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
 
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Transfer mountain bike trail maps to your GPS
Oct 19, 2006
  2
When Garmin designed their eTrex recreational GPS series they certainly didn't have the Internet and data sharing in mind. It is possible, however, to upload saved GPS track data from your computer to your GPS unit with just a little work. File this tutorial under "advanced" GPS information ;) For this article I used my Garmin eTrex Vista (the silver one without a color screen) but these instructions should hold for all the eTrex models. I'm going to assume you are able and know how to transfer data from your computer to your GPS and vice versa. If not, take a look at <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=1379">this article</a>. <strong>Step 1.</strong> Backup all the track and waypoint data currently residing on your GPS. This will make the upload more organized once you add the new track data. You don't need to delete any of your saved tracks (that is, unless you already have 10 tracks (Vista's limit) saved to your unit's memory). <strong>Step 2.</strong> Clear your trip data. Make sure you select "Clear Track Log" so your newly uploaded file isn't mixed with old track data from your last ride. <strong>Step 3.</strong> Open the GPX file you wish to upload to your GPS unit. You may need to first convert the GPX data to a format your GPS data transfer program can use (I use MacGPS Pro which needs the data in tab-delimited format). There are a number of free GPS data conversion programs out there including <a class="toplink2" href="http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert">GPS Visualizer</a> and <a href="http://www.gpsbabel.org/">GPS Babel</a>. Once your data has been converted, you're ready to transfer. <strong>Step 4.</strong> Transfer your data. My software requires that I make two separate transfers: one for track data and another for waypoint data. Be sure you get both track points and waypoints, otherwise you're missing half the data! <img height="200" style="border: 1px solid #333333; float: left; margin-right: 10px" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Mountain Bikes and Gear
Using your GPS on the mountain bike trail
Sep 7, 2006
  4
Mountain Bike Trails
Mountain biking in Albuquerque
Mar 13, 2006
When Garmin designed their eTrex recreational GPS series they certainly didn't have the Internet and data sharing in mind. It is possible, however, to upload saved GPS track data from your computer to your GPS unit with just a little work. File this tutorial under "advanced" GPS information ;) For this article I used my Garmin eTrex Vista (the silver one without a color screen) but these instructions should hold for all the eTrex models. I'm going to assume you are able and know how to transfer data from your computer to your GPS and vice versa. If not, take a look at <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=1379">this article</a>. <strong>Step 1.</strong> Backup all the track and waypoint data currently residing on your GPS. This will make the upload more organized once you add the new track data. You don't need to delete any of your saved tracks (that is, unless you already have 10 tracks (Vista's limit) saved to your unit's memory). <strong>Step 2.</strong> Clear your trip data. Make sure you select "Clear Track Log" so your newly uploaded file isn't mixed with old track data from your last ride. <strong>Step 3.</strong> Open the GPX file you wish to upload to your GPS unit. You may need to first convert the GPX data to a format your GPS data transfer program can use (I use MacGPS Pro which needs the data in tab-delimited format). There are a number of free GPS data conversion programs out there including <a class="toplink2" href="http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert">GPS Visualizer</a> and <a href="http://www.gpsbabel.org/">GPS Babel</a>. Once your data has been converted, you're ready to transfer. <strong>Step 4.</strong> Transfer your data. My software requires that I make two separate transfers: one for track data and another for waypoint data. Be sure you get both track points and waypoints, otherwise you're missing half the data! <img height="200" style="border: 1px solid #333333; float: left; margin-right: 10px" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Mountain Bike Trails
NC Triangle (Locals Only)
Jul 6, 2005
