Mountain Bike Therapy
Navigating challenges and obstacles outdoors, while being supported and guided by a Mountain Bike Therapeutic Practitioner, can provide an opportunity for growth and healing.
We integrate evidence-based therapeutic approaches into our sessions including adventure/outdoor therapy, experiential and creative arts therapy and mindfulness. We also offer Ride for Wellbeing experiences for adventure, creative expression and being in the present moment with self, other and nature.
Your safety is our highest priority. While not much in life is risk-free, and bike riding is no exception to that, we bring our expertise in guiding and instruction to create tailored riding experiences. We consider individual abilities, hopes, goals and previous riding/outdoor experience. Safety and duty of care is practiced when inviting participants, whether riding or engaging in therapeutic activities.
Suitable for people wanting to ride off-road (gravel, rail trail, singletrack or MTB park). For ages 6 years and above, we are experienced in supporting all ages and levels of riding, including girls/women’s specific groups and older adults who are starting their off road riding adventures. We are unable to cater for bicycles with training wheels due to the terrain accessed.
Riding is tailored to individual ability, fitness level, experience and goals. Prior to any guided riding or biking adventure, we make sure you are competent and confident to ride off-road safely. This includes developing an understanding of how your bike and equipment work through instruction in bike care and trail side repairs. Progressive off road and mountain bike skills instruction is given prior to any guided riding.
We always start small and never attempt any obstacles or terrain which is out of the rider’s ability or comfort level.
Sometimes the experience of riding becomes the main focus of therapeutic experience. For example the riding itself is challenging, or feelings that arise might relate to other aspects of the participants life. Or, the rider is experiencing a “block” in their riding progression, they might be coming back to riding after injury or other life challenges. Learning fundamental mountain bike skills can enable a bike rider to have more control, confidence, adaptability, focus and resilience - all applicable skills for daily life. We also explore the relationship with nature and our time outdoors together.
The act of riding, while being safety guided and supported can enable feelings of fun, flow state and being in the present moment – all beneficial for health and wellbeing.
Therapeutic process
Throughout the sessions we pay attention to our bodies and felt sense of the experience using focusing, mindfulness and embodiment practices. This helps to ground to the earth, settle nervous systems and tune into self and surrounds.
At any stage of our session, we may where appropriate and suitable for the individual, choose to use creative materials and processes e.g. photography, strength cards, drawing, painting, movement, voice, sculpture, spoken and written word. This can enable conversation which is not restricted to the verbal and can support those who may not want to talk about their experiences - by making invisible worlds visible and offering a different perspective. At times emotions, feelings, values, patterns of behaviour are often identified, and choices can be made for preferred ways of being.
The therapeutic practitioner is a companion to those she inquires alongside. She holds a safe space to witness, support and collaborate with those who seek to co-inquire into making meaning out of lived experiences and create actions for change.
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Mountain bike skills instruction and guiding either on gravel roads, single track or at mountain bike parks. We incorporate therapeutic processes during the session.
There is a focus on how the lessons learnt on the bike might inform daily life and visa versa.
Option to utilise creative arts therapy throughout.
Mindfulness can support you to be more grounded and present during your time in nature.
This in turn can assist self regulation and capacity building in order to try new skills, ride different trails.
Sessions include more than bike riding:
Off bike sessions for starting off, planning, reviews and integrating learning
Bike literacy & independence - learning how to care for your bike and do trailside repairs
Time in the bush - being in nature
Relationship support - siblings, parenting, families
Recommended duration for sessions:
Initial meeting* - 1 hour
to complete registration, check bike, discuss consent & make a plan for our work together (if child/young person this sessions happens with Parent/Carer)
MTB Therapy sessions - 2 hours is ideal (depending on age). Minimal duration is 1.5 hours to make the most of time on the bike and also therapeutic process.
Planning and/or review sessions* - 1 hour.
Session frequency will be determined by the reason for attending and goals
* Can be in person/tele-health
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Everyone can benefit! We work with ages six years and above, supporting those starting out their off-road riding journey through to those who are experienced riders. This is not a “learn to ride” lesson therefore some basic ability to ride a bicycle is required.
You don’t need to have a particular “issue or problem” – rather be interested in creating changes in your life or having an experience in nature. The focus is not on fixing illness but rather on fostering wellness. Here are some of the specific and often-complex experiences people live with, which mountain bike therapy can be beneficial for:
Bike riders reconnecting with riding after a significant break
Bike riders who have had an accident/s and are physiologically, emotionally or physically impacted by this
Mental health challenges (anxiety, PTSD, depression, trauma)
Neuro diversity
Cultural trauma and oppression
LGBTQIA+ and gender diversity related experience or trauma and oppression
Relationship challenges
Family violence and/or gender-based violence
Survivors of emotional and/or physical/sexual abuse
Homelessness or risk of homelessness
War Veterans
Transition into different stages of life (e.g. adolescence; midlife)
Work based injury (including psychological)
Team building
Business and life direction
Girls and women specific groups
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Bicycle that is suitable for off-road riding which is well maintained (recently serviced with gears, brakes, suspension, chain all in good working condition)
Helmet that meets Australian, European or US Safety Standards (no cracks, well fitted)
Water bottle in a bike bottle cage or hydration back pack (to carry while riding)
Clothing suitable for riding conditions (wind and wet weather, sun safe) and protection (knee and elbow pads and glasses are recommended)
Closed shoes (with or without cleats, MTB flats or or sports shoes with a stiff sole)
Gloves (full-finger gloves are our preference)
Basic tools for changing a flat tyre and trailside mechanical repairs relevant to your bike set up (e.g. pump, spare tube, C02 canister and applicator, tubeless patch repair, tyre levers, multitool, chain breaker, chain link)
Please note: If you are unable to obtain any of this equipment please contact us to discuss possible options.
WE HAVE BIKES & EQUIPMENT YOU CAN USE (size & availability dependent).
We also have a bike shop in Wesley Hill, Castlemaine called Rad Cycles & Gear. If you need support getting ride-ready (your bike serviced or gear needed to ride) we can assist you.