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
 
A cyclist performing a trick on top of a vintage airplane, surrounded by green grass and a cloudy sky. The aircraft is partially covered in graffiti and is positioned in an open field, with some vehicles visible in the background.
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Mountain bike featuring a black and orange design, with thick, knobby tires and a sleek frame. The bike includes dual suspension forks and a modern gear system, suitable for off-road terrain.
A scenic view of a meadow and hills with the text "FIVE 2 RIDE SOUTH DAKOTA" overlaid. The design features a red location pin around the number 2, suggesting a theme of exploration or adventure in South Dakota. The image is predominantly in black and white, highlighting the vastness of the landscape.
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A narrow mountain bike trail along a rocky cliff, with a steep drop to the left and surrounding rock formations. The view shows the edge of the trail, emphasizing the rugged terrain and the shadow of the cyclist. A play button icon indicates that the image is part of a video.
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Mountain bikers navigating rocky terrain in a forested area, with one rider in motion in the foreground and another in the background. The scene captures a sense of adventure and speed among natural obstacles.
A cyclist wearing a blue helmet and sunglasses stands in a grassy area, examining a map. He has a black backpack and is dressed in a green cycling jersey with the logo of the International Mountain Bicycling Association. In the background, there are rolling hills and a clear blue sky with fluffy clouds. A dirt path winds through the landscape.
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A cyclist performing a jump on a dirt bike trail, surrounded by trees and string lights. The rider is wearing a blue helmet and a black long-sleeve shirt, with a bike featuring purple accents. In the background, another person on a bike is visible, along with a dirt track.
A scenic forest trail in South Korea, depicted in black and white, with the text "FIVE 2 RIDE" and a location pin graphic overlaid in red, reading "SOUTH KOREA."
A black backpack with the logo "POC" and "VPD 20" on it, resting on a rugged stone surface in a natural outdoor setting with sparse vegetation and rocky terrain.
An orange ski goggles resting on green grass, featuring a white adjustable strap with the brand name prominently displayed. The lenses are reflective, showcasing a golden hue.
A mountain bike lies on its side in a forested area, surrounded by trees and safety barriers. The ground is covered in dirt and fallen leaves, indicating a biking trail or obstacle course. The bike features a blue frame and is partially hidden among the trees. Safety padding in red and black is placed around some trees, suggesting a downhill biking event.
A group of three mountain bikers is gathered in a wooded area. One cyclist, wearing a blue jersey and black shorts, is leaning over his bike while another cyclist in a black shirt offers assistance. A third cyclist stands nearby, observing, and is dressed in casual biking gear. The scene captures a moment of bike maintenance or adjustment in an outdoor setting.
A winding dirt path through a wooded area, lined with rocks and covered in fallen leaves. The scene features bare trees with a mixture of branches and some remaining foliage, set against a backdrop of a gently sloping hill.
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An outdoor rocky landscape in black and white, featuring the text "FIVE 2 RIDE" with a location pin emblem, and "TEXAS, USA" beneath it.
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A cyclist in a white and black jersey, wearing sunglasses and a helmet, intensely focuses while riding a bike. The background features lush greenery. Text overlay reads, "YOU RIDE. WE PAY. It's almost like being PRO. Connect with STRAVA."
Map depicting the 2014 Best Bike Parks in North America, as presented by MTBparks.com. The map highlights various regions including Western Canada, the Northwest, the Southwest, the Rocky Mountains, the Midwest, the Northeast, and the Mid-Atlantic/Southeast, with notable bike parks marked and ranked across these areas. Each region is color-coded, and a badge indicates the "Riders’ Choice Awards."
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A silhouette of a mountain biker riding on a trail at sunset, surrounded by desert vegetation, including cacti and low shrubs. The sun is setting on the horizon, casting warm light across the landscape and creating a vibrant, picturesque scene.
Black and white image featuring a picturesque Vermont landscape with a red location pin graphic overlaid. The words "FIVE 2 RIDE" are prominently displayed, along with "VERMONT, USA." The scene includes a barn, trees, and a person attending to horses in a fenced area.
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A green and black mountain bike displayed in front of a branded backdrop at an outdoor event. The bike features large tires, a dual suspension system, and various components labeled with brand names. The scene includes a few people in the background engaging with the event setup.
