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 winding dirt path through a tranquil forest, surrounded by tall trees and patches of green moss. Sunlight filters through the branches, casting gentle shadows on the ground.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a gravel path alongside a river, surrounded by trees and rocky terrain. The scenery features hills in the background and a clear sky.
A scenic view of a mountainous landscape at sunrise, featuring rugged peaks illuminated by warm sunlight. In the foreground, a rustic wooden fence and scattered bushes blend with the natural surroundings, while a house is nestled among the trees in the distance. The scene captures the tranquility of nature, with a mix of rocky terrain and evergreen trees.
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A mountain biker climbs a dirt trail on a hillside, surrounded by rocky terrain and sparse vegetation under a partly cloudy sky.
A scenic landscape view featuring rolling hills and a valley, with a winding river and patches of trees. In the distance, snow-capped mountains rise against a cloudy sky, illuminated by sunlight breaking through the clouds.
A black and yellow GT mountain bike frame is positioned on a workbench. The frame features a stylish design with prominent branding and is equipped with a shock absorber. A small piece of wood is supporting the frame, and the background shows a power outlet and a row of electrical sockets along the wall.
A blue fat bike with oversized tires is displayed against a textured white background. The bike features a sleek design, with a modern frame and disc brakes. Additionally, a graphic reading "Coming Soon" is positioned at the top left corner, adding a promotional element to the image.
A mountain biker performing a jump off a wooden ramp in a forested area, surrounded by trees and greenery. The rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, showcasing an action shot that captures the thrill of the sport.
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A mountain biker skillfully navigates a rocky trail on a bicycle, with a wooden bridge in the foreground. The landscape features rugged terrain and sparse vegetation, showcasing the challenging environment of the bike ride.
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Close-up of a man’s face with a focused expression, accompanied by the text "dirtTV" in the top left corner and the words "BEYOND THE BIKE 'NEEDLES'" prominently displayed. The background is dark, emphasizing the subject's features.
Logo of "Bell Built" featuring a hexagonal design in red with the words "BELL BUILT" prominently displayed. The tagline "MAKING TRAILS" is included, accompanied by a gear symbol.
A person standing outdoors in a black t-shirt, speaking towards the camera with a scenic background featuring trees and mountains under a clear blue sky. A video player interface is visible at the bottom.
A brand-new singletrack section of the <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/bike-trails/pinhoti-trail.html">Pinhoti Trail</a> in Georgia is being officially opened on May 3rd! The Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association will be hosting a grand opening celebration on that Saturday at 3pm at the new parking lot on Dennis Mill Road.

[caption id="attachment_43729" align="alignnone" width="600"]<a href="https://www.singletracks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/bracken-0.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-43729" alt="Section of the Pinhoti Trail near Ellijay, Georgia. Photo: mtbgreg1." src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
A mountain biker navigating a rocky downhill trail, leaning forward with intensity as he expertly rides his blue bike through a rugged, natural landscape surrounded by trees and rocky terrain.
A fat tire bike parked on a snowy trail, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.
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A cyclist navigating rocky terrain on a mountain bike, wearing a helmet and a red shirt, with trees in the background. The cyclist appears focused and is leaning forward, showcasing a dynamic riding posture.
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A high-performance mountain bike suspension fork with a black and silver design, featuring adjustable settings and a sturdy crown. The fork is shown from a frontal perspective, highlighting its sleek lines and branding.
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A sleek black fat bike positioned on snowy ground, showcasing its wide, knobby tires and sturdy frame. Pine trees in the background add a natural, wintry setting. The bike features a minimalist design with a small storage bag attached to the frame.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike tire showcasing its textured tread pattern, designed for grip and traction on rough terrain. The background features blurred earthy tones, indicating an outdoor setting.
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A cyclist riding a mountain bike on a snowy trail in a mountainous landscape, with trees lining the path and clouds in the sky.
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Image of a black bicycle suspension fork with red accents. The fork features a sleek design and is branded with the RockShox logo. It is viewed from the front, showcasing its dual legs and mounting points at the bottom.
A cyclist riding a mountain bike on a snow-covered trail surrounded by trees, with a cloudy sky overhead.
A narrow dirt trail winding through rocky terrain, flanked by large boulders and sparse vegetation. The path is surrounded by low trees and shrubs, creating a natural and rugged landscape. The scene captures the essence of outdoor exploration in a mountainous area.
