Beginner Mountain Biking in Southern California: A Winter Riding Guide for the Rest of Us
Four parks, one basecamp, zero broken bones. Here’s my honest guide to beginner mountain biking in Southern California this winter.
Beginner Mountain Biking Sedona? That May Be an Oxymoron
Is beginner mountain biking in Sedona a myth? I tackled the red rocks to find the best progression for intermediates who value their collarbones.
Tucson MTB: The Old Pueblo’s Secret Sauce
Ditch the Sedona crowds for Tucson’s jagged beauty. This intermediate MTB progression covers Sweetwater, 50-Year Trail, and Starr Pass with local lore and RV tips.
The Geometry of a Mid-Life Reset: Starting Mountain Biking Later in Life
Starting mountain biking later in life is a complete mental and physical exodus. Learn how to navigate the learning curve and find your flow on trail.
A Lift-Served Bike Park… In Texas?
Is a ski lift in Texas a hallucination or a biker’s dream? Ty hits Spider Mountain to test the only lift-served park in the Lone Star State. From limestone tech to surprisingly fun greens, find out why this rocky novelty is worth the trip (and the extra padding).
🚵♂️ RideBHM: How This Alabama Bike Park Surprised a Wanna-Be Hero
I took a 200-mile detour just to hit the upstart RideBHM bike park outside Birmingham, AL, and it did not disappoint. This spot delivers excellent flow, perfectly aligned jumps, and a genuinely welcoming community, making it ideal for the beginner/intermediate mountain biker who wants to build confidence without requiring surgery. It’s a stellar $29 day of riding.
Florida Mountain Biking… WAIT…. WHAT?!?!?!
I used to laugh at the idea of “Florida Mountain Biking.” Coming from Colorado, I thought it was a joke. I was wrong. From the wooden vortex of Santos to the gator-lined ridges of Alafia, here is my apology letter to the Sunshine State’s surprisingly gnarly trail systems.
MTB Month 6: The Month of Gravity (And Why It Always Wins)
In Month 6 of the Newbie Mountain Biker Chronicles, we hit the Berkshires and Vermont. From the “Champagne Dirt” of Thunder Mountain to the rocky reality of Bolton Valley, learn the hard way why “one more run” is a dangerous lie and why following a coaching system matters.
Chronicles of a Newbie Mountain Biker, Month 5: The Magic of Finding Your Flow
Welcome back, fellow neophytes. I’m happy to report that Month 5 feels like I might have finally found the magic. The secret sauce. That certain “je ne sais quoi.” (Remember I lived in France for a year before moving back so look at me being awesome using some of that French). And let’s shoot straight. […]
Chronicles of a Newbie: Month 4 – Overconfidence and a Crash Course in Humility
Month four was a wild ride, literally. After a break from the trails, I returned to Pennsylvania with a big dose of overconfidence. A near-disastrous ride taught me about humility, the importance of planning, and the magic of finding your own flow.