If you’re on holiday in the Alps and visit a ski resort, you might have seen them: winding paths that curve down with hairpin turns. At the entrance to the ski lifts, rows of bikers with full-face helmets and body protection are waiting to get on the gondola up to the top. Or maybe you see the (E-)MTBs passing by on your hike in the mountains and think, “I want to try that too!” Here’s an introduction to mountain biking abroad.
Preparation for mountain biking abroad
The downhillers just described are, of course, the more extreme form of mountain biking. Not everyone who goes mountain biking abroad does so. There is also the cross-country discipline, which focuses more on kilometers/vertical meters and less on technical obstacles. When we look at Verbier, one of the leading mountain biking destinations in Switzerland, they have a whole range of tours on their website suitable for beginners to advanced riders. https://www.verbier.ch/summer/inside/to-do/sports-activities/on-two-wheels/ Also, in every area there is a nice tour to a mountain hut that doesn't involve technical terrain.
E-bike? Why not?
Especially for routes where there is a lot of climbing, it is very normal to ride an e-bike in the hills or mountains. This way you can climb a little bit easier, since the trails are still quite steep off-road. Often, when I ride my non-motorized MTB, people often stare at me weirdly or ask if I really cycled all the way up myself. So don’t hesitate to rent an e-bike to make it a little easier for yourself. You don’t have to, you can!
If you want to venture into a more technical area, extra protection is advisable. 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 bring some extra along on the way and your back is immediately well protected in case you unexpectedly fall.
Helmet with sun visor is not an unnecessary luxury
Even a half shell helmet with a visor is not an unnecessary luxury. If you go mountain biking abroad, this is really nice. If you ride in the forest, the flap protects you from the stroboscopic effect of sunlight that shines through the trees and you always have good visibility on the trail. The lower back protects your neck more if you, for example, were to hit the handlebars. This chance is actually greater when mountain biking. A full face helmet can be worn on real downhill or Enduro days. If you really go to a bike park like Winterberg, you can rent all of this so you don’t have to buy it for a while.
Setting requirements?
The bike itself, whether an E-bike or not, can have different requirements than in the Netherlands. The terrain sometimes contains rocks or roots, and you have to descend for longer distances. This is perfectly suited for a down-country or trail bike with a bit more travel. These bikes have a slightly more forward fork angle so that you can descend more easily and get over obstacles. Also, these types of bikes often have a dropper post, which gives you more freedom of movement on your bike.
Plenty of opportunities
There are therefore plenty of opportunities to mountain bike at all levels in the mountains too. Just like on a road bike, you can customize the route to suit your preferences. Just as with skiing, it is also definitely possible to take lessons, or go hiking with a guide. Especially valuable is to go hiking with a local; they can show you the most beautiful places in the area! With the summer coming up, we highly recommend exploring the off-road mountains. Be surprised and go out into the wilderness. We definitely plan to do this too, and you will soon find out more about it on ZijWielrent and our partner platform CyclingDestination. Do you have any questions about mountain biking? Don’t hesitate to ask them; we are happy to help!
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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.