When Garmin designed their eTrex recreational GPS series they certainly didn't have the Internet and data sharing in mind. It is possible, however, to upload saved GPS track data from your computer to your GPS unit with just a little work. File this tutorial under "advanced" GPS information ;) For this article I used my Garmin eTrex Vista (the silver one without a color screen) but these instructions should hold for all the eTrex models. I'm going to assume you are able and know how to transfer data from your computer to your GPS and vice versa. If not, take a look at <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=1379">this article</a>. <strong>Step 1.</strong> Backup all the track and waypoint data currently residing on your GPS. This will make the upload more organized once you add the new track data. You don't need to delete any of your saved tracks (that is, unless you already have 10 tracks (Vista's limit) saved to your unit's memory). <strong>Step 2.</strong> Clear your trip data. Make sure you select "Clear Track Log" so your newly uploaded file isn't mixed with old track data from your last ride. <strong>Step 3.</strong> Open the GPX file you wish to upload to your GPS unit. You may need to first convert the GPX data to a format your GPS data transfer program can use (I use MacGPS Pro which needs the data in tab-delimited format). There are a number of free GPS data conversion programs out there including <a class="toplink2" href="http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert">GPS Visualizer</a> and <a href="http://www.gpsbabel.org/">GPS Babel</a>. Once your data has been converted, you're ready to transfer. <strong>Step 4.</strong> Transfer your data. My software requires that I make two separate transfers: one for track data and another for waypoint data. Be sure you get both track points and waypoints, otherwise you're missing half the data! <img height="200" style="border: 1px solid #333333; float: left; margin-right: 10px" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Mountain Bike Trails
Buffalo Creek: Shhhh! (It's a secret)
Jun 24, 2005
Mountain Bikes and Gear
What a GPS Can Do for Mountain Bikers
Jun 19, 2004
When Garmin designed their eTrex recreational GPS series they certainly didn't have the Internet and data sharing in mind. It is possible, however, to upload saved GPS track data from your computer to your GPS unit with just a little work. File this tutorial under "advanced" GPS information ;) For this article I used my Garmin eTrex Vista (the silver one without a color screen) but these instructions should hold for all the eTrex models. I'm going to assume you are able and know how to transfer data from your computer to your GPS and vice versa. If not, take a look at <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=1379">this article</a>. <strong>Step 1.</strong> Backup all the track and waypoint data currently residing on your GPS. This will make the upload more organized once you add the new track data. You don't need to delete any of your saved tracks (that is, unless you already have 10 tracks (Vista's limit) saved to your unit's memory). <strong>Step 2.</strong> Clear your trip data. Make sure you select "Clear Track Log" so your newly uploaded file isn't mixed with old track data from your last ride. <strong>Step 3.</strong> Open the GPX file you wish to upload to your GPS unit. You may need to first convert the GPX data to a format your GPS data transfer program can use (I use MacGPS Pro which needs the data in tab-delimited format). There are a number of free GPS data conversion programs out there including <a class="toplink2" href="http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert">GPS Visualizer</a> and <a href="http://www.gpsbabel.org/">GPS Babel</a>. Once your data has been converted, you're ready to transfer. <strong>Step 4.</strong> Transfer your data. My software requires that I make two separate transfers: one for track data and another for waypoint data. Be sure you get both track points and waypoints, otherwise you're missing half the data! <img height="200" style="border: 1px solid #333333; float: left; margin-right: 10px" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Mountain Bike Trails
Tons of Trails in Colorado Springs
May 27, 2004
When Garmin designed their eTrex recreational GPS series they certainly didn't have the Internet and data sharing in mind. It is possible, however, to upload saved GPS track data from your computer to your GPS unit with just a little work. File this tutorial under "advanced" GPS information ;) For this article I used my Garmin eTrex Vista (the silver one without a color screen) but these instructions should hold for all the eTrex models. I'm going to assume you are able and know how to transfer data from your computer to your GPS and vice versa. If not, take a look at <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=1379">this article</a>. <strong>Step 1.</strong> Backup all the track and waypoint data currently residing on your GPS. This will make the upload more organized once you add the new track data. You don't need to delete any of your saved tracks (that is, unless you already have 10 tracks (Vista's limit) saved to your unit's memory). <strong>Step 2.</strong> Clear your trip data. Make sure you select "Clear Track Log" so your newly uploaded file isn't mixed with old track data from your last ride. <strong>Step 3.</strong> Open the GPX file you wish to upload to your GPS unit. You may need to first convert the GPX data to a format your GPS data transfer program can use (I use MacGPS Pro which needs the data in tab-delimited format). There are a number of free GPS data conversion programs out there including <a class="toplink2" href="http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert">GPS Visualizer</a> and <a href="http://www.gpsbabel.org/">GPS Babel</a>. Once your data has been converted, you're ready to transfer. <strong>Step 4.</strong> Transfer your data. My software requires that I make two separate transfers: one for track data and another for waypoint data. Be sure you get both track points and waypoints, otherwise you're missing half the data! <img height="200" style="border: 1px solid #333333; float: left; margin-right: 10px" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Mountain Bike Trails
