Off Root

Josie Herbert

by

Josie Herbert

British Cycling Coaching In Off Road
MIAS 2

Josie Herbert

Josie Herbert

British Cycling Coaching In Off Road
MIAS 2

Josie Herbert

British Cycling Coaching In Off Road
MIAS 2

After falling off a rock climb, I fell in love with mountain biking instead.

My introduction to mountain biking was only intended as physio for a broken ankle, but I quickly fell in love with off-road riding and the way it opened up a whole new world that had been on my doorstep all along. I’d been riding touring bikes since I was four years old, but this was a whole new skillset, and I was keen to learn more.

It was while I was on a solo nightride in those same local woods that I met, Marcia, a local sponsored rider who encouraged me to start racing. That’s when the fun and progression really began and I met some brilliant riders at the mini-downhill races at Penshurst Off Road Centre (PORC) and various Pedalhounds race venues. This is how I met podium queen, Renée Diwell, whose two sons, Travis and Nathan, regularly graced the top steps too.

Renée was a Bikeability instructor when we met 8 years ago and, more recently, became part of the OffRoot coaching team founded and run by the force of nature that is Jackie Field. I defy anyone not to be inspired by Jackie’s enthusiasm for mountain biking and I’ve loved seeing how she lights that fire in other riders, whether they’re novices or experienced riders and racers. She’s definitely one of the world’s life-enhancers.

Time flies when you’re having fun and it’s now twenty years since I first wobbled down our local trails following my husband. Mountain biking has given me the opportunity to meet some incredible people, face my fears, and ride in a lot of beautiful places, in the UK and overseas, and I feel like it’s time to pay it forward and share the stoke. I’m enormously grateful to Jackie for holding the door open for me and looking forward to sharing the tips and good times.