Mountain Biking Across America

Welcome to the mountain biking side of Live Free RV. I’m traveling the country in my Winnebago Revel, learning how to ride mountain bikes at 47, and documenting every high, low, and crash along the way.
Here you’ll find:

  • Trail Reports: My Beginner/Intermediate MTB guides to trails and bike parks that I visit.
  • Chronicles of aNewbie Rider: Honest reflections, rookie mistakes, and progress updates (in both video and blog form).
  • Bonus Campground/Van Life Info: Where I’ve stayed and Van Life info around mountain biking.
 

Whether you’re a beginner looking to hit your first green trail or a van lifer planning your next ride, this is the place to start.

Quick Stats:

⛺ Nights on the road – 600
🚚 States visited – 21
🛣️ Miles driven – 21,000+
🚵 Trails ridden – 150+

Where I've Been. Where I'm Going.

Click a state to see where I’ve been, where I’m heading, and what I’m riding.
Legend:
🟦 Visited
🟧 Upcoming (Already Planned)
🟩 Current State
⬜ Not Yet

📍 State-by-State Itinerary

Toggle each state for trails, campgrounds, blog posts, and trip notes. I’ll keep updating these as I ride new trails and figure out where I’m sleeping next week.

AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC

State By State By State Trip Reports

Alabama

(Coming Soon)

Arizona

(Coming Soon)

California

(Coming Soon)

Carolinas

(Coming Soon)

Florida

(Coming Soon)

Georgia

(Coming Soon)

Maine

(Coming Soon)

Maryland

(YouTube)

Mass.

(Coming Soon)

Nevada

(Coming Soon)

New
Hampshire

(Coming Soon)

New York.

(Coming Soon)

Oregon

(Coming Soon)

Penn.

(Coming Soon)

Texas

(Coming Soon)

Vermont

(Coming Soon)

Virginia

(YouTube)

Wash.

(Coming Soon)

Check Us Out on YouTube!

While I blog – my main passion is Videos! Check out the latest content on the official YouTube Channel for Live Free RV. Make sure to click on the YouTube Icon below to subscribe so you an follow the adventure and never miss some of the great content for RV Life, Mountain Biking, and Thousand Trails!

Join me on an epic journey through the Santa Cruz mountains and Marin County, showcasing some of the most beautiful cross-country mountain biking experiences. This california travel video proves that these spots are premier destinations for any mountain bike enthusiast. Get ready for some incredible trail riding and see why cycling here is truly special! I take you on the intermediate trails in Harvey Bear Ranch, Wilder Ranch State Park, Soquel Demonstration Forest, and Mt Tam. Explore the best intermediate mountain biking the Bay Area has to offer! ☕️🚐 Support the Journey: If you find these tips helpful, you can help keep the wheels turning (and the coffee brewing!) Consider donating a cup of coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/tychapman Any support is helpful and sincerely appreciated! Want to ride the same amazing goggles and sunnies I do? Check out my awesome friends at Good Day Optics and use my referral code for an instant discount only available with my link: https://gooddayoptics.com/en-us?ref=flow20 Want to follow along on my MTB Journey? Check out my Mountain Biking Across America Page for trip reports, advice, and trail wisdom: https://livefreerv.com/mountain-biking-across-america/ Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀 https://vidiq.com/ShiftingGearswit The Best MTB Trails You Didn't Know Existed
Join me as I explore intermediate mountain biking in Southern California, proving that its mountain biking scene is truly spectacular. This video showcases the diverse mountain biking opportunities, from bold and fun bike parks to scenic cross country - SoCal Has it all! I explore: Temecula, the Inland Empire, Menifee, Luiseno Bike Park, Vailocity Bike Park at Vail Lakes Recreation, Simpson Park, Hemet. Want to ride the same amazing goggles and sunnies I do? Check out my awesome friends at Good Day Optics and use my referral code for an instant discount only available with my link: https://gooddayoptics.com/en-us?ref=flow20 Want to follow along on my MTB Journey? Check out my Mountain Biking Across America Page for trip reports, advice, and trail wisdom: https://livefreerv.com/mountain-biking-across-america/ ☕️🚐 Support the Journey: If you find these tips helpful, you can help keep the wheels turning (and the coffee brewing!) Consider donating a cup of coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/tychapman Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀 https://vidiq.com/ShiftingGearswit Why SoCal Mountain Biking Is Way Underrated.
Welcome back to the channel! This video explores why I think Tucson, Arizona, offers a fantastic experience for mountain bike enthusiasts, even more so than Sedona. I'm sharing a four-day progression plan for beginner to intermediate mountain bike trails to help you enjoy riding in Tucson. Get ready for some great bike riding and discover why this city is a top spot for mountain bikes! ☕️🚐 Support the Journey: If you find these tips helpful, or enjoyed this video, please check out my page on how to Support the Journey! From sharing my blog content to helping to keep me caffeinated and the wheels rolling, any support is truly appreciated: https://livefreerv.com/support-the-journey/ Want to follow along on my MTB Journey? Check out my Mountain Biking Across America Page for trip reports, advice, and trail wisdom: https://livefreerv.com/mountain-biking-across-america/ Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀https://vidiq.com/ShiftingGearswit The Tucson MTB Scene That Nobody Talks About
☕️🚐 Support the Journey: If you find these videos/tips helpful, you can help keep the wheels turning (and the coffee brewing!) Consider donating a cup of coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/tychapman Join me for an exciting #mtb adventure at Spider Mountain Bike Park in #burnettexas, Texas' only lift-served bike park! This video captures my experience and gives you a full tour of the park, highlighting the amazing #liftaccess and diverse trails. If you're looking for an awesome #texasmtb destination, this #spider_mtb_park tour is perfect for anyone interested in #mountainbiking and #bikeriding in the Lone Star State. Want to ride the same amazing goggles and sunnies I do? Check out my awesome friends at Good Day Optics and use my referral code for an instant discount only available with my link: https://gooddayoptics.com/en-us?ref=flow20 Want to know more about where I’m going, where I’ve been and get a state-by-state list of my content? Visit: https://livefreerv.com/shifting-gears-with-ty/itinerary/ Want to follow along on my MTB Journey? Check out my Mountain Biking Across America Page for trip reports, advice, and trail wisdom: https://livefreerv.com/mountain-biking-across-america/ Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀 https://vidiq.com/ShiftingGearswit Lift-Served Mountain Biking in Texas? Spider Mountain Has It!

