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northshore

Ok, I'll admit it. I'm a total azz/idiot when it comes to kids. I technically don't have any but my girlfriend does. Her son (7) and daughter (6) have taken an interest in riding since they see me either cleaning, fixing, or riding my bike. What is the best way and place to take them to introduce them to the dirt?

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Hawaiian Island Creations
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CalEpic

Kids are tough. If they do want to ride in the dirt make sure you start them off easy. Climbs = whines when they're small. My 10 year old still complains but ends up having fun. Stop a lot and let them play, catch lizards, etc.

Good luck. Maybe you'll create a future world champion.

C

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denmother

I had my first bike without training wheels at age 4. I rode it around the neighborhood. I got my first concussion riding up the driveway when I slipped in the moss in the gutter!

My father introduced me to motorcycles at age 5. I had a Briggs and Stratton 3hp mini bike that we rode in the field behind our house. He also had a conmbo street/dirt bike and used to ride me on the back all the time (including doing wheelies).

I didn't have my first mountain bike until about 25 years ago, and I have been riding ever since.

So, in closing....Encourage kids to be involved in sports with you. Take your time, make it fun and let them decide for themselves if they like it. Never push them or scare them, but be supportive and encouraging!!! It worked for me!!!

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DeeZee

Also take along tasty snacks. I think Aliso is the best place to take kids. Flat and has wooden bridge crossings, there is Dripping Cave etc.... My kids love it there

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Red Hot Sloth
"where I grew up bling bling would get you shot, same with the lycra"

Dirtmistress "Hey! I resemble that remark! I was born in Berkeley and have the chin hairs to prove it!!"

DownhillWebKook

My buddy Jim started his son out on one of those bikes that hooks onto the seat post (sort of ends up being a 3 wheeled tandem). His boy is now wrecking shop on the Santa Cruz Jr. Syndicate.

I thought that was a great idea so I went and got one for "my" 6 year old girl. She loves it! We use it to just ride to the store and sometimes we'll bomb a hill here and there. She tries to imitate my actions (like getting out of the saddle when it's bumpy or leveling the pedals in the corners, etc.). It's totally fun.

Drawback: the kid only wants to ride the little hook bike instead of her own. No worries though because it's super fun.

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Downhill Web Kook
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jeffj

Fairly flat fire roads with some options to try some small hills, some easy creek crossings, snacks, goofing around and just spending quality time and having fun. Then stop for a burger and shake or some such thing on the way home.

Helmet, gloves and plenty of water are the minimum supplies. I would also advise taking pictures. They only pass this way once.

The bottom line is that it's really just an excellent excuse to spend time together and it's up to you to make sure they want to do it again.

If you want to have a chance that they'll enjoy spending time with you when they get older, spend the time with them now even though it's not going to be like a regular ride.

KeepsWhatHappens

Start off real easy and short rides.

Give lots of encouragement.

Above all....

Make it fun!

Make it fun!

Make it fun!

KeepsWhatHappens

slowSSer

don't get the trail-a-bike (hook bike?) with brakes. yes, it exists.

also, make sure it's set up properly- they're kinda pieces of s.... (i've assembled many when I worked at REI)

DirtRider

I also say make it fun!!!

I take my 10 yr old son into to CHSP from the Brea side. i also take along my garmin so we can measure how far we went. he really enjoys knowing how far we went or if we went farther than the last time. he also has a camelback so he can hydrate as needed. i also make it a point to stop a lot to look at the lizards, rabbits, coyotes, etc...

when they are young, you'll notice that they enjoy the THOUGHT of doing the harder sports more than actually doing them... it's just a fact that hopefully passes as they grow to love the sport more each time they do it.

northshore

Great advice everyone and I REALLY appreciate it! Once all this smoke dies down I'll probably take them on the Aliso Woods beginners trail.

slowSSer: Why are the hitched half bikes so crummy? I'm curious because the boy has his own little bike but the girl doesn't. I don't think she is able to balance a two wheel yet.

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Hawaiian Island Creations
Ride it: dw-link.com/reasons
http://kencolada.blogspot.com

el_d00der1n0

Dirt Rag has an article on it this month. One of the authors recommends those wooden bikes with no pedals. That way they can focus on balancing.

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bobzrag

Once the air clears you might want to think about going to Fairview park in Costa Mesa, it is fairly flat (just one small hill), some little bmx-type jumps. We park off Canyon Drive (where the model plane guys are). When I go, I do a little jumping and work on my balance and let them have at it. Best of all the kids love to go 'mountain biking' with dad!

FairView Park - Master Plan

el_d00der1n0

Here's the article:

http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/arti...egory=features

I can't wait until my 4mo old daughter is ready to go with me.

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surlygal

Northshore - We've been using an Adams Trail-a-Bike http://www.trail-a-bike.com/interface/adams.php for years. It truely helped with getting our 2.5 (now 5) yr old daughter out on the trails with us. Even with the Trail-a-Bike balance is key, but you'll both learn that quick. If she leans you do have to counter, etc.

Maddie rides her own bike now (without training wheels) but we still use the Trail-a-bike when doing family rides at Peters Cyn or the Loop.

We taught Maddie how to ride without her training wheels by taking off the pedals and letting her push the bike around. She was riding her bike in about 20 mins of doing this.

We do family rides on and off dirt always making them fun. we take pictures, she has her own camelback, with some tools and just recently she carries her own camera!

Do what feels right! They'll love it for sure!

Just one more thing - when they do crash, let em get back up and try it again.

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slowSSer

they're just not put together well- we had recalls on them because some of the bolts used were too short to catch the nylon washer part of the nut. the scary part is the bolts that were too short were on one of the most critical parts- the u-joint that connects the kid's bike to yours. eek!

so, if you get one that's already assembled, make sure there are a few threads thru every nut and that everything is tightened down properly.

ezzyride

I started my girls at Peters Canyon on a gradual incline. Sometimes I'd bring my 8 year old newphew with me. At first we would make several stops before getting to the bottom of Red Hill. It was their favorite part of the ride they would eat the lunch I'd packed for them.

It takes many rides lots of patience and keep it fun.

Eventually I noticed I was riding alone they got to the point were they didn't stop anymore. My older daughter decided MTBing wasn't for her.

Julia (12) is going thru withdrawls right now because she's been off the