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A high-performance mountain bike with a sleek black frame and gold suspension components, positioned on a concrete surface. The bike features wide tires with knobby tread for traction, a drivetrain with visible gears and chain, and disc brakes. In the background, a tent displays signage for free bicycle test rides, with additional bicycles and a parked car nearby. The setting suggests an outdoor event or cycling exhibition.
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A black Trek mountain bike with large tires, featuring a sleek design and vibrant blue and yellow accents, positioned against a light gray backdrop with text that reads "Try Me" and "store and." The bike is displayed in profile, emphasizing its frame and wheel size.
A mountain bike secured on top of a sleek, modern bike rack, positioned on a trailer in a scenic outdoor setting. In the background, snow-capped mountains and pine forests create a picturesque landscape under a clear blue sky.
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Two mountain bikers navigate a dirt trail in a forested area, leaning into a curve. One rider wears a blue shirt and helmet, while the other has a yellow shirt. The surrounding terrain is uneven, with trees and shrubs visible in the background.
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A bright green fat bike with oversized tires is positioned on a grassy hillside, showcasing a scenic view of rolling hills and mountains in the background under a clear blue sky.
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Alt text: A GoPro HERO4 camera connected to a wireless transmission device via a cable. The camera is mounted on a base with a display showing recording information, while the transmission device features an antenna on top.
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A mountain biker navigates a rocky trail surrounded by grassy terrain and wildflowers, under a bright blue sky filled with fluffy white clouds and rugged mountains in the background.
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A collage featuring mountain biking scenes: the top image shows a cyclist taking a selfie on a wooden bike path winding through a lush forest, while the bottom images depict a biker navigating rocky terrain and a scenic mountain landscape. Text overlay reads, "10 Best US Destinations for a Weekend MTB Getaway."
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A mountain biker navigating a winding trail through a forest, with vibrant autumn leaves on the ground. The image features the text "FIVE 2 RIDE WISCONSIN, USA" in bold lettering, highlighting the biking theme.
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Image of a SRAM GX rear derailleur, featuring a black design with silver and red accents, showcasing X-Actuation technology and two sprockets on the lower arm for precise gear shifting in mountain biking.
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A two-toned athletic jacket lying on a rock in an outdoor setting. The jacket features a black upper section and a gray lower section, with a bright red zipper running down the front and a small logo on the chest. The background shows a natural landscape with trees and hills.
Graphic featuring the text "FIVE RIDE" in large, bold, white letters against a dark blue background. The number "2" is displayed inside a red location pin, positioned to the right of the text.
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A mountain biker performing a trick in mid-air over a dirt ramp, surrounded by tall trees and dense greenery in a forest setting.
A close-up view of a black neoprene shoe cover with red trim, featuring a logo on the side. The cover is resting on a textured rock surface, showcasing its design and materials.
Alt text: A professional mountain bike racer stands next to his mountain bike in a forested area. He wears a red helmet, red gloves, and a black t-shirt that reads "THE FARM." Tall trees and greenery surround the trail in the background.
Alt text: "SRAM XX1 bicycle crankset featuring a black design with red and gray accents, and a 32-tooth chainring."
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A close-up image of a mountain bike fork with a black and gold design. The fork features dual suspension components, highlighted by the gold upper tubes and black lower sections adorned with colorful branding. The background is a soft gradient, enhancing the sleek appearance of the fork.
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Close-up of a mountain bike tire with a thick tread pattern, displaying brand markings and specifications on the sidewall. The background features a blurred green landscape, indicating an outdoor setting.
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A black mountain bike with red accents, positioned on a rocky surface against a backdrop of dry, hilly terrain. The bike features wide tires, a suspension fork, and a modern frame design, highlighting its suitability for off-road cycling.
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A collage of mountain biking scenes showcasing the top 10 mountain bike destinations in North America. The images feature cyclists on rugged terrains, navigating wooden bridges, and riding through lush landscapes with mountains in the background, reflecting the adventure and beauty of various trails.
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A person riding a fat bike on a snowy landscape, with mountains and trees in the background. The rider is wearing a blue jacket and black gloves, and the bike features large tires designed for winter conditions. The ground shows smooth, groomed snow trails.
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