Rider Retreat - Mountain Bike Wellness Retreat
Rider Retreat 2022
Another exciting collaboration between Chris and Jen is seeing their first MTB Rider Retreat in April 2022.
Rider Retreat is to be set over two days where guided mountain biking is combined with personal development to push you out of your comfort zone in a different way and to build confidence and a positive mindset on and off the bike for your overall wellbeing.
It is a collaboration between Jen Price from Mindful Routes and Chris Hutchens from The Contour Collective sharing their passion of mountain biking, adventure, outdoors and wellbeing. Turning pedals turns ideas into action and we often get a great sense of clarity from the fresh air and the freedom it brings.
What to expect
Rider Retreat will take you on a journey of self discovery and empowerment while riding our bikes and connecting with nature. Riding our bikes on the trails amongst the hills and forests of the beautiful Tweed Valley, we will create the opportunity to be more mindful in the outdoors as a source of inspiration, motivation and clarity, empowering you to make meaningful choices towards sustainable positive changes in your life. We will stop en route to do some breathwork, mindfulness and journaling to help connect with your values, desires and the barriers that may be holding you back in achieving your dreams in life.
Mountain biking takes us on amazing journeys similar to life itself, sometimes with arduous climbs and intimidating descents. To make positive changes, we need to spend some time navigating the best direction for our journey in life, considering which direction will be the most fun or fulfilling… Like a trail, life is full of twists and turns and it’s important to embrace each one, seeing each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Where
We will explore the woodland areas surrounding Glentress and Innerleithen, taking in a mix of trails. We will use the trails as our way to connect with nature while giving the headspace to take in the various sessions over the two days. Expect to ride the majority cross country style, using fire tracks, cycle paths and forest paths with some blue and red trails to descend.
Aims
Jen and Chris are passionate about the benefits of being outside for their wellbeing but more specifically through mountain biking. Rider Retreat aims to give you that time to enjoy a journey without having to make any decisions about where to go on the bike so you can focus on where you want to get to in life instead by connecting with nature, your body and mind.
We will be encouraging you to visualise a future that aligns with your desires and your values. Maybe there are barriers stopping you… we can explore these on our journey together.
We will support you to
Lean into your fears
Learn how to quieten your inner critic
Step out of your comfort zone physically and mentally
Develop awareness of your limiting beliefs and habits holding you back, on and off the bike.
Tap into your inner strength
Identify some life goals and small steps towards them
Make meaningful positive decisions aligned to your core values and beliefs.
Enjoy the ride
By the end of the two days, not only will you have had a fun couple of days riding, immersed in the beautiful surroundings of the Tweed Valley, we hope you will have unearthed some ideas and dreams, feeling empowered to take action to make them happen.
When: Thursday 21stApril 2022 9:30 am - Friday 22nd April 2022 3:30pm
Where: Innerleithen & Glentress, Tweed Valley, Borders (Scotland)
ACTIVITIES
Mountain Biking - while riding our bikes is our vehicle for connecting with nature, the two days will be less about taking on the gnarliest trails and more about enjoying the flow of the ride. We will climb mainly fire tracks and descend mainly blue & red trails. We still intend to push you out of your comfort zone physically at times, and will try to adapt sessions to suit different abilities.
Breathwork - we will stop during the rides to learn about the benefits of breathwork exercises, raising awareness of our own breath patterns and how we can utilise this powerful tool in different ways. This will also be incorporated into the yoga sessions.
Journaling - an introduction to the power of journaling. You will be encouraged to capture thoughts, ideas and plans in a notebook while we’re out on the bikes but also back at the hotel and beyond the retreat.
Yoga - gentle flow yoga sessions for all abilities and experience, will be based back at the hotel at the end of the first day riding and in the morning of day two. It is an opportunity to relax, unwind and connect with yourself and give your whole body a good stretch before and after a day riding bikes. Hosted by Pollyanna (Yoga Frog).
Workshop - a debrief session from the day, summarising and sharing our key insights, some journaling prompts and an opportunity for a Q&A with Jen & Chris.
Your Hosts:
Chris
Chris is a world enduro racer on the pro stage, and he competes at many national races across the UK. He is a qualified MTB guide at level 3 and a MTB coach. Chris is the founder of The Contour Collective, a mountain bike content channel creating inspiring and educational content with the aim to improve MTB participation.
Chris is passionate about the benefits of mountain biking for general fitness as well as how it can positively impact wellbeing. Chris is known for his calm and cool nature, and riding bikes isn't always about racing. He loves riding bikes of all kinds and thrives on adventure.
