Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast

How do you find MTB Flow State, build confidence, and overcome fear on the trails? We explore whether mountain bike social media inspires us or hurts our confidence, why flow state is all about trust (you can’t think your way into it!), and how letting off the brakes and trusting your skills can make riding faster feel smoother and safer.

Dan and Sage dive into courage vs. fear, MTB visualization, overcoming self-doubt, and why focusing on how far you’ve come can unlock your next level of progression on the bike and in life.

What’s your relationship with speed on the trails? Is riding faster scarier? Is riding slow actually less safe? And does MTB social media inspire you or leave you comparing yourself to others? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Old Lady In A CRV - Sage shares how an older driver slowed him down on a downhill during a road ride, much to his frustration. But at the bottom of the hill was a huge puddle that could have caused a crash if he’d been going full speed! Thank you, slow driver, for an unexpected reminder to let go of judgment and trust that we’re always exactly where we need to be.

Dan: Nick & Chris - Dan is grateful to hear that two friends who suffered serious MTB crashes and injuries will heal without needing surgery! Avoiding surgery reduces stress and means they can focus on recovery and getting back on their bikes. A huge win for both riders!

MTB Tip of the Week:

Indoor bike trainers are great for building MTB fitness or staying strong during an injury. A fan is essential for keeping cool, but adding an inexpensive fan remote makes indoor training even better! Warm up without the fan, then turn it on when you need it. Simple, convenient, and much more comfortable!

Featured Riders:

Ryan Butler - https://www.instagram.com/butlerdoesit76

Additional Links:

Strava - https://www.instagram.com/strava

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/U0HLf7umzuQ

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

How do you find your edge in mountain biking without crashing? We’re talking MTB confidence vs. skill, focusing on riding successes instead of past failures, and practical ways to relax your nervous system so you can ride looser, trust your skills, and tackle challenging trails with confidence! 

Plus, the Red Bull Rampage debate heats up as we discuss bigger features, progression, and Hannah Bergmann’s incredible recovery after a practice-run crash. We share tips for overcoming fear, managing trail anxiety, knowing when to push your limits, and finding that “I got this!” moment without forgetting that mountain biking is all about fun.

What helps you calm your nerves before a scary feature, and do you think confidence or skill matters more? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Adobe Premiere Pro - Sage is grateful for Adobe Premiere Pro, the video editing software that helps him produce the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast every week. Editing both the podcast audio and YouTube video takes a lot of time and effort, and Adobe Premiere Pro is an essential tool in bringing each episode together!

Dan: Bike Stand - A vertical bike stand from Amazon! This handy, wheeled MTB stand stores your mountain bike vertically and makes it easy to move around the garage. For around $40, it's a great deal! Seth from Berm Peak recommended it, and Dan loves how well it works. Check it out here:

MTB Tip of the Week:

Carry tweezers in your MTB pack, especially if you ride in the Southwest or other desert climates! Getting poked by a cactus is bad enough, but removing those stubborn needles without tweezers can be even worse. Dan recently got several cactus needles stuck in his hand, and his trusty tweezers made removal much easier. They're lightweight, inexpensive, and take up almost no space, making them an essential addition to your mountain biking first-aid kit! 

Featured Riders:

Hannah Bergemann - https://www.instagram.com/hannahbergemann

Additional Links:

MTB Action Magazine - https://www.instagram.com/mountainbikeaction

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

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

Cornering tips tested at the bike park! We put berm techniques like strong legs, eyes up, braking control, and “moon the berm” to the test while breaking down what we look for in a pre-ride. Dan takes on the jumps at Big Bear/Snow Summit Bike Park, shares lessons from a pre-ride crash, and talks about getting aggressively centered, building confidence, and putting his jump skills to work. 

We debate the difference between true Flow State and being “In the Zone,” then dive into wall rides, drops, energy management, and why jumps never seem to get easier. What do you think? Is Flow State different from being “In the Zone,” and what’s your favorite pre-ride tip or cornering technique? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Oliver - Sage’s gratitude this week is for his youngest son, Oliver! Sage hasn’t been riding lately and has been feeling a little down about it. Oliver noticed his low energy and offered some awesome advice about being present, grateful, and open to what life brings. Sage was impressed by his son’s thoughtfulness and appreciated the reminder: let yourself be surprised and stay open to receive.

