Greg Heil

Greg began mountain biking in 2005, and since then, the pursuit of singletrack has taken him around the world. While Greg first started adding trail reviews to Singletracks in 2008, his career in mountain bike media officially began in 2010. He started writing for Singletracks in 2011 while simultaneously finishing his formal secondary education in writing and publication. Greg has the distinction of being the first employee that Singletracks ever hired, and he went on to serve for seven years, including five years in the Editor in Chief role. After a six-year hiatus, Greg is back at Singletracks, serving in the Managing Editor role.

While Greg has reviewed innumerable mountain bikes and products over the years, his true passion lies in writing about mountain bike trails and destinations. Greg has ridden over 8,000 trails and visited 21 countries (and counting). He recently spent four years traveling full-time, including two spent living in a camper van with his wife, Christine. In between epic trips, he now resides in Durango, Colorado.

Author snapshot

MTB Background and expertise

  • Riding experience: Primarily trail and enduro, with experience including endurance XC, bikepacking, downhill, and gravel riding.
  • Mountain biking since: 2005
  • Number of trails ridden: 8,000+
  • Number of countries visited: 21+
  • Current stable: Pivot Switchblade V3, Pivot Vault, Scott Big Jon

Education and writing experience

  • Bachelors of Arts, English: Writing and Publication, University of North Georgia
  • Other publications: Strava, FATMAP, Dirt Rag Magazine, MTB Project, Hiking Project, GearJunkie, Outside 365
 
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A person in cycling gear carries a mountain bike over their shoulder while walking on a rocky path in a mountainous landscape. The scene features a wide view of rolling hills and valleys under a clear blue sky. Nature surrounds the individual, highlighting a serene outdoor atmosphere.
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A person's hands gripping the handlebars of a mountain bike, as they ride along a narrow dirt trail through a forested area. The scenery is blurred to convey movement, and you can see the ground and vegetation alongside the path.
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A mountain biker in a red long-sleeve shirt rides over rocky terrain, surrounded by a picturesque landscape of mountains and valleys under a clear blue sky. The scene captures the thrill of outdoor adventure and the natural beauty of the wilderness.
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A wooden ruler partially buried in dry, sandy soil, surrounded by small rocks and pine needles.
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A mountain bike rests in the snow near a sign marking the Continental Divide at Monarch Pass, with a stunning sunset illuminating the landscape in the background. The sign displays information about elevation and nearby watersheds, while the snowy terrain extends into the distance, showcasing a picturesque view of mountains and valleys.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike's front fork and tire, highlighting the sturdy frame and tread pattern of the tire. The background is a smooth, light-colored surface.
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A mountain biker performs a mid-air stunt while jumping off the roof of an old stone building, surrounded by green fields and trees under a bright blue sky. A play button overlay suggests that this image is part of a video.
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Two mountain bikes are showcased on a red display stand at an exhibition. The bike on the left features a black frame with colorful accents and thick tires, while the bike on the right is primarily red. The display includes branding elements, and people can be seen in the background interacting and engaging with the event.
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A high-quality mountain bike displayed at an exhibition, featuring a sleek titanium frame, large Maxxis tires, and a modern design. The background includes other bicycles and promotional images on a vibrant red wall.
A mountain bike with a black and red frame positioned on rocky terrain, overlooking a vast desert landscape under a cloudy sky. The bike features wide, rugged tires suitable for off-road riding.
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Bicycles on display at an exhibition, featuring two red Scott bicycles with sleek designs, mounted on a bike rack. In the background, two people are engaged in conversation, and various bike-related products are visible in the backdrop. The floor has green grass-like carpeting, creating a vibrant showcase environment.
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A Marin mountain bike displayed against a wooden background. The bike features a sleek black frame with blue accents, large knobby tires, and a dual suspension system, showcasing its off-road capabilities.
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Rider: Greg Heil. Photo: Zach White.
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Best Mountain Bikes & Products
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Close-up view of a black bicycle seat post, featuring a cylindrical design with a visible clamp mechanism at one end. The background is dark with visible textures and lines, suggesting a workspace or display area for bike components.
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An image of a bicycle's rear derailleur and cassette, showcasing intricate details of the components. The derailleur features a shiny metallic casing with the label "box one," and an orange-highlighted gear mechanism. The black chain and gears are clearly visible, set against a blurred background.
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Two cyclists navigating a narrow pathway lined with lush greenery and rustic stone houses on a sunny day. The scenery includes a backdrop of rolling hills and blue sky, creating a vibrant outdoor atmosphere.
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A scenic view of a mountainous landscape featuring a post-wildfire area. The foreground shows a rocky outcrop with some vegetation, while the background is filled with tall, blackened tree trunks standing amidst green patches of regrowth. In the distance, faint mountain peaks are visible under a clear sky, suggesting a recovering natural environment. A small trail winds through the area, indicating access for outdoor activities.
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Close-up of a mountain bike tire showing the tread pattern. The tire is labeled "IKON" with specifications indicating a size of 27.5 x 2.20 and a maximum pressure of 65 PSI. The background features a blurred exhibition space with a sign that reads "We are ePerformance."
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Logo of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), featuring the letters "I," "M," "B," and "A" arranged in circular shapes. Below the letters, the full name of the association is written in a bold font. The design uses a black and white color scheme.
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A mountain biker navigating a rocky trail on a slope, with expansive mountain views in the background. The landscape features rugged terrain and remnants of trees, under a clear blue sky.
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A scenic view of rolling hills and mountains under a clear blue sky, with a winding dirt path leading through grassy terrain. A cyclist is seen riding along the trail, and a few sparse trees are scattered across the landscape. The area displays a mix of greenery and dry, brown hills, suggesting a mountainous region with varying vegetation.
A person riding a mountain bike along a rocky trail surrounded by dry grass and shrubs in a hilly landscape.
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A mountain biker navigates a rocky terrain during a race, while a competitor jumps off a wooden ramp in the background. A crowd of spectators cheers on the racers, with trees providing a natural backdrop. The image captures the excitement and intensity of competitive mountain biking.
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A dirt trail leading uphill, surrounded by green grass and scattered rocks. Fallen logs and debris are visible along the pathway, with a clear blue sky above.
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A mountain biker skillfully navigating a dirt trail, leaning into a turn with dust and debris flying around. The rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, surrounded by trees and rocks in a natural outdoor setting.
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