Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast

Ride Dynamic, Fist Bump vs. Handshakes, Pump Track Skills, Hip Hinge & More! [RNL S1, Ep 57]

When you're open, present, and centered on the mountain bike, all your skills will flow effortlessly.  Use your excitement to be active and dynamic on the bike as you confidently ride all the jumps, drops, tech, steeps, skinnies and climbs.

Settle the debate... mountain bike fist bump vs. hand shake (or bro-hug!)?   Are some features visually misleading or actually harder to ride?  Dan 'focuses on not focusing' in order to enter the mountain bike flow state!  Sage rides awesome trails in Virginia such as Ragged Mountain, Western Slope and O Hill.  Callouses are normal for mountain bike hands (though storing them in a jar is still not normal!). 

Dan commits to trying RevGrips on his DJ!  Don't burn out your quads on the MTB downhill with a proper 'hip-hinge.'  Can smaller jumps actually be harder than bigger jumps?  Overcoming crash memories on Sunset Ridge Trail at Hawes.  Trying Continental Kryptotal tires and discussing loose terrain riding technique.  Join us for all the high vibes, encouragement, laughs and fun!  We appreciate you!

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Dan: DJI Osmo Action Mini Extension Rod - Dan is grateful for this pocket-sized extendable tripod made specifically for the DJI Action Camera.  With this nifty tripod in his pocket, Dan is able to record extra B-roll for the podcast. The tripod is small, light and super easy to use!  Gratitude DJI!  DJI Tripod - https://amzn.to/3R7Ik5n (Affiliate Link)

Sage: Sage's MTB friend in Virgina, Pili Pardo! - Pili invited Sage to MTB in Virginia for a weekend and it was a welcome break and ton of fun. Gratitude to Pili and MTB friends everywhere.  Mountain bikers are awesome, MTB travel is awesome and we are all unlimited!

MTB Tip of the Week:

Carry a Chain Quicklink! - Save a ride with this simple solution!  Carry a spare chain link, aka 'quick-link' in your pack.  These clever chain links are designed to quickly and easily repair your chain trailside!  Quicklinks are inexpensive, light and easy to carry.  Stash a couple in your pack now & thank yourself later! SRAM Eagle PoweLock / Quicklink - https://amzn.to/4huujtk  (Affiliate Link)

Featured Riders:

Harlan Price "Take Aim Cycling" - https://www.instagram.com/takeaimcycling/
Justin - https://www.instagram.com/mynameiscalleddisturbance
Pili Pardo  - https://www.instagram.com/pilipardo
Endeavor Cycles - https://www.instagram.com/endeavor_cycles

Additional Links

Callous Performance - https://amzn.to/41JakBd (Affiliate Link)
RevGrips - https://www.instagram.com/revgrips
Contintal Kryptotal MTB Tires - https://amzn.to/3FonNan (Affiliate Link)
O Hill - https://www.trailforks.com/region/observatory-hill-17238/
Western Slope - https://www.trailforks.com/region/western-slope-19618/
Ragged Mountain - https://www.trailforks.com/region/ragged-mountain-natural-area/

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/xz6Al-eVf0k

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

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.

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!

Drop Your MTB Limits, Set Bold Goals, Add New Skills, Thrive at Enduro Races & More! [RNL S1, Ep 56]

We are what we believe we are so let's CHOOSE to believe that anything is possible on a mountain bike!  Your Passion for mountain biking will reveal your true talent for riding bikes on trails with all the cool jumps, drops, tech and features you can imagine! 

Sure, hikers and other non-riders may think we're nuts but that's fine with us!  We are shifting our mindset to "YES" for anything on a mountain bike (and in life!).  Join the guys in selecting your next mountain bike skill to learn, debate flat pedals vs. clips and learn how to refine bike jumping techniques.  Also discussed this week, why mountain bikers are better athletes than you may think, more evidence that the mountain bike community is awesome, prime enduro race vibes, National Trail in Arizona and more! 

