Once upon a time, fitness was a prerequisite for trail fun on a mountain bike! E-bikes have changed the MTB game, but is that a good thing?

Join the guys for a conversation about the benefits of cardio fitness on our mountain bikes. Since e-bikes have eliminated the need to 'earn your turns,' is fitness still necessary? What are the reasons and benefits to train hard for your analog bike? Does riding an e-bike make rocky/technical trails easier? How should beginners learn mountain biking? Pump tracks! We also discuss more techniques like “torso tracking" and dynamic riding that you can take to your next ride!

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Road bike! 2014 Giant TCX Pro - Sage has appreciation for his trusty road bike. The road bike allows Sage to walk out his door and train for mountain biking. Intense road riding prepares Sage's legs, lungs & body for an intense day of riding and climbing on his mountain bike. Thank you road bike!

Dan: TrainerRoad "AI FTP Detection" - Dan has so much appreciation for the elimination of the dreaded "FTP Test" on the indoor trainer. FTP or "Functional Threshold Power" is the baseline often used for cardio fitness. Utilizing the "AI FTP Detection" means no more incredibly difficult FTP Tests, more training and an accurate FTP! https://www.trainerroad.com

MTB Tip of the Week

Save your old mountain bike parts. Sage was able to help a friend with a broken jockey wheel with parts from an old derailleur. So, think twice before you discard your old gear, you never know when it might come in handy.

Additional Links:

TrainerRoad MTBers instructed by Lee Likes Bikes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GAaheigvgg

Mountain Bike Academy video on Torso Tracking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eEG9n0XNgc

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/LUqYHFpMCi4

The Ride and Laugh podcast is hosted by Dan @the_ride_abides and Sage @TrailSage. Join us as we discuss all things mountain biking! Riding technique, MTB gear, bikes, nutrition, fitness, mindset and more! Feel the gratitude. Flow on the trails, Flow in life! Please enjoy the content then like and subscribe. Join the Ride & Laugh community in the comments and/or rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Mountain Biking Red Bull Rampage is the pinnacle of big mountain riding. What lessons can we learn from Rampage to lock in, focus and ride with full intention?

This week, the guys discuss how awesome it was to watch women compete in Red Bull Rampage this year as well as some of the awesome runs by the male riders. We break down a mountain bike intuition marker called, "The Rule of Three" and why this works so well. Gratitude to mountain biking for all the challenges and lessons we learn. Flow on the bike, flow in life!

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Local Shredder - 9 Year Old Lucas! After weeks of trying to complete the intermediate jump at Phoenixville Bike Park, 9 year old Lucas not only has completed the intermediate jumps, but this week he completed the full expert line of jumps! Sage has been encouraging Lucas at PHXBP for the past few weeks & seeing him unlock jumping and is awesome! His little sister, Mia, 7 years old is also shredding and having fun on mountain bikes! Mountain bikers are awesome!

Dan: Ride & Laugh Podcast! Gratitude for all of our listeners, listener feedback, high vibes and life lessons! The podcast has been so fun to record, work on and listen to. Sage and I have enjoyed everything about the Ride & Laugh Podcast and appreciate all our personal growth since we started! The podcast raises vibes while adding stoke, progression and inspiration to listeners and to us! Thank you to everyone who watches and/or listeners. You are unlimited!!

MTB Tip of the Week

When riding a new feature, make it easier for your brain by setting up visual cues. Mark a rock on the ground or pick a tree in the distance as your target. This will help you know the 'line' and add confidence for the full commitment you need!

Additional Links:

Dennis: https://www.youtube.com/@DennyJannettyMTB

Red Bull Bike – Redbull Rampage 2024 Mens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9-L3njfe4g Womens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAMg-XEygfA

Phoenixville Bike Park: https://www.phoenixville.org/2861/Phoenixville-Bike-Park

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/B55tk5EaMyw

The Ride and Laugh podcast is hosted by Dan @the_ride_abides and Sage @TrailSage. Join us as we discuss all things mountain biking! Riding technique, MTB gear, bikes, nutrition, fitness, mindset and more! Feel the gratitude. Flow on the trails, Flow in life! Please enjoy the content then like and subscribe. Join the Ride & Laugh community in the comments and/or rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

As your mountain bike skills level up on the trail, we need to move from static to dynamic body position on the bike. Learn the benefits of being dynamic on your mountain bike and why this type of intuitive riding will level you up! You are unlimited!!