Tsali is the Place to Ride
May 15, 2002
When Garmin designed their eTrex recreational GPS series they certainly didn't have the Internet and data sharing in mind. It is possible, however, to upload saved GPS track data from your computer to your GPS unit with just a little work. File this tutorial under "advanced" GPS information ;) For this article I used my Garmin eTrex Vista (the silver one without a color screen) but these instructions should hold for all the eTrex models. I'm going to assume you are able and know how to transfer data from your computer to your GPS and vice versa. If not, take a look at <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=1379">this article</a>. <strong>Step 1.</strong> Backup all the track and waypoint data currently residing on your GPS. This will make the upload more organized once you add the new track data. You don't need to delete any of your saved tracks (that is, unless you already have 10 tracks (Vista's limit) saved to your unit's memory). <strong>Step 2.</strong> Clear your trip data. Make sure you select "Clear Track Log" so your newly uploaded file isn't mixed with old track data from your last ride. <strong>Step 3.</strong> Open the GPX file you wish to upload to your GPS unit. You may need to first convert the GPX data to a format your GPS data transfer program can use (I use MacGPS Pro which needs the data in tab-delimited format). There are a number of free GPS data conversion programs out there including <a class="toplink2" href="http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert">GPS Visualizer</a> and <a href="http://www.gpsbabel.org/">GPS Babel</a>. Once your data has been converted, you're ready to transfer. <strong>Step 4.</strong> Transfer your data. My software requires that I make two separate transfers: one for track data and another for waypoint data. Be sure you get both track points and waypoints, otherwise you're missing half the data! <img height="200" style="border: 1px solid #333333; float: left; margin-right: 10px" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Mountain Bike Trails
East Side vs. West Side
Mar 30, 2002
  2
When Garmin designed their eTrex recreational GPS series they certainly didn't have the Internet and data sharing in mind. It is possible, however, to upload saved GPS track data from your computer to your GPS unit with just a little work. File this tutorial under "advanced" GPS information ;) For this article I used my Garmin eTrex Vista (the silver one without a color screen) but these instructions should hold for all the eTrex models. I'm going to assume you are able and know how to transfer data from your computer to your GPS and vice versa. If not, take a look at <a href="http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=1379">this article</a>. <strong>Step 1.</strong> Backup all the track and waypoint data currently residing on your GPS. This will make the upload more organized once you add the new track data. You don't need to delete any of your saved tracks (that is, unless you already have 10 tracks (Vista's limit) saved to your unit's memory). <strong>Step 2.</strong> Clear your trip data. Make sure you select "Clear Track Log" so your newly uploaded file isn't mixed with old track data from your last ride. <strong>Step 3.</strong> Open the GPX file you wish to upload to your GPS unit. You may need to first convert the GPX data to a format your GPS data transfer program can use (I use MacGPS Pro which needs the data in tab-delimited format). There are a number of free GPS data conversion programs out there including <a class="toplink2" href="http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert">GPS Visualizer</a> and <a href="http://www.gpsbabel.org/">GPS Babel</a>. Once your data has been converted, you're ready to transfer. <strong>Step 4.</strong> Transfer your data. My software requires that I make two separate transfers: one for track data and another for waypoint data. Be sure you get both track points and waypoints, otherwise you're missing half the data! <img height="200" style="border: 1px solid #333333; float: left; margin-right: 10px" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=
Culture
Mountain bike jerks
Sep 13, 2001
  1
A cyclist riding a mountain bike along a dirt trail in a wooded area during late autumn, surrounded by bare trees and fallen leaves. The cyclist is wearing a red helmet and a pink shirt, actively navigating the path.
Mountain Bike Trails
Hidden Gems Found in Augusta, GA
Sep 13, 2001
  1