Beyond The Accessible Path: Adaptive Mountain Biking

Words by Hannah Lutz

When most people think of mountain biking, they picture narrow singletrack winding through forests, rocky climbs, and steep descents. For riders with disabilities, the vision often stops at the wide relatively smooth or paved flat accessible trails - if it even comes to mind at all.

The fast growing sport of adaptive mountain biking (aMB) is changing that narrative in powerful ways, opening up new adventures and building stoked communities that redefine what's possible on two, three, or four wheels.

What is adaptive mountain biking?

Adaptive mountain biking is mountain biking that uses specialized equipment and techniques to allow people with disabilities to ride, race, and jump on off-road trails. It's a broad category that includes:

• Three- or four-wheeled off-road handcycles, designed for riders who pedal with their arms.
• Recumbent bikes and trikes for increased stability.
• Adaptive eMBs (electric mountain bikes) that can either assist with pedaling or be fully electric. These can include both upright two-wheeled bikes, or three or four-wheeled adapted bikes.
• Trail modifications and coaching make mountain biking accessible and fun for all levels.

Whether someone lives with spinal cord injury, limb difference, visual impairment, or other mobility limitations, adaptive mountain biking offers a gateway to explore the outdoors and compete in a new way.

Finding Community Beyond the Accessible Path

Many parks and trail systems have accessible trails or wide dirt paths designed for wheelchair users or recumbent riders. These are wonderful, but they're only the beginning. The heart of mountain biking — and often where the deepest joy and thrill comes — is pushing your limits, navigating the terrain, and sharing it with others.

The adaptive mountain biking community is growing, and it's one of the best places to discover new capabilities and friendships.

How to get started?

If you're curious about adaptive mountain biking or want to find others to ride with:

• Look up local adaptive sports organizations — many have mountain bike programs or partnerships.
• Ask bike shops and trail associations.
• Connect on social media — there are growing online communities sharing advice, rides, and meet-ups.
• Try a demo day — manufacturers or adaptive nonprofits often host events so you can try different rigs and find what fits you best.
  

Whether, you are just getting started or have been biking for years. Here are a few things that I've picked up over my three years of adaptive mountain biking:

• Always allow yourself to be a beginner. It's okay to be bad at something new even if everyone around you is excelling. Give yourself grace. Everyone's body is different. Love that about yourself. And alway try again.
• Find the gear that works for you! I found SHREDLY's Limitless Pants. They provide me with really good protection for my legs and they also have a smooth yoga band type waist without any buttons or zippers in the front or pockets in the back that I'm sitting on, which makes sure that I'm not getting any pressure sores while riding. I also find that they come up pretty high in the back so that when I'm sitting in my bike, they're not riding down. (And the fact that they come in cute colors are made for women in a WIDE range of sizes doesn't hurt either).
• Make sure all of your gear fits well. 
• Your HELMET can save your life!
• Meet up with other adaptive riders, especially ones that are more advanced. It is the best way to get better and hone your skills. It can also really help with confidence! Also find other riders on social medial and DM them. They usually will love to help you find somewhere to meet up or can help you to connect to someone near you.
• Last piece of advice is whenever you can get out and ride, do it! The more you ride the faster you will improve!

Follow Hannah @hannahcatelutz