Handle
Aaf on Wheels
Homebase
Schoorl
Terrain
Offroad!
Three Words
Enthusiasm. Technical. Tenacity.
The Story
Aaf on Wheels was born out of a pure love for cycling and turning wrenches. This passion became so strong that I made the bold choice to trade my career as a neighborhood police officer for a life of cycling adventures. It wasn't an easy decision, but it was the right one. From a young age, I’ve always wanted to help people. I still do—just in a different way. Sometimes it’s through something as simple as a repair that gets someone back on the road. While my old job began to drain my energy, the pull of the cycling world became impossible to ignore. It was time for a change.
From endless miles through the Schoorl Dunes to getting my hands greasy in the workshop, the bike has always been central to my life. What started with riding and tinkering grew into sharing knowledge, skills, and joy through mountain bike clinics, guided tours, and videos. Today, I also share that expertise as a Teacher-in-Training for Bicycle Technology at Talland College, where I teach Level 2 and 3 students, as well as specialized bike tech modules.
The cycling industry never stands still, and that’s exactly what I love about it. Technology evolves at lightning speed; you never stop learning. It’s a true craft. I don’t consider myself just a "bike mechanic," but a bicycle technician—a title this profession truly deserves.
I am fascinated by how mechanics work. If something isn’t running smoothly, there is always a reason. Finding the root of a problem and solving it fits me perfectly. It requires a tenacious mindset and the will to keep going until it’s fixed. I haven't regretted this choice for a single second.
What's Next?
I am a certified Level 3 mountain bike instructor and guide, a bicycle technician at Fietsenwinkel Schoorl, and I teach two days a week as a teacher-in-training. I am currently enrolled in a higher professional education (HBO) program to obtain my pedagogical certificate and teaching qualification for vocational education (MBO). Besides that, I make sure to keep riding myself—not just turning wrenches—I join races as a team mechanic, and I continue to create social media content. This way, everyone can follow along with my cycling adventures and see how I enjoy the ride and dare to follow my own, sometimes stubborn but unique path.
Sidekick
The men and women I take along during my mountain bike clinics and guided rides come for the fun, the learning, and the experience—and that brings me immense joy.
But I’m also always happy when my sister Ilse joins me. During our rides, we often talk so much that we completely miss the trail markers. We’ve lost sunglasses at spots where we stopped to rest or admire the view, and when a derailleur snapped off, I fixed it right there on the trail (we turned it into a sort of 'fixie'), just so we could make it back home. That’s how a bike ride turns into a real adventure and a wonderful day out, where neither of us has to think about the daily grind. Always having a laugh together and pure enjoyment!
The Spot
Schoorl is my home base and my favorite place. This is where the forest, dunes, beach, and workshop all come together. Everything that cycling means to me meets right here. A unique and versatile environment where you can enjoy life on two wheels, no matter what you ride.
Tackle the MTB trails on a mountain bike, speed through the woods and dunes on a road bike, explore endless unpaved paths (up to 140 km!) through the PWN nature reserve on a gravel bike, or cruise along the coastline on a beach bike.
Gear Pick
For me, it’s the Hex-T set. This is definitely one of my most used tools! I use the set both at home and in the workshop. It includes a hex key set with a T-handle and a Torx key set with a holder. You use it to independently adjust things like lowering your saddle, tightening your handlebars, or removing your wheels for compact transport of your bike.
In the workshop, I’m equipped with all the BBB tools, but I also like to do a little maintenance at home. For this, the AllroundKit is highly recommended. It comes in a sturdy case and contains the 16 most commonly used tools for bike maintenance. A must-have for the home DIYer.
