Singletracks Mountain Bike Podcast

Singletracks.com
  • 4.8 (41)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Podcast host Jeff Barber, Editor-in-Chief at Singletracks.com, aims to inform and inspire with topics and interviews from the mountain bike world. Since 2015, we have been sharing weekly stories from under the helmets of the most inspiring and influential mountain bikers. Join us as we learn from top athletes, product designers, trail builders, coaches, mechanics, artists, and leaders in the mountain biking community.

  1. CEO shares what it takes to start — and sustain — an online bike shop

    21 APR

    CEO shares what it takes to start — and sustain — an online bike shop

    Jeff Cayley started Worldwide Cyclery in 2011 when he was just 21 years old, and today he's also the founder and CEO of two more brands, KETL Mountain Apparel and Trail One Components. Jeff is based in Nevada, where he also co-hosts a podcast known as the MTB Podcast. In this episode, we ask: What was happening in the bike industry when you started Worldwide Cyclery that made you think it was the right moment to launch an online retailer? What made you focus specifically on the high-end, enthusiast market? Is content creation and media an important part of selling bikes? What Covid-era effects are retailers like Worldwide Cyclery still seeing today? As someone who loves bikes, how do you square the convenience and price advantage of ordering online with wanting to support your local bike shop? In 2019, you acquired KETL Mountain Apparel when it was still in its infancy. What was the vision behind growing that brand? In 2021, you co-founded Trail One Components with a giving component attached to every sale. How does that model work? What's the value proposition for Trail One products compared to other component brands? Why is owning your own brands, like KETL and Trail One, important to you? You're known for building really dialed, unique custom bikes. What are you riding at the moment? You've mountain biked all over the US and even internationally. What are some of your favorite places to ride? An automated transcript will be available at Singletracks.com later today. This episode is sponsored by Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. If you’re looking for your next mountain bike destination that offers just about everything, put Sandpoint, Idaho at the top of your list! The Lower Basin trail system serves up world-class riding through towering timber and across massive granite rock slabs, with trails for every rider — from technical black diamond descents to fast, flowy cross-country loops. For excellent park-style riding, head up to Schweitzer Mountain Resort with dedicated downhill trails and e-bike access to more than two dozen trails. Or pedal from town to the Pine Street Woods trail system where the trails range from flowy to technical. When you’re ready to take a break from the trails, Lake Pend Oreille is right there for camping, boating, swimming, or even standup paddleboarding. And after a big day outdoors, head into the town of Sandpoint where you'll find a great selection of bars and restaurants to relax and refuel.  Get all the details to plan your perfect getaway at ⁠⁠⁠visitsandpoint.com⁠⁠⁠. The trails and the good times are waiting for you when you Visit Idaho!

    1hr 8min
  2. “You’re not going to win the stage race on the first day” – Thomas Turner on strategy and survival

    31 MAR

    “You’re not going to win the stage race on the first day” – Thomas Turner on strategy and survival

    Thomas Turner is a professional mountain bike racer who's been competing at the top level of gravel and mountain bike racing for nearly two decades. He's been sponsored by Jamis since 2010, was the 2012 Cyclocross Masters World Champion, and has notched multiple National Ultra Endurance Mountain Bike Race Series podium finishes along the way. He just got back from racing El Reto del Quetzal in Guatemala, and he's here to talk about stage racing, training, and what it's like to rides bikes around the world. How did you first get into mountain biking and racing?You've been with Jamis since 2010 — what's been the key to making that relationship last so long?You've raced BC Bike Race, La Ruta, Pisgah Stage Race, even gravel events like Unbound and The Crusher — what is it about adventure races, and stage races in particular, that keeps drawing you back?What does it take to be competitive in a stage race?How do you choose which races to enter each year?You just raced El Reto del Quetzal in Guatemala — what was that event like?What does your training look like when you're preparing for a multi-day stage race?How do you handle recovery during and after a stage race?What's your bike setup for a race like El Reto del Quetzal?Do you have a favorite place to ride in the world?What's a fun and accessible stage race you'd recommend for someone trying their first one?Follow along with Thomas Turner's adventures on Instagram @thomasturnermtb. An automated transcript will be available at Singletracks.com later today. Follow Singletracks on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@singletracks⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with the latest mountain bike news.

    48 min
  3. Pole Bicycles returns: Leo Kokkonen on CNC'd bike frames, bankruptcy lessons, and eMTB prototype

    24 FEB

    Pole Bicycles returns: Leo Kokkonen on CNC'd bike frames, bankruptcy lessons, and eMTB prototype

    Leo Kokkonen is the founder of Pole Bicycles, a boutique mountain bike brand based in Finland that's known for its innovative design and construction techniques. Founded in 2013, the brand was forced to file for bankruptcy in 2024, but now they're back with a brand new prototype and a desire to continue pushing the envelope. Why start a bike company in 2013? What did you want to do that wasn't already being doneHow did the mountain bike community react to your geometry ideas back then?In 2017, you were planning to produce a carbon fiber bike. But then you decided not to. WhyHow did you come up with your process for machining frames out of aluminum?What are the advantages of designing and manufacturing bikes in Finland? What are the challenges?What are the MTB trails like in your area of Finland?Tell us about the challenges Pole faced that ultimately led to bankruptcy. What happened? What did you learn?What can you tell us about the latest prototype you're working on?How has your production method changed?What's next for Pole?Visit polebicycles.com online and follow @polebicycles on Instagram to see the bikes and to keep up with the brand. An automated transcript will be available at Singletracks.com later today. Follow Singletracks on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@singletracks⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with the latest mountain bike news.

    1hr 15min
  4. How 23-year-old Gabriel Wibmer lands "Impossible" tricks on his mountain bike

    3 FEB

    How 23-year-old Gabriel Wibmer lands "Impossible" tricks on his mountain bike

    Gabriel Wibmer is a 23-year-old Austrian free ride and trials rider who's built a massive YouTube following with his creative urban riding videos, including the viral late for school series that's racked up nearly 25 million views, sponsored by Canyon bikes and hailing from East Tyrol, Austria, Gabriel has proven himself both as a Downhill Racer and as one of the most innovative content creators in mountain biking today. How did motocross and trials riding shape your mountain biking style? Who are your biggest influences?How has YouTube changed since your "Late for School" video in 2019? Do you think it is harder to go viral now?Is it true you came up with the "Wibmer Impossible" concept after having a bike stolen in Prague?Do you usually start with a location and build a story, or does the concept come first?What was the most challenging trick in "Wibmer Impossible"?How is your Canyon Torque DH bike set up? What modifications do you make?How did you prepare for the tricks in "Gravel Mania"? Do you ride drop bar bikes regularly?What was the hardest part about riding bike park features on a gravel bike?Where is your favorite place to ride?Do you have interest in racing downhill or trials again? What about urban downhill like Red Bull Valparaíso?What projects are planned for 2026?Follow Gabriel @wibmergabriel on Instagram and his YouTube channel. Cover photo: © Hannes Berger An automated transcript will be available at Singletracks.com later today. Follow Singletracks on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@singletracks⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with the latest mountain bike news.

    1hr 14min
  5. MTB skills: Tips and flow state secrets from expert coach Josh Whitmore

    18/11/2025

    MTB skills: Tips and flow state secrets from expert coach Josh Whitmore

    Josh Whitmore is the founder of the MTB Skills Factory (mtbskillsfactory.com) in Brevard, North Carolina. He's a Level 4 certified mountain bike coach and he’s spent more than 25 years helping riders, from total beginners to professional racers, improve their skills and confidence on the trail. We'll dig into what makes riders better: how to train your instincts, how to practice effectively, and what separates skill from fitness on the trail. What makes the best mountain bikers great? Is it line choice, body position, mental focus, or something else?How can riders recognize whether their biggest limitation is technical or mental?What does “failing forward” mean when it comes to learning new skills?What’s the biggest mistake riders make when they’re trying to practice skills?If someone only has an hour to practice each week, what’s the most effective way to use that time?What subtle habits separate a “pretty good” rider from someone who’s really dialed?How do you balance fitness and skill in your own training, and what should riders prioritize?From a coach’s perspective, what’s actually happening when a rider hits that “flow” state?Is there a way to measure progress in skills that isn’t tied to race times or Strava segments?From your perspective, what defines a professional mountain bike coach, and what should riders look for when choosing one?Is there any kind of certification or background that really matters, or is it more about experience and results?What’s one small thing riders could do today that would immediately make them better?An automated transcript will be available at Singletracks.com later today. Follow Singletracks on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@singletracks⁠⁠⁠ to keep up with the latest mountain bike news.

