Independent field notes
Suspension of Disbelief is a practical and entertaining guide to recreational mountain biking. It covers riding techniques, bike setup, suspension, maintenance, safety, essential gear, trail etiquette, and the lessons learned from climbs, descents, and the occasional unplanned dismount.
Jake HollowayHey there I'm Jake. I'm a mountain biker who enjoys technical challenges, long climbs, fast descents, and the satisfaction of keeping a well-used bike running smoothly. I write practical guides about riding skills, suspension setup, maintenance, safety, gear, and the lessons learned from occasionally choosing the wrong line.
I’ll help you build precise front-wheel placement on rocks, roots, and shallow holes with controlled, low-speed drills. You’ll learn how to look, steer, shift your weight, and correct common mistakes without depending on momentum to hide poor line choices.
Read articleI’ll show you how to adjust brake-lever reach, handlebar roll, grips, and shifters so smaller hands can reach controls comfortably without creating new handling or maintenance problems.
Read articleSeasonal closures can turn a carefully planned ride into a long detour, a wasted drive, or an avoidable violation. I’ll show you how to verify the latest access information, choose sensible alternatives, and keep outdated route files from making the decision for you.
Read articleI’ll compare light, moderate, and substantial pre-ride meals, then show how to match food and fluids to a two-hour mountain bike ride without carrying more nutrition than you need.
Read articleI’ll help you plan a mountain-bike shuttle day with clear vehicle roles, reliable communication, spare keys, realistic timing, and a recovery plan that keeps a mechanical problem from becoming everyone’s problem.
Read articleI’ll help you turn a familiar route into a heat-aware ride plan by adjusting distance, start time, water, shade, and bailout options. The goal is a ride that protects both your body and your bike when hot conditions make simple mileage estimates unreliable.
Read articleI’ll clarify how to plan a mountain bike ride when trailhead parking is tight, from checking restrictions and choosing arrival times to using overflow lots, carpooling, and leaving crowded areas better than you found them.
Read articleI’ll help you avoid the common mistake of judging smoky trail conditions by appearance alone. You’ll learn how to check current air-quality data, choose a lower-risk route, pack only what matters, and set clear turnaround rules before you ride.
Read articleCommon difficulty: a remote trailhead offers no restroom, water, or obvious place to prepare. I’ll help you plan timing, supplies, sanitation, parking, and low-impact habits that keep the ride comfortable and the trailhead usable over time.
Read articleI’ll help you build an autumn ride plan around shrinking daylight, changing temperatures, route difficulty, navigation, lighting, parking access, and a realistic mechanical margin—so a weekday outing remains enjoyable without relying on a perfect schedule.
Read article