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Lyte Show Travel Packets! - In case of dehydration... do a shot of pure electrolyte liquid!  The perfect combination of salt and minerals. Dan appreciates being able to drink this electrolyte shot directly. Especially in the heat of the Arizona desert! These Lyte Show packets are great for travel but even better for hot weather mountain biking!  LyteShow Packets - https://amzn.to/3DsfcTt (Affiliate Link)

Sage: Reading Glasses! - Sage appreciates his reading glasses!  With the 'readers,' Sage can now read and write in his gratitude journal.  Manifesting MTB Progression, joy & stoke!  If you're having trouble with anything... it's OK to accept help! Surrender to the moment and see that the answers may be closer than you realize!  

MTB Tip of the Week:

Sunglass travel wipes! - As the weather thaws, Sage has noticed mud splattering onto his riding glasses.  These inexpensive sunglass wipes are a great way to clean your glasses, sunglasses or mountain biking goggles of mud.  They work equally well in the summer for sweat and debris!  Some wipes even have an anti-fog element to them for added utility! ZEISS Pre-Moistened Lens Cleaning Wipes - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0030E4UIQ

Additional Links: 

RevGrips - https://revgrips.com/
SuperRider - https://www.youtube.com/@SuperRiderTV
Red Bull Hardline Tasmania 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT2CF0B-7cc

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/5s03rNU8lpU

#MTB #MountainBike #MTBPodcast #MTBtips

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.

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 Hardest MTB Feature, Intuition, RevGrips, DJ vs Gravel Bikes, and More! [RNL S1, Ep 55]

Certain MTB features are visually unsettling and can get stuck in our heads!  The dreaded "downward facing drop" may require more technique on our mountain bike trails than we're accustomed to!  Access your MTB intuition, trust your skills, stay present and effortlessly flow through any and all features on your next mountain bike ride! 

Do calloused hands mean we're gripping the handlebars too hard?  Does an electric Dirt Jumper actually make a lot of sense?  When can gravel biking be considered mountain biking?  What the heck is cyclocross?  Join the guys for a fun conversation about hitting features for the 1st time, Dan's ride at Gold Canyon, e-bikes, perfect trails and more!  

MTB Gratitude of the Week:

Dan: Email from Listener Nick Haas! - Dan & Sage received an awesome email from Nick about the positive vibes of the R&L podcast.  Nick noted how the pod is helping his mindset for more fun, flow & stoke on the bike.  Where we decide to put our attention and what we consume matters. Thank you Nick for your kind words and encouragement!  We appreciate you and all of our awesome listeners! 

Sage: Sticker Mule! - New Ride & Laugh Stickers are here!  Sticker Mule does a great job with their stickers.  Next time you see us, don't be shy & ask for a shiny new Ride & Laugh sticker! Sticker Mule - https://www.stickermule.com/

MTB Tip of the Week:

How to warm up your winter gloves pre-ride! You're driving to the trails for a cold, winter ride but you don't have to warm your riding gloves on the dashboard defroster anymore.  Turn on your seat heaters and sit on those gloves!  Now your winter riding gloves are nice and toasty when you arrive at the trailhead! 

Additional Links: 

RevGrips - https://revgrips.com/
Keswick Cycles - https://www.instagram.com/keswickcycle.paoli/
Specialized Gravel & CX - https://www.specialized.com/us/en/shop/bikes/gravel-bikes  
MTB Q&A - https://www.youtube.com/@MTBQandA

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/E8nc9ygRJqI

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

Are We Born With It? The Love of Mountain Biking Starts with These Innate Talents! [RNL S1, Ep 54]

From the pros racing Red Bull Hardline Tasmania to brand new riders, all mountain bikers possess the three prime MTB talents of balance, coordination and comfort on a bike.  What makes some people fall in love with mountain biking but scares others away from ever taking a bike on a trail again? 

Join the fellas for a fun debate on how soon new riders know if they love or hate mountain biking?  Are all mountain bikers fans of progression?  Does mountain bike social media inspire or scare new riders?  How important is proper mountain bike coaching/instruction for new riders?  The guys also discuss MTBer time travelers from the past, comfort vs. progression, enduro bikes on Hardline courses, talent vs. experience, red light healing and much more! 