Most Recent Trip & Trail Reports

Mountain Biking Advice!

I’m still very new to this. So I can’t tell you what to do. But  may be able to tell you what not to do! Check here for my best advice as I learn and grow as a mountain biker!

Video Advice!

In these videos I share some wisdom on what I have learned along the way! From gear to trail advice (and maybe some life lessons), I share with you what I learn from my mistakes and my successes!

Hey, hey, YouTubers! In this video, I talk about why starting to ride a mountain bike later in life is not a recipe for injury, but rather a way to break the mold. I share my personal journey into mountain bike riding and encourage you to consider this rewarding hobby. I give you a how-to start guide for learning MTB later in life. Learn how to embark on your first bike ride and embrace new adventures, even if it's new to me territory! ☕️🚐 Support the Journey: If you find these tips helpful, or enjoyed this video, please check out my page on how to Support the Journey! From sharing my blog content to helping to keep me caffeinated and the wheels rolling, any support is truly appreciated: https://livefreerv.com/support-the-journey/ Want to follow along on my MTB Journey? Check out my Mountain Biking Across America Page for trip reports, advice, and trail wisdom: https://livefreerv.com/mountain-biking-across-america/ Get vidIQ to grow your channel faster! 🚀 https://vidiq.com/ShiftingGearswit Hey, hey, YouTubers. Welcome back to the channel! Many think starting to ride a mountain bike later in life leads to injury, but I'm here to tell you it's a recipe for breaking the mold. I share why I started mountain biking later in life, and why you should consider cycling as a new hobby too. Let's get into how to go about your first bike ride and embrace this exciting change! ☕️🚐 Support the Journey: If you find these tips helpful, you can help keep the wheels turning (and the coffee brewing!) Consider donating a cup of coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/tychapman Any support is helpful and sincerely appreciated! You've Been Wrong About Mountain Biking and Getting Older
Great coaching and teaching is different than great riding. In this video, I go over how to pick a great mountain bike instructor as a newbie beginner/intermediate mountain biker. I go over what makes a great coach, what you should look for, and when to walk away. I'll save you hundreds of dollars! As a former teaching assistant at an Ivy League University, a certified PADI Scuba Instructor, and a PSIA Certified Ski Instructor - teaching has been a major part of my life for decades. I will help you find the best coach for you on your journey! Want to ride the same amazing goggles and sunnies I do? Check out my awesome friends at Good Day Optics and use my referral code for an instant discount only available with my link: https://gooddayoptics.com/en-us?ref=flow20 ☕️🚐 Support the Journey: If you find these videos/tips helpful, you can help keep the wheels turning (and the coffee brewing!) Consider donating a cup of coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/tychapman Any support is helpful and sincerely appreciated! Check out the blog post here: https://livefreerv.com/how-to-pick-a-mountain-bike-coach-a-guide-for-beginners/ Want to know more about where I’m going, where I’ve been and get a state-by-state list of my content? Visit: https://livefreerv.com/shifting-gears-with-ty/itinerary/ How To Pick The BEST Mountain Bike Teacher!
Want to Learn How to Mountain bike? I'm 47 and just started my journey. Come along on my first mountain biking lessons with a certified instructor! I share some of the skills I learned that will help you get on the trail in no time! Want to ride the same amazing goggles and sunnies I do? Check out my awesome friends at Good Day Optics and use my referral code for an instant discount only available with my link: https://gooddayoptics.com/en-us?ref=flow20 ☕️🚐 Support the Journey: If you find these videos/tips helpful, you can help keep the wheels turning (and the coffee brewing!) Consider donating a cup of coffee here: https://buymeacoffee.com/tychapman Any support is helpful and sincerely appreciated! My First Mountain Biking Lessons!
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Chronicles of a Newbie Mountain Biker!!

Join my on my epic journey as a 47 Year Old Newbie Van Lifer and Newbie Mountain Biker!!! Each Month I’ll take you on the journey with me as I tackle new states and new trails. I’ll share with you the gnarly falls, the injuries that seem to linger and the adrenaline fueled jump runs that bring so much bliss.  

The Videos!

Month 1.

Month 2.

Month 3.

Month 4.

Month 5.

Month 6.

Chronicles of a Newbie Mountain Biker Posts!

Ty Chapman relaxing for lunch during a hike at Big Bend National Park.

A Little Bit About Me.

I started writing this blog as a way to capture the adventurous and free lifestyle I’m privileged to live. I’ve traveled to over 28 countries and 35 U.S States. I’ve lived aboard in multiple countries and averaged over 100 days a year of travel for work. I’ve skied and hiked all over the world – and my new obsession is mountain biking. What I bring to you isn’t AI generated. It’s based on my feet on the ground – or sometimes conversations with locals. Click here to read more about me! And, for a State-By-State guide of Where I’ve been and Where I’m headed, make sure to check out my Itinerary and Destination Page by clicking here!!!

 

 

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