After us First article about mountain biking Of course, you’re naturally excited to try this out. But how can you get started with it in the Netherlands? What do you need and where can you go? We’ll give you some tips and tricks to make your first MTB ride a success.
Rent a bike
In the Netherlands, there are plenty of bike shops that also rent mountain bikes. A quick Google search will surely yield a hit near you! This way, you can get acquainted with the sport without having to immediately buy a bike, and you can be sure that you’ll get a good bike. Often, these local businesses will also be able to tell you where you can best go cycling or where beautiful trails are located.
Choose a suitable route
Op https://www.mtbroutes.nl/ you’ll find all the signposted routes in the Netherlands. Dutch MTB routes now use a colour scheme indicating difficulty, just like ski slopes. Green and blue are easy, red is for advanced riders and black is very difficult. This classification gives an idea of the amount of singletrack, climbing or technical skills you need to master to enjoy the route.
Together is more fun
With a group, everything is more fun, and maybe you have (cycling) friends or family who also want to try something new. Or, bring along an experienced MTB rider who can give you some tips on your riding technique right away. This will help you get on the bike with confidence right away. This will make it a fun day and you can also learn something new at the same time!
Give a clinic
The most important thing we mentioned in the previous article. Many Dutch people, especially if they have experience on a race or mountain bike, jump right into a mountain bike and start riding away. But mountain biking requires a completely different cycling technique than other disciplines, and that’s why it’s important to create a good foundation. Therefore, do a clinic, in group or privately, or if you have sports colleagues, it’s an original idea for the next company outing!
Visit your local MTB club
Just like for the road bike, there are also plenty of clubs for MTB riders; these sometimes also offer courses. Start to bike clinics that are a nice complement to the previous point. This way you also get to know fellow cyclists with whom you can go on trips together or, for example, take part in fun (tour) trips or club rides.
Don't be rushed
It is best to avoid having an impatient MTB rider on a singletrack. Don’t let this rush you, don’t go beyond your limits, but calmly go to the next point where it is safe to stop for a moment to let someone pass. Everyone happy!
Hopefully these tips will give you some motivation to give mountain biking a try! Building up your skills early on gives you confidence on the trails, and that’s what makes mountain biking fun. Not everything has to be intense or technical. Mountain biking is also about enjoying the surroundings and the trails that you don’t get to see on other bikes as often.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.