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.
Hard rides build fitness, but easy miles make them repeatable. I’ll show you how to combine relaxed riding, steady climbs, recovery, and occasional intensity when your riding time is limited.
Read articleA faster group can turn a familiar trail into a stressful chase, especially when you’re unsure when to push or ask for a regroup. I’ll explain how to communicate, choose sustainable lines, and build confidence without treating every ride as a race.
Read articleWhen a wheel wobbles or a brake starts rubbing, it isn’t always a truing problem. I’ll show you how to separate tire, rotor, axle, and spoke issues so you can decide whether a simple adjustment is enough or a wheel builder should take over.
Read articleWater needs change with ride time, heat, climbing, effort, and the reliability of every refill point. I’ll show you how to combine those factors into a sensible carry plan without pretending one exact number works for every rider or trail.
Read articleI’ll clarify whether your handlebar is genuinely too wide for tight wooded singletrack, how to test that without committing to an irreversible cut, and which handling or setup changes may solve the discomfort more effectively.
Read articleWhen a bike fails miles from the trailhead, I’ll help you decide what to check, what to repair with limited tools, and when conserving energy and phone battery matters more than saving the ride.
Read articleI’ll clarify what to trust when your GPS route disagrees with trail signs, map data, or a closure notice. You’ll get a practical decision framework for choosing a safe, legal route without treating downloaded navigation data as current ground truth.
Read articleI’ll help you turn a near miss into a concise, useful trail report by separating observable facts from assumptions, capturing the few details that matter, and choosing language that improves safety without blaming other riders or overstating the hazard.
Read articleCell service can disappear long before a remote ride becomes simple. I’ll explain which navigation, repair, first-aid, hydration, and self-rescue items deserve space in your pack—and how to keep them dependable.
Read articleI’ll show you how to build a four-week mountain-bike practice routine around short weekend sessions, focused drills, and useful ride notes. The plan prioritizes control, confidence, and repeatable progress without requiring daily training or extra equipment.
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