After us first article on mountain biking Naturally, you have become eager to give this a try. But how can you get a good start in the Netherlands? What do you need and where can you go? We give you some tips and tricks to make your first MTB ride a success.
Rent a bike
There are plenty of bike shops in the Netherlands that also rent mountain bikes; a quick google search will probably give you a hit in your area! This way, you can get to know the sport without having to buy a bike and you can be sure to get a good bike. Often, these local companies will also be able to tell you the best places to go cycling or where you can find great routes.
Choose a suitable route
Retrieved from https://www.mtbroutes.nl/ you will find all signposted routes in the Netherlands. Recently, the Dutch MTB routes work with a colour scheme that indicates the difficulty, just like ski runs. Green and Blue is easy, Red is advanced and Black is very difficult. This classification gives an indication of the amount of singletracks, altimeters or technical skills you need to master to ride the route in a fun way.
Together is more fun
With a group, everything becomes more fun, and maybe you have (cycling) friends or family who also want to try something new. Or, take an experienced MTBer with you who can immediately give you some tips on your riding technique. This will help you get on the bike with confidence right away. This way, you make it a fun day and learn something new at the same time!
Do a clinic
We also mentioned the most important thing in the previous article. Many Dutch people, especially if they already have experience on a road or gravel bike, get on a mountain bike just like that and ride away. But mountain biking requires a completely different cycling technique than other disciplines, so it is important to create a good foundation. So do is a clinic, in groups or privately, or if you have sporty colleagues it is an original idea for the next company outing!
Visit your local MTB club
As with road bikes, there are plenty of clubs for MTBs, these sometimes also offer start to bike clinics, which ties in nicely with the previous point. This way, you also get to know fellow cyclists with whom you can go out or join fun (touring) rides or club rides, for example.
Don't be rushed
It is quite likely that an impatient MTB rider will follow you on a singletrack. Don't be rushed by this, don't go beyond your limits but calmly pull over at the next safe point to let someone pass. Everyone happy!
Hopefully these tips will give you some guidance to give MTB just a try! Building up your skills well in the beginning will give you confidence on the trails and that's how MTBing becomes fun too. Not everything has to be fierce or technical. Mountain biking is also about enjoying the surroundings and the trails you wouldn't easily reach on another bike.
