Ride and Laugh Mountain Bike Podcast

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:

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 [email protected].  

#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

Additional Links

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 [email protected].  

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through the above links. Commissions earned through the Amazon Affiliate links help support this channel's content creation. Thank you!

Discuss the different techniques between jumping your mountain bike on 'ramp' jumps vs. 'lippy' jumps.  All jumps and features on the MTB trail have a 'commitment line' where riders must be comfortable being all-in!  You got this!

The guys are stoked about progression on ramp jumps, cannon jumps, huge gap jumps and mega-sized trail drops!  Each jump and feature has a 'commitment line' where riders need to stop or fully commit.  Sage has great tips on jumping ramp jumps while Dan warns of 'absorbing' the jump too much.  Practice, gain confidence, and full commit! 

Featured Riders:

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Steve & Brian!  Sage has so much gratitude to the awesome riders that gave us a tour of Ceres!  Steve & Brian demonstrated all the jumps/features, answered all questions, tow'd us in and kept the stoke super high!  Unlimited thank you to Steve & Brian!  Check out their YouTube channels (links above).

Dan: ANY STYLE TRAIL!  The 1st trail named after the Ride & Laugh Podcast! Thank you trail builders at Ceres!  Thank you all listeners, fans and riders!  We are overwhelmed with gratitude at the awesome reception of the podcast.  Thank you everyone! To hear the full Any Style story watch this excerpt: https://youtu.be/pH7O-hFLo9Q

MTB Tip of the Week

Keep your hydration bladder dry and free of mold!  Learn how and why to air out your hydration bladder after each ride!

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/aVpRYgyS7Ag

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 [email protected].  

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Unlock essential tips on how to jump your mountain bike at your local trails or the bike park!  Learn MTB techniques for crushing corners, railing berms and staying positive after a crash!

Mountain bikers are awesome!  Align your mindset with success and unlock more progression on the trail than you ever thought possible.  You are unlimited!  Listen along with Dan and Sage as they discuss what they're learning about jumping, cornering and drops.  Look before you leap, believe in yourself and commit!  The guys also discuss how to recover a positive mindset after a crash, solve the breaking bumps mystery and much more! 

Additional Links:

Mountain Creek Bike Park: https://mountaincreek.com/bike-park/trail-report-hours/

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Dan: G-Form Pro Rugged Knee & Elbow Pads - After a nasty crash on the black diamond jump trail, Dan walked away with only minor scrapes and bruises.  So much gratitude to the G-Form Rugged Pro Knee & Elbow pads for absorbing the majority of the impact! Crashing is never fun, but the pads did their job and Dan is super grateful for this awesome product.  https://g-form.com/products/pro-rugged-bike-knee-pad

Sage: Mountain Bikers! - After Dan's crash, some riders went out of their way to check on Dan.  These riders were so kind and helpful.  Gratitude to mountain bikers!  Share the stoke!!

MTB Tip of the Week

Sewing!  Sage points out that some simple sewing skills can rescue your torn gear.  Whether it's torn elbow pads from a crash or a favorite mtb glove that starts falling apart; you can rescue MTB gear with a needle and thread!

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/zZUY2xzioW0

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 [email protected].  

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Approaching new and big drops on your mountain bike can be very intimidating!  Look before you leap, ask other riders, trust your skills, fully commit, spot the landing and fully commit!

The guys are stoked to hit a new mega drop at their local bike park.  Sage sent the drop and inspired other riders to go for it!  Discuss how to determine the right speed for new features.  The skills are in there!  You got this!  New tech moves, "huck to flat" drops, meeting Ride and Laugh listeners and more! 

Additional Links:

Jess Buch: https://www.instagram.com/buchbikes/

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Blue Mountain Bike Park - Sage appreciates our local southeast Pennsylvania bike park.  Blue Mountain may not be large but they are constantly improving the trails, adding new trails and features!  Thank you Blue Mountain Bike Park! https://www.skibluemt.com/mountain-biking

Dan: Mountainsmith Mountain Bike Bag - Dan appreciates his trusty mountain bike bag!  This bag holds and organizes all his bike gear.  Everything is always in the right place.  A good mountain bike duffel bag is on every trip & every ride.  Thank you Mountainsmith Bike Bag!  https://mountainsmith.com

MTB Tip of the Week

Gnats swarming your head/face is part of the mountain bike experience in many parts of the world.  Sage shares the top speed of a gnat and how fast we need to pedal to outrun the annoying buggers!

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/zY27-drE-Xs

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 [email protected].  

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

As you start to clear jumps on your mountain bike, when do you add in 'style' moves like whips and bar-turns?  We know moving the bike in the air looks awesome, but does it also add stability and flow to the jump?  

Ride along with us today as we discuss braking bumps, where they come from and our plea to avoid making more.  Tips to recapture motivation to train after a big MTB trip or race is over.  Do e-bikes change trail etiquette? Is it easier to get into a flow state on flow trails or a flow state on tech trails?  Details on how to plan a mountain bike trip, how to use Trailforks to make a route and Penny-farthing bike jumps!  What's up with that!?  

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: 1Up Bike Rack - Dan's bike rack is Sage's gratitude this week!  Sturdy, well made, modular, well designed and made in the USA.  The 1Up Bike Rack has been a great MTB travel tool!  Thank you 1Up! https://1up-usa.com/ 

Dan: Just past the 1 year anniversary of the bike crash that broke his jaw, Dan has so much gratitude for the Dr's that helped put him back together.  Dr. Foote and Dr. Koenig at UPenn Hospital as well as the Emergency Response Team, many more Dr's, nurses, friends and family!  Gratitude to everyone for all the healing support and love! 

MTB Tip of the Week

How to use Trailforks to find a place to ride.  How to use Trailforks to create a route to follow on your next destination ride!  www.trailforks.com 

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/rAQP8uVSe2o

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 [email protected].  

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Did the new Pivot Firebird mountain bike increase Dan's confidence, skill or both? What happened when Sage rode an old-school MTB on tech trails for a couple months straight? 

Confidence can come from a shiny new bike but also from rocking success on an older, less capable bike.  Notice how the pressure of leading a MTB ride may help you commit to a tough jump or tech trail.  The guys also discuss mountain biking in the Olympics, e-bikes for fitness vs. fun, MTB jump coaching, the joy of a new MTB tire, meeting Ride & Laugh fans, tubeless vs. tubes and more!   

Additional Links:

WPL ForkBoost

Coffee Powered Cyclist

Pivot Firebird

Phoenixville Bike Park

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Dan: USWE Hydration Pack - Dan appreciates his USWE pack and how well the "No Dancing Monkey" harness keeps the pack stable and comfortable in all conditions!  Thank you USWE for making a fantastic mountain bike hydration pack! https://uswe.com

Sage: Dell Precision 5570 Laptop - Sage appreciates the speed and power of this mountain bike video editing machine!  To watch, process, edit and render video from modern 4K action cameras you need a lot of computing power.  Sage appreciates his laptop.  Thank you Dell! https://www.dell.com 

MTB Tip of the Week

Hum or sing a tune while riding flow and jump trails.  Stay connected to the present moment, tame your mind and keep skills unlocked by singing to yourself.  Try it out & let us know if it worked for you and what songs are best!

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/yPQQ7fTF0lg

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 [email protected].  

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Stoke is unlimited and mountain bikers are awesome!  Letting go of judgements on the trail, MTB jump tips, insightful listener comments on ebikes, and bike parks we're excited to visit next!

Are analog bikes going to be a thing of the past? Dan & Sage continue to learn about and debate e-bikes/e-MTBs.  There are so many pros but what about the cons?  Is e-biking really a different sport than analog MTB?  The guys also discuss how certain riders raise the vibe of a ride.  Dan tells his hilarious story about confusing an entire bike park and finally, the guys also dish out some great tips for jumping on your mountain bike. 

Links:

Deborah Leedale-Brown - dlb2-Full Potential Coaching @bikegirldlb

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Dan: His Wife! Dan is grateful to have a wife and partner who understands and supports him.  Lauren encourages Dan's passions (mountain biking!) but more importantly, Lauren is a kind, generous and incredibly thoughtful person.  Dan has so much gratitude to have such a loving, beautiful and supportive partner in this wonderful life.

Sage: Ibis Mojo 3! Sage is so stoked to have his bike back (repaired!) and now that he's clearing some big jumps on his Ibis Mojo 3, he knows with more certainty than ever that he is 100% unlimited on this bike!  Sage has so much gratitude for all the miles of progression he has shared with his Ibis Mojo 3 and he's ready for many more miles of smiles!

MTB Tip of the Week

How to ride wood when it's wet!  When the trail is wet, do your best to hit any wooden features, bridges or roots straight on.  Aim straight ahead to avoid needing to turn or brake on the wet wood.  Hit the wood straight on from the right angle. Commit!  You got this!