Listen along this week as the guys discuss their evolution on riding slabs, the 'attack' MTB position, why we lean back on the bike & what to do about it. Shift from "Technique to Instinct," and gain more confidence, more traction and more flow! Of course, enjoy all the usual jokes, laughs, ride stories, high vibes and high stoke as always on Ride & Laugh podcast!

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Completely finishing FULL Skyline Trail! After riding Mt. Penn trails for at least 14 years, our summer of jumping has leveled up our jump skills. Completing the full Skyline jump trail was an amazing feeling. Gratitude to this experience and all the trails and people along the way. We are all unlimited! Anything is possible and Sage & Dan clearing all of Skyline is proof positive!!

Dan: Keswick Cycles Paoli! Dan appreciates the assistance and expertise of the all the employees at Keswick Cycles. The people are top notch and totally understand the high stoke aspects of mountain biking. Support your local bike shop! https://www.instagram.com/keswickcycle.paoli/

MTB Tip of the Week

Trailstand Technique! The trailstand is a key MTB skill to stay still on the trail while navigating difficult features. The guys recommend practicing the trailstand should be practiced safely on a slight incline. Add pressure to your pedals and add this awesome skill to your MTB rides!

Additional Links:

Skyline Trail on Trailforks: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/skyline-53365/ Phoenixville Bike Park: https://www.phoenixville.org/2861/Phoenixville-Bike-Park

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/3RNVyFCojZU

The Ride and Laugh podcast is hosted by Dan @the_ride_abides and Sage @TrailSage. Join us as we discuss all things mountain biking! Riding technique, MTB gear, bikes, nutrition, fitness, mindset and more! Feel the gratitude. Flow on the trails, Flow in life! Please enjoy the content then like and subscribe. Join the Ride & Laugh community in the comments and/or rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Fun on a mountain bike often includes new and difficult features, but how do we know when we're truly ready to 'send it' on that tough slab, jump, drop or gnarly trail? MTB skills are important, but more than anything, riders need the supreme confidence which comes from a quiet and insightful mind.

Join the guys for a candid and honest conversation about tuning into intuition, paying attention to signs, 100% commitment, self-worth, approval and doing things for ONLY the right reasons. We are all more than worthy already so our bikes should only enhance our joy. This episode, Dan and Sage discuss the surprisingly complex emotions of mountain biking decision making. Live in the moment, trust your abundance and let go of thoughts that do not serve you. Flow on the bike, Flow in life!

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Dan: 4th Street Cafe - Dan appreciates this diner for all the pre-work meals he and Sage have had there. Talking bikes and life over a meal and a cup of coffee is better than therapy! Perfect start to a day! Gratitude to the 4th Street Cafe and gratitude for friendship! Check them out here: https://www.facebook.com/p/4th-Street-Cafe-100088899905568/

Sage: Dan pulling Sage off a wet jump trail. Sometimes the signs are as obvious as your friends telling you something may not be a good idea! Sage really wanted to ride a jump trail even though it was wet, and conditions were less than ideal. Maybe it would have been fine and maybe not. But Sage appreciates Dan making the call based on his intuition and moral compass. Gratitude to friends and the guidance they often provide. Together, "we got this!"

MTB Tip of the Week

Ride with Intention - Ride the bike, don't let the bike ride you. Work the bike at all times but especially in wet conditions. When you ride with intention, you will be instinctive and purposeful in your actions. Push into the ground, know when to get heavy and when to get light, when to brake and when to roll. Trust your skills, eyes up, stay present, react and flow!

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/tf9y7v-1KtM

The Ride and Laugh podcast is hosted by Dan @the_ride_abides and Sage @TrailSage. Join us as we discuss all things mountain biking! Riding technique, MTB gear, bikes, nutrition, fitness, mindset and more! Feel the gratitude. Flow on the trails, Flow in life! Please enjoy the content then like and subscribe. Join the Ride & Laugh community in the comments and/or rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Incredibly long and steep slabs on trails require high level mountain bike handling skills, balance, confidence and commitment. Learn about your internal guidance system and how to know you’re ready for 100% commitment on high consequence and dangerous MTB features!

We discuss the proper technique for riding super steep features as well as why practice and repetition breed confidence through muscle memory. Turn your thinking mind off, fully commit and succeed! But what if there is doubt and the brain is still in survival mode? Listen and find out what happens!

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Dan: Arnica – Arnica is a plant with anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been known to increase circulation. For mountain bikers (and other athletes) this means accelerated healing! Dan is currently using arnica to heal a contusion on his quad from a scary fall of his MTB. Arnica can be applied topically and taken orally. Anything that helps us heal and get back on the bike faster is a win! Arnica is an affordable and natural way to speed up healing. Gratitude and appreciation to arnica and the companies that package this amazing plant medicine!