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Two cyclists riding mountain bikes along a dirt trail near a lake. The scene features clear blue skies and rocky terrain, with one cyclist in a blue shirt and the other in a pink shirt.
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Close-up view of a mountain bike tire with a rugged tread pattern, set against a natural outdoor background with earthy tones and vegetation.
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A modern mountain bike featuring a black frame with bright yellow accents, equipped with thick, rugged tires and a front suspension fork for off-road performance. The bike is shown from a side angle, highlighting its sleek design and sturdy build.
A modern mountain bike featuring a sleek black and bright green design, equipped with dual suspension, wide tires, and intricate gear components. The bike is positioned to showcase its frame and handlebars against a plain background.
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A bright blue Santa Cruz mountain bike featuring a sleek frame design, prominent pink lettering, and thick tires with pink accents. The bike is equipped with high-performance components, including disc brakes and a multi-gear setup.
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Image alt text: A graphic promoting the Bell Built program by Bell Helmets and IMBA, featuring a map of the United States marked with states of finalists for new bike park projects. The image includes sections labeled "West Coast," "Central Region," and "East Coast," along with details about voting dates and project descriptions for each finalist location. The text encourages participation in the voting process, highlighting the chance to support trail-building projects.
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Close-up image of a bicycle tire showcasing the Kenda brand and the model EC70, set against a natural outdoor background. The tire tread and sidewall are visible, highlighting its design and texture.
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A mountain biker rides along a hillside at sunset, silhouetted against a vibrant sky filled with soft clouds and warm sunlight. The landscape features rolling hills and a distant view of mountains, with a shimmering body of water visible in the valley below.
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A mountain biker wearing a helmet and a red shirt rides down a sandy, winding trail surrounded by lush green trees. The rider is leaning forward, skillfully navigating a turn on the path.
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A mountain biker rides down a rocky trail through a vast desert landscape, with lush greenery and a winding river visible below. The scene captures the rugged terrain and the striking cliffs in the background under a clear blue sky.
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A mountain biker in protective gear skillfully navigates a rocky trail, kicking up dust as he leans into a turn. The backdrop features lush green trees, indicating a scenic outdoor setting. The image captures the energy and thrill of mountain biking.
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Black sunglasses with orange-tinted lenses resting on a weathered wooden post, with a blurred natural background.
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A mountain biker, wearing a blue and white cycling outfit and a helmet, performs an impressive jump over rocky terrain while a group of spectators watches from the sidelines. The scene is set in a natural environment with trees and a dirt path, highlighting the adventurous spirit of the sport.
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A winding dirt path meanders through a lush green hillside, surrounded by scattered pine trees. In the background, a range of mountains stretches across a clear blue sky with a few wispy clouds. The scene conveys a peaceful and expansive natural landscape, ideal for hiking and outdoor exploration.
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A mountain biker navigating a narrow wooden bridge on a forest trail, surrounded by trees and foliage. The rider is wearing a helmet and appears focused as they maneuver over the bridge.
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Three mountain bikers riding along a rocky trail in a desert landscape under clear blue skies. The terrain is dry and sparse, with mountains visible in the background.
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Two mountain bikers riding on a narrow dirt trail surrounded by lush greenery and colorful wildflowers in a forested area.
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A person riding a mountain bike on a wooded trail covered with autumn leaves, with fallen logs and trees in the background.
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Three views of a WTB High Tail bicycle saddle are displayed. The saddle is predominantly black, featuring streamlined shapes for ergonomic support. The top view showcases the brand logo and a sleek design, while the side and bottom views highlight the saddle's contours and materials.
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A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape with tall, bare trees in the foreground. The scene features rolling hills and mountains in the distance under a partly cloudy sky, with lush green ferns at the base.
A panoramic view of lush green mountains under a clear blue sky, featuring a dense forest of trees in the foreground and rolling hills in the background.
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A panoramic view of a mountainous landscape under a bright blue sky filled with wispy clouds. In the foreground, lush green foliage contrasts with the distant blue-hued mountains and valleys, creating a serene and tranquil natural scene.
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A mountain biker in a racing outfit navigates a grassy slope, with city skyscrapers visible in the background under a cloudy sky. The cyclist is focused and leaning into the turn, showcasing determination and skill.
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