Talk Gnarly To Me

Things We Wish We Knew When We Started Mountain Biking

Julia and Steph look back on their first rides, early crashes, and the hard lessons that shaped how they ride now. This episode is equal parts beginner advice and real talk about mindset, coaching, fueling, gear, and trail etiquette, with plenty of stories from the messy early days that every new rider can learn from this episode:

• Julia and Steph share their first biking memories, from grassy hills and neighborhood rides to taking an old bike into the woods and getting instantly hooked.

• Steph talks about her very first mountain bike ride on Josh’s oversized Giant and the immediate crash that launched her over the bike onto a rock.

• They both reflect on how crashes shaped their early years, with Steph saying the first two to three years counted as a good ride if she did not crash.

• The conversation breaks down foundational skills that help new riders progress, including level pedals, heavy feet, light hands, eyes up, and using one finger on the brake.

• They explain why riding your own ride matters more than matching faster riders, especially when ego or peer pressure pushes beginners beyond their skill level.

• Nutrition gets a big focus, including why proper fueling before, during, and after rides can prevent bonking, improve performance, and keep rides fun.

• They discuss why trail mix is not always the best ride fuel, and why carbs usually work better during hard efforts.

• Protective gear comes up as a confidence tool, not a badge of legitimacy, with a strong recommendation to buy a proper mountain bike helmet and wear pads if they help you ride better.

• They get into trail etiquette and social etiquette, including why unsolicited advice can be frustrating and why asking if someone wants help should come first.

• Steph shares why coaching can still be valuable even if you ride with better friends, and why learning from coaches with similar body proportions can sometimes make a big difference.

Just a quick note: the views shared in this episode are our own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of our sponsors.

Link to our group ride on 8/8/26

https://facebook.com/events/s/tgtm-intermediateadvanced-begi/1027489750035383/

Instagram:

TGTM

Steph

Julia

Sound Design:

Loui Strum

Our website:

tgtmpod.com

Our email:

[email protected]

Starting NEXT WEEK, all of our episodes will be recorded with our brand new, super fancy (and kind of hard to figure out how to use) microphones!! 🎙️ Thank you for being patient with us as we learn how to make sound work! Your continues support means more to us than you know.

Balancing Mountain Biking and Real Life: Tips for Juggling a Busy Schedule

In this episode, we explore practical strategies for fitting mountain biking into a hectic lifestyle. From managing multiple jobs and family commitments to staying organized and prioritizing self-care, we share insights that can help you make room for riding without feeling overwhelmed.

Key topics - 5-10 bullets

• The importance of structured planning and calendar management for fitting rides into busy weeks

• How living close to trails can save time and increase riding frequency

• The role of meal prep and organization in freeing up time for mountain biking

• Strategies for involving family and communicating your riding schedule to reduce guilt

• The physical and mental benefits of strength training for mountain bikers

• Balancing workout routines with riding days to maximize performance and recovery

• Seasonal and life changes that impact riding frequency, with tips for adaptation

• The value of community support and celebrating small riding wins

• Tips for managing mental health and emotional well-being when life gets stressful

• The importance of rest days and listening to your body's needs

Just a quick note: the views shared in this episode are our own and don’t necessarily reflect the views of our sponsors.

Instagram:

TGTM

Steph

Julia

Sound Design:

Loui Strum

Our website:

tgtmpod.com

Our email:

[email protected]

*We want to thank everyone that has supported our show so far, it means more to us than you know! And we want you to know that we have heard your kind and constructive feedback about our sound, and we officially have new microphones! We are still getting them dialed in, so this episode and the episode we're releasing next Friday will still have our old mics, since they were recorded before we got the new ones, but after that we will have a much clearer and louder sound! Thank you for your patience as we continue to learn how to do this well and strive to improve with every episode we record!*

In this episode of Talk Gnarly to Me, Julia and Steph dive into the ups and downs of mountain biking, including why failure is a necessary part of progress, how to set realistic goals, and what it takes to break out of a riding slump. They also explore how social media can distort the reality of improvement, and why patience, repetition, and smart decision-making matter just as much as raw talent.

• Embracing failure is part of improving and progressing in mountain biking
• Getting out of a riding slump starts with resetting expectations and mindset
• Setting realistic goals helps keep motivation high and progress achievable
• Social media can make progress look cleaner and faster than it really is
• Body position, trail reading, and gear choice all affect riding performance
• Strava can be fun, but competition metrics can also be misleading
• Small milestones like PRs and segment wins build long-term confidence
• Practicing tricky features repeatedly helps simulate race conditions and improve skills
• Trail knowledge and smart gear shifting can make climbing more efficient
• Success in mountain biking comes from patience, repetition, and learning from mistakes

Instagram:

TGTM

Steph

Julia

Sound Design:

Loui Strum

Our website:

tgtmpod.com

Our email:

[email protected]

Discover how group rides foster growth, camaraderie, and discovery in mountain biking. Join Julia and Steph as they share personal stories, safety tips, and insights into building a vibrant biking community.

In this episode:

• 🚵 The significance of group rides for skill development and community building

• 📋 Differences between formal and informal group rides, including leadership and safety considerations

• 🤝 Personal anecdotes on how group riding contributed to riding confidence and friendships

• 🌱 Tips for organizing inclusive rides for all skill levels

• 🗺️ How trail naming and local knowledge enhance ride experience

• ⛑️ Safety essentials: gear, hydration, communication, and trail awareness

• 👋 Opportunities for newcomers: making group rides approachable and welcoming

• 📱 The role of social media and local bike shops in organizing rides

Leave a Review & Subscribe:

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review and subscribe for more insights into mountain biking and community stories. Don't forget to set your downloads to auto for new episodes released every Friday! 

