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

Join Dan and Sage as they break down modern MTB bike fit, dynamic body position, and dive into a fun progression debate: eMTB vs. dirt bike - which one actually levels up your riding faster?  

They also discuss how you can stay positive when you can’t ride, GoPro’s mysterious “lanky filter,” progressive bike parks popping up across the country, and why talking out loud through features can shut down fear and stop the involuntary brake check.

Is your bike fit still working for you, or is it time for an update? And if you had to choose—e-bike or dirt bike for progression—what are you picking and why?  Join the conversation and leave your comments below, or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Howie and Denis - Dan was deeply moved by emails from two listeners, Howie and Denis, who reached out after some especially vulnerable episodes. Their encouragement reminded Dan and Sage how powerful authenticity, emotional honesty, and support—especially among men—can be. We have mountain biking, and we have each other, and that perspective matters. When MTB stops being fun, it can feel like a betrayal—but often it’s just a misunderstanding. We’ve got this.

Sage: Cubist Media - Sage is grateful for his freelance work and the perspective shift it’s given him. Even when the jobs aren’t exciting, they fund riding, bikes, parts, and freedom. Changing “I have to do this” into “I get to do this” makes all the difference. Show up positive and shine your light.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Presta valve tips can easily get clogged with sealant. When you park your bike for the night, leave the valve at the bottom of the wheel so any sealant can drain out. Simple habit, annoying problem solved.

Featured Riders:

Dean Tenant - https://www.instagram.com/deantennantmtb 

Additional Links:

TrailSage Videos - https://www.youtube.com/c/TrailSage

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/g8VBli7y3mE

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

Cold-weather Sage squares off against desert-rider Dan as they discuss the MTB Flannel Snuggies, Trail Tire Inspired Kielbasas, and a Granny Gear Defense absolutely no one asked for!  Laugh along as the guys crack up over tire inserts, mispronouncing Schwalbe, Dan’s painful journey toward higher PSI, and the Ride & Laugh Food Truck featuring the infamous Cream of Chamois Sauce... fermenting at a multi-day stage race near you! 

The fellas spiral into a full debate about Granny Gear, with Dan fiercely defending all grandmas everywhere while Sage insists his karate-trained grannies could still beat Dan’s in a hill climb. It’s pure laughs, real riding, and high-vibe MTB mindset—your weekly trail buddies helping you ride better, think bigger, and have way more fun!  

We wanna know! Do you have 'flip chips' on your bike, and do you ever flip your chip!? Also, what should we name the Ride & Laugh Kielbasa dish? (MTB Themes Only!)  Join the conversation and leave your comments below, or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Spingo Tube!  - Dan picked up a flat on a recent ride and swapped in the ultra-light, bargain-priced Spingo tube from Amazon. Despite its featherweight build, the Spingo held strong through a long, technical, rocky ride. Big props to Spingo—awesome performance, awesome value, and a solid backup to keep in your pack!

Sage: Family! - Sage credits every MTB adventure to the support, love, and patience of family. None of this happens without them. We can’t overstate how much gratitude we have for the people who lift us up—family, friends, and everyone who fuels the fun. Appreciate the love and embrace the connection!

MTB Tip of the Week:

Sage discovered that leaving an item in his online cart sometimes triggers an automatic discount—an easy way to save a few bucks. So next time you’re shopping for bike gear, try the “leave it in the cart” trick and see what happens. And let us know: has this worked for you? Is it a legit MTB money-saving hack?

Featured Riders:

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

Additional Links:

Emigos Bike Shop - https://www.instagram.com/emigosbike

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/IlkGMmIvcq4 

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

Desert rain turns trails into hero-dirt and chaos, and Dan somehow finds the one rain rut big enough to swallow a full-grown mountain biker—3 riders enter, 2 riders leave! The guys break down brake-lever angle mistakes, High/Ready vs. Low/Ready body positions, and why tiny setup tweaks can make a massive difference as features, jumps, and tech get more consequential.

They also map out the Ride & Laugh MTB Timeline—from XC beginnings to the “Age of Sessioning”—and remind riders that progression isn’t linear, sometimes you’re just pulling the bow back before launching forward (or in Dan’s case… firing a harpoon). With listener advice, e-MTB debates, and a community full of compassion, stoke, and zero judgment, this episode dives deep into confidence, presence, and taking the pressure off your riding journey.

Join the conversation! What stage of the MTB Timeline are you in?  What small tweak has made the biggest difference in your riding lately?  Leave your comments/feedback below or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Daughter Summer - Dan is grateful for his relationship with his daughter Summer, especially for the honest conversation and thoughtful advice she shared over their one-on-one breakfast. Kids often bring the most grounding perspectives, and Dan deeply appreciates both his girls. Big gratitude and love to Summer!

Sage: BTW and BAMBA - Sage is giving thanks to the trail advocates at Mt. Penn—Berks Trail Works and BAMBA—for clearing leaves during peak fall chaos in the Northeast. Blowing trails is time-consuming and unglamorous, but it transforms the ride and makes the whole system shine. Mountain bikers love, fix, and maintain their trails, so support your local trail crews!

BAMBA - https://www.instagram.com/berksareamba

MTB Tip of the Week:

Carry Spare Presta Valve Cores!  Valve cores can clog with sealant or break at the worst times, so always stash a spare in your pack. A tiny valve-core tool makes removal and installation quick and easy—small gear, big peace of mind.

Presta Valve Core Removal Tool: https://amzn.to/4op4mPq (Affiliate Link)

Featured Riders:

Lauren Adams - https://www.instagram.com/laurenadamsloves_life

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/mLAuK1fClQM 

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

On this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast, Dan and Sage dive straight into the good stuff—bash guards, brake rub, bar width, flip chips, bike fit, and why riding loose, centered, and chin-forward unlocks real MTB control. They mix legit skill breakdowns with hilarious trail moments, from climbing fails and emotional resilience to enduro mindset debates and discovering a group of javelinas is called a “Squadron.”

The guys also unpack crashes, line choice, bouncing for traction, and the ups and downs of progression. Packed with MTB tips, mindset gems, and plenty of laughs, this episode delivers trail stoke from start to finish.

Also, let us know where you have your brake levers positioned, and if you ride elbows wide or elbows back?!  Leave your comment/feedback below or email us at [email protected]. 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Sticks & Stones Trail Co. - Dan is fired up about Sean from Sticks & Stones Trail Co.—a trail-building legend who lives and breathes MTB. Sean and his crew built, "The Local," which is a free bike park for their community, and it’s pure gold for riders of all levels. Huge gratitude for people who build trails, build stoke, and make mountain biking better for everyone!

Sage: X-Alp Summit MTB Shoes - Sage is loving his new Pearl Izumi MTB shoes! After reviewing a complimentary pair and getting 1.5 years of hard use, he bought another pair with his own money. That's a legit endorsement!. Big shoutout to Pearl Izumi for gear that actually survives Sage’s riding. Check out Sage's full review on the YouTube channel, TrailSage! https://youtu.be/ta6eUvCA4os

MTB Tip of the Week:

Sage breaks out a handlebar prop and wants to know: Where do YOU run your brake levers? Even more interesting—are your elbows up (out) or back (in)? It feels natural to keep elbows up, but we’ve noticed pros running elbows back for more control and stability. Which style do you ride?

Featured Riders:

Matt Jones - https://www.instagram.com/mattjonesmtb

Additional Links:

Hawes Enduro Race - https://www.instagram.com/mbaaraceseries

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/guBdC7Sk3wg 

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