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.
Winter-ready mountain bike bells depend on more than volume: lever shape, mounting space, glove compatibility, and weather resistance all matter. I’ll show you how these parts fit together so you can choose a useful bell without wasting money.
Read articleI’ll help you compare mountain bike bells by sound, mounting, and trail context so you can choose one that gets noticed on busy urban loops without making quieter shared trails feel intrusive.
Read articleI’ll help you avoid choosing a pack by habit, comparing hydration, capacity, heat, stability, and access so your riding backpack or hip pack matches the route you actually plan to ride.
Read articleI’ll clarify how to choose a dependable line through dusty summer corners, especially when hardpack, loose-over-hard, and deeper sand appear in the same turn. You’ll learn how entry speed, braking, body position, and small steering inputs work together to preserve traction.
Read articleI’ll explain how to read a rough rock garden, choose a workable line, and recover when the entry speed, pedal timing, or exit plan starts to fall apart beneath you.
Read articleI’ll compare knee sleeves, low-profile pads, and more protective options for pedal-heavy trail rides, focusing on where your money is best spent. You’ll see how comfort, climate, fit, and terrain affect the choice.
Read articleDust clouds, low branches, and a trail that shifts from open sun to deep shade can make one pair of eyewear frustratingly inadequate. I’ll explain how coverage, ventilation, tint, fit, and replacement choices affect dependable eye protection on varied rides.
Read articleA clean, momentum-based line can protect both your balance and your bike better than repeated stall-and-smash attempts. I’ll explain how to read embedded rock steps, place each wheel, choose a gear, and commit without treating reliability as an afterthought.
Read articleCarrying your bike inside saves money, while a rack saves cabin space and setup time. I’ll help you compare security, compatibility, protection, and travel frequency so you can choose a sensible transport method.
Read articleA technical climb becomes more manageable when gearing, cadence, traction, and fatigue are treated as one system. I’ll show you how to choose a useful bailout gear while avoiding unnecessary drivetrain upgrades and wasted effort.
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