AMB 44: Bravest Red Bull Rampage Rider and Wilderness First Aid Breakdown

Sam Reynolds, pro rider, backed off from riding this years Red Bull Rampage competition.  This may have been the most courageous decision of all. Is rising life and limb worth it? Probably not, but its all but inevitable because we cannot help but push limits!  I discuss this and more, such as my Wilderness First Aid class that I took this weekend.
Pinkbike Interview with Sam Reynolds
Wilderness First Aid Classes Near DC

Check out this episode!

AMB 43: 5 Amazing Trail Etiquette Tips and When You Should Wear Pads

I do some ranting on trail etitquette after having yet another episode of a non yielding rider. I also break down how pads and other forms of risk management should be a part of your trail life, and contribute to you being a good citizen!

Check out this episode!

AMB 42: Trek Women's MTB Advocates and Some Swear Words I'm Avoiding

I break down Trek's announcement about their mountain biking advocates for women. I also dig into the swear words we use and how I've changed over the years in my use of language around gender and sexuality.
Bikemag.com article on Trek's Women Advocate program

Check out this episode!

AMB 41: Pisgah and Dupont State Park Trip Report

Pisgah and its amazing big mountain backcountry trails are legendary, for good reason! We rode in a group of nine (!) and had an amazing experience. I break down the trip, what we did, how to make sure you maintain energy during long mountain loops, and then make fun of Karl for getting lost.

Check out this episode!

AMB 40: Russ Adams Interview, Road Tripping to Brevard, NC

Today I sit down briefly with Russ Adams and get his thoughts on riding in the backcountry here on our road trip to Brevard North Carolina.

Check out this episode!

Rampage Vet Kyle Strait Charges Down a Steep Exposed Line | GoPro View

AMB 39: How To Learn Basic Wheelies on your Mountainbike, and a Rant on Backup Alarms

Learning to wheelie isn't something I hear discussed much, and I know many new riders may need a few tips. Today I cover the basic movement, later we will discuss more advanced techniques for holding the wheelie.  I also get angry about backup alarms, and I promote the Scott Scudamore IMBA volunteer award.
Nominate your favorite mountainbike volunteer activist here!

Check out this episode!

AMB 38: A Fantastic Tip for Terrain Awareness, and Go Ahead and Yield that Downhill, Usually

I give a killer tip for handling technical terrain and anticipating movement on the trail, and I also rant about a guy that didn't yield the downhill. And why we may not always want to yield downhill anyway.

Check out this episode!

AMB 37: How To Buy a Bike Light and The Scott Scudamore Volunteer Award

Released: Oct 18, 2016

A common question on the internet this time of year is "What bike light should I get". I let you know my incredible important opinion on this matter.  Then I break down some bike mechanics philosophy, break down the Wee Day Out video by Danny MacAskill and the cool behind the scenes stuff it takes to do. Next, IMBA announced the Scott Scudamore National Volunteer Leadership Award.

The Scott Scudamore National Volunteer Leadership Award
Danny MacAskill's Wee Day Out Behind the Scenes

AMB 36: 3 Tips for Being More Magical on Your MountainBike

Released: Oct 17, 2016

Learn how to set the timing on your axle and how to not collapse our hydraulic disk brakes like a noob!  As well as an update on the bike crash victim from last week, and a theory on what caused Luis' Rhabdomyelosis.  Also I talk about NICA, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association and their cool ethic about participation.

NICA Web Site - Youth Cycling Leagues
Adjust the Timing of a Maxle QR Axle

AMB 35: The Amazing and Terrifying Story of Luis Gaspar's 18 Hour Race

Released: Oct 13, 2016

Luis had a spectacularly frightening medical event at the 18 Hours of Scout's Honor Mountain Bike Race in September. Hear the story of how he woke up confused and unable to speak or underistand English in the emergency room.

18 Hours of Scouts Honor on Facebook

AMB 34: Accident at Fountainhead, Why Should I Do a Mountainbike Podcast? And More Risk Management

Released: Oct 12, 2016

I ranted about bike safety, break down an incident where a rider crashed at Fountainhead yesterday, and I also talk about why I decided to do a podcast.

AMB 33: Red Bull Rampage, Bike Shorts Suck, and Rules of the Trail

Released: Oct 11, 2016

Back in the studio to talk about the Rampage, the problem with bike shorts, and what you need to know about the rules of the trail, according to IMBA.  #ridewithmore #ridewithimba

IMBA's Rules of the Trail for Mountainbikers

Red Bull Rampage site

AMB 32: Harlan Price, Bike Skills Coach Interview

Released: Oct 7, 2016

Harlan Price is a skills coach for mountain and cyclocross biking.  We talk about mountain biking skills, NICA, bike geometry, flat pedals vs clipless, and more!

Harlan's Web Site, Take Aim Cycling
Harlan's Facebook page

AMB 31: Ten Essentials to Bring Mountainbiking in the Backcountry.