Topical: https://www.amazon.com/Bruising-Swelling-Natural-Montana-extracts/dp/B08KT7Q7YX Oral: https://www.boironusa.com/product/arnica-30c-tablets

Sage: Aaron Homiak! - Sage has so much gratitude and appreciation for Aaron and his friends giving us a tour of their local trails. Aaron has a lot to do with the building and creation of many of those high level trails and gnarly features. In addition to being an amazing rider, Aaron is also an incredible photographer. Gratitude to Aaron for giving us a tour but also for his friendliness, trail-building and being an all-around high-vibe/awesome mtb’er! Mountain bikers are the best! Check out Aaron on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aaron_homiak

MTB Tip of the Week

Body position and technique on SUPER STEEP slabs. When the slabs are more like walls, it’s impossible to get far enough behind the bike and stay balanced. Sage explains how to keep your body centered and in control while riding the super steeps.

Featured Riders:

Phoenixville Bike Park Nik @jns1014 Scott @scottherbert43 Steve @bentspokesmtb

Natalie (Roaring Creek) Ride Aaron @aaron_homiak Brett @mfnfbm666 Ed @bassface462 Rylan @rylan570 Dane C. Patrick M.

Additional Links:

Mt Penn: https://www.trailforks.com/region/mount-penn-preserve Phoenixville Bike Park: https://www.phoenixville.org/2861/Phoenixville-Bike-Park Roaring Creek: https://www.trailforks.com/region/roaring-creek-tract-weiser-state-forest

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/q9WCG1yHJM4

The Ride and Laugh podcast is hosted by Dan @the_ride_abides and Sage @TrailSage. Join us as we discuss all things mountain biking! Riding technique, MTB gear, bikes, nutrition, fitness, mindset and more! Feel the gratitude. Flow on the trails, Flow in life! Please enjoy the content then like and subscribe. Join the Ride & Laugh community in the comments and/or rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Why is Mountain Bike Culture so awesome and what is it about riding bikes on dirt trails that brings out the best in people?! What are the reasons that give MTB such an amazing culture of friendliness, support, encouragement and stoke!?

The guys are discussing all the reasons that make mountain bike culture so inclusive and fun. Dan & Sage also get into their MTB mindset tips, rides of the week, perfect headtube angle for modern trail bikes, jumping MTB vs. BMX, the magic of the present moment and how updating our belief system can change everything we thought was possible!

Featured Riders: Eric @erik.thorell.35 Rob @huckedtophat Stick @stephenstoccardo

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Action Cameras / GoPro - Sage has so much gratitude for all the amazing moments that his GoPro allows him to capture. Action Cameras allow us to document MTB memories and have opened the world of "Mountain Bike YouTube." Now we can see what else is possible on a mountain bike, MTB Destinations and MTB tutorials! It's a great time to be a mountain biker! Gratitude to GoPro and all MTB Action Cameras! https://gopro.com

Dan: Dirtsculpt & BAMBA! - Dan is incredibly grateful for the incredible Skyline Jump Trail at Mt. Penn in Reading, PA. Dirtsculpt built an amazing bike park quality jump trail that has unlocked enormous progression for the guys this summer. BAMBA is the organization that had Skyline trail built and maintains this epic trail! Gratitude to DirtSculpt, BAMBA & all the people who built and maintain Skyline Jump Trail!

Dirtsculpt: https://dirtsculpt.com/ BAMBA: https://berksmountainbiking.org/

MTB Tip of the Week

When you go to the bike park, instead of bringing a full hydration pack, you can use a water bottle and a much smaller hip pack to hold some key items: Tube, Tire Plug, Mini-Pump & Multi-Tool! Less weight on your back and more comfortable sitting on the chair lift!

REI Amphipod Hip Pack: https://www.rei.com/product/883556/amphipod-airflow-microstretch-plus-belt

Additional Links:

Skyline Trail on Trailforks: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/skyline-53365/ Phoenixville Bike Park: https://www.phoenixville.org/2861/Phoenixville-Bike-Park

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/i26MmsNHRF8

The Ride and Laugh podcast is hosted by Dan @the_ride_abides and Sage @TrailSage. Join us as we discuss all things mountain biking! Riding technique, MTB gear, bikes, nutrition, fitness, mindset and more! Feel the gratitude. Flow on the trails, Flow in life! Please enjoy the content then like and subscribe. Join the Ride & Laugh community in the comments and/or rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Mountain biking can be scary but what's the difference between rational fear and irrational fear when you're tackling jumps, drops and tech on the trails? Learn how a simple shift in perspective can quiet the fearful mind and unlock unlimited MTB Progression!

