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.

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 done
• How 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. Why
• How 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alex Larson is a registered dietitian who works with endurance athletes, including cyclists, helping them fuel smart both on and off the bike. In this podcast episode we’ll be tackling some serious nutrition questions—like how much protein do you actually need?—and some not-so-serious ones—like if hot dogs make for a good pre- or post-ride meal.

• When should athletes choose hydration mix over plain water?
• How do you know if you need more electrolytes?
• What role does sugar play in fueling rides? Do non-pro cyclists benefit from sugar mid-ride too?
• Among mountain bikers there does seem to be a sense that because we're so active, we don't need to be as concerned about avoiding junk food as less active individuals. Is that fair?
• What are some effective and inexpensive alternatives to traditional energy/fueling products?
• Is it “OK” to indulge in a giant burrito and a couple beers after a ride? Any nutritional guidance around post-ride meals?
• Do you have a rule of thumb for how much protein athletes—especially cyclists—should actually need to consume each day?
• How accurate are calorie estimates from smart watches and fitness apps?
• Is weight loss really just “calories in vs. calories out,” or is there more to it?
• What role does AI currently play in nutrition planning and advice? Should athletes be cautious or curious?

Learn more and connect with Alex at alexlarsonnutrition.com and on Instagram @alexlarsonnutrition.

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!

Miles from Mullet Cycles has carved out a unique niche in the bike industry by going against the grain. From his brash and unconventional approach to bikes to his knack for creating one-of-a-kind accessories, Miles has been challenging industry norms for years.

He's dedicated himself to perfecting the mixed-wheel format for mountain bikes, and he’s also the creative force behind Miles Wide Industries, which offers clever, rider-focused accessories. Today we’ll talk about his path into the cycling world, why he’s sticking with mixed-wheel setups, and what’s next for his two companies.

• When did Mullet Cycles officially get its start? Were mixed-wheel bikes considered a novelty at the time?
• A lot of riders use the words “mullet” and “mixed-wheel” interchangeably, but your company actually trademarked the term Mullet as it relates to bikes. Why did you go that route? How has the rise of the term 'mullet' affected your marketing efforts?
• What makes Mullet Cycles’ bikes different from mixed-wheel bikes from other brands?
• Unlike most bike brands, you don't publish complete geometry tables for your bikes. Why not?
• How does your experience as a jewelry designer influence your approach to building bikes?
• What’s the idea behind a Mullet gravel/adventure bike, and how is that project coming along
• Why don't you offer any of your frames in carbon fiber?

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!

Behind the scenes, it takes a lot of planning and hard work to keep a massive trail network like Coldwater Mountain in great shape. That responsibility falls to Marcus Tillman, who works with the Northeast Alabama Bicycle Association and the city of Anniston as Recreation Trails Director for Coldwater Mountain. Today we’ll hear from Marcus about what it takes to maintain such a large system, what’s involved, and what’s in store for riders in the coming months.

In this episode we ask:

• What does a recreation trails director aka "trail boss" do on a day-to-day basis?
• How much maintenance is involved in keeping up a trail system the size of Coldwater Mountain?
• Are you able to rely on volunteers to accomplish a significant amount of the work?
• Can you give us a little history of Coldwater Mountain and how the trail system came to be?
• What’s one thing you wish riders knew that would make your job easier?
• For an experienced rider visiting Coldwater for the first time, what route do you recommend?
• How are you preparing the trails for the big Lifetime race happening in October?
• How do you ensure trails are safe and that emergency services have access to the trails?
• Coldwater is open to e-bikes. Have you had any issues with speeding, user conflicts, or trail impact?

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!

This week we're joined by Greg Heil, Managing Editor at Singletracks. Over the years, Greg has shared stories from trails all over North America—and for two of those years, he was doing it all while living full-time on the road in a van.

We’re going to talk about what that experience was like: the incredible places he rode, the highs and lows of vanlife, and what ultimately led him to settle down again. Whether you’ve been dreaming of hitting the road yourself or you’re just curious about what it takes to live that lifestyle, there’s a lot to learn here.

• What inspired you to hit the road and live out of a van full-time in the first place?
• Tell us about your van setup—what kind of vehicle were you working with, and how did you configure it for full-time living, working, and mountain biking?
• Were there any must-have upgrades or clever hacks that made life easier?
• How did you manage your work as a writer and editor while constantly on the move?
• Were there any unexpected gems—places that surprised you or exceeded your expectations? What about well-known spots you ended up leaving early?
• What were some of the biggest challenges you faced?
• Are there any common mistakes people make when they're just starting out?
• After a couple of years on the road, you decided to settle in one place again. What led to that decision?
• What’s one thing you packed in the van that you never ended up using?
• What’s one item you couldn’t live without on the road?

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!