Released: Oct 7, 2016

Are you prepared for remote singletrack riding? Backcountry mountainbiking is no joke if you find yourself lost, with flats, and in bad weather.  Unless you've brought the things I mention, in which case, you'll be fine! 

AMB 30: Time to Make Roadies Angry and 3 Killer Climbing Tips

Released: Oct 5, 2016

I may make some roadies angry with this one. But my climbing tips are fantastic and will make your next steep hill go a bit easier, faster, and safer.

AMB 29 - 5 Tips for Better Mountainbike Braking. Plus a few more.

Released: Oct 5, 2016

Good braking techniques separates the good from the great, so listen up for some tips to get your body position dialed in for better braking.

AMB 28: Cadence Isn't Just for Roadies

Released: Oct 4, 2016

Shifting and pedaling at the right cadence are fundamentally important in mountain biking.  I cover the what, why, and how for newer and intermediate riders, give an important tip for easier shifting, and explain why chainline is an important concept.  I may also get a bit unhinged over drivers that don't go on green because they are Facebooking at stop lights.

AMB 27: Fundamentals! Neutral and Ready Position, and a Listener Busts on Me for Stealing My Angry Name

Do you know the neutral and ready positions? Today I break them down in simple terms and give you the what, why and how so that you can hit the trail with more skill.  I also address an issue a listener messaged me about regarding my use of the AngryMountainBiker handle.  Controversial? You decide and let me know!

AngrySingleSpeeder link
Global Mountain Bike Youtube on Body Position

5 Tips for Leading Group Mountain Bike Rides

One of the best things about mountain biking is the group camaraderie we experience riding together. Mountain bike festivals and meetup group rides are common ways we gather and meet new riding partners.  If you find yourself in a position to lead one of these semi-formal group rides, here are good general rules that you can adapt to your group and style.

Know the terrain:  This may seem obvious, but knowing the area you are riding, not just the planned route, is important not just for avoiding getting lost, but for choosing the appropriate level of trail and distance for the group, and finding the shortest way out in an emergency.  Mechanicals can slow the group so the route may need to be shortened if the unexpected happens

Know the group:  Get a headcount and remember it!  Then judge the group's ability. If you are riding with complete strangers this can be hard, but a quick introduction at the start, for example, asking who everyone is and what their favorite area is, can help judge rider level without being too obvious.

Watching riders in the first few miles is a better indicator--riders may overestimate (or underestimate) their ability, so be ready to make adjustments if necessary. Later in the ride, they may not speak up, it may be up to you to gracefully make the adjustment without calling them out.

Communicate all directions:  Slow when approaching trail junctions and make sure everyone is aware of the way. Often the leader can send the fast riders on to the next junction and make sure all the rest of the riders make the turn before continuing.  Asking riders to be responsible to inform the rider behind them is a good idea, but don't depend on this as the leader. It is your responsibility to make sure everyone is on route!

 One customary instruction is "Nothing said, straight ahead".  If no turn is going to be made at a junction with an obvious straight direction, this helps keep the group moving.  But be sure you tell the group this instruction in the beginning of the ride, and reinforcing it at the first junction is helpful. And have a plan if someone gets left--for example, have them wait at the last intersection, and use your headcount often to make sure no one is left behind.  If possible, have another rider familiar with the route act as "sweep", riding last to make sure everyone stays on route.

The MVD Meetup Group listens to instruction at Fountainhead

 Trail etiquette:  Yield the trail to all other users, even when typically etiquette indicates otherwise.  Groups can annoy other users, especially in rough conditions (mud, dust, hills) so this helps maintain civil relationships.  Greet other trail users every time, and its a good practice to let them know how many are coming behind you.

And when you stop for rest or to gather the group, stop beyond the crest of the hill--there is nothing worse than being a following rider and the leader is perched just at the crest of the hill, forcing everyone else to start going uphill!

Be sure everyone is ready to move after the group gathers for a stop or rest--don't leave as soon as the last rider arrives, give them a chance to rest some too!



Be inclusive. Be a Leader! Here are some ways: During a big climb, slow down as you approach the top, this gathers  the group so that everyone reaches the top at a similar time.  Alternatively, if you have speedy climbers that want to blast off, no problem, let them go, then you, as leader, finish the climb riding with the slower riders. There's nothing more humiliating for new or slower riders to have the group watch them struggling up the final push while everyone is waiting and staring.  If you ride in with them, the entire dynamic changes and everyone is a team.

Be prepared to help repair minor mechanical issues and minor first aid issues. It's a good idea to carry: a first aid kit, a spare derailleur cable, a couple of innertubes (a 26 and 27.5 is a good idea--smaller tubes can go on larger wheels if needed, tougher to put larger tubes on smaller wheels), some chain quick links, a tube patch kit.