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Dan: Red Light Therapy! - After Dan injured a quad muscle, he has gratitude for the healing power of red light therapy!  Certain frequencies of red light have been scientifically proven to increase blood flow and stimulate cell regeneration.  Dan has utilized red light therapy to accelerate the healing of many injuries.  Thank you red light therapy! Red Light Therapy Wraps: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFTY5CHR

Sage: Jeff Jackson! - Sage asked Jeff for some video of night riding and Jeff came through in a huge way with awesome footage of night riding at South Mountain.  And this wasn't footage that Jeff already had... The guy went out of his way to get awesome and fresh footage of mountain biking at night for the Ride & Laugh Podcast!  Jeff consistently has insightful and helpful comments on the R&L YouTube and he often promotes the show on Instagram.  Jeff Jackson is a fixture in the Arizona mountain bike scene and he made sure to introduce Dan to many of his awesome MTB buddies in AZ!  Thank you Jeff Jackson!!  We appreciate you!  https://www.youtube.com/@jeffjacksonmtb

MTB Tip of the Week:

Demo a MTB!  A great way to try mountain biking for the 1st time is to demo a bike!  Bike shops and bike companies offer opportunities to demo a bike.  When you go to a mountain bike "Demo Day" you'll have the opportunity to ride recommended bikes and talk directly to the bike mechanics.  Whether you're trying mtbing for the 1st time or deciding on your next mountain bike, "Demo Day" is a great idea!  Call your local bike shops or look online for mtb demos near you!    

Additional Links:

Redbull Hardline Tasmania: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT2CF0B-7cc 
Dan's Oldschool MTB DVD: https://www.amazon.com/Roam-Collective-2-Andrew-Shandro/dp/B000FUWFIU
JeffJackson MTB: https://www.instagram.com/jeffjacksonmtb/
Stick  https://www.instagram.com/stephenstoccardo

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/eMkDKYbjQT4

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

Your Best NEXT Mountain Bike May Surprise You! E-bike vs. DJ for Progression! [RNL S1, Ep 53]

We can all agree that hardtail mountain bikes and full suspension bikes are great choices, but what is the best NEXT bike for most riders to excel on?  E-bikes (aka E-MTBs) allow almost limitless laps and miles on your trails, but e-bikes are expensive while Dirt Jumpers (aka DJs) are inexpensive and demand precision from riders.  Listen to the episode & then let us know which you would choose: e-bike, DJ, or something else! 

The fellas debate the best bike to own AFTER your hardtail and full suspension trail bike.  Dan & Sage make some surprisingly compelling arguments for e-bikes vs. dirt jumpers.  Who do you agree with?  Which bike would  you recommend and which bike would you buy?   The guys also discuss riding 'blind' vs. sessioning drops/features, icy Pennsylvania mountain bike trails, night riding, bike jump 'mastery', Dan in Arizona, riding centered/riding confident, and Sage's New Bike Day! 

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: 500 Subscribers on YouTube for Ride & Laugh! - The fellas have so much gratitude and appreciation for all our listeners and viewers on YouTube.  Sage especially puts a tremendous amount of work into the YouTube episodes.  We're unlimited and we're so excited to see what's next for Ride & Laugh and for all of our awesome listeners and viewers!

Dan: The State of Arizona - Dan is grateful to Arizona for the sun, positive vibes and healing energy.  Dan shares that his amazing wife, Lauren, has been fighting cancer and explains how he followed his intuition to move to Arizona for her healing.  Open to intuition, open to flow.  There is appreciation to be found in everything.  Be in the moment.  We got this.

MTB Tip of the Week:

When riding at night, use TWO lights.  The handlebar light will be your main headlight but a 2nd light on your helmet is key.  The helmet light will swivel with your head and also bail you out should the 1st light fail!  Night riding is fun and modern trail lights are amazing! 

