In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive deep into the benefits of becoming a fat adapted athlete—riding fasted, steady power delivery, weight loss, improved metabolic health—and why most mountain bikers don’t need constant carbs, gels, and sugar to perform. We also explore the power of consuming positive media vs. negative media, the mindset shift of listening to podcasts at 1x speed vs. 2x speed, and how slowing down might actually help you get more from less.

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Podbean - The service Ride and Laugh uses to distribute the podcast, Podbean, does an outstanding job getting each episode out to listeners. Sage is grateful for the incredible technology that allows us to record a simple conversation and instantly share positive energy with riders around the world—while also building new friendships along the way.

Dan: Lauren (his wife) - Dan is filled with gratitude that his wife, Lauren, received a clear PET scan after a long battle with cancer. The experience reminded the Fields family to live life at 1x speed—be present, appreciate every moment, and focus on thriving rather than surviving. We don’t live forever, but while we’re here, let’s see how good life can get.

MTB Tip of the Week:

There are two main types of mountain bike cleats from Shimano. The SH-51 cleats release at a single angle, while the SH-56 cleats allow multi-directional release, making them easier to unclip. Beginners often prefer the SH-56 for confidence and safety, while experienced riders may favor the more secure feel of the SH-51—so be sure to check which cleat type you’re buying.

Shimano Cleats SH-51 https://amzn.to/3OwYoQ9 (Affiliate Link) 

Featured Riders:

Rob Drew - https://www.instagram.com/therobdrew

Additional Links:

RNL Road Trip Map - https://maps.app.goo.gl/P4UwRRMQNgjB3U7W8

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/OBDeaCwL2oE 

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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].

As an Amazon Associate we 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!

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Does strength training help on the mountain bike? In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive into this question as well as the flat vs. clipless pedal debate, optimal mountain bike handlebar width, and highlights from the Hawesfest MTB Festival - plus tips to improve flow, jumping, and trail performance.

We break down whether learning to ride flat pedals actually builds better MTB technique, how to measure the perfect handlebar width, and what we learned shredding Arizona’s Hawes trails. Packed with MTB training tips, bunny hop/J-hop technique talk, fitness insights, and rider gratitude moments, this episode is all about progressing while having fun.

We wanna know: Do you do any strength training, and does it help? Do you ride flats, clipless, or both—and how did it change your riding? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Shelly - Sage appreciates our friend Shelly. While it was too cold to ride, Shelly suggested getting outside for a hike and breakfast, and it made a big difference. Fresh air, sunshine, and movement with a friend were exactly what Sage needed—sometimes friends really do know best. And yes, Dan admits he was a little jealous of the amazing breakfast Sage and Shelly enjoyed. Thank you, Shelly!

Dan: Sage - Dan is grateful for Sage’s support. After a streak of falls and a dip in confidence, Sage helped lift Dan up and reminded him of the rider he is. Their friendship goes both ways—recently Dan helped Sage shift out of a negative trail mindset in a positive, encouraging way. Together, they’re excited to keep spreading positivity and the “Ride and Laugh” mentality.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Dan has been impressed with how well some scars have healed while using a tallow-based moisturizer. Rich in vitamin E and natural antioxidants, tallow helps soothe, protect, and support skin recovery. For mountain bikers collecting trail scars, it’s a simple option to help moisturize and care for your skin.

Tallow Skincare https://amzn.to/4rDDVHD (Affiliate Link) 

Featured Riders:

Jeff Lenosky - https://www.instagram.com/jefflenosky 

Additional Links:

Nathan at Ride Reactive - https://www.instagram.com/ride.reactive

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ziy1OSATd6A

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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].

As an Amazon Associate we 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!

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Does strength training help on the mountain bike? In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive into this question as well as the flat vs. clipless pedal debate, optimal mountain bike handlebar width, and highlights from the Hawesfest MTB Festival - plus tips to improve flow, jumping, and trail performance.

We break down whether learning to ride flat pedals actually builds better MTB technique, how to measure the perfect handlebar width, and what we learned shredding Arizona’s Hawes trails. Packed with MTB training tips, bunny hop/J-hop technique talk, fitness insights, and rider gratitude moments, this episode is all about progressing while having fun.

We wanna know: Do you do any strength training, and does it help? Do you ride flats, clipless, or both—and how did it change your riding? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Shelly - Sage appreciates our friend Shelly. While it was too cold to ride, Shelly suggested getting outside for a hike and breakfast, and it made a big difference. Fresh air, sunshine, and movement with a friend were exactly what Sage needed—sometimes friends really do know best. And yes, Dan admits he was a little jealous of the amazing breakfast Sage and Shelly enjoyed. Thank you, Shelly!

