards the entrance of Griffin Bike Park, marked by a large sign that reads "GRIFFIN BIKE PARK - BASIC TRAINING SKILLS PARK." In the background, a digital timer shows the time as 6:01. There is also a photo memorial display on the right side featuring an individual, along with text commemorating their service. The park is surrounded by lush green trees, creating a natural setting.
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A mountain biker performs a jump on a dirt trail, surrounded by lush green trees and colorful autumn foliage. The rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, showcasing an adventurous outdoor activity.
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Map of Cannonball Trail at the Wedding Trail Crossing, showing the path with signs on 4x4 posts and indicating the location of a drainage ditch approximately 50 feet from the trail crossing. Additional details include a note about the time it takes to reach the ditch at 30 mph. The surrounding area features lush vegetation and rough terrain.
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A mountain biker rides along a wooden plank bridge on a forest trail, surrounded by tall trees and a dirt pathway. The biker, wearing a helmet and protective gear, is focused on navigating the trail while showing enthusiasm.
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A scenic landscape of rolling hills and wildflowers illuminated by a sunset in Boise, Idaho. A mountain biker rides along a trail, surrounded by vibrant nature. Text overlay reads "Ride Like a Local Boise Idaho."
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A mountain biker is navigating a rocky terrain, leaning forward on their bike as they descend a steep slope. The background features vibrant red rock formations under a bright blue sky with wispy clouds. The rider is wearing protective gear and appears focused on maintaining balance.
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Mountain biker navigating a rocky trail, surrounded by trees and a scenic landscape under a partly cloudy sky.
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A close-up image of a hand lifting a black fabric cover revealing a white panel on the side of a truck bed. The cover features a textured design and is partially lifted, showcasing the hidden compartment underneath. The background includes a brick wall and greenery, indicating an outdoor setting.
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Emergency responders attended to a cyclist in a park, with an all-terrain vehicle transporting a bicycle and an ambulance on the scene. Several people are gathered around the cyclist, while others are seen riding bikes along a dirt path in the background. Lush green trees and grass fill the landscape.
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A scenic forest path with a mountain bike parked on the right side. Sunlight filters through tall pine trees, illuminating the lush green vegetation along the trail. A wooden sign indicating a mountain biking path is visible on the left. Text overlay reads, "Ride Like a Local Tallahassee."
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A man wearing a red helmet and gloves rides a mountain bike, navigating through a forest with tall trees covered in moss. He is airborne, showing a dynamic pose as he lifts the front wheel over a tree trunk, surrounded by lush greenery.
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A mountain biker navigating a rocky and root-filled terrain in a dense forest, with tall trees in the background and a large tree stump on the left side of the image. The biker is wearing a helmet and protective gear while focused on maintaining balance on the challenging path.
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A group of young cyclists in brightly colored jerseys and helmets are lined up beside their mountain bikes, ready for a race. They are positioned on a dirt path with trees in the background. The cyclists exhibit a mix of expressions, from smiles to focused looks, showcasing their excitement and readiness for the event. Each bike has a race number attached.
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A mountain biker riding on a rocky trail through a forest, creating a cloud of dust as they navigate the uneven terrain. Surrounding the trail are trees and colorful autumn foliage, adding to the scenic outdoor environment.
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Black and white image of mountain bikers navigating rocky terrain. One cyclist is captured mid-air while jumping off a large rock, with others riding along the path in the background. The landscape features rugged, textured rock formations and sparse vegetation under a clear sky.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a dirt trail through a wooded area, surrounded by greenery, with sunlight filtering through the trees.
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Biking trail alongside a body of water, viewed from the perspective of a cyclist. Two other cyclists can be seen in the distance, with trees covered in Spanish moss lining the path. The sky is clear with a few clouds, indicating a sunny day.
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Person sitting at a desk, viewing a bicycle fork image on a laptop screen. The individual has short hair and is wearing a black shirt with "singletracks" printed on the back. A chair with a patterned cushion is visible in the background. The setting is cozy and well-lit with natural light coming from a window.
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A view from the handlebars of a mountain bike, showing a grassy trail ahead with a rider in blue cycling in the distance. The sky is blue with a few clouds, and trees line the path on either side. The rider's hands are gripping the handlebars, and the bike has a purple frame with a logo on the front.
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A black and white photograph of a parking area surrounded by trees. Several vehicles, including trucks and SUVs, are parked in the grass, some with bicycles attached to racks. The scene is illuminated by soft sunlight filtering through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere. A few people are seen interacting near their vehicles, preparing for outdoor activities.
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A person wearing a bright green and black jacket rides a mountain bike through a muddy trail, splashing water as they navigate through a small puddle in a wooded area.
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