Mountain Bike group ride dynamics have unspoken rules! How do you know where to “slot” yourself in the pack on trail rides? This episode is jammed full of jokes, but also packed with real technique gold. Sage learns a mind-blowing MTB jump tip! The result? More arc, more control, more style — and way less sketch. Sage’s whole jumping philosophy gets flipped, and yours might too.

The fellas also discuss flip chips, pedal strikes and log over/lift techniques (Hint: The J-Hop may be the key!). Sage demoed the beastly new Specialized Levo 4 and Dan fell into the Salt River! Listen for a great mix of laughs, insights, and the joyful struggle of becoming a better rider!

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Jeff Winsor - Huge thanks to Jeff Winsor for organizing an epic day — mountain biking and stand-up paddleboarding on the Salt River near Phoenix! From ripping trails to relaxing on the water, it was the perfect balance of stoke and chill. Grateful for the good rides, good vibes, and good friends. Thanks, Jeff!

Sage: Will from Keswick Cycles - Will hooks Sage up with a demo of the all-new Specialized Levo 4 — and it does not disappoint. Huge thanks to Will and the Keswick crew for the opportunity! The more Sage rides e-mountain bikes, the more he sees their potential — and the Levo 4 blew him away with its power, precision, and insane customization

MTB Tip of the Week:

Tubes Helping Tubes! Tired of flats with tubes? Cut up an old inner tube and use it as DIY rim tape — a quick, cheap fix that helps protect against punctures from the inside out!

Featured Riders:

Ryan - https://www.instagram.com/wrolb/ Will - https://www.instagram.com/will_costa_25/ Shelly - https://www.instagram.com/o.hey.shell/

Additional Links:

Specialized - https://www.instagram.com/specialized_mtb Stumpjumper - https://www.specialized.com/us/en/stumpjumper-15-pro/p/4221403 Turbo Levo 4 - https://www.specialized.com/us/en/turbo-levo-4-expert/p/4218704 Keswick Cycles Paoli - https://www.instagram.com/keswickcycle.paoli/ Phoenixville Bike Park - https://www.instagram.com/phoenixvillebikepark

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/N9y7i0kUxA4

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 rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Ever ridden an “illegal” mountain bike trail? Has one of your favorite trails or features been recently shut down? How do we deal with closures and rogue trail building? This week, we dive into the wild world of mountain biking’s gray areas — from rogue builds and red tape to trail shutdowns and the passionate advocates fighting to keep the stoke alive. Whether it’s sketchy lines or battles over building rights, we’re covering all things MTB, on and off the map.

Plus, the boys explore more MTB topics on this episode — from brainstorming Strava titles mid-ride to chasing flow and letting go of expectations. Dan and Sage get real about self-worth, fear, music, body position, and finding freedom on two wheels. It’s all about trusting your skills, riding with intention, and maybe… building a new bike park for every trail that gets shut down!

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Shoutout to listener Jason - Jason took inspiration from the R&L podcast and crushed a gnarly tech climb he once thought was impossible. The skills were there all along — he just had to believe it. We got this. You’re stronger than you think, and Jason’s proving it out on the trails!

Sage: Big thanks to Keeton and Jose - two super skilled riders who shared tips and trail wisdom with Sage at Blue Mountain Bike Park. Riding behind talented folks takes the guesswork out of the game. Just trust the speed, trust your skills… you’ve got this!

MTB Tip of the Week:

When the trail’s muddy, ride through it, not around it. Getting your bike (and legs) dirty is way better than widening the trail by going off-path. Trust us, land managers and trail builders will thank you!

Featured Riders:

Arturo - https://www.instagram.com/byclas_mtb Jeff Jackson - https://www.instagram.com/jeffjacksonmtb Jeff W - https://www.instagram.com/jwinsor20 Keeton https://www.instagram.com/rideandshred Jose https://www.instagram.com/jose_el_tp_chavez

Additional Links:

Hawes Trail Alliance https://www.instagram.com/hawestrailalliance Berks Trail Works https://www.instagram.com/berkstrailworks Bamba https://www.instagram.com/berksareamba Frederick Watershed https://www.instagram.com/frederickwatershedtrails Blue Mountain Bike Park https://www.instagram.com/bikepark_blue_mountain Phoenixville Bike Park - https://www.instagram.com/phoenixvillebikepark

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

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 rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

Raise the collective vibe, confidence, stoke and progression on your next mountain bike group ride! Learn tips to maximize fun on the trails when riding with mountain bikers of all levels. Whether you're the fastest, slowest or somewhere in between, let go of judgement, find your flow and appreciate the progression that is coming!

The guys discuss riding in difficult conditions like rain and dust. Dan explains the gnarly trails at Sunrise Bike Park while Sage's incredible jump progression continues on his Dirt Jumper at PhxvBP. How does Sage push such a big gear on steep climbs? What are the best MTB Enduro Shoes and MTB Chest Protectors? Keep the wheels rolling this week with all the fun, gratitude, appreciation and joy of mountain biking! You're not the rider you think you are... you're better!

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Sage: Anthony, Shelly and Jess - Sage contemplates pursuing MTB Coaching and his gratitude this week are friends who encourage and inform! Sage appreciates his friends Anthony, Shelly and Jess for encouraging him to follow his passion and answer all his questions about coaching. Anything is possible!

Jess Buch - https://www.instagram.com/buchbikes Shelly at Fire - https://www.instagram.com/o.hey.shell

Fox Union Shoes - Dan has been really impressed with his Fox Union shoes. They are very comfortable, stiff for pedaling, easy to walk in and seem sturdy so far! The BOA closure system has been resilient and has a lifetime guarantee (which Dan has used!). Thank you Fox for making an excellent enduro shoe!

Fox Union Shoes - https://amzn.to/4jxewLu (affiliate link)

MTB Tip of the Week:

Sage keeps a small tool/tackle box in the car with all the random bolts he's collected throughout the years. Keeping bolts is easy, small and will often come in handy! MTB Hoarding can be a good thing!

Featured Riders:

Jeff Winsor - https://www.instagram.com/jwinsor20 Arturo - https://www.instagram.com/art_tours_mtb Keeton - https://www.instagram.com/rideandshred Joe Mullins - https://www.instagram.com/_mojoe_ Justin from Tucson - https://www.instagram.com/justindietrich50 Slanted Ground - https://www.instagram.com/slantedground Sploosh MTB - https://www.instagram.com/sploosh_mtb Brian on a Bike - https://www.instagram.com/brian_on_a_bike

Additional Links:

Sunrise Bike Park - https://www.instagram.com/sunriseskiaz Phoenixville Bike Park - https://www.instagram.com/phoenixvillebikepark Troy Lee Design Rockfight - https://amzn.to/3ZfdZXn (affiliate link) Leatt Reaflex - https://amzn.to/3SzQnsB (affiliate link) Fax Baseframe Pro - https://amzn.to/4mM0XdI (affiliate link) G-Form MX MTB Spike Chest & Back Shirt - https://amzn.to/4kUe3Eh (affiliate link)

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/EimE5wd6UI4

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!

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 rideandlaugh1@gmail.com.

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips