young person riding trails
young person riding trails
At first sight, this all looks way to much for a simple little ride out in the country with the kids, and if everything goes well, no mishaps, no punctures, no falls, it is way too much.
However, you can't be sure there will be no mishaps, and if there are and you don't have what you need, then, at best, you will look a right plonker. At worst? Well, things could be really nasty. So, my view is, 'be prepared'. I was never a boy scout, didn't appeal to me at the time, but I think I might be a boy scout at heart, I have ALL the above in my pack, apart from the kids, and I still feel I should have more. With my back problem, I don't want to have to walk anywhere if I can help it!
So, you've got the kids, the bikes, the heavy but necessary pack, now you need somewhere to ride. Afan's 'The Wall'?, Coed Y Brenin's 'Karrimor Trail'? Great fun, for you, if you're fit, not such a good idea for kids.
See, the point of taking kids out on a ride, in my view anyway, is for THEM to have fun. I have fun seeing the kids have a good time. So, the ride needs to be suitable for the kids you are taking. This will depend on their age and ability. You will have a better idea about your kids than I do, so I'm not going to give advice like: 'a child of ten years and of stout heart and good parentage, can easily ride up hill and down dale all day long'. You have to take that responsibility.
Right, the ride itself, the route, do you know it? I mean do you really KNOW it? Have you ridden it? More imporetantly, have you ridden it with kids in mind? Because the kids and the ride have to match, if you don't know what's coming up, how can you be sure the kids can manage it? Even if you know the ride well, you still have to think it through with the kids in mind.
That rocky section with the steep drop that really sharpens the reflexes, it might do you some good on a Sunday morning, but it's not worth risking the kids lives on!
For first tastes of 'off road' cycling with kids, Forestry Commission fire roads are a good start (as long as you know the route!), the roads are wide and well packed, you're out in the wilderness but not too far from civilisation.
Try to pick a route that is fairly flat, not too long and not too short. At least until fitness and skill improve then you can vary it all they like.
Kids that are not used to being out like this will view any hill with dismay, up or down. Some will not want to try to ride any incline and will get off and walk, OK, let them, don't try to shout or bully them into riding like you, they'll only hate you for it and won't come out again, it's not worth it.
Try to show them the technique for climbing, proper gears, smooth pedalling, shifting weight etc. then let them get off and walk, but you need to get off and walk as well. The ride will take much longer than you would do it at your pace, but that's not the point, and this is where the extra food and water come in. Kids need refuelling to keep thier spirits up, you can use food as little bribes; 'we'll stop at the top for something to eat'. They love eating out!
Equally important is not letting the kids go downhill too fast, they may be glad to have a rest from pedalling but on a long slope, even if it's gentle, speed can build up. A little panic, a wobble, a grab of the brakes and little 'Herbert' (subsitute kids name here) has a nasty case of gravel and nettle rash, a slice out of thier hand, broken teeth and a terrible fear of bikes and going down hills.... Not quite what we intended.
So, teach them to keep their speed down until their control skills go up. Don't go blasting down there yourself, shouting; 'come on its easy you little wimp'. That's just stupid and asking for trouble.
When they do fall off, (and they will), it will be your fault so don't be too upset. This the thing with kids, they are kids, they take no responsibility, that's what you are for. So, a little tumble, a little graze, your fault. A stitch for riding too long, your fault. Being thirsty, your fault.... Take it like a man or woman and get used to it.
When these mishaps occur, the first aid kit will come out and as you apply the cream and the plaster you will now be the hero, but if you forced them to do something they felt unsafe doing in the first place, then it WILL be your fault, and they will know it.
Here I am telling you to be careful of this and prepare for that, don't let the little darlings be hurt, and at the same time advocating taking them out on a bike on a mountain! It does make sense, honest.
Kids need to be stretched, that is, they need to be encouraged to go a little beyond what THEY think they can do, just a little at a time. Next time out try to get them to ride further up the hill, go just a bit further before the food/water stop. After the ride they will be saying, 'I'll do it next time' and they will be wanting to go out next chance they get.
'Course, some kids think they can do it all, they can do tricks on skateboards, they can ride a bike backwards, make it jump and do wheelies, and when you tell them they have to ride carefully around a 5 mile circuit, they say 'easy' (or du-uh! or sumpink else americanican).
It's easy until they are 4 miles around and want to give up, then they need to be encouraged to just keep plugging away, not far to go now, little circles, not far, you can do it. Then you stretch them and the big headed buggers will know they've been stretched, and they'll thank you for it.
Whatever you do, don't show off, they'll think you're a flash git and try to copy you, hurt themselves and hate you. And if they still want to ride, they'll remember and will really out-do you at everything, and they'll enjoy rubbing your nose in it, especially in front of your freinds. Kids are good at that.
So, to take the kids out for a ride you need plenty of equipment, a safe but difficult terrain, lots of patience and a cart load of common sense. Oh and kids, we need the kids, there's not a lot of point otherwise.
Have Fun!
andrew joseph