From trail running to trail riding: forced, but worth its weight in gold
I started mountain biking a few years ago when trail running became impossible. I've always loved being outdoors, exploring on foot or by bike.
Only, when hang gliding entered my life, those other sports practically stopped. I couldn't find the time for them anymore. Until I realized I really wanted to get moving again for my health.
Trail running became my new passion. I preferred long distances in the mountains, but I also loved the small paths in Drenthe. Until that vague knee and foot injury threw a wrench in the works. Running was no longer possible. And cycling on the road? That didn't appeal to me.
So it became “trail riding”: precisely those small paths, through nature, the freedom.
Helen van den Bos
My starting point at PeakFlow MTB: I wanted to, but I didn't dare
The reason I started training and coaching at PeakFlow MTB was actually twofold. It started with a clinic because I wanted to try mountain biking… but I didn't quite have the courage. A few bumps were manageable, but mud or sand? That really scared me.
I'd coached outdoor sports camps and even attended clinics, but I just needed a little push. The PeakFlow clinic gave me exactly that confidence. And I got to talking with Toon van Haren.
Then I discovered that Toon also offered coaching. And that became interesting, because for my work as a hang gliding instructor and tandem pilot, really need a fit and resilient body. The training program felt like a smart solution: training out weaknesses and bringing structure to my life, especially with my weather-dependent work.
My doubts: “Who am I to take coaching?”
I definitely had doubts when I started. About mountain biking, but also about the training program. I saw myself as a recreational athlete, and PeakFlow as a serious coach for real athletes with ambitious goals and achievements. Who was I, a regular athlete, to enlist training and coaching? Could I even do it? And would it work?
And regarding mountain biking: I really didn't see myself doing anything big. So, at first, I thought mountain biking coaching was almost excessive.
But in no time, I noticed the difference. I started enjoying more challenging trails, I felt at one with my bike, and I discovered what was possible.
Training and coaching in practice: personal, but you can't get away with it
What I appreciate about the coaching method is that it's highly personalized and not lenient. You might be having a bad day, or a bad week, but if you want to achieve something, you still have to put in the effort.
I sometimes noticed that other coaches were too quick to abandon ambitions or plans.
With Toon, training is still your choice, but he makes sure you feel responsible for your progress. Or stagnation.
Helen van den Bos
The training program gives me structure, and the coaching helps me stay on track. It's often challenging, but just enough to encourage me to keep trying. And with regular consultations, the plan fits well with my current progress and my changing work schedule.
I sometimes find it difficult to work all the necessary hours, but I've also set goals for myself that I want to achieve. And that includes scheduled hours.
The biggest gain: fun, energy and a body that cooperates
I've discovered a whole new world of outdoor fun. I've grown physically, both in mountain biking and in my overall fitness and mobility.
I notice this immediately with my main sport: hang gliding. When I'm in shape, I don't get tired anymore, and suddenly I can do so much more.
Helen van den Bos
There have been many moments when I thought, oh yeah, this is progress.
- The day I flew 15 tandems and still wasn't exhausted.
- Being able to carry kites without any effort.
- Super fit, feeling great in my skin, full of energy.
- And actually almost every ride on the bike: I notice that I can handle my bike better and better.
Another wonderful thing is returning to a place I've been before and feeling that technical sections suddenly become much easier. That's when I experience the pure joy of progress.
And yes: I almost always sit on my bike with a big grin on my face.
Mountain biking as a woman: usually fine, sometimes… well
In almost all the sports I do or have done, women are in the minority. I usually exercise alone, so I don't always notice it much. But in crowded areas or bike parks, you sometimes get sexist looks, comments, or gestures. Sometimes I don't even register it right away; only later do I think: huh, what the hell happened there?
What I do find important is that you shouldn't confuse that with gallantry and helpfulness. Sometimes a helping hand is just a helping hand, not proof that someone thinks women can't do it themselves.
In general, I notice that mountain biking is more socially accepted for men than for women.
When people hear that I mountain bike, they ask if it's just forest trails or if it's also those scary things.
Helen van den Bos
I never hear them ask that of a man. Apparently, he's allowed to ride enduro without much disapproval.
I don't really know what men face, so I can't say exactly what's "typically feminine" in that regard. But I do think there's less feminine cycling clothing, backpacks, and accessories. And even frames and setups don't take our geometry into account enough.
And yes, there's also the whole menstrual cycle thing: the impractical aspects (how do you stay hygienic when you're on the trails for a day or more?) and the physical and mental aspects. Hormones really do play a role. But that applies to any sport.
As for being seen and taken seriously in coaching: that's fine. Sometimes it takes a while for me to get a response to my doubts or questions, but it always turns out the coach was already working on it behind the scenes and taking it into account. And just as often, I only need to make one small comment and he'll immediately start working on it, sometimes not just for me, but for others as well. That's great, of course.
And sometimes I just have to stop whining and get to work. Perhaps even more often than the coach suggests..
This is my flow: “middle of nowhere” and overcoming myself
If you ask me when I have the most fun on the bike, it's this:
In the middle of nowhere, on a trail that can't even be called a trail. Struggling through technical or steep sections, surrounded by stunning scenery. Conquering myself and doing what I never thought possible.
Helen van den Bos
Whether it's the mud of a Drenthe forest or a rugged mountain trail, that's where it happens for me. And honestly, a shared adventure with fellow bikers is also a high priority. It just doesn't happen often enough.
Where I want to grow: days of rugged mountain scenery
As a mountain biker, I really want to do what I dreamed of as a trail runner: trek through nature under my own steam. Carry minimal luggage, travel for days through rugged mountain landscapes, and enjoy everything I encounter.
I want to be able to read and write with my bike. I want to become more adept at navigating obstacles and technical sections. I want to build up the endurance I need to be able to cycle up that mountain with a pack. And preferably, I want to share that with others.
That motivates me to keep training. And developing myself is almost a goal in itself.
What mountain biking taught me (and what I want to share with you)
Mountain biking has taught me that you can always start over. That you can find a new passion. And that you can learn and discover in everything. And perhaps the best part of all, that I am much tougher and more competent than I previously thought.
To women who are in doubt, I would actually say the same as to men:
If you want something, try it. Even if you find it exciting or scary, as I did too.
Helen van den Bos
If you want it, there's a way to get there. Find people who can help, don't make the challenges too big, and get on that bike.
- Photo credits: Heleen van den Bos