Join the Community:

Follow us on Instagram for polls, upcoming rides, and community updates. Your participation helps us create more exciting, fun, and safe riding experiences for everyone! Enjoy your next ride, and remember, community is the heart of mountain biking!

Instagram:

TGTM

Steph

Julia

Sound Design:

Loui Strum

In this episode, Julia and Steph share practical insights and funny stories about trail etiquette, emphasizing the importance of respectful riding to preserve access and harmony among trail users. Whether you're new or experienced, understanding these principles helps foster community and protects the trails we love.

• 🌲 The significance of trail etiquette in maintaining access and positive relationships with other trail users
• 🐴 Priority rules: horses always yield first, mountain bikers yield to hikers uphill, and proper passing protocols
• ♻️ Leave No Trace principles adapted for mountain biking, including staying on the trail and avoiding rock cairns
• 🚦 Managing trail conditions and closures due to weather, heat, or maintenance
• 😅 Different types of trail users: courteous vs. rude, cheery vs. panicked, and supportive vs. dismissive
• 🩹 Safety tips: keeping headphones out, being prepared with water and first aid supplies
• 🤝 The importance of helping fellow riders in emergencies and supporting a respectful community
• 🚴 Group riding etiquette: punctuality, attitude, lead and sweep roles, and respecting pace variability

If you loved this episode we hope you'll leave us a review, share our show with your MTB bestie, and follow us on Instagram!

Instagram:

TGTM

Steph

Julia

Sound Design:

Loui Strum

Join us for another Episode of Talk Gnarly to Me, today we are talking about all things confidence related. We hope you love listening to this episode, if so please leave us a rating and a review!

🎙️ Confidence grows through intentional skill practice, not just time on the bike.
💪 Practicing specific moves in controlled settings builds real trust in your abilities.
🧠 Overcoming fear creates a mental blueprint that makes future challenges feel more possible.
🚧 Treating failure as part of progress helps turn setbacks into lessons.
👏 Support from your riding community can amplify self-belief fast.
🪞 Recalling past wins is a powerful way to reset your mindset before a tough feature.
🚵 Mountain biking can shift how you see yourself beyond just technical skill.
🔥 Progress on the bike can boost confidence in everyday life too.
🌟 Small victories, like nailing one feature, can change your whole outlook.
🚀 The biggest gains come from pushing through discomfort with consistency.

Follow us on Instagram:

Talkgnarlytome.pod

Steph

Julia

Sound Design:

Loui Strum Music

• How mountain biking shapes friendship networks, especially in new environments like Phoenix and Indiana.
• The balancing act of maintaining mountain biking friendships and non-mountain biking relationships.
• The unique social dynamic of riding in groups, including the roles of sweepers and the supportive community.
• The advantages of riding as a woman and the importance of allies, including supportive men in the sport.
• Navigating fear, safety, and the unspoken support system on the trails.
• How mountain biking contributes to personal confidence and self-acceptance.
• The social aspect of mountain biking, including off-trail activities like dance shows and gatherings.
• Challenges of non-mountain biking events: how riders share their passion and relate to non-mountain biking friends.
• The importance of community online: Facebook groups, local ride events, and social media as tools for connection.
• Encouragement that mountain biking is inclusive and accessible, even for beginners or those curious to try.

• H Bro Facebook Group — Phoenix-area mountain biking community

• Instagram: talkgnarlytome.pod
• Our website: tgtmpod.com

Kick off with us as we introduce ourselves, share our mountain biking journeys, and discuss what makes mountain biking such a gnarly and community-driven sport. Whether you're a seasoned rider or just curious, this episode sets the tone for authentic conversations about bikes, trails, and the lifestyle.

• Personal mountain biking stories from Julia and Steph
• The evolution of mountain biking from curiosity to passion
• The role of community and how to get involved
• Favorite local trails and riding spots
• The challenges and barriers to entry in the sport
• Our motivation for starting this podcast

• Julia's transition from Colorado to Phoenix and her mountain biking origins
• Steph's journey from Indiana to becoming a mountain biker and coach
• The impact of watching Red Bull Rampage and riding with friends
• How mountain biking built confidence and provided mental challenge
• Our insights on local trails like 24th Street and Dragon's Spine
• The importance of community events and encouraging more women to ride
• Bikes we ride: Pivot Mach 6 and Yeti SV 140 and how we chose them
• Behind-the-scenes fun and the dogs' cameo

00:00 - Welcome and podcast introduction
00:43 - Setting up for the debut episode
01:05 - Discussing camera angles and technical setup
01:58 - Our personal mountain biking stories and backgrounds
03:01 - Why we love mountain biking and how we started
04:00 - Julia’s journey from Colorado, Moab, and downhill biking
05:54 - Steph's early experiences and transitioning into mountain biking
07:21 - The influence of Rampage and riding with friends
08:50 - How mountain biking changed our perspectives on injuries and confidence
10:15 - The thrill of races, jumps, and pushing limits
11:40 - Motivational moments and mental resilience in biking
12:33 - The joy of downhill riding and exploring bike parks
13:31 - How mountain biking helps build confidence and mental strength
14:48 - The mindset shift: climbing to enjoy the descent
16:14 - First ride memories together: local trails and heat
17:43 - Favorite trails in Phoenix and trail diversity
19:46 - Community and events to keep the sport alive
20:41 - The unique social and cultural aspects of mountain biking
23:12 - Future episodes focusing on MTB life and community stories
24:40 - Bike setups: Pivot Mach 6 and Yeti SV 140
27:33 - Wrapping up and dog’s signals to end

Thanks for tuning in! Join us next week as we dive into what MTB life really looks like—be prepared for honest stories, tips, and maybe a few epic fails. Until then, stay gnarly and get out there on your bike!