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.
Technical singletrack can turn a short distance into a long, uncertain outing when climbing, rough terrain, route-finding, and small delays stack up. I’ll show you how to build a ride-time estimate that is useful for planning without pretending the trail will follow a schedule.
Read articleI’ll clarify when a GPS bike computer is genuinely useful on local trails—and when your phone, a paper map, or no device is the better choice. You’ll also learn which common navigation and battery mistakes beginner riders can avoid.
Read articleI’ll help you distinguish ordinary tiredness from fatigue that has started to compromise judgment, braking, balance, or pacing, so you can make a safer call about continuing, turning back, or ending the ride.
Read articleA hard landing can let air escape between a tubeless tire and rim, leaving you choosing between adding pressure and preserving grip. I’ll help you isolate the cause and make the fewest changes needed for rocky trails.
Read articleI’ll help you compare the likely causes of a mountain bike drivetrain that skips only during hard climbing, from a worn chain and cassette to a slipping freehub or poorly seated rear wheel, with sensible home checks before you buy replacement parts.
Read articleA loose-feeling headset can come from incorrect preload, loose stem hardware, worn bearings, or movement elsewhere in the front end. I’ll show you how to separate those causes and decide what must be fixed before your next ride.
Read articleI’ll help you identify why your fork is using nearly all its travel on ordinary trails, from low pressure and excessive sag to braking technique and setup errors. You’ll learn which adjustments to try first and how to distinguish normal travel use from a real problem.
Read articleA fork that stays compressed after a hard landing may be working normally—or pointing to trapped air, contamination, seal friction, or a deeper service problem. I’ll help you separate temporary dynamic behavior from faults you can check at home, and identify when the fork should come off the bike.
Read articleI’ll compare the quickest isolation tests with the more thorough workshop checks for a clicking noise under pedaling load, helping you identify whether the source is a pedal, crank, bottom bracket, chainring, saddle, or rear-wheel interface.
Read articleWhen a steep descent runs straight into a long patch of loose gravel or sand, your braking plan has to begin before the trail gets difficult. I’ll explain how to assess the slope, manage speed early, and carry enough traction into the exit to stay in control.
Read article