"I know how important connecting with the outdoors is for me and bringing together a culmination of amazing practices for two days of riding is super exciting. I'm thrilled to bring this event to the Scottish Borders with Jen from Mindful routes. I know she's going to add a huge amount of value to those who join the retreat."
Jen
Jen is a qualified transformational life coach for Mindful Routes, a Level 2 MTB guide and a breathwork teacher. She has a passion to inspire and empower people to become their most authentic self. Jen has always encouraged others to participate in MTB, through different clubs and groups. She is a mountain bike enthusiast, with several races, including Scottish enduros and some endurance events such as 10UTB and Strathpuffer under her belt. She just loves riding her bike whether it’s cross country or more enduro style trails. Jen believes strongly in the benefits of connecting with nature for wellbeing.
“I am buzzing to have pulled this retreat together with Chris. It’s been a long time in the making. We share a passion for mountain biking and wellbeing being connected and we are excited to share this with people.”
Polly
Polly is a co-founder of YogaFrog where she brings yoga, lifestyle and wellbeing together. Pollyana is a lively soul with a deep empathy and caring for those around her and the world at large. She considers yoga to be a lifestyle and attempts to convey this through her teaching, emphasizing “bringing yoga off the mat”. Polly is also a mountain biker in the Tweed Valley and so is the perfect yogi to help us before and after our days riding.
Accommodation: Caddon View Hotel
There are 8 rooms altogether in the hotel, which we hope to fill. Rooms vary from single to twin to double. They will be allocated on a “first come first choice” basis. Prices are based on single occupancy so do let us know if you are attending as friends or a couple and would like to share a room.
The price includes one night (21st) bed and breakfast however additional nights are an option (subject to availability). If you would like to book an additional night for additional cost please let us know. This will be booked directly with the hotel but a small discount will apply.
Set in its own grounds Caddon View is a beautifully decorated Victorian house built in the 1850’s which has a café in our refurbished conservatory showcasing the best of the south of Scotland’s ingredients with a little (lot) of fun along the way. The Sitooterie offers a range of breakfasts, lunches, main meals, teas, coffees and cakes, all inspired by what is fresh, local and seasonal. We let the produce do the talking, and there are always freshly made scones and cakes available.
Bike facilities: Bike wash and secure storage (at own risk) is based at the hotel.
Food
Lunch will be provided on the 21st and 22nd April. Please notify us if you have any dietary requirements at least 7 days in advance.
Dinner is included on the 21st April at the hotel excluding drinks.
Breakfast is included at the hotel on 22nd April.
Please bring your own snacks and hydration for both days of riding.
There is a Co-op in Innerleithen (5 minute walk from the hotel) if you need to buy anything.
MTB Ability
The retreat does not focus on MTB coaching. To get the most from the two days we ask that you are comfortable riding trails up to red grade (i.e. Spooky woods at Glentress or Vicious Valley at Bike Park Wales). We want to ensure you, as a participant, get the most from the retreat so if you’re unsure before signing up please reach out to either of us.
What to bring:
A working mountain bike (hardtail or full suspension) - please make sure you have checked all parts of your bike are in good working order (consider taking your bike to a bike shop for a service in advance). While we can make small adjustments if needed, if your bike is not working to a safe standard we will not be able to allow you to take part in the ride. E-bikes are welcome but we will ride at the pace of analogue/acoustic bikes.
Biking clothes for 2 days* - include waterproofs (it is Scotland after all)
Helmet & gloves are essential
Knee pads & elbow pads are optional
Water bottle - plenty hydration for a full day riding x2
Snacks - plenty snacks for a full day riding x2
Spare inner tube & pump or other kit for tubeless tyres
Multi tool useable on your bike
Small first aid kit - while we are qualified first aiders we recommend everyone carries a small first aid kit
Any personal medication (eg inhalers, epi pens)
Sun cream*
Rucksack or bum bag to carry all items you need on a day riding
Yoga mat (will be provided but please feel free to bring your own)
Comfortable clothing (shorts, leggings, loose clothing)
A notebook & pen
*please check the weather and come prepared as you would for a regular ride
Bike hire: Bike hire is not included in the price but there are options here in the Tweed Valley so just ask if you are unsure.
Event highlights:
2 days guided riding
1 night accommodation
All inclusive meals - lunch on both days, dinner (day 1) breakfast (day 2)
Breathwork
Journaling
Yoga
We can’t wait to welcome you into the Tweed Valley for a fun adventure. For any further enquiries please reach out to Jen or Chris via our instagram pages or via our website.
Rider Retreat does not include:
Transport to and from venue
A bike or bike hire
Snacks and hydration
Bike clothing or kit
Full Event T&C available here