Dan: Joe - Huge gratitude to our buddy Joe for organizing our Big Bear bike park weekend! Joe planned the trip, booked the rental, and did all the driving. He’s an awesome mountain bike rider and an even better dude. We’re grateful for friends who make epic MTB trips happen!

MTB Tip of the Week:

At the bike park, wear a skull cap under your downhill helmet! This tip is especially helpful for bald riders, but it can benefit anyone. If you take your DH helmet off on the chairlift, a skull cap protects your head from the sun and makes it easy to stay covered between runs. It can also help protect sensitive ears from the irritation caused by repeatedly pulling a tight downhill helmet on and off. Dan wore one for three days at the bike park and had zero ear irritation!

Featured Riders:

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

Additional Links:

Big Bear Bike Park - https://www.instagram.com/bigbearmountainresort

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/2CfmnQtiUsE 

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

Refine your MTB visualization technique and unlock new levels of confidence on the trail!  We discuss positive self-talk, confidence vs. skill, front vs. rear braking, and riding with certainty.  Minds are blown watching Mark Matthews take on the insane B-Rage Sesh in Norway and listening to Wes Sends calmly talk his way through The Railyard MTB Park!

We also break down MTB nutrition, diet, fueling vs. fitness, and how healthy eating, fasting, exercise, and an active lifestyle can help you feel better and spend more time riding. From pro-level mountain biking and progression to MTB crashes, mindset, and our new “Listeners Are Awesome!” segment, this episode is packed with mountain bike tips and plenty of laughs. 

What matters more - Confidence Or Skill? Is your struggle on longer MTB rides a fueling problem or a fitness problem? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Water Bottles - Sage is grateful for bike water bottles! It’s easy to take something as simple as a water bottle for granted, but staying hydrated is essential on the mountain bike trail. Sometimes the little things are the most important—and worth appreciating!

Dan: Effortless Being - Dan appreciates Effortless Being by David Bingham, a beautifully written book that really resonates with him. It’s a reminder that we are completely worthy, that life gets better when we stay present, and that we can trust our path. Just like mountain biking, we can’t control every factor on the trail or in life—but we can control how we respond. Let go of the illusion of control, choose your perspective, and enjoy the ride!

MTB Tip of the Week:

If you get lost on a group mountain bike ride, stay where you are! Let the ride leader find you. Staying put makes it much easier for the group to backtrack and locate you, while guessing at turns or intersections can lead you even farther off trail. When in doubt, stop, stay put, and let the group come find you. 

Featured Riders:

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

Additional Links:

Hammer Nutrition - https://www.instagram.com/hammernutrition

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/AGb00x8_gHo

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

eMTB vs. analog, finding the MTB flow state, and why getting older isn’t a limitation; it’s a source of wisdom! Dan and Sage dig into how to enter flow on the mountain bike, trust your skills, stay present, and keep progressing at any age without putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. 

We also talk about MTB progression, clipless pedals, being dynamic on the bike, music on the trails, and why challenge and progression can look completely different from rider to rider. Plus, Dan may have officially earned the title of the world’s greatest Dead Sailor jumper! 

What helps YOU find flow on the bike? Where do you stand on eMTBs vs. analog bikes? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Steve - Sage shares gratitude for our friend Steve, who had a serious crash while riding jumps at Woodward after colliding with another rider mid-air. Steve injured his knee and hip, but there’s plenty to be grateful for: he avoided even more serious injuries, his friend Cooper was there to help, and having an eMTB will make recovery and staying active easier. Steve will come back stronger and better, and this is another reminder to find appreciation in all things. It’s happening FOR us!

Dan: RNL Stickers - Dan gives gratitude for the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast stickers that keep finding their way onto trails, shuttles, and bikes everywhere! One sticker placed front and center on the shuttle at WildSide MTB Park caught Chris DeFranco’s attention, leading him to discover the podcast and become a listener and fan. Chris also shared that his MTB buddy, 'Trolley' is battling Stage 4 prostate cancer, so we’re sending a huge shoutout and lots of positive vibes to Trolley and all the MTB riders in Tennessee. You Got This Trolley!! Anything is Possible!! 

