Passionate, committed, and deeply compassionate, Marilou Asselin perfectly embodies the spirit of the Bromont National Cycling Center. Originally from Montreal's South Shore, she has been with us ever since, sharing her passion for mountain biking and dirt jumps with rigor, kindness, and a keen sensitivity to each individual's progress. Through her journey, she immerses us in her story, her vision of training, and the importance of the community that revolves around dirt jumps.

Marilou: first and foremost a coach

1. What brought you here to the CNCB?

It was my passion for mountain biking that brought me here to this region. Initially, it was the desire to share this passion with children that led me to start working here in 2018, working two or three weeks during summer day camps.

2. What do you find unique about CNCB?

It brings together so many cycling and sports enthusiasts in one place, and allows you to rub shoulders with so many different levels and disciplines of cycling.

3. What advice would you give to a young person who wants to get started in dirt jumping?

Firstly, be solid on the pump track. This is really important before attempting jumps. Secondly, it's important to gently stretch your comfort zone. Don't try to go too fast or too big too soon. Another tip would be to surround yourself with inspiring people who are slightly better than you, so you have good role models, but also people who will encourage you without putting too much pressure on you. Otherwise, it's also important to listen to yourself. Do I have the mental and physical capacity to push my limits today? Also, to build a solid foundation and learn how to break down progressions, lessons are a very good option. It's by riding often and pushing yourself little by little, over and over again, that you can encode and automate new motor patterns.

4. What is your favorite place to ride in Bromont?

When it comes to mountain biking, I love riding the trails at P7. As for dirt jumping, the CNCB really is the best place to jump, along with the Waterloo pump track.

5. What made you want to become a coach?

It's about making this passion that I have for mountain biking and dirt jumps accessible to everyone.

A story of progress

6. How did you discover dirt jumps?

I discovered dirt jumping when the pump track was built in Waterloo in the fall of 2017. That's when I first came into contact with this discipline. Before that, I only rode mountain bikes.

7. Do you remember your first jump?

It was at the Waterloo pump track, and I already knew I wanted to jump before I was really solid on the pump track. It was the same thing with snowboarding, where I wanted to jump before I could control descents and turns. So, at the Waterloo pump track, I was going really fast, even too fast to make the jump on my bike, and that's when I discovered a real passion for bike jumping. It combines all the passions I've had in my life. Over the years, I've really improved my technique and I'm making the jumps with greater success.

8. How do you deal with fear or stress before trying something new?

Maybe it's maturity or age, but I'm very afraid these days. In the sense that, before trying something new, to manage that fear, I make sure I've done all the progressions and micro-progressions beforehand so that I feel solid and ready to try new things. I surround myself with good people who will be both guides and role models, who will respect me and my limits. Watching videos also helps me learn new things. When I do something new, for me, it's really within my reach. I have to be 100% sure I can do it; it's never going to be a gamble. I feel confident doing it. I may progress more slowly this way, but I progress steadily because I fall very little, if at all.

9. What is your greatest fear, and what have you learned from it?

The accidents I witnessed, where I wasn't the victim, made me afraid and slowed down my progress, but it protects me because I stay within my comfort zone and stretch it very slowly. Since then, I always wear a full-face helmet when I decide to try new things or step outside my comfort zone, whether on the pump track or the dirt jumps.

Dirt Jumping is above all a strong community

10. What do you like most about riding with other riders?

It's about sharing joy and enthusiasm. Encouragement, being together to move forward. It's also a sense of belonging to a close-knit community.

11. How does dirt jumping relate to mountain biking?

Dirt jumping requires a great deal of precision on the bike, both in terms of timing and understanding biomechanical forces. Since it's a responsive bike, it reacts a lot and is less forgiving than a mountain bike. You feel your mistakes much more, which helps you correct them. Dirt jumping allows you to practice the same obstacle continuously, repeatedly, and successively, so you can correct certain things in your technique.

12. Do you have a message for the Bromont dirt jump community?

A huge thank you for their commitment, involvement, and dedication here. This summer, they brilliantly took over the management of the large dirt jump line here at the CNCB. What they have done is amazing and has really revived the dirt jump community!

Marilou Asselin's journey reminds us that dirt jumping is much more than just a sport: it's a journey of patience, pushing oneself beyond one's limits, and sharing. Through her thoughtful approach, respect for progression, and commitment to the community, she actively contributes to the growth of cycling culture in Bromont. Whether on the pump track, the trails, or the CNCB dirt jump lines, Marilou inspires a new generation of riders to evolve with confidence, consistency, and passion.

To view the video clip: https://www.instagram.com/centre_national_cyclisme/reel/DT1KQTejuDB/