    1hr 21min
  6. Why mountain bikers keep returning to this remote Michigan trail system

    11/11/2025

    Why mountain bikers keep returning to this remote Michigan trail system

    Today we’re talking with Nick Ryan, the Trails Coordinator for the Copper Harbor Trail Club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Copper Harbor has been on mountain bikers’ radars for years, both for its remote location and its incredible trail quali. With some exciting new projects underway and a lot of lessons learned over the years, we get up to speed on Copper Harbor with Nick. An automated transcript will be available at Singletracks.com later today. Follow Singletracks on Instagram ⁠⁠@singletracks⁠⁠ to keep up with the latest mountain bike news.

    37 min
  7. From stand-up to singletrack: How a comedian built Georgia’s most entertaining bike park

    28/10/2025

    From stand-up to singletrack: How a comedian built Georgia’s most entertaining bike park

    Jarrod Harris is the co-founder of Jarrod's Place bike park in Summerville, Georgia. We'll be diving into what it takes to open a bike park, the challenges and rewards of building trails, and we'll talk about Trail Armor, an innovative product that was actually developed right there at Jarrod's Place. What's your background? How does someone end up starting a bike park?How did you learn to build trails?Were there any parks or trails that inspired you and your team when you were first starting out?Is owning and operating a bike park a good business?Trail Armor is a product that was developed at Jarrod's Place. What is it, and how does it work?Beyond Jarrod's Place, where is Trail Armor being used?Can you describe how the park is laid out? What are the most popular trails?What's the mix of riders you see at the park? Are you getting many locals, or do people travel from further away?Is there an off-season at the bike park?How much of your time goes into trail maintenance versus building new stuff?What would you do differently if you were to open another bike park today?What's next for the bike park?Learn more and buy a pass to Jarrod's Place at jarrodsplacebikepark.com. An automated transcript will be available at Singletracks.com later today. Follow Singletracks on Instagram ⁠@singletracks⁠ to keep up with the latest mountain bike news.

    59 min
  8. Think all MTB helmets offer the same level of protection? Think Again.

    14/10/2025

    Think all MTB helmets offer the same level of protection? Think Again.

    The Virginia Tech Helmet Lab has been providing independent safety ratings for sports helmets since 2011, and today we’ll hear from Dr. Barry Miller about how their testing works, why their rating system stands apart from standard certifications, and how the system has pushed manufacturers to improve designs over time. In this episode we discuss the following questions. Why did the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings program get started?How do your ratings differ from certification standards like CPSC?How are bike helmets tested in your lab, and who performs the testing?How well do lab results correlate with real-world crash data and field studies?With so many models out there, how do you choose which helmets to test?The 5-star rating scale was recently recalibrated, making 5 stars harder to earn—why?Have the ratings influenced helmet companies to improve designs?How unsafe is it to mount accessories (lights/cameras) on a helmet?How do bike helmets compare tech-wise to helmets for other sports like football?What are the main limitations of your testing and rating methodology?Any upcoming testing updates, categories, or research directions riders should know about? An automated transcript will be available at Singletracks.com later today. Follow Singletracks on Instagram @singletracks to keep up with the latest mountain bike news.

    42 min
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4.8
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About

Podcast host Jeff Barber, Editor-in-Chief at Singletracks.com, aims to inform and inspire with topics and interviews from the mountain bike world. Since 2015, we have been sharing weekly stories from under the helmets of the most inspiring and influential mountain bikers. Join us as we learn from top athletes, product designers, trail builders, coaches, mechanics, artists, and leaders in the mountain biking community.

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