What happens when a mountain biker tries moto/dirt bike training for the very first time? This episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast dives into MTB mindset, overcoming fear and resistance, flow state riding, group ride pressure, and how trusting yourself on the trail can completely change your riding experience.

Dan shares lessons from his first moto training session, the guys discuss comparison and peer validation in mountain biking, and Dan tells the painful story of losing his brand-new DJI Neo 2 drone! Plus, they talk Costa Rica MTB trip stoke, progression without pressure, and learning to let go of thoughts that don’t serve you on the trail.

Have you ever felt pressure trying to impress other riders on a group ride?  Anyone tracking drones with air-tags?  Have you tried electric dirt bikes yet? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

Featured Riders:

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

Additional Links:

DBT – https://www.instagram.com/dirtbiketraining

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

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

MTB technique, fear vs. excitement, and trusting your skills — this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast is packed with mountain bike progression, mindset shifts, jumping tips, and aggressive riding confidence! The guys discuss elbows out riding position, bunny hop/J-hop practice, staying dynamic on the bike, and how “just get into it” applies both on the trail and in life.

Dan shares breakthroughs practicing downhill MTB skills on his eMTB, while Sage talks modern vs. older mountain bike geometry after a recent ride on his 2018 Ibis Mojo. Plus: Arizona MTB riding, MTB travel stoke, jump technique, pump track practice, DJI drone fun, and a HUGE Costa Rica MTB trip announcement!

What MTB technique or mindset shift has helped your riding the most lately? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: YouTube! - Sage is incredibly grateful for YouTube and the amazing MTB community built through his YouTube channel, TrailSage. From meeting riders on the trails to connecting with people who discovered new mountain bike trails through his videos, it’s been an awesome experience seeing the MTB community come together. Be sure to check out all the new Arizona mountain biking content now live on the TrailSage channel!

Dan: Emigos Bike Shop! - Dan purchased his new eMTB from Emigos, and both Dan & Sage stopped in the shop multiple times recently for mountain bike repairs and service. The Emigos staff was incredibly helpful, the mechanics were top-notch, and the overall bike shop experience was awesome every time. Highly recommended for mountain bike sales, demos, service, and repairs in the Phoenix area!

MTB Tip of the Week:

Use beverage koozies to cover flat pedals with sharp MTB pedal pins when transporting your bikes! The koozies help protect bike frames from scratches and damage, especially when carrying multiple mountain bikes on a bike rack. Simple, cheap, and super effective!

Featured Riders:

Dan Ackerman – https://www.instagram.com/danackerman8

Additional Links:

Specialized Stumpjumper – https://www.instagram.com/specialized_bikes

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/DjS_o8o9-RI 

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

Ride your ride, trust your skills, and replace negative self-talk with gratitude on this week’s Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast! We dive deep into mountain bike mindset, positive self-talk, flow state riding, confidence on technical terrain, and why we’re all better riders than we think we are when we stop comparing ourselves to others and simply stay present.

In this episode, Dan and Sage recap an epic ride through the granite slabs and slow-speed tech of the Granite Dells in Prescott, talking body position, aggressive riding, jumps, confidence, visualization, abundance, and how MTB skills transfer directly into life. From “The skills are in there” to “Ride Your Ride,” this pod is packed with MTB progression, mental game tips, trail stoke, and mindset shifts for riders of every level.

What negative thought or riding comparison are you currently working through on the bike? And what positive self-talk helps YOU unlock confidence and flow on the trails? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

Featured Riders:

Arturo – https://www.instagram.com/byclas_mtb 

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

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

Learn how to trust your MTB skills and tap into your amazing MTB intuition to find the rhythm of even the gnarliest of trails!  In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, Dan and Sage dive into mountain bike progression, jump technique, aggressive body position, trail confidence, and how trusting yourself helps unlock smoother riding on jumps, tech, and steep terrain.

We talk about why mtb skills practice should still feel fun, how to shift from fear to excitement, and why riding loose and present creates better flow on the trail. From learning proper jump technique to trusting intuition and riding aggressively with confidence, this episode is packed with MTB mindset tips and riding progression insights.

Do you struggle with overthinking on the trail? What helps YOU shift from fear into excitement before a feature, jump, or technical section? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

Featured Riders:

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

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

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

Jump technique breakthrough and no pressure rides take center stage in this fun, mindful mountain biking episode—where dialing in proper jump form meets the freedom of riding with zero expectations. We break down MTB jump tips, body position, step-up jumps, and how letting go of pressure leads to smoother riding, more confidence, and way more fun on the trail.

On this Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast road trip update, Dan shares his huge jump breakthrough (hint: “jump off the ramp like the bike isn’t there!”), while Sage drops coaching gold on safer technique, timing, and why bigger jumps can actually feel easier. From staying present and ditching comparison to practicing MTB skills vs. just riding, this episode is packed with mountain biking progression, mindset shifts, and flow state insights.

What’s your go-to jump mantra or technique—and have you had that “click” moment yet? Do you prefer practicing MTB skills or just getting out and riding for fun? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

Featured Riders:

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

Additional Links:

Josh at Slanted Ground – https://www.instagram.com/slantedground

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

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

Ride with aggressive confidence and unlock your best mountain biking by staying fully present—on the trail and in life. In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, Sage and Dan dive into MTB confidence, overcoming crashes, proper jump technique, and why presence is the ultimate mountain bike skill. 

From Arizona trail riding to conquering fear after a fall, they share mountain biking tips, mindset strategies, and lessons that apply far beyond the bike. 

Do you get more aggressive after a crash, or more cautious? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

Featured Riders:

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

Additional Links:

Goat Camp Trail: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/goat-camp/

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/d8VGy6jY0Qc

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

Why do some mountain bikers love technical climbing while others dread it? In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive into MTB climbing techniques, debating big gear vs granny gear, standing vs seated climbing, cadence vs leg power, and why rocky technical climbs can actually be more fun than smooth fire road grinds. We break down momentum, torque, pedal cadence, traction, and technical climbing strategy, plus how different riders (and even eMTBs) approach steep mountain bike climbs.

What’s your climbing style—sit and spin in an easy gear or stand and hammer a big gear like Sage’s “dinosaur legs”?  Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/FoThr_jx5RI 

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

Dan’s crash and injury update from the Ride & Laugh Across America trip takes center stage in this episode—3 crashes, 15 stitches, and a powerful mindset shift to “everything happens FOR us, not TO us.” We break down each MTB crash, the lessons learned in jumping technique, patience, and trusting the process, plus how mindset, presence, and language shape performance on and off the bike.

Recorded from Dan’s backyard in Arizona, this special episode dives into mountain biking progression, overcoming fear, injury recovery, and the mental side of MTB—from “dead sailor” jumps to rebuilding skills the right way. If you’re into MTB coaching, bike park riding, jump progression, and personal growth, this one’s for you.

What’s your worst crash story—and what did it teach you? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

Featured Riders:

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

Additional Links:

The Rock Yard at Turkey Mountain – https://www.instagram.com/the.rock.yard

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ir-F7P4hOjg

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

Ride & Laugh From the Road | MTB Mindfulness Across America

Dan and Sage record this short, high-vibe episode straight from their awesome vehicle (er, minivan) during their Ride & Laugh Across America MTB road trip.

They reflect on letting go of fitness anxiety, trusting the process, and how confidence and progression naturally build when you stay present and stop forcing outcomes. From discovering incredible new riding spots to lessons learned through crashes and intuition, this episode is all about embracing the moment—on and off the bike.

If you’ve ever stressed about being “ready,” this is your reminder to trust the path and enjoy the ride.

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/vw6eEIi-duw

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

Aluminum vs. carbon mountain bikes—frames and wheels—sparks a lively debate in this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast. We break down which MTB components, suspension, and bike upgrades are actually worth the money, and whether modern budget bike parts, derailleurs, and aluminum rims perform just as well as the more expensive carbon options. From carbon vs aluminum frames and wheels to Kashima coated suspension and asking why pro downhill racers run aluminum rims, we dig into the real performance differences and where your MTB dollars matter most.

What do you think—which mountain bike upgrades are truly worth it and which are just hype?  Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

Links:

Rockshox – https://www.instagram.com/rockshox

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/V7_ytqLMJQ0

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