Additional Links:

Specialized Stumpjumper 15 - https://www.specialized.com/us/en/shop/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/stumpjumper
Magicshine MJ-902s review - https://youtu.be/6UTCUobPMUg
Desert Trails Bike Park - https://www.visitmesa.com/directory/desert-trails-park-parks/
Phoenixville Bike Park https://www.phoenixville.org/2861/Phoenixville-Bike-Park
JeffJackson MTB: https://www.instagram.com/jeffjacksonmtb/

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/50Us8VF4WAU

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

Buy THIS Bike – Hardtail, Full-Sus or E-bike! Ideal 1st MTB to Own! [RNL S1, Ep 52]

What type of mountain bike do experienced riders recommend for new MTB trail riders?  Join a "Ride & Laugh" mountain bike debate about hardtails, full-suspension, e-bikes, skills, fun, budget, weight, passion and much more!

How important is the right bike to a new mountain bike rider's joy of our amazing sport?  Do most riders start on hardtails, or can we go right to a full-suspension trail bike?  How much do we spend on a 1st bike before we know if mountain biking is for us?  We may waver but eventually, Dan & Sage come to a definitive conclusion!  Do you agree with the guys on this one?  We want your feedback?

Also in this episode, Sage is stoked to eventually ride his new Specialized Stumpjumper 15!  The guys discuss handlebar length, bike fit, South Mountain vs. UCI Downhill, underbiking and much more!

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Dan: Hawesfest Mountain Bike Festival!  Thank you to Hawesaholics, Hawes Trail Alliance and all the other organizations and volunteers who made Hawesfest 2025 possible!  So many cool people who love bikes and the Hawes trails!  The festival was well attended, the vendors were awesome and the vibe was super high!  Mountain biking is awesome & Mtb’ers are the best!  Gratitude Hawesfest!

Sage: Sage appreciates the positive feedback R&L is receiving for the YouTube version of the podcast.  Sage and Dan put an enormous amount of time and energy into adding MTB video;  which makes the R&L podcast on YouTube really unique and special.  Thank you to all our viewers and we appreciate the positive response and feedback!

MTB Tip of the Week:

Get a professional bike fit!  We spend a lot of money on our bikes and gear.  Let’s make certain we’re fit for optimum performance on all of our current and future bikes!  Avoid injuries, add comfort, and maybe get faster at the same time!  A good bike fit can be invaluable.

Additional Links:

Specialized Stumpjumper 15 - https://www.specialized.com/us/en/shop/bikes/mountain-bikes/trail-bikes/stumpjumper
TrailSage - Mt. Lemon https://youtu.be/MZzloNVev-o
Hawes Trail Alliance https://hawestrailalliance.com/
TrailSage - Stumpjumper 15 Review - https://youtu.be/DA2WWv2s8JI
Keswick Cycles Paoli https://www.instagram.com/keswickcycle.paoli/
AJ Steeber - R&L Realtor! https://www.instagram.com/aj_steeber/
Ride Reactive - https://www.ridereactive.com

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

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

Riding Blind! 8.5 Tips to Increase Your Confidence When Riding Trails for the 1st Time! [RNL S1, Ep 51]

Maximize the fun and excitement of mountain biking on a new trail for the 1st time, aka “Riding Blind!”  Learn the top tips to boost your confidence, speed and flow on new and old MTB trails!!

Is it still riding blind if you’re following another rider?  Dan rides partially blind (Pirate style!?) on the double black "Old Man Trail" at South Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona.  Does a ‘big’ bike with more suspension travel, such as the Pivot Firebird or Yeti SB160 add confidence when riding blind on new trails?  Sage discusses how he utilizes multi-day fasting to optimize health for mountain biking.  Dan is surprised by what he learns riding his hardtail MTB on the famed National Trail at SoMo.  Also discussed are clipped-in pedals vs. exposure, gap jumps at Hawes Trails in Mesa, AZ, pumptrack fitness, ideal tire PSI, anxiety vs. intuition and much more!

