Geert Vermeulen

Highlighted

• More than 10 years of experience with mountain biking
• Bicycle mechanic training (CVO HIK 2018-2019)
• Limburg 200 MTB Ultra finisher (1 day) (2023)
• Belgian Ardennes Marathon Series (BAMS) 2023: La Hallonienne, Ardennes Trophy, Raid Bocq
• 50km ultra trail run (2022)
• Stoneman Arduenna Gold (2020)

Experience

Until the year 2000, I was active in the athletics world and was a successful javelin thrower. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury put an end to that. After a few less athletic years, I started with 'start to run' in 2008. In 2013 and 2014, the mountain biking story, which I had already been interested in before, became more concrete with the purchase of an entry-level hardtail.

Initially, I cycled weekly with some cycling buddies. However, I really got into it after my first 100km ride with significant elevation gain. Since that ride, my love for marathon mountain biking has only grown stronger.

Mountain biking became an increasingly significant part of my life, and I also wanted to master the technical side. So, in 2018, I enrolled in a bicycle mechanic training program, which I passed with flying colors. I started sharing this knowledge and all other aspects of mountain biking online when I founded Mountainbikevibes.be in 2019, together with my girlfriend Elke Aerts.

In 2020, I released an e-book called "The Ultimate Mountain Bike Guide" with tips and tricks for novice mountain bikers.

In that same year, marathon mountain biking took on an extra dimension, and I finished the Stoneman Arduenna in 1 day. That experience paved the way for even bigger and more challenging athletic goals in the coming years...

After a somewhat calmer year in terms of sports, I discovered the beauty of trail running at the end of 2021, an ideal complement and combination with mountain biking. In 2022, I ran my first 50km ultra trail run in the Ardennes.

Meanwhile, Mountainbikevibes.be has grown into the largest MTB-specific blog in Belgium and the Netherlands.

I refocused on marathon mountain biking in terms of sports. In 2023, I participated in various marathons of the Belgian Ardennes Marathon Series (BAMS), completed the Limburg 200 Ultra in one day, and tackled more elevation gain than ever before.

 

My knowledge and experience as a recreational marathon mountain biker, accumulated over the years, were also bundled into an online course called "The Marathon Plan."

My Gear

• MTB: SCOTT Spark RC World Cup AXS
• Tires: Schwalbe Wicked Will 2.4" & Racing Ralph 2.35"
• Bike navigation: Garmin Edge 830
• MTB shoes: Northwave Rebel & Northwave Celsius XC Arctic GTX
• MTB backpack: USWE MTB Hydro 8 liters
• Nutrition: TORQ
• Maintenance: Dynamic Bike Care
• Sports watch: Garmin Fenix 6X PRO
• Trail running shoes: HOKA Speedgoat

Education

I graduated from Pius-X College in Tessenderlo in 2002. In 2006, I started working as an employee in an insulation company, where I rose to (reserve) team leader in 2014.

In 2018, I enrolled in the bicycle mechanic training program in evening classes. In 2019, I obtained my diploma.

In December 2019, I founded Mountainbikevibes.be. Blogging became my side job in 2020, and I specialized in SEO and online marketing.

At the end of 2021, I resigned from my job to focus full-time on Mountainbikevibes and other projects starting in 2022.

In June 2022, I joined my girlfriend Elke Aerts' company, and Mountainbikevibes (and my other projects) became part of Onlinevibes.be.