If you are on holiday in the Alps and you are visiting a ski resort, you may have seen them: winding trails winding down with banked corners. At the entrance to the ski lifts, rows of bikers with full-face helmets and body protection are waiting to go up on the gondola. Or maybe you see proper (E-)MTBs passing by on your hike in the mountains and think this is what I want too! So here's an introduction to mountain biking abroad.
Preparing for mountain biking abroad
Of course, those downhillers just described are the more extreme form of mountain biking. By no means everyone who goes muontainbiking abroad does so. So is the cross-country discipline, which focuses more on kilometres/altimeters and less on technical obstacles. Looking at Verbier, one of the leading mountain bike destinations in Switzerland, they have on their website a whole range of tours suitable for the beginner to advanced rider. https://www.verbier.ch/summer/inside/to-do/sports-activities/on-two-wheels/ You also have a nice tour to a mountain hut over non-technical terrain in every area.
E-bike? Why not?
Especially for routes involving a lot of climbing, it is quite common to ride an E-bike in the hills or mountains. It is easier to ride uphill, as the trails can be very steep off-road. With my unmotorised MTB, people often look at me strangely or ask if we really cycled all the way up by ourselves. So don't hesitate to hire an E-bike to make things easier for yourself. You don't have to, you can!
Then again, if you do want to venture into more technical terrain, extra protection is desirable. On longer singletrack descents, it is normal to wear knee pads and a back protector anyway. Back protectors are often found in special backpacks. This way you can easily take some extra with you on the road and your back is well protected in case you fall.
Helmet with sun visor is recommended
A half shell helmet with sun visor is very much recommended. If you go mountain biking abroad, this is really nice. If you ride in the woods, the visor protects against the stroboscopic effect of sunlight shining through the branches of the trees and you always keep a good view of the trail. This chance is higher when mountain biking. You can wear a full-face helmet on real downhill or Enduro days. If you really go to a bike park like Winterberg, all this is available for rent so you don't have to buy it for once.
Different Requirements?
The bike itself, E-bike or not, can also ask something different from you than back home. The terrain sometimes contains stones or roots and you descend longer. For this, a down-country or trail bike with a bit more suspension travel is perfect. These bikes have a slightly more forward fork angle so you can descend more easily and get over obstacles. Also, these types of bikes often have a dropper post, giving you more freedom of movement on your bike.
Plenty of opportunities
So even in the mountains, there are plenty of opportunities for mountain biking at any level. Just like on road bikes, you can customise the route to suit your needs. As with skiing, it is also definitely possible to take lessons, or go out with a guide. Definitely valuable to go out with a local, they can show you the best spots in the area! With summer approaching, we definitely recommend is off-roading to explore the mountains. Let yourself be surprised and get out into the wilderness. We will definitely do this too and you will soon read more about it on ZijWielrent and our partner platform CyclingDestination. Do you still have questions about mountain biking? Don't hesitate to ask them, we're happy to help!
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