{"id":191853,"date":"2023-01-27T06:34:03","date_gmt":"2023-01-27T06:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=191853"},"modified":"2023-01-27T06:34:03","modified_gmt":"2023-01-27T06:34:03","slug":"young-ones-ready-to-shred-heres-how-to-get-them-onto-bouncy-bikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2023\/01\/27\/young-ones-ready-to-shred-heres-how-to-get-them-onto-bouncy-bikes\/","title":{"rendered":"Young Ones Ready to Shred? Here\u2019s How to Get Them Onto Bouncy Bikes"},"content":{"rendered":"

If your kids already love joining you for a flat, rolling ride along family-friendly cycle trails, you might be considering how to up the ante. Mountain biking offers an opportunity for your little ones to develop their bike-handling skills, boost their confidence and give them a chance to explore nature in a new and fun way.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But hardcore mountain biking probably seems a long way off. So how do you start them off on the right foot?<\/p>\n

1. Take them along for the ride<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Maybe your little ones aren\u2019t quite peddling with their own power just yet. Fear not, there are so many different ways you can carry them with you during your bumpy rides. It\u2019ll help introduce them to the sport and develop a positive relationship with the bike. Of course, you might not want to hit all those gnarly bumps and steep descents, but it\u2019ll get them used to the sensations and thrills of mountain biking.<\/p>\n

Trailers are pretty limited on mountain bike trails unless you\u2019re sticking to the fire roads. It\u2019ll be far bumpier for them in the back too. There are other options, like a front-mounted bike seat. This is a great option since it gives them a real perspective, as well as not adding much weight for you or increasing your turning radius. The only downside is that if you crash, they crash too. It\u2019s part and parcel of learning to bike off-road, but sticking to slightly easier trails will ensure their experience is a positive one.<\/p>\n

2. Get a balance bike<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Using stabilisers isn\u2019t helpful off-road, and it\u2019s important that your little one learns good balancing skills. A balance bike<\/a> will get them used to being on their own bike as well as building confidence on two wheels. Using their own power, they\u2019ll feel a sense of achievement and learn to love their bike, giving you a great start to getting them off-road.<\/p>\n

3. Head to a pump track<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Carrying a balance bike could be pretty tricky if they get tired whilst you\u2019re out on a ride. Instead, you could just head to the pump track first. Let them ride around on that until they\u2019ve burnt some energy, and then carry them on your bike (see point 1). That way, you can ride at your own pace and the little one enjoys your ride but they\u2019ve also enjoyed their own riding too.<\/p>\n

4. Invest in a decent bike<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you know what it\u2019s like to ride a heavy bike that\u2019s been poorly maintained, with sticky gears and no suspension, then you\u2019ll also know the contrast of riding a really good bike. It can make or break a ride. It\u2019s the same for your little ones. Start them off on a decent bike to minimise some of the difficulty of learning to ride. A lightweight bike can make it feel effortless, meaning they\u2019re more likely to stick with it.<\/p>\n

5. Don\u2019t be too overprotective<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Invest in a good helmet<\/a> as well as knee and elbow pads and let them fall off their bike at slow speeds. Learning to fall is part of doing an inherently risky activity. They\u2019ll learn to control their falls, reducing the potential for injury when they do come off their bike. They\u2019ll soon be off riding on their own, so ensure you\u2019re equipping them with the skills to ride safely and confidently from the outset.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A helmet won\u2019t do its job properly if it doesn\u2019t fit right or if it isn\u2019t positioned correctly. \u00a9 Profimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

6. Snacks. The more the better.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is just good advice for anyone who has kids, regardless of their age or what they\u2019re doing. They\u2019ll inevitably burn a lot of energy learning to ride, especially on challenging terrain. Bring snacks<\/a> to keep up their energy and maintain motivation. We\u2019re not saying you have to bribe them, but it might help to encourage them whilst eliminating hanger.<\/p>\n

7. Keep them warm, dry and comfortable<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re carrying your little one along with you, they\u2019ll not be working as hard. That means they\u2019ll need more layers than you if it\u2019s not a warm day. Hats, gloves, extra layers, a warm drink. Even if they\u2019re riding, it\u2019ll help to have an extra layer for snack stops so they don\u2019t catch a chill if they\u2019ve been getting sweaty on the climbs.<\/p>\n

8. Lower the pressure in their tyres<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s nothing major, but it can help reduce the bumpiness of their ride. Unless it\u2019s a flat, rolling ride and they\u2019ll want to gather speed, less pressure in their tyres can take out some of the bounce whilst they build their confidence.<\/p>\n

9. Invite their friends<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Make it a social activity. If you\u2019ve got friends who are also getting their little ones into biking, or they\u2019re already riding the bumpy stuff, then bring them along. It can help make the activity more fun whilst they learn, creating a positive association with the activity and making it more likely they\u2019ll want to go again. Kids can learn great tips from each other too.<\/p>\n

10. Start small and keep your expectations realistic<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no rush. Whether they\u2019re peddling away or still on a balance bike, make sure your expectations are realistic. Plan short rides with plenty of stops, a decent cafe or a good packed lunch and toilet breaks. Maybe even stop to look at bugs or play on the swings along the way. It might not be the riding that you\u2019re used to, but those little legs aren\u2019t as fit as yours yet. Don\u2019t worry, the time will come when you\u2019re chasing them down trails, but start small and build distance and difficulty slowly over time.<\/p>\n

Sharing activities you love with your kids is one of the best things you can do. It\u2019s a great bonding experience, and can set them up with their own great hobbies for life. But of course, it comes with its challenges. Yes, you want them to love it, but you can\u2019t rush these things. It won\u2019t be long before you\u2019re chasing them down gnarly descents and wishing they\u2019d slow down so you can catch up on the climbs!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If your kids already love joining you for a flat, rolling ride along family-friendly cycle trails, you might be considering […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":191854,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[333,328],"tags":[6714,2217,6912],"global-categories":[3366],"class_list":["post-191853","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-family","category-outdoor-mountain","tag-balance-bikes","tag-children-and-cycling","tag-mtb-for-children","global-categories-cycling"],"yoast_head":"\nChildren and Mountain Biking: How to Start Them Off?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If your kids already love joining you for a flat, rolling ride along family-friendly cycle trails, you might be considering how to up the ante. 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