MTB Tip of the Week:

Keep a small bag with a clean change of clothes in your vehicle so you can change after a sweaty mountain bike ride. You’ll be much more comfortable heading out for a post-ride meal with your friends—and you’ll appreciate the clean, dry clothes on the drive home. Simple MTB tip, big difference!

Featured Riders:

Stick - https://www.instagram.com/stephenstoccardo

Additional Links:

The Ride Series - https://www.instagram.com/therideseries

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/XSg8jF4dhIo 

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

Want to lose weight, get stronger, and climb your MTB faster? We dive into MTB weight loss and management, high-carb fueling versus becoming fat-adapted, and practical mountain bike climbing tips to help you ride stronger and feel better on the bike and in life. 

We also tackle the pain cave vs. cramping, overcoming fear after crashes, improving climbing fitness, breathing and heart-rate control, and whether you really need all those gels and sports drinks. Plus, we talk about the wild Les Gets DH race finish, MTB progression, berms, eMTBs, and some hard-earned comeback lessons.

What do you think about high-carb fueling vs. fat adaptation—and would you like us to do a deeper dive into becoming fat adapted for MTB? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Floor Pump - Sage is grateful for his trusty floor pump! He’s had the same pump since he started mountain biking over 15 years ago. The pump finally gave up, but Sage is nothing but grateful for the years of reliable service!

Dan: G-Form X4 Knee Pads - Dan gives gratitude to his G-Form X4 knee pads. These mountain bike knee pads offer excellent coverage, are comfortable to wear, and have protected his knees through multiple crashes! They’re also incredibly durable and still going strong despite taking a serious beating on the trails.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Learn how to ride a MTB berm with confidence and speed! Push your weight into the berm with strong legs and stay connected to the trail. The same technique works on straight rollers: get light, then heavy. In shorter berms, you can really pump the transition, while longer berms make it harder to generate that same pressure. Either way, enter every berm with strong legs and actively push into it to maintain traction, control, and speed.

Featured Riders:

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

Additional Links:

Blue Mountain Bike Park - https://www.instagram.com/bikepark_blue_mountain

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/rQLQKel8ldc 

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

Want to corner your mountain bike faster, smoother, and with more confidence? We test a pro-level MTB cornering tip from Slanted Ground MTB - and it works! We break down steering from the rear wheel, shifting your hips, braking less, and getting more dynamic on the bike to improve cornering, flow, and control.

We also explore the benefits of riding MTB skinnies, drawing from Dean Tennant MTB videos, including balance, commitment, eyes-up riding, bike-body separation, and whether those skills actually transfer to downhill mountain biking.

Plus, we dive into group ride dynamics from the ideal number of riders to keeping up without holding anyone back.  Along the way, we talk schralping, cutties, MTB confidence, flow state, trail intuition, and trusting your skills instead of overthinking every feature.

Do skinnies actually make you a better downhill mountain biker? What’s your ideal group ride size? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Evan from VentureMTB! - Sage was stoked to meet up with Evan and his buddies Max and Dante for an awesome day of mountain biking. Sage gave them a tour of Mt. Penn, and the riding was incredible! Evan has been a Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast listener for a while and has an awesome MTB channel of his own, VentureMTB. It’s always cool connecting with listeners and sharing the trails!  https://www.youtube.com/@VentureMTB

Dan: His wife Lauren! - After celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, Dan is feeling especially grateful for their healthy, supportive relationship. Lauren supports Dan’s mountain biking, podcasting, and everything else in his life. Life is good!  Dan and Lauren also escaped to Flagstaff for the weekend, and it was exactly what he needed. Sometimes the best thing you can do is slow down, get away, and enjoy some quality time together!

MTB Tip of the Week:

Change your perspective! When approaching an intimidating MTB feature, look at it from multiple angles. Especially when a jump or technical feature involves several different moves, seeing it from another angle can completely change your perspective and give you more confidence. The same goes for mountain biking—and life. Change your perspective, trust your skills, and ask yourself: What’s the best that can happen?

