Jeff Barber

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
 
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Logo of the Cactus Cup, featuring a stylized cactus design in the center, surrounded by colorful layers of red, green, and blue, with the words "CACTUS CUP" prominently displayed in red at the top and bottom.
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Alt text: "Promotional flyer for the 2008 Trail to Trail Race Series featuring event details for mountain biking and road racing, including dates, locations, and sponsorship information."
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Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
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Logo of BikePedia, featuring bold blue text with green accents and an orange sun motif.
Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Map of Cleveland showing major roads and landmarks, with a red arrow pointing to a specific area in the southern part of the map.
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A hiker standing on a rocky trail at the base of a large earthen dam, surrounded by a steep slope covered in stones. Lush green trees are visible on the left side, while the clear blue sky looms above.
Illustration of a Cannondale MetroPolite bicycle's handlebars and frame. The image features a modern bike design with a data/power port on the top tube, alongside a display showing bicycle technical information and a rearview camera interface. The design emphasizes functionality and technology integration in cycling.
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Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Text logo for "CHAIN LOVE," featuring bold black letters and a red, dripping "LOVE" against a textured dark background.
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A tranquil forest pathway winding through lush green trees, with patches of fallen leaves on the ground and a wooden bridge visible in the background.
A soldier in camouflage clothing riding a green bicycle through a shallow stream, splashing water as they navigate the rocky terrain in a wooded area.
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A close-up view of a mountain bicycle with a uniquely designed tire that features an inner tube coiled around itself. The bike frame is blue, and the wheel is shown on a black asphalt surface, highlighting the innovative tire design.
Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
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A bicycle frame made of shiny metal tubing is displayed on a workbench in a workshop. The frame is in a triangular shape, showcasing the welding joints. Various tools and equipment are scattered around, including gloves and a welding machine, with a closed door and storage area visible in the background.
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A bike mount displaying three different mobile devices, including GPS navigation and smartphones, showcasing various maps and interfaces. The mount is attached to a handlebar, highlighting its functionality for navigation on bicycles.
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Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
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A long-sleeve athletic shirt featuring a white base color with black accents and a red logo. The shirt has a modern design with a high neckline and contrasting panels on the sleeves and sides, suitable for sports or outdoor activities.
Close-up image of a small fan mounted on a bike handlebar, featuring a black casing and a four-blade propeller, designed to provide cooling airflow while riding.
Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
A creative bike rack designed to resemble a bull, with a red bull head and black legs. Several bicycles are parked beside it on a sidewalk, with traffic cones and a sign indicating "DO NOT ENTER" visible in the background.
A wooden footbridge winding through a lush, green forest, surrounded by tall trees and underbrush. The path has a rustic design, with some sections elevated and others connecting through the natural landscape.
Rick and I were talking with one of the Ellijay locals at Bear Creek last month and he mentioned riding the mountain bike trails around the <a href="https://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/stanley-gap.html">Stanley Gap</a> area just outside Blue Ridge. This guy claimed the trails there were "better than <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=674">Tsali</a>" so I knew then and there that I had to check them out.

The trip from Atlanta to Blue Ridge ended up being a little less than 2 hours which was a nice surprise and the trailhead was well marked with ample parking and a map kiosk. As we were about to hit the trail we spoke to a couple guys from Marietta who had ridden Stanley Gap and they recommended we ride the singletrack as an out-and-back rather than a loop as described in Jim Parham's book. The loop was said to be about 12.5 miles while the out-and-back would give us about 11 miles so we decided to give it a try.

After about half a mile of fairly steep climbing Mudhunny and I agreed that tackling this climb without a chance to warm up was a bad idea so we descended and took the loop option. The loop actually ended up consisting of more pavement than I would have liked but at least the ride was scenic. In the end I think we probably climbed just as much (if not more) on this route, though the climbing was a bit more gradual.

Some singletrack portions of the trail were overgrown in places and washed out from erosion in others. Overall I'd say the trails were in better shape than Bull Mountain but still not as fast as I would have liked. The scenery was a little monotonous as well since the trail stuck to the deep forest and a ridge (with no views) that seemed to go on forever. The final singletrack descent that we had earned over 10 miles of pavement and climbing ended up being just over 2 miles long - a big letdown for sure.

<img id="image969" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
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Garmin Edge 605 GPS device displaying a map with speed and heading information.
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A cyclist in a racing jersey with the number 59 is falling off their bike while riding on a snowy slope. Snow is flying up around them as the bike flips over. In the background, there are snow-covered hills and a clear blue sky. Red and white tape is visible marking the course.
A mountain biker in mid-air performs a jump over a rugged canyon, with spectators watching from both sides. The scene is set in a natural landscape featuring green hills in the background. At the top of the image, there is a memorial text honoring Mark Reynolds, listing his birth and death dates.
A mountain biker is upside down, falling off their bike while attempting a trick on a sandy slope. The rider is wearing a helmet, gloves, and protective gear. A caution tape line is visible in the background.
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