Cycling is back in vogue, especially off the paved roads. And especially here, where there is no danger from car traffic, it makes sense and fun with the children. So that the cycling adventure on the trail also works, we got 5 tips from a professional on a mountain bike.
Paul Mair travels his alpine terrain many days a year and also works as an instructor for bike guides and instructors. Paul is more moderate with his children and gives us some important advice here.
1. Children don’t ride a bike
We adults often forget that our children pursue other goals than we do. So be careful not to project our ideas onto our children and rather think about being on the bike with the kids as firemen, ambulances or in any playful way. It’s not about cycling, it’s about enjoying cycling!
2. The path of unconscious learning – play is key
Of course we can try to teach our three to ten year olds skills like coordination, balance or bike mastery with infinite methodological exercise series and raised index fingers. Success is in a lot of There are no cases and the children will quickly lose the fun of cycling.
It is better to go through the desired motor skills Shape and promote games on the bike. A snail race, shaking hands, using your own plush toys as obstacles and again and again a rewarding surprise are more goal-oriented and motivating than some sophisticated courses – you only need it later.
3. The right material
One of the most common questions that torture parents is the right bike. meanwhile the market covers the gap in children’s bikes very well and you can for almost every age or child size a good Bike to get – reasonable material can be found on the market from approx. 250.- Euro, the scale is then open upwards depending on the model.
A smaller bike would tend to be easier for the kids to move around, but you may need an additional intermediate size. The bottom line is that you can afford this intermediate size, because children’s bikes can be sold quickly on the open market and there are hardly any losses at the previously paid price. On tour you should bear in mind that wheel sizes with 12, 16 or 20 inches do not roll over obstacles as easily as the parents’ 650Bs or 29s!
4. Toddlers on the trail? Does it have to be that way?
Yes absolutely! The natural terrain is a real adventure playground and not only promotes basic physical skills, but also activates the creative departments in the children’s minds. Abilities such as reaction, balance, flexibility, speed are easily developed, absorbed and retained. Likewise, the Basis of the basic endurance ability created.
But the top rule is still – it’s not training, it is Play! You don’t need an incredibly extensive trail network. Flat, not too rooted sections of the path or well-worn and less well-worn paths in the undergrowth are usually the ideal playground. And why the whole thing on a trail? Because it’s much funnier and more motivating! PS: Don’t forget! In Austria cycling is only allowed where it is allowed. So it is everyone’s decision whether to deal with the illegality of cycling on forest roads, hiking trails, etc. with the children.
5. There will be falls
Anyone who decides to go cycling with their children as a parent should prepare for two things in advance: firstly, it will soon be one of the little darlings and secondly, their own pulse will often be increased due to the incredible driving maneuvers of the young bikers. If you can’t stand that, you’d better stay at the playground. So falls will happen and that’s a good thing, because in this experience many important experiences for dealing with yourself, your own risk behavior and can be collected within your own limits.
It is important that the frame in which a fall occurs also a (sustainable) learning experience allows. Helmets and long finger gloves are required. If it gets a bit more demanding, knee and elbow pads are a nice to have, the kids are faster than the parents and do their laps in the bike park, then it makes sense to equip a 10-year-old with a full-face helmet, neck brace and back protector (and now at the latest it makes particular sense if self-assessment has been learned well in the early years).
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