of the saddle and over the back tire, pedal
at the 9-3 o’clock position, and two fingers
ready to brake. This “ready position” is also
the “descending” position for the bulk of
mountain biking, which is done out of the
saddle.
Take children onto single tracks – those
wonderful trails wide enough for one
bike and one rider – only after they have
mastered pedaling, steering and gearing
on paved roads and wide gravel paths.
Rushing your child will only damage his self
confidence. Pick tougher terrain gradually,
and teach him how to anticipate the terrain
ahead to discourage gear changes on hills.
Graduating from pavement to single track
can be daunting for children who still
have little power in their bodies to go over
obstacles. But they develop muscle with
amazing speed.
Buying stuff. Skip clipless pedals at least
until age 10. I have witnessed too much
on the handlebars after the ride – the child confidence get destroyed on clipless. But
kids and
will not be able to mount his bike without invest in a good lightweight bike. Bikes that
putting them on. weigh a tonne can be pretty hazardous on
steep descents. Google second-hand bikes
mountain
After the kids have the right gear, then
you ride. Gearing is the big challenge. So on the Internet. Little bikes are like little
help your child by riding flat terrain with skates – kids grow out of them soon and
biking
easy grades. This way, he can ride with few parents want to sell the old-but-not-worn-
gear changes, which is a lot more fun. Draw out ones.
a picture if he can’t visualize gear ratios. Advanced training. Practise cornering
A gender difference. Boys apparently skills by putting two water bottles in a
The important dirt
ride easily out of the saddle, and do it at a parking lot three or four metres apart. The
parents need to know
very young age. Most girls don’t.
So encourage your little girl to get
"Skip clipless pedals at
up and out of the saddle. Mountain
BY dOMINIQUE LAROQUE
biking is such a dynamic sport, and
least until age 10."
she’ll need this skill sooner rather
¦ Children have fun almost automatically, than later. child rides a figure eight, keeping “elbow
and mountain biking is fun by definition. But Posture. Remind your child that she has to knee” when going around the bottles.
safe mountain biking? Mountain biking that a natural suspension system in her elbows Shorten the distance as your child gets
won’t scare the kid off by a bad spill early and knees. Each can “travel” seven or eight better and get her to pedal half rotation,
on? That takes time and care. Launching centimetres to absorb all the shocks of the front and back, making it easier going
your child into this sport should focus on trail, allowing the rider to be like a big piece around the bottles. This is “ratcheting” and
T
ONE
S
building confidence, not trying to keep up of Jell-o on the bike, relaxed and flexible. it’s a big help in single-track biking.
TEVE
with mom or dad. And confidence is built Bike size. A child turning 8 is usually Stretch a skipping rope across a path
Y
S
B
with encouragement, fun experiences and ready for 24-inch wheels. This may mean and have your children stop at the rope.
T
O
positive pushing. cutting the seat post, but sacrifice a seat This drill is great for practising 70 per cent
PHO
First off, choose a gentle riding post rather than strain your child’s knees on front-brake stopping in the ready position.
LEFT
-
environment that matches the child’s skill a bike that’s too small. Project yourself back to childhood. UGO
L
and fitness. Then teach her the importance Stopping. Get your child used to riding Imagine the ride is bigger, steeper, longer
ON
of doing an ABC + H and hotter for your child. Slowing down and
/
J
AS
2
0 before each ride – with two fingers on the brake levers, ready
check Air pressure, Brakes, and Chain, and for any emergency, and teach him to use letting the child pace the riding will go a long
.
C
OM
T
O
get the water. Little bikes don’t often come both brakes (half the pressure in front, half way toward biking enjoyment. Be patient.
with water bottles. in the rear) when stopping. Too much rear Slow down now to go faster later.
Next is clothing. Invest in padded shorts brake pressure leads to skids, which have (Dominique Larocque is an Ottawa sports
I
S
T
OCKPHO
for your child at an early age. When it no braking power and wreak havoc on trails. psychology consultant and coach who owns
B
Y
©
T
O
comes to helmet and cycling gloves, the Later on, teach your child to use more front and directs Creative Wheel Consulting and
HO
P
watchword is all the time, and keep them brakes (up to 70 per cent) – rear end out LaRoccaXC Mountain Bike School.) «OO
RIGHT
48 OTTAWA >> SUMMER/FALL 2008
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
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