By Bec Scholes
Mountain biking improves mental health across the United States. Three mountain bikers in Boone, N.C., have seen increased mental health, improved fitness and growing emotional awareness after investing time into the hobby.
Nick Novacek, 24, began mountain biking shortly after his brother did two years ago. He started mountain biking when he was 10 years old, but his passion didn’t emerge until he tried out a friend’s full-suspension bike and had a blast. He rode the trail five times, for 37 miles, until he could barely feel his legs. Shortly after, he bought his first mountain bike and he quickly realized how happy it made him feel, as well as how easy it is to get injured while on the trails.
“I fall every time I go,” Novacek says. “Most mountain bikers fall fairly frequently.”
Novacek landed himself in recovery for six weeks after breaking his ribs trying to land a jump. He said his mental health dropped during this recovery. He couldn’t bike during the healing process and fell into a depressive episode. Fearing it might happen again, he decided to buy more protective gear. Adding to his helmet, he gained protective gloves, knee pads and a chest plate. He said he couldn't risk another unprotected fall. He loves mountain biking too much to give it up for broken rib recovery.
"I THINK MORE CLEARLY AFTER MOUNTAIN BIKING," MIKE NOVACEK SAID. "I CREDIT THIS TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF SHINRIN-YOKU. WHICH IS A JAPANESE TERM WHICH TRANSLATES TO FOREST BATHING. FOREST BATHING ALLOWS ME TO DECOMPRESS, TAKE IN MY SURROUNDINGS AND BETTER APPRECIATE MY INNER STEEZ."
Mountain biking is an activity that helps you grow physically and emotionally. The challenge of staying focused and balanced while on the trails is both a mental and physical workout for the body.
Mike Novacek, 23, younger brother of Nick Novacek, started biking when he was five years old. However, he didn’t consider it a hobby until four years ago. He said right at the start of COVID-19, his mom bought him a really nice bike for his birthday. He thought it was awesome and felt encouraged to bike a lot more.
“IT’S ZEN AND MEDITATIVE LIKE THERES NOTHING ELSE TO WORRY ABOUT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE 100% FOCUSED IN WHAT YOU’RE DOING,” NOVACEK SAID.
Mike Novacek is studying finance and banking at Appalachian State University. He said classes get pretty stressful, especially as a senior around this time of year with finals. Mountain biking enables him to relieve some of that stress while encouraging him to stay active.
College causes stress levels in individuals to increase, specifically when a student receives low grades. Managing stress is a large part of a college career, and mountain biking can help to do just that.
Brianne Morris, 20, started mountain biking at the age of seven. She said she rode the easiest trails throughout her hometown of Lake Lure, North Carolina, to get a feel for her bike. "Mountain Biking encouraged me to pursue a degree in Recreation Management," Morris said. "It helped me gain a passion for the outdoors. I feel most at home when traveling through the forests on my bike." Morris began working towards her degree at Appalachian State University in 2020. She said she was shocked at how many more trails were in Boone.
"I felt like I was in heaven," Morris said. "The trails in Boone made me forget about all my problems, and I could just live in the moment and thrive."
After graduating in 2021, Morris moved across the country to jumpstart her career at Bryce Canyon National Park. She said as much as she loved biking the trails in Utah, she missed the mountains of Boone. Morris said she's jumping straight onto the trails as soon as she steps back into North Carolina.
Mental health problems are a growing public health concern. Depression is now the leading cause of disability and ill health worldwide, increasing the risk of substance misuse and suicide. The evidence for improved physical and psychological health effects associated with nature-based activities and experiences is strong. The natural environment is an essential component of the mountain biking experience, providing participants with a unique opportunity to interact with nature and serving as a vital motivator.
Boone is a mountainous area with a lot of trails meant for biking. These trails can be utilized to improve mood and decrease stress, but also encourage people to have fun and get outside. Rocky Knob is a park with specific designations for bikers. It has five main trails, a playground, and a jump track. Boone and Rocky Knob were named "Ultimate Ride Hotspots" by Velo magazine.
Boone and the surrounding area have various trails of assorted difficulty. Mike Novacek says his current favorite trail is 21 jumps to Schoolhouse Shuttle, or Upper Wilson Ridge. It is an intermediate/difficult bike-only trail located in the Globe, about 50 minutes from Boone. Nick Novacek says his favorite trail system is Dark Mountain, specifically the trail Dark Grind. It is an intermediate trail located in Wilkesboro.