Jack Simms doesn’t just love mountain biking – he’s obsessed with it. Bikes have always been part of his DNA, long before life threw him an unexpected curveball. In 2016, while mountain biking in the Alps, Jack crashed and sustained a spinal cord injury. Just like that, everything changed. The rush of the ride, the thrill and adrenaline, the freedom of the sport – it all seemed lost.
Jack became a wheelchair user for life and, for a while, believed his days of tackling mountain bike trails were behind him. “I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get back on the trails in any meaningful way,” he says.
Then he found the Bowhead, a beast of an adaptive mountain bike, and, as is the way when paralysed people discover some adaptive equipment that opens up their horizons, suddenly the world looked different. “Getting back out on the trails in a Bowhead changed my life all over again.”
That experience marked the start of the next chapter of his life. Inspired and determined to give others that very same life-affirming rush, Jack founded Adaptiv Sports, now rebranded as Adaptiv Mobility, to open up the outdoors to others like him. What started as a passion project has now grown into a movement, bringing adaptive riders together and helping Disabled people experience the joy of the trails.
“Our bikes get attention from everyone,” he says proudly. “They’re seen as awesome pieces of kit, not just medical equipment.” And honestly? That’s exactly how it should be. Because who says a bit of adaptive engineering genius can’t also look insanely badass?
Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth riding. Jack’s first adaptive bike, bought while still in rehab, was, in his words, a bit of a letdown. Too clunky, too slow, and definitely not up to the wild terrain he used to love. He nearly gave up, thinking his biking days were over. But one last spin changed everything. “My mission is to connect riders up with the equipment they need to feel safe but push limits. I love identifying and demonstrating gear that helps people get into the woods and feel that freedom again”.
Fast forward to today and Adaptiv Mobility is at the heart of a booming adaptive mountain biking scene in the UK. Jack and co-founder Chris Field have built a vibrant community. What started as a small WhatsApp group of Bowhead riders has grown into a nationwide network. They run experience days at Okeford Hill Bike Park in Dorset, offer kit trials, and host meet-ups that feel more like mini festivals than training days.
I’ve had the absolute joy of joining some of these experiences. Thanks to Adaptiv, I’ve ridden in both Innerleithen, Scotland and the Forest of Dean, shoulder to shoulder with my non-disabled friends. And let me tell you: it was transformative. To be out on the same trails, sharing the same thrills, was something I never imagined possible. It deepened our friendships and showed us all what true inclusivity feels like.
The wider UK scene is also catching up fast. “It’s exploded in the last three years. There’s more kit, more riders, more events. We like to think we’ve played a bit of a part, It used to feel like a solo mission – now it feels like a proper community.”
Events like the Malverns Classic now feature adaptive categories alongside traditional races, and it’s not tokenism – these riders are posting times that rival the pros. “It just feels like we’re integrated with the wider MTB community,” Jack tells me. “Which is exactly how it should be.”
Bike parks like Forest of Dean, Glentress, and BikePark Wales are stepping up too, working with adaptive riders to tweak trails and facilities. But there are still hurdles – especially around outdated e-bike laws that don’t quite know what to make of high-powered adaptive rigs like the Bowhead. “We rely on our motors to get us out of trouble,” Jack explains, “but that puts us in a bit of a legal grey area.”
Trail grading is another frontier. Right now, there’s no official system to tell adaptive riders what to expect. Jack’s method? “I tend to drop into any trail and hope it’ll work out.” Brave, yes, but not exactly best practice. A UK-wide adaptive grading system would be a game-changer, giving riders clearer guidance and greater confidence.
The momentum is undeniable. From grassroots groups like ARC, Adaptive Expeditions and Experience Community, to Paralympians and adventure athletes flying the flag for adaptive mountain biking, the UK is edging closer to becoming a global leader in inclusive mountain biking. And with outdoor adventure tourism booming, the timing couldn’t be better.
Jack’s vision is clear: a future where anyone can turn up at any trail centre, knowing they’ll be able to ride without hitting a locked gate or an unexpected barrier. And Adaptiv Mobility is making that future happen. This summer, they’re opening a brand-new HQ – part shop, part industrial unit, all about community and connection. More kit, more events, more riders. Watch this space.
The best destinations for adaptive mountain biking in the UK
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is a standout destination for adaptive riders. It has multiple accessible trails, including the pioneering ‘Launchpad’ – the UK’s first purpose-built trail for four-wheel cycles designed for those without pedal power. Recently, the centre introduced ‘Old Bob’s Trail’, a 2km-long green-graded route that’s fully accessible for adaptive bikes, families with trailers, and balance bikes. This trail features gentle gradients, sweeping berms, and mini rock gardens, making it ideal for building confidence. The centre also offers adaptive bike hire and accessible toilet facilities, thanks to partnerships with organisations like Goals Beyond Grass.
Website: forestryengland.uk
Glentress Forest, Scottish Borders
Glentress, part of the renowned 7stanes trail network, has recently undergone significant upgrades to enhance accessibility. The introduction of the Multi-User Trail provides a wide, firm gravel path with gentle slopes, connecting key facilities like the café, bike shop and skills area. This trail is suitable for adaptive bikes and has several resting points. Additionally, Glentress offers wheelchair-adapted accommodations, such as the Silver Birch cabins, ensuring a comfortable stay for all visitors.
Website: forestryandland.gov.scot
Okeford Hill, Dorset
Okeford Hill Bike Park is the current home base for Adaptiv Mobility, who host regular demo days on a range of trails through the Dorset countryside, suitable for riders of varying abilities.
Website: adaptivsports.co.uk
Golfie/Innerleithen, Scotland
Known as the “Golfie,” Caberston Forest in Innerleithen offers some of the most challenging and technical trails in the UK, attracting experienced riders seeking steep, rooty, and rugged terrain. While the trails are demanding, they provide an opportunity for adaptive riders with advanced skills to test their limits.
Website: trailforks.com
Coed y Brenin, North Wales
Coed y Brenin Forest Park is a pioneer in adaptive mountain biking, offering a variety of trails suitable for different skill levels. The “MinorTaur” trail, a 10km blue-grade route, is specifically designed with adaptive riders in mind, featuring wide tracks and gentle gradients. The trail is built in four loops, with the first three accessible to adaptive mountain bikes.
Website: naturalresources.wales