Dan: Sage - Dan is grateful for Sage’s support. After a streak of falls and a dip in confidence, Sage helped lift Dan up and reminded him of the rider he is. Their friendship goes both ways—recently Dan helped Sage shift out of a negative trail mindset in a positive, encouraging way. Together, they’re excited to keep spreading positivity and the “Ride and Laugh” mentality.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Dan has been impressed with how well some scars have healed while using a tallow-based moisturizer. Rich in vitamin E and natural antioxidants, tallow helps soothe, protect, and support skin recovery. For mountain bikers collecting trail scars, it’s a simple option to help moisturize and care for your skin.

Tallow Skincare https://amzn.to/4rDDVHD (Affiliate Link) 

Featured Riders:

Jeff Lenosky - https://www.instagram.com/jefflenosky 

Additional Links:

Nathan at Ride Reactive - https://www.instagram.com/ride.reactive

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ziy1OSATd6A

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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].

As an Amazon Associate we 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!

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Power vs weight, big battery vs range extender, full-power vs lightweight eMTB — we dive deep into the eMTB debate, plus why clean eating for mountain bikers matters even if you ride hard and feel “fit.” We also break down how to flip negative thoughts into a winning streak mindset, build confidence, and keep stacking wins on and off the trail.

We want your take: eMTB - Big Battery Range or Light Weight Machine? Do you justify eating junk food because you're fit? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Keswick Cycles - Sage gives a big shoutout to John at Keswick Cycles for a full suspension tune-up and replacing a scratched stanchion on his rear shock. John is a top-notch MTB mechanic, and the bike is now dialed, smooth, and ready to rip. Fresh suspension = more speed, more control, and more stoke.

Dan: Chris Strange - Dan is grateful for an awesome listener email from Chris, sharing how much he and his son Sam love the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast. Even better, Sam was inspired by the pod to join an MTB team — huge kudos for stepping up, riding bikes, and pushing limits with his Dad. We’re stoked to see great MTB parents supporting their kids and growing the next generation of riders. The future of mountain biking is bright!

MTB Tip of the Week:

Winter is the perfect time to dial in your MTB for spring. Bike shops are less busy, which means more attention to detail and faster turnaround. It’s also the ideal season for big maintenance jobs like full suspension service, bearing checks, and drivetrain refreshes — so when the trails dry out, you’re ready to ride fast and confident.

Featured Riders:

Sherry at Emigos - https://www.instagram.com/sherry.moore.123

Additional Links:

TrainerRoad - https://www.instagram.com/trainerroad

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/H9pSBUHt4p0

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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

Flats or clipless pedals—which really help your MTB skills, confidence, and progression? We break down the real benefits of flat pedals vs clip-in pedals, plus introduce the MTB Yearbook of Stoke—a simple way to zoom out, track your wins, and remember just how capable you really are.

This episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast dives into traction techniques for snow, rain, and bad conditions, confidence after mistakes, pedal panic on downhills, enduro shoes, knee & elbow pads, and how Pro Downhill Racers choose flats or clips for speed and control. We also talk mindset, releasing expectations, writing down ride wins, MTB as therapy, and why flow on the bike leads to flow in life.

We wanna know! Flats or clipless—and why? Also, do you track your ride wins, or should you start your own MTB Yearbook of Stoke? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Keswick Cycles & Mark - Sage is grateful for the awesome crew at Keswick Cycles Paoli. While struggling to mount a notoriously difficult fat bike tire, Mark from VeloFix just happened to stop by (he used to work at Keswick). Seeing Sage and Mike battling the tire, Mark jumped in and had it mounted in no time. A perfect reminder of how great bike shops—and great bike mechanics—really are.

Dan: Family - Dan’s mom recently visited from Pennsylvania, and he’s incredibly grateful for the support she—and his entire family—give him in mountain biking and in life. Having family behind what you love makes everything better.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Sage swears by chemical toe warmers—not just in his shoes, but in his gloves too. Even though they’re called toe warmers, he prefers them over hand warmers because they’re thinner and have a mild adhesive, making them easy to stick to the top of your glove. Simple, warm, and effective.

Featured Riders:

AJ - https://www.instagram.com/aj_mtbrealtor

Additional Links:

Ride Concepts - https://www.instagram.com/ridecncpts

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/AwCIS86k21k

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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].

As an Amazon Associate we 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!

