Mountain biking and trail running in 2023 has been awesome, but it also had its challenges. Let’s give out some awards, reflect on the past, and talk about what’s coming up in the future for the channel. Finally, we’ll close it out with some of this year’s best outtakes and bloopers.
This video, and all content produced this year, was only possible because of the support of my Patreon family.
If you’ve enjoyed the content on this channel please consider joining me on Pateron. Your contribution allows me to purchase and test more products, review cool destinations, and produce more videos with helpful tips and advice. Thank you.
Traily Award for best mountain bike destination
Sterling Forest State Park
Awesome flow tech right here in New York – MTB Sterling Forest – Just Ride Ep. 29
Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo NY
This place had everything you could want in a trail network. From big rock slabs that will get the heart pumping, to some crazy boulder tech that had us pushing our limits, and of course, a nice complement of flowly machine built trails. You could hear us whooping and yelling from a mile away.
Traily Award for favorite product/gear
American Classic Basanite
Great inexpensive mountain bike tire! But are they worth the wait?
American Classic Basanite MTB Tire
With tire prices sky rocketing over the last couple years I found these on Amazon for under $50 so decided to give them a shot, and I gotta tell you, these tires are awesome! They perform just as good, if not better than any of my previous tires.
Traily Award for my favorite video
Mountain Bike Mindset:
Full Commit! Tips to tackle technical trails, drops, slabs and skinnies
Mountain Bike Mindset
There are so many videos on mountain bike technique, but not that much on mindset. Which was strange because if you are looking to progress your mountain bike skills, then mindset plays a big role in determining how successful you’ll be.
Summary
This year we made our way back to Connecticut and met some local riders in Sam, Evan and Rob, who opened our eyes to some crazy freeride features. I also got to collab with Zan from Sploosh MTB when he invited me to join him and some of his buddies at Michaux. And the collaborations didn’t stop there. I had the good fortune of doing a live stream with my buddy Johnnie U from MTB Q&A where we discussed everything from why I started my channel to how I go about creating content and where I see this channel going.
Mountain Biking Trumbull, CT
Freerider’s paradise right here in Connecticut – MTB Trumbull – Just Ride Ep. 28
Michaux with Sploosh MTB
Mountain biking the best tech in Pennsylvania – Michaux State Forest – Just Ride Ep. 26
Chat with Johnnie U
How it all started and so much more – Excerpts from my chat with Johnnie U from MTB Q&A
We tested a bunch of products throughout the year, documented the construction of Dan’s new pump track, and I even filmed a mountain bike enduro race for Berks Trail Works. From some inexpensive bib shorts to filming techniques we covered a lot of topics that I hope will help riders make better informed choices and progress their abilities.
Backyard pump track
Installing a backyard pump track – Everything you need to know
Birdsboro Enduro Race
2023 Birdsboro Enduro Race hosted by The Dirt Therapy Project – Presented by Berks Trail Works
Baleaf Bib Shorts
Stop paying for overpriced cycling bibs. Baleaf bib shorts are amazing!
In fact, my new TrailTalk series is designed to do just that. I also launched a “Follow The Rider” or FTR series, with the intent of highlighting a specific trail, or a section of trails, in a shorter bite size format. Of course, if you like the longer format videos my Just Ride series continues to grow.
So what do we have planned for 2024? We’ll still be doing product reviews, tips and tricks, and FTRs, but I would also love to collaborate more with different folks in the industry to bring you cool new products. Finally, I’m looking forward to taking you all along with me on my adventures as we check out some new destinations.
I plan on continuing to expanded the online store with a lot of new custom designs, including the popular “Mountain Bike State” series. If you want to help support the channel please visit: https://trail-sage.com/merch/
All in all, 2023 has been a year full of surprises and challenges. I’ve enjoyed reading through your comments and used all the feedback, both positive and negative, to try and get better each and every day.
Thank you to all my subscribers, and a huge shoutout to everyone who joined me on Patreon. I don’t make a lot from ad revenue, so your support allows me to continue making great content. Lastly, big props to my Dad, Dan, and Anthony for their help with filming, but more importantly, for helping navigate this difficult journey. I love you. Let’s make 2024 even better!
Links to other videos referenced:
Here are some links to videos I referenced or showed clips from
Blue Mountain Reserve
The most intense slabs in New York! Mountain biking Blue Mountain Reserve – Just Ride Ep. 27
ILM 726x Modular Helmet
ILM 726x – Versatile, safe, comfortable modular helmet for commuting
Hoka Torrent 3 Shoe
Hoka Torrent 3 is a light, fast trail running shoe. But did Hoka make a misstep?
Additional links to products shown:
Here are some affiliate links to the products and gear referenced or shown in the video. It won’t cost you anything extra to use them, but it helps me create more content.
Baleaf Bib Shorts
https://amzn.to/3C2kccX
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3
https://amzn.to/3JlkL6z
Shimano MW5 All Season MTB Shoe:
https://amzn.to/3Xh06ox
ILM 726x Modular Helmet
https://amzn.to/3kRsKhG
American Classic Basanite MTB Tire
https://amzn.to/3N6SNgT
Mairdi M100 Bone Conduction Headphones
https://www.mairdi.shop/products/m100
Enjoy 20% off. Use Code”SAGE20″
Magicshine MJ-902s Bike Light
https://magicshine.com/?ref=aVBxeVhCf8PObs
Receive a 15% off using code: TrailSage15
If you like what you see, or have some feedback/questions, feel free to contact me. If you enjoy the content join me on Patreon for some extra perks and help grow the channel.
Help support the channel at:
https://www.patreon.com/TrailSage
Trail Sage Apparel and Gear
https://trail-sage.com/apparel-gear/
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made through the above links. Commissions earned through the Amazon Affiliate links help support this channel’s content creation. Thank you!
Trail Sage 