Since his cancer diagnosis, Nils Amelinckx has been urging us to ‘make the days count, rather than to simply count the days’. He certainly did that. We are trying not to be sad, as has been requested, but it has been announced that Nils, the guy that always had time for everyone, has passed away.
It is with an extremely heavy heart to write that after years of fighting and resilience that Nils has heartbreakingly passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on 19th December.
– Instagram @nilslinckx
Nils was an amazing son, husband, dad, brother and friend and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of meeting him. Always planning the next adventure and unforgettable by anyone who met him.
Nils would not want us to be sad, but to celebrate his life instead, so with this in mind feel free to post your favourite memory of Nils below for all to enjoy…
Ride free now Nils…
With heavy hearts, we share the deeply saddening news of the passing of Rider Resilience founder, our beloved friend, and esteemed colleague, Nils Amelinckx.
Nils leaves behind not only cherished memories but an enduring impact on all fortunate enough to have known him. His unwavering fortitude, boundless kindness, and inspirational storytelling marked Nils as a truly extraordinary individual. Throughout his heroic battle against cancer, Nils transformed his personal hardship into a guiding light for others facing adversity, by founding Rider Resilience.
Diagnosed with incurable stage four bowel cancer at the tender age of 30, Nils faced a prognosis of five years to live. Defying the odds, he set ambitious goals that many might only dream of achieving in a lifetime. Nils not only conquered these aspirations but tenaciously fought his illness until the very end, greatly surpassing his initial prognosis.
Throughout his journey, Nils said, “If I wasn’t going to be able to add days to my life, I wanted to make sure I would add life to my days”, a legacy we are determined to uphold. As we navigate the grieving process, let us take inspiration from Nils once more. He would encourage us to embrace the outdoors and cherish every fleeting moment. Nils wished for his life to be celebrated, and his memory to evoke joy, not sorrow.
In the wake of his departure, Nils leaves behind his wife, Laura, and two children, Lotte and Leo. Our thoughts and deepest respects are with them and his wider family during this incredibly difficult time.
As a team, we acknowledge that processing the loss of our dear friend will take time, and it may impact our response times. Please bear with us as we come to terms with this profound loss.
We are aware that Nils had an impact on many people throughout his life and Nils’ family have asked you to share some of these moments, big or small, in the comments below as a way of remembering him.
Rest in Peace, Nils. Your absence is deeply felt, and we already miss you tremendously.
#RiderResilience#RideItOut#BikesAreMedicine
Instagram @riderresilience
There’s every chance you met Nils somewhere – probably handing you a tasty snack at a long distance ride, or offering up encouraging words through wind and rain. Amanda recalls him as being a friend to many, and having time for everyone. If you didn’t meet him, you probably read his award winning article ‘Excess Baggage’ in Issue 144 . You probably also saw his cover shot, on issue 147. There’s a print of it, with the profits going to Rider Resilience.
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Singletrack Issue 147 Art Print – Rider ResilienceFrom: £19.99
In the spirit of a prior call by Chipps to show appreciation for people while you can, I wrote these words about Nils a while back:
Nils has had a disproportionate impact on my life, despite us barely meeting a handful of times. His first influential act was in the summer of 2017, when he insisted that indeed I should go to France to write about the eyewear manufacturer, Julbo, and take part in an enduro race, despite the fact I’d never ridden an enduro in my life. He reassured me that he’d read my work and was more interested in writing than riding skills, and so off I went ‘on assignment’. What followed was still some of the scariest riding I’ve ever done, but it served to illustrate that I could ride a lot more than I thought I could, and that sometimes people like the way I string words together. That validation helped shift a bit of imposter syndrome, and made me realise that I was doing a job that I enjoyed, and doing it well.
A year and a bit later, I found myself having an intense weekend. First, a film night where Aneela and Andy McKenna sat there on the edge of the stage, side by side, partners – just as they were in the film they had just revealed. Each had the other’s back, and every challenge was met shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand, each supporting the other when they needed help, and lifting the other up when they needed encouragement. In the face of life changing obstacles, they pushed onwards as a team that recognised each other as individuals with their own needs. I sat there through the film, and the Q&A, in awe of their togetherness. I sat silently crying, hoping no one would notice me, at the contrast between their happy togetherness and my own unhappy isolation at home.
The following morning, I awoke to the news that Nils had terminal cancer, which stirred up memories of my own closest friend who had died suddenly of cancer a couple of years previously. I’ve written before about how losing my best friend to cancer brought me to Singletrack, so Nils’ tale hit hard. I sobbed as I got up, got dressed, tried to face the day. As I went back to work and shared the films with the Singletrack audience under the headline ‘Two videos to remind you life is precious’, I knew my marriage was over. I needed to stop treading water and start making my life feel lived.
I’m pretty sure this isn’t the inspiration to action that Nils was hoping for, or the lasting impression he hopes to leave behind him, but I am grateful to him – and Aneela and Andy – for concentrating my thoughts and giving me the courage to make the change happen. It wasn’t – often, still isn’t – easy, but it was the right thing to do. I’ve been very lucky to be able to feel that life is being experienced in full once more.
Alongside our many email interactions, these are my memories of him. Sometimes people just make an impact, wherever they go, and I think Nils was one of them.
He wanted to be sure to leave a legacy that would help others, and the CiC Rider Resilience should do just that. Check them out if you’re not sure where to turn today.
His colleagues at Lyon Outdoors have shared this story:
Nils Amelinckx, Founder of Rider Resilience and Lyon Cycle, Passes Away After Courageous Battle with Stage Four Bowel Cancer
It is with great sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Nils Amelinckx, the visionary behind Rider Resilience and Lyon Cycle. Nils, a cherished friend, respected colleague and a source of inspiration for many, lost his valiant six and a half-year battle against stage four bowel cancer. His departure leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives and in the broader community he touched.
Nils’s journey was characterized by unmatched resilience, boundless kindness and a talent for sharing inspirational stories. He wasn’t just a leader; he embodied resilience and hope. Confronting his own adversity, Nils established Rider Resilience, an initiative aimed at turning personal hardships into a wellspring of strength for those facing a multitude of challenges, all through the power of bicycles.
Diagnosed at the tender age of 30 with incurable stage four bowel cancer, Nils faced a prognosis that allowed him only five years to live. Undeterred, he set audacious goals that surpassed conventional boundaries. Remarkably, Nils not only achieved these aspirations but fiercely battled his illness until the very end, surpassing expectations and inspiring us all.
“Nils has been an inspiration to us all at Lyon both as a colleague and personal friend. His fortitude and “can do” attitude dealing with the worse than life can throw at you has humbled every one of us.
Nils made me realise that growing old is a privilege. If I am ever asked for the definition of Resilience I will simply say Nils Amelinckx.”
– Jonathan Capper, Lyon Equipment Managing Director and friend.
As we come to terms with the magnitude of this loss, we encourage everyone to draw inspiration from Nils’s enduring spirit. Embrace the outdoors, cherish each fleeting moment and celebrate the life of a man who wished his legacy to be one of joy, not sorrow.
Nils is survived by his loving wife, Laura, and their two children, Lotte and Leo. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with them and his wider family during this incredibly challenging time.
The teams at Rider Resilience and Lyon Equipment recognize that processing this profound loss will take time and we appreciate your patience as we navigate through our grief. Please bear with us as we pay tribute to Nils’s memory and legacy.
Rest in Peace, Nils. Your absence is clearly felt and your spirit will forever live on in our hearts and in the enduring missions of Rider Resilience and Lyon Cycle.
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