Gerow started as a freelance writer for Singletracks and was a full-time staff member from 2019 to 2022. His areas of expertise include component tech and tires, suspension setup, gravity riding, bikepacking, repair, and maintenance. A mountain biker since 1986, Gerow continues to contribute compelling and expert mountain bike and component reviews.
"If not riding then I'm writing, or quite possibly cooking something. I play bass with nine-and-a-half fingers, eat vegetables and fruit, and prefer movement as frequently as possible. I find discomforts and challenges more useful than most things, particularly what emerges from them. If I died and could return as anything I would choose a camp fire."
Author snapshot
- Instagram: @ribbonsinsticksmedia
- Location: Bellingham, Washington
- Previous location: Torino, Italy and Florence, Italy
MTB experience
- Mountain biking since 1986
- Current bike stable: Raaw Madonna (160mm) and a Kona Unit (rigid)
- Favorite place to ride: Jamniza, Slovenia
Writing experience and education
- Other publications: Craft MTN and various Italian blogs
- Masters of Sociology
- Firefighter 2 Certification, EMT, Hazmat Operations, Rope Rescue
If not riding then I'm writing, or quite possibly cooking something. I play bass with nine-and-a-half fingers, eat vegetables and fruit, and prefer movement as frequently as possible. I find discomforts and challenges more useful than most things, particularly what emerges from them. If I died and could return as anything I would choose a camp fire.
Sven Martin is at the top of the photo-narrative heap, creatively capturing images that share the real emotional qualities of mountain biking. Read to learn what goes on behind the lens.
The Orbea Occam trail bike follows through on its promise of a well-built, lightweight, and agile mountain bike that is fun to ride almost anywhere.
Mountain bikers around the world interact with wild boars, and some have found positive ways to work with the forest dwelling swine.
Santa Cruz designed the Heckler electric mountain bike to ride like a purely muscle-powered bike.
The Production Privee N°5 is a steel full suspension mountain bike that offers a comfortable ride and traction for days.
The Slo Enduro mountain bike series adds its own flavor to the mix, with six "big league" events to complement their eight "4Fun" races. Have you ever heard someone say they "just race for fun"? That's precisely the point.
The new carbon fiber 27.5" Scout from Transition Bikes received all of the expected treatments and a few special ones to remind us that the brand is run by mountain bikers who hit the trail as often as we do.
YT has a pair of new alloy mountain bike frames on offer, and this time they are aimed at shorter and younger riders.
Many popular mountain bike trails weave in and out of aspen groves. We investigate to learn more about this unique tree species.
The popular Jamis Portal 130mm 29er and Hardline 160mm 27.5" mountain bikes are going full carbon fiber for 2020.
Martin Whiteley shares his story of becoming a mountain bike World Cup team manager, and explains how athletes get paid.
First impressions aboard the long travel Mondraker Foxy 29er trail bike.
The Continental Der Baron and Der Kaiser mountain bike tire combo is a tough one to beat.
The new mountain bike suspension sensors and app from Motion Instruments analyze the balance between your tires for optimal suspension performance.
The legendary mountain biker and actress turned team manager digs in deeper than your average World Cup team staff, and her efforts have produced a crew of successful riders who sign on for the long haul.
The latest version of the Pivot Switchblade trail bike adds 7mm of rear travel and can run longer dropper posts.
We asked a professional how to tell if a mountain bike fork or shock needs service, and the answer is quite simple.
The light weight and breathability of the iXS Trigger FF mountain bike helmet, will leave you few excuses to forego full face.
ALN shares a slice of what it takes to switch from pro XC mountain biking to racing enduro at the EWS.
When it comes to the perfect mountain bike suspension tune, even pro riders have something to learn. We asked a professional suspension technician to clear up the most common misunderstandings.
Climb aboard as Gerow reviews the Merida One-Sixty 700 all mountain bike on his local trails in Italy.
Adjust your coil spring rate without removing your shock or glove, all in a matter fo seconds.
Raphaela Richter is one of the fastest female mountain bikers in the world despite not having the support of a professional team. She makes the privateer gig work quite well.
The One-Sixty 700 enduro mountain bike from Merida offers a respectable build for the price.
Catching up with Kona's Miranda Miller who recently made the shift from full time DH mountain bike racer to racing the longer format EWS events.
Cold temperatures cause oil to thicken, seals to harden, and air pressure to contract in mountain bike suspension components. A little less compression paired with faster rebound should help.
Alongside an excuse to drink cold beers with good friends, there are loads of benefits to watching professional downhill, cross country, and enduro mountain bike races.
With a tough casing and supple tread, the LG1 All Terrain MoPo mountain bike tread bites deep into the loose stuff.
Mountain bikers can now have all of the geometry genius and long travel of the carbon Jeffsy in an affordable alloy model.
Get you whip washed without touching it, thanks to Muc-Off's bike specific pressure washer.
The second iteration of the Raaw Madonna mountain bike is even burlier, and somehow seems more "built to last" than V1 was.
We explore the upside of flat pedals for mountain biking with a veteran clipless pedal rider who tried making the switch.
The Cane Creek Helm's automotive-paint aesthetic encapsulates some of the most user-friendly adjustment features of any mountain bike fork on the market.
Cyclists have been riding bikes on gravel roads for decades without the need for dedicated gravel bikes. The recent explosion in the genre is based purely on marketing.
For Euopean readers, Thule's burliest EU-approved hitch rack is tough enough to carry a pair of heavy gravity mountain bikes, ebikes, fat bikes, or fat full suspension e-bikes.
The Leatt 3.5 Chest Protector offers mountain bikers more coverage than its name implies.
The Evoc CP 18L is tailored to the needs of ambitious mountain bike photographers and videographers who want to venture deep in the woods with the right gear for great shots.
Gerow gives us the low down on his personal mountain bike, the Ancillotti Scarab Evo 29, a custom built aluminum enduro 29er.
We check out the OneUp V2 dropper post in this review. The new post is affordable and designed to maximize travel.
Try running stairs when the trails are wet to boost your mountain bike fitness and performance.
The Shield rain jacket from Evoc is warmer than most, while relatively packable for mountain biking depending on the girth of your pack.
Every season has at least one "I could have died bike ride" and this one was no different. Gerow's pinnacle ride took place on a late season trek through the Alps.
Ion's recently revised 3-Layer Scrub Amp Jacket is a handsome piece of cold weather riding kit with all of the tech woven in to keep riders warm.
Ye who bringeth cookies shall henceforth be guaranteed a seat in the shuttle van.
Group mountain bike rides can be about community building or race simulation, and it's rare that those elements overlap while the cranks are spinning.
Finding fresh trail challenges keeps the sport of mountain biking fresh and exciting. Here are nine positive changes I made in 2019.
Many mountain bike handlebars with a 35mm clamp diameter can feel harsh, so OneUp designed theirs with an ovalized shape to give them more flex.
If you dream of Italian party tracks, San Romolo has it all -- with less mountain bike traffic than nearby Finale Ligure.
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