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: DennyJenettyMTB “Rider Spotlight” series - Dennis interviewed TrailSage as part of his new “Rider Spotlight” series.  Dennis is interviewing MTB YouTubers and riders with his unique perspective and sense of humor.  Sage had a blast talking to Dennis and has gratitude for their friendship!  Check out Dennis’s interview with Sage and support his Rider Spotlight series!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGD6BNe6Tgw

Dan: Meeting Kyle Anderson and Rob Drew! - Dan and “SoMo Jeff” met Kyle on a recent ride climbing up the gnarly National Trail at South Mountain.  Kyle was as friendly as he was talented!  This guy loves mtbing and was stoked to share some crazy lines and options we had never even considered!  We then met Kyle’s good friend, the legendary Rob Drew himself!  Rob was super cool and showed us how he climbs up the massive waterfall feature on National Trail.  Awesome people, awesome riders, awesome day on the bike!

MTB Tip of the Week:

When riding a trail for the 1st time and following someone, JUST FOLLOW.  Ask only about trail features that are above your comfort level.  Don’t ask for too much detail, your job is to stay present and ride.  The ride leader’s job is to shout-out any features you may not be comfortable with.  Use the techniques discussed in this pod to slay new and old trails alike!  You got this!!

Featured Riders:

Jeff W -  https://www.instagram.com/jwinsor20/
A.J. - https://www.instagram.com/aj_steeber/
Jordan - https://www.instagram.com/jbowersrealestate
Kyle - https://www.instagram.com/mr_anderson480
Rob Drew - https://www.instagram.com/therobdrew/

Additional Links:

Sean at Sticks & Stones: https://www.instagram.com/sticksandstonestrailco/
Denny Jannetty MTB: https://www.youtube.com/@DennyJannettyMTB

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/aUqafNj9oB4

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

Can XC Bikes Enduro? MTB Pants, Hip Packs, Hardtails on Hard Trails & More! [RNL S1, Ep 50]

Do we need to 're' unlock mountain bike skills we have already learned but not used on the trails in a long time?  Episode 50 is a classic as we discuss the "Ride and Laugh Cabin/Museum," breakaway pants, hardtails on hard-trails, hip packs and much more! 

Dan and Sage learn the best way to land your mountain bike while discussing how much water we need on a ride, hip-pack vs. hydration packs, more winter ride tips, and demos of Pivot Cycles at South Mountain.  Can a modern XC bike possibly replace a trail or enduro bike on gnarly trails?  What happens on the trail, stays on the trail!?  Join us for all the laughs, jokes, stoke, tips, encouragement and mountain bike joy! 

MTB Gratitude of the Week

Sage: Shimano MW 501 - Sage appreciates these high performance winter shoes.  The Shimanos are great on all but the coldest of rides.  The shoes are light-weight, waterproof and comfortable.  A good pair of fall/winter shoes is a worthy investment that should last many seasons!  Check out Sage’s review here: https://youtu.be/1rX7cOGaTuk

Dan: Hector's portable, mini, electric air compressor! - This tiny air compressor saved Dan a ton of time on the trail as it not only re-inflated his flat tire, but seated a tubeless tire to the rim!  This powerful little compressor was super impressive, so Dan immediately bought one!  Mini-Air Compressor: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D8JGD9X8

MTB Tip of the Week:

When climbing on your mountain bike, shift your weight to the front of the saddle.  This weight shift will keep you balanced and keep your rear wheel glued to the trail!  You are crushing your next climb!

Featured Riders:

Brian on The Bike - https://www.instagram.com/brian_on_a_bike/
Sean - https://www.instagram.com/saguarosingletrack/
Stick - https://www.instagram.com/stephenstoccardo/
Arturo - https://www.instagram.com/byclas_mtb/
Hector - https://www.instagram.com/pa.ncho6744/
Jaime – https://www.instagram.com/jaime_rued/

Additional Links:

Pivot Demo - https://global.pivotcycles.com/collections/demo-bikes
USWE Pack - https://uswe.com/en-us/bike
Desert Trails Bike Park - https://www.visitmesa.com/directory/desert-trails-park-parks/

The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/i1VtXSJ7hZY

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