Featured Riders:

Dave Davidson at MTB Academy - https://www.instagram.com/mountainbikeacademy

Additional Links:

Adventure Meraki - https://www.instagram.com/merakirides

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

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

The MTB Pain Cave is real! We’re sharing mountain bike climbing tips for managing the mental and physical fatigue that hits during max-effort MTB climbs, tough trails, and steep mountains - when your brain says “STOP!” but you want to reach the top. Learn how to use positive self-talk, mini-goals, motivation, mindset, music, and powerful belief systems to push past limits, finish tough climbs, and become a stronger, fitter, tougher mountain biker. 

Plus, we dive into our favorite motivational riding songs and why the right music can make a huge difference when you’re deep in the pain cave. What’s your best MTB Pain Cave strategy—and what songs belong on the Ride & Laugh Motivational MTB Playlist? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

Links:

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/f_j_VcxvFn0 

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

This week on the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we share an MTB jump tip that immidiately worked for Dan, plus a powerful reminder to focus on thoughts that make you feel good; because MTB progression isn’t linear!  We dive into MTB mindset, mental health, social media breaks, intuition, confidence, and positive self-talk, including why you should “rehearse success, not disaster” both on the bike and in life. 

We also talk single-speed MTB suffering, eMTBs, bike choice, MTB tires, CushCore, trail technique, youth MTB coaching, and the amazing mountain bike community that keeps lifting each other up. 

Have you tried the jump tip of tapping the top of your brake levers instead of brake-checking? Do you run front and rear specific tires?  Any X-Men name ideas for your favorite MTB Podcast hosts!? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Ride and Laugh listeners - Dan appreciates all of you for the encouragement, great MTB tips, and even the rock ’n’ roll stories! This week’s jump tip was awesome, and we love the comments, YouTube engagement, and Apple Podcast reviews. The MTB community is amazing, and Ride & Laugh listeners are even more awesome—thank you for the support!

Sage: Schwalbe Alberts – Sage is showing some serious love for his Schwalbe Radial MTB tires! He’s impressed by how well they hook up on the trail and how long they’ve lasted. Tire choice is personal, but Sage has been seriously impressed with the traction, durability, and performance of these tires.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Running the same tire front and rear? Move your existing front tire to the rear and put the fresh/new tire on the front. Front-tire traction is especially important for cornering, braking, and control, so give your best tire the most important job!

Featured Riders:

Sean - https://www.instagram.com/saguarosingletrack

Additional Links:

Keswick Cycles Paoli - https://www.instagram.com/keswickcycle.paoli

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/4Hs8rZablkc 

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

In this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast, we explore the MTB redemption arc; finding appreciation after injury, learning the lessons life is providing for us, and discovering how tough rides and setbacks can build confidence, gratitude, and resilience.

We also debate the best way to train cardio for mountain biking: is an indoor trainer and structured FTP training more effective, or does riding a road/gravel bike build better fitness and dynamic bike-handling skills for the MTB trails? Plus, we tackle the 1 bike vs. 2 bikes debate, aggressive hardtails, bike setup, MTB injury prevention, crashing, and how to bail safely. 

Do you have a redemption-arc story to share? Where do you stand: indoor trainer or road bike?  Would you rather one 'do it all' bike or multiple bikes for different trails? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or email us at [email protected]

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Everyfun Massage Gun - Sage is grateful for his massage gun! His compact and portable massage gun is great for working out tight muscles and knots after a tough mountain bike ride. It’s targeted, easy to use, and a handy recovery tool to have around.

Dan: Perspective Shift - Dan’s gratitude this week is all about a perspective shift. After several tough weeks of work, he stopped thinking about calls and emails interrupting his MTB rides and started thinking, “Look at my office—it’s the trails!” Instead of having to work between rides, he gets to ride between work. Mountain biking gives us countless opportunities to shift our perspective, practice gratitude, and recognize how things are happening FOR us—not against us.

MTB Tip of the Week:

Activate your hips by pointing your toes where you want to go! It’s a subtle movement, but thinking about turning with your toes can help drive your hips into the turn. The more you move your hips, the better your mountain bike tracks through corners, helping you improve your MTB turning technique and cornering skills.

Featured Riders:

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

Additional Links:

Dave's Mobility Workout - https://youtu.be/KaHX1LbNHFA

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/Xr-QseUw670

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