The guys discuss techniques for dealing with fear on MTB trails and in life. Perspective is everything and we are all unlimited! You are unlimited! Listen along to learn more about dedicated bike park bikes, coil shock vs. air shock, tire plug tips, shark-fins vs. wall rides and, as always, lots of laughs, gratitude and high vibes!

Additional Links: Heather Munvie on the massive Banana Peel line: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5JI0YQ6yUE

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: His buddy Anthony - Sage has gratitude for his awesome friend Anthony. While Anthony may not be a rider, he's the type of friend who is always supportive and excited for Sage. Whether it's riding or not, good friends are always appreciated. Gratitude to Anthony & all the awesome people who support us in our crazy passion for mountain biking!

Dan: Listener Comments! - Dan is blown away by the awesome feedback and comments from Ride & Laugh Podcast listeners! Supreme gratitude that the pod is resonating with mtb'ers! R&L listeners are awesome, each comment is valued and we're all becoming better riders together. This is so cool!! Thank you R&L listeners and everyone who comments or emails us!

MTB Tip of the Week

Stan's Dart! - The "Stan's Dart" is an upgraded version of the traditional 'bacon strip.' Stan's Dart is designed to plug holes in your mountain bike tire right on the trail. Sage has saved many a ride by using the Stan's Dart to fix a flat tire! Check out the TrailSage video on the Stan's Dart to learn more: https://youtu.be/kezpNatwChA

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/o-Zxe4U9484

The Ride and Laugh podcast is hosted by Dan @the_ride_abides and Sage @TrailSage. Join us as we discuss all things mountain biking! Riding technique, MTB gear, bikes, nutrition, fitness, mindset and more! Feel the gratitude. Flow on the trails, Flow in life! Please enjoy the content then like and subscribe. Join the Ride & Laugh community in the comments and/or rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Positive self-talk will increase your confidence to hit big features on your mountain bike. Feeling your practice pay off and progressing on MTB jumps and drops is thrilling, satisfying and oh so much fun!! Vibes of fun, Vibes of Confidence, Vibes of Stoke!

The guys talk about hitting some of the biggest jumps and drops yet at Mountain Creek Bike Park! Dan discusses how a gratitude moment put him in the flow state (and saved his day!). Sage is excited to 'make shapes' in the air and considers mountain bike yoga for his aching back.

Featured Riders:

Johnnie U https://www.youtube.com/@MTBQandA Brian https://www.youtube.com/@BandE-MTB Terry https://www.youtube.com/@thaynes1832

Additional Links Fox Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS Helmet: foxracing.com/helmets/mtb/ Mountain Creek Bike Park: mountaincreek.com/bike-park/trail-report-hours/ Reeb Cycles: https://reebcycles.com/ Phoenixville Bike Park: morekidsonbikespa.org/phoenixville-bike-park Phoenixville Bike Park - TrailSage video: https://youtu.be/f4FQOHRWmUM

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Terry & David (and the MTB Ethos!). Sage hurt his back at Mt. Penn. Terry & David didn't hesitate in helping Sage back to his car. These riders embody the spirit and culture of mountain biking. High stoke, high character and just really kind individuals. Mountain bikers are awesome! Gratitude for your help and positivity Terry & David!

Dan: Dan's new & super protective downhill helmet is the Fox Rampage Pro Carbon MIPS Helmet. But downhill helmets only come with "D-Ring" fasteners which are extremely difficult/frustrating to hook and unhook with mtb gloves on! Dan did some searching and found an awesome D-Ring replacement on Amazon! There are several types but Dan purchased this unit and it works fantastic! https://amzn.to/3MDXehR (Affiliate Link)

MTB Tip of the Week

If you ride with a hip pack or hydration pack carry a small first aid kit with you. They are not expensive, light and don’t take up too much space. You never know when you, or a fellow rider, could need it so be prepared. https://amzn.to/47lvDeO (Affiliate Link)

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/5wGh9VnGp9M

The Ride and Laugh podcast is hosted by Dan @the_ride_abides and Sage @TrailSage. Join us as we discuss all things mountain biking! Riding technique, MTB gear, bikes, nutrition, fitness, mindset and more! Feel the gratitude. Flow on the trails, Flow in life! Please enjoy the content then like and subscribe. Join the Ride & Laugh community in the comments and/or rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

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