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/VlkBvUZE50A

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 [email protected].  

#MTB #MountainBike #eMTB #MTBtips #MTBPodcast

Peak fitness for epic mountain bike rides is essential to feeling good and flowing on the trails! Is easy training in Zone 2 enough to get you ready for your next destination MTB trip?

Dan and Sage debate, "The Loam Ranger" claim that Zone 2 Training on a MTB e-bike is all you need. Are you fit enough to tackle epic rides like the Whole Enchilada or Mag 7? What trails, rides, and bike parks are on your bucket list?  Do you think the reputation of a trail, or a feature, may make it harder ride? Listen to intuition, stack wins, feel confident and unlock your skills! Just like the ladies of the amazing F1RE team! 

Loam Ranger e-bike video:

If you want to learn more about F1RE please visit them at: https://f1remtb.com or check out their Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/f1remtb

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Grateful to see the man that his son Oliver is growing into. Oliver is smart, thoughtful and hard working.  Sage is a proud Pappa to see the obstacles he and his sons have overcome recently.  Mtbing adds positive positive vibes to our lives and our lives add positive vibes to mtbing. We are all connected and we are all unlimited!

Dan: After five consecutive days of mountain biking in oppressively hot weather, Dan reflects on how grateful he is for the dehumidifier in the laundry room! Place shoes, helmet, pack and pads by the dehumidifier after each ride and the gear is dry in the morning! The dehumidifier removes the moisture (and most of the smell!) so Dan is putting on dry shoes and gear for the next ride. Gratitude dehumidifier!

MTB Tip of the Week

Wipe down the stanchions on your dropper post, fork and rear shock before every ride to make sure dirt and grime don’t get dragged down into the internals. 

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Ya4DqIjG6vk

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 [email protected].  

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBtips #MTBPodcast

An e-bike certainly means more laps, more jumps, more drops and more trails, but what are the downsides for us traditional mountain bikers?  Can an e-MTB be used as a tool for progression on your mountain bike? 

Dan & Sage are excited to demo Specialized Turbo Levo e-bikes for 3 days of riding!  The guys use these modern marvels to session jumps and unlock MTB skills!  Day 1 we went to the Trexler Nature Preserve and sessioned the Return of Brian's trail and Jack O Diamonds.  Day 2 and 3 we headed to Mt Penn to hit the Skyline jumps.  The progression we experienced over those 3 days was incredible!!!  But we also noticed some downsides concerning the weight of the bike and power modulation.

So the question is, will Dan & Sage want to buy e-bikes now?!  Listen and find out!  Join the conversation about the benefits and drawbacks. Join the conversation about the benefits and drawbacks of e-bikes at https://www.youtube.com/@RideLaughPodcast or [email protected]

TrailSage video on Specialized Levo 1st Impressions: https://youtu.be/kojuHvACxDM

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Dirtsculpt is an east coast company specializing in designing and building mountain bike trails, pump tracks and bike parks.  Sage talks about his appreciation for the awesome job Dirtsculpt did building the amazing "Skyline" jump trail on Mt. Penn.  Sage has gratitude to have such well-built jumps to ride, session and enjoy!  Thank you Dirtsculpt!! https://dirtsculpt.com/

Dan: Keswick Cycles in Paoli & Specialized Bikes!  Huge thank you to Gary, Corey, Will and the rest of the staff at Keswick Cycles in Paoli.  Keswick Cycles provided the Specialized Turbo Levo e-bikes that Dan & Sage rode and talk about in this episode.  Keswick Cycles is a great shop for all gear and repairs.  They went above and beyond providing these e-bikes for The Ride & Laugh Podcast team!  We also want to thank Specialized Bikes for their demo program.  Thank you Keswick Cycles Paoli & Specialized Bikes!!  https://www.instagram.com/keswickcycle.paoli/

MTB Tip of the Week

Spray your bug repellent on your clothing/gear, not on your skin!  By spraying your helmet, shoulders and hydration pack, the bug spray won't sweat off your skin.  Keep the gnats away with a clean bug spray (essential oils, cedar, etc) and keep the bug spray on you longer by spraying gear & clothing instead of skin! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F5NEF8

Skyline Jump Trail at Mt. Penn: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/skyline-53365/

Specialized Turbo Levo: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/c/eturbolevo

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

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 [email protected].  

#eMTB #MountainBike #eBike #MTBtips #MTBPodcast