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Learn a powerful MTB intuition hack (when to listen and when to wait), why speaking out loud while riding sharpens your trail-brain, and why we’re sending massive gratitude to Brian at BKXC for shaping modern mountain biking stoke. 

In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we break down intuition vs ego (statements vs questions), patience on big features, stacking wins after crashes, desert riding tips, wind awareness, and how presence on the bike changes everything. We also cover suspension errors, traction timing, bouncing technique, front-wheel weighting in loose terrain, route-building artistry, listener corrections, and classic MTB debates like bunny hop vs J-hop. Fun, honest, and packed with mountain biking skills, mindset, progression, confidence, and trail wisdom—listen or watch now on YouTube and podcast platforms.

We wanna know! What tricks do you use to keep your ego in check? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: BKXC - Brian of BKXC has decided to stop making POV MTB videos on YouTube, and Sage and Dan want to share huge gratitude for everything Brian created. His content was relatable, fun, and made us feel like we were right there on the ride discovering new trails with him. Brian also inspired countless creators—including Sage—by taking a leap, quitting his job, and fully following his MTB passion. Thank you, Brian, for taking the risk, chasing your dream, and adding so much stoke to mountain biking.

Dan: Slanted Ground - Dan is grateful for the YouTube videos from Josh at Slanted Ground. Every video is relatable, uniquely explained, and always offers something Dan can apply directly to his riding. Josh has a way of breaking things down that just clicks. Plus, his company Slanted Ground makes awesome gear—go support them and rep the stoke.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Sage’s favorite winter MTB jacket is old, and when the zipper stopped working, it was a major bummer—until a little T9 chain lube saved the day. A small drop on the zipper and it worked like new. If you’ve got a sticky zipper, try adding a little grease before giving up on it.

Featured Riders:

Chris Huffmire - https://www.instagram.com/adrnln_jnke

Additional Links:

Ride Reactive Gear: https://www.ridereactive.com/

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/_yEpA8-bGCw 

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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

In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, Sage shares an inspiring jump story about trusting his skills, listening to his intuition, and riding with confidence—regardless of what others are saying. By focusing on his strengths and building his own line, he unlocks smoother jumps, better flow, and a powerful mindset for MTB progression.

The guys also dive into bouncing vs. pumping technique, traction, frozen dirt, visualization, and how confidence on the trail translates to better riding everywhere. Add in laughs about tire pressure, enduro racing, bike parks, and gratitude, and this episode delivers mountain bike skills, mindset, motivation, and pure stoke.

We wanna know! How do you stay focused and block out negative energy? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Lacie Rugged Hard Drive - Every year, Sage starts a fresh digital hard drive to store all his mountain bike footage, Ride & Laugh Podcast content, and TrailSage edits. He’s grateful for his LaCie hard drive and fired up to fill it with epic MTB memories throughout 2026.

Dan: His daughter Summer - Dan is grateful for following his intuition and skipping a group ride to take his daughters mountain biking instead. It turned into an awesome day on the trails, and he was stoked to see his daughter Summer riding confidently, having fun, and even using MTB lingo by the end of the ride. Moments like this remind us how far we’ve come as riders and how special it is to help others discover the joy of mountain biking. As Sage points out, the mindset tips we share apply at every level—from massive gap jumps to first rides on green trails: stay centered, eyes up, keep the wheels rolling, you got this.

MTB Tip of the Week:

When airing up your rear shock, add an extra 8–10 PSI to account for air loss when removing the shock pump. That way, once the pump comes off, your shock pressure will be dialed perfectly for the trail.

Featured Riders:

Jeff Winsor - https://www.instagram.com/jwinsor20

Additional Links:

Frederick Watershed Enduro Race - https://www.instagram.com/the_shed_enduro

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/q-Ee_uTwUw4

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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].

As an Amazon Associate we 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!

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Ever finish a ride and think, “I earned this entire buffet”?  This episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast dives deep into MTB eating habits, fasting, sugar crashes, and why “I rode today so I’m going to stuff my face” might be the ultimate mountain bike eating disorder.

We also break down riding loose, pumping and bouncing the trail for more traction and flow, J-hop technique (jump like a jaguar!), and how getting heavy/light on the bike unlocks speed, grip, and confidence. Add in mindset tips, hilarious listener stories, and a reminder that the skills are already in there, you just need to unlock them!  You got this!

