You’re Never Too Old to Get Better. Here Are 7 Ways to Keep Improving
I accept a certain level of humility by riding a mountain bike in my 50s. I’m probably not going to keep up with young guns, and I fear crashing and injuries more than I did in my younger days. Even if you’re not in your 50s, those things may apply to you as well. Depressing? Not really, just …
First Ride Blues: The Beginning of the Season Doesn’t Always Go as Planned
It was two month since I had been on my bike, and it felt foreign. My muscle memory was more tuned to the exercise bike in my den than one that actually propelled me forward with every pedal stroke. I was less than a half mile from home, but I wavered twice wondering whether I …
If You Think Mountain Bikes Are Expensive, Try Building One from Scratch
Editor’s Note: Roger Phillips bought his first mountain bike in 1989 in Kodiak, Alaska, and the sport has changed drastically over the intervening years. While Roger is a regular contributor to Singletracks.com, any opinions expressed in this article are his alone and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Singletracks.com. Modern mountain bikes are epic feats of engineering …
14 Advanced Tips for Dressing for Cold Weather Rides
You know the basics of dressing for cold weather rides, which boils down to wearing layers and avoiding cotton. But here are some tried and true tips I’ve learned after several seasons of winter fat biking. Mostly I’m referring to riding in sub-freezing weather and dry conditions. Riding in the rain is another matter, which …
6 Reasons Why You Should Repair or Upgrade Your Mountain Bike During the Winter
If you rode your mountain bike for a full season this past year especially if it’s a full-suspension bike, chances are good it needs some basic maintenance, servicing, and replacement of high-wear parts, such as brake pads and tires. If you wait until spring, you will be in a long line of people at the bike …
It’s OK that You’re Slow
“It’s OK that you’re slow.” Maybe I’m saying that about myself, not you. Maybe I wrote that to make myself feel better, and make you feel better, too. Or maybe, just maybe, I wrote that because it’s true. Being slow on a mountain bike doesn’t make you a lesser person, just a slower one. Your family …
Jug Mountain Ranch Is Central Idaho’s Country Club for Mountain Bikers
I was gearing up to ride at Jug Mountain Ranch in Central Idaho last summer and talking to David Carey, who runs the resort/golf course that also has mountain bike trails. He mentioned they had built a new trail called “Berm and Ernie,” and the name made me laugh. It sounded like a great starter …
5 Adventurous Alternatives to Bikepacking
Lots of us dream of loading the bike for a multi-day backcountry adventure, but then reality sets in. You have the bike, but you might be looking at hundreds of dollars, if not thousands, to outfit your bike and make it ready for bikepacking. That assumes the bags will fit on your current bike, and let’s …
How To Ride Long Distance on Your Mountain Bike
If you’re a mountain biker with decent fitness, you’re probably capable of extending your mileage and doing an epic ride with eye-popping stats. It doesn’t require a special diet or a 12-week training plan, but it does requires you to think and ride differently. For a long time I was satisfied with my usual 8- …
