Kids and cycling
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Nigel "Griffo" Griffiths on -
Definitely not too young. Get her started now before she loses interest. My youngest was about the same age and whilst she isn't as keen as her sister (who is 2 years older), she will still go on a few rides - 25km option of Amys, 15 km river ride on Gear Up Girl.
Another great family option is to go on BikeSA's Easter Cycles, my 13 year old has been on the last 3 and my 11 year old on the last 2. They have a great time and with other kids there, make plenty of friends.
-
Permalink Reply by RD6 on -
actually I forgot to mention our youngest Liam who is 4 sans training wheels, loves to keep up with his bro - I reckon we might have the future "schlecks" in the making LOL
-
Permalink Reply by Torsten Bunge on -
Be good good to have RD7 and RD8 in the TDU ;)
-
Permalink Reply by Richard on -
My daughter, who is NOT sporty in any way, shape or form, loves a bit of a cycle. She was on a tag-along for a long time, even after she got off the training wheels (they disappear in their own time, don't push it) because it allowed her to go longer distances. Since she got off the tag-along, we've limited rides to a bit over 5km (can't stand the grizzling about sore bottoms and legs for much longer) but she loves getting on the bike for a ride. Down to the local playground is a popular one. She's now 11 and demanding gears - good thing dad is filthy rich.
On the other hand, my ratbag son was off the trainers and terrorising the local bmx track before kindy.
It's horses for courses as far as what the kids ride and where they ride and how much the parents can suffer. The important thing is that THEY enjoy it. If they enjoy what they're doing, they'll do it again, and get better, and before you know it, you'll be sneaking in some extra training rides just to keep up.
-
Permalink Reply by Torsten Bunge on
-
You are never too young to start cycling
-
Permalink Reply by heather on -
And you are never too old to give up cycling, unlike some other recreational sports.
-
Permalink Reply by Richard on
-
And you are never too old to give up cycling, unlike some other recreational sports.
Ummm, not always.
I have, from time to time, spent my hours chatting on an American old buffer's forum. One night, a bloke posted, in great distress I might add, that he'd been forced to take away his father's bike. His old dad had ridden and raced most of his life, but had finally been snaffled by that horrid, personality stealing disease, alzheimers. His father had a habit of getting on his bike and just going for a ride ... then forgetting where he was or where he was going or ... The final trigger was when he was found, still quite happily riding his bike, 100 miles (the big ones, not kms) from his nursing home. The son (himself in his sixties), reluctantly had to restrict access to his dad's bike.
Dammit, I'm getting all misty eyed again, just like I did the first time I read this story.
But yes, you can be too old and be forced to give up cycling.
My own dad, though never an enthusiastic cyclist (more a confused parent of one methinks), is now too frail to ride a bike, much as he'd love the freedom now that he can no longer walk the stupid distances he used to (I'm a confirmed non-walker - they created wheels and cranks for a reason).
At the other end though, you've got my hyper-fit, hyper-active son who continues to amaze me with his work ethic ... and he's found a girl friend (damned near a 'partner' now) who's as bad - his soccer coaches love him, his bike is no more than 'transport' (the heathen). Then there's my daughter who isn't 'sporty' and shares her dad's aversion to physical pain but who is still very active when you sit down and try to watch her. Of course, there's the dad himself (me), who's been rubbish at every sport he's ever attempted, weighs too much, doesn't ride enough and would prefer to research and build new bikes rather than break strava records, but who's doctor is kind enough to tell him that 'he wishes all his 50+ patients were in as good shape'.
We're all different.
We all achieve different things and end for different reasons.
I still maintain that if you are not enjoying it, there's no point. If you find you need a 'new challenge', you need to learn to ride just for the fun of it.
And when it comes to kids, just get them out there doing it. Ride them bikes, where and when and how much they want to. Ignore your own thoughts, desires, attitudes - my darling daughter has taught me more about just enjoying my cycling than anyone else. Let them attempt/do/dream stuff that seems stupid (not having mum around helps, mums don't like kids trying to kill themselves). Let your son tear that expensive new bike apart to see how it works, he might be repairing yours in a few years.
Measure the smile - no, don't be pedantic, it's simply enough that they are smiling and that they ask to ride again next weekend.
-
Permalink Reply by Brian Jenkins (BJ) on -
A good read, Richard.
-
Permalink Reply by heather on
-
Richard, yes, a good read.
Alzheimers is not good, so excuse my dry sense of humour. Committed cyclists would be saying the son got it wrong. Could have fitted the old man's bike with a GPS tracking device, and picked the dad up for his evening meals.
-
Permalink Reply by Phil Crick on -
Our kids are 4 and 5 and have been on bikes of various sizes since the age of two. I'm sure your daughter will be fine.
-
Permalink Reply by Michelle Crick on -
From reading your post I am not sure if she can currently ride or not. If she can't then it really easy to get her started, you have passed the first hurdle in so much as she wants to.
Then get her a bike, don't need to spend too much money just something that she can manage the weight of she should be able to touch the ground with both feet. Good luck she is more than ready :-)
© 2013 Created by Gus K.