We wanna know! Do you struggle more with post-ride eating?  Are you working on staying loose and flowing on the trail? Join the conversation and leave your comments below, or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Trail Builders – Sage is grateful for all the local trail builders putting in the work behind the scenes. On a recent ride, he discovered several new features and was reminded that someone out there is spending real time and effort building trails and creating progression. Huge thanks to the riders building and shaping trails at Smedley and all our local trail systems! 

Dan: Hawes Trail Alliance - Dan is incredibly grateful to the Hawes Trail Alliance. The HTA has done amazing work improving the trails, adding jumps, and even building a new (and awesome) parking lot. Their dedication makes riding better for everyone. Please consider donating to the HTA and/or to your local trail builders and advocates everywhere.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Keep a shock pump handy. Air shocks can lose PSI at any time, and having the right pump can completely save your ride. A shock pump also lets you fine-tune your suspension, so your mountain bike feels dialed and ready to rip.

Fox Digital Shock Pump https://amzn.to/4qsPnGd (Affiliate Link) 

Featured Riders:

Ethan - https://www.instagram.com/hensmtb

Additional Links:

Hawes Trail Alliance - https://www.instagram.com/hawestrailalliance 

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/_IACz8LRNl0 

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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].

As an Amazon Associate we 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!

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Happy New Year from the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast! Dan and Sage dig into the difference between MTB goals vs. expectations, how riding with presence fuels progression, and why judging riders (or ourselves) only holds us back.  The guys reflect on 2025 wins—from fitness gains and confidence on the bike to better mindset and less judgment—while setting 2026 MTB goals like more presence, flat pedals, travel, racing, and continued progression. 

Packed with mountain bike mindset, confidence, progression, eMTB discussion, jumping, and gratitude for the Ride & Laugh community, this episode is all about building momentum and trusting the process.  

What are some of your 2026 goals? Can snow sports like skiing and snowboarding make mountain bikers more comfortable with jumping? Join the conversation and leave your comments below, or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan & Sage: The Ride and Laugh Community - For the final gratitude of 2025, the guys send massive thanks to the incredible Ride & Laugh listeners. Everyone who listens, downloads, comments, emails, shares, and supports the pod is what makes this community so special. Ride & Laugh has become a place for positive vibes, encouragement, and shared stoke—and we’re beyond grateful. Thank you all… the sky’s the limit!

MTB Tip of the Week:

Tag #RideAndLaugh in your social posts and share your rides with Dan, Sage, and the Ride & Laugh community. Help spread the podcast and connect with riders who are supportive, positive, and stoked—because that’s what this community is all about. Abundant good vibes! 🤘 @RideAndLaughPodcast

Featured Riders:

Nathan at Ride Reactive - https://www.instagram.com/ride.reactive

Additional Links:

"Cased" MTB Pads - https://www.instagram.com/ridecased

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/LyKfb13IC9c

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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

Crash recovery, mountain bike confidence, mindset, presence, and letting go of negativity take center stage on the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast where we talk MTB progression after crashes, riding without fear, mental toughness, flow state, and why we don’t believe in jinxes (only winning streaks).

We dive into mountain bike setups, enduro bikes, confidence-building handlebar changes, tire pressure experiments, Pivot Firebird and Specialized Stumpjumper talk, plus why being present on the trail makes you a better rider (and happier human).

What’s your go-to mountain bike right now, and would you trade climbing speed for downhill confidence?  Join the conversation and leave your comments below, or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Jeff Winsor - Dan is incredibly grateful that his riding buddy, Jeff Winsor, is alive and well after a serious crash. Jeff went off a steep, rocky ledge lined with loose rock and cactus, flipping three times before landing safely on a rock. His bike flew another 15 feet but luckily stopped before tumbling down the mountain; an outcome everyone is deeply thankful for.

Sage: Dakine Bike Roller Bag - Sage is very grateful for the Dakine MTB bike bag he received as a holiday gift from Dan & Lauren.  The bag opens the door to more MTB travel—starting with Arizona and hopefully many more riding destinations. The bag is lightweight, well-reviewed, and perfect for flying with a bike.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Sage shares a winter riding tip he learned from Ethan: wear a thin medical or rubber glove under your summer gloves to stay warm in freezing conditions. Dan and Sage aren’t fully convinced it’s comfortable, but agree it’s a clever emergency cold-weather hack—throw a pair of cheap rubber gloves in your pack just in case!

Featured Riders:

Steve at Bent Spokes - https://www.instagram.com/bentspokesmtb

Additional Links:

Pivot Firebird - https://www.instagram.com/pivotcycles

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

The Ride and Laugh MTB 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].

As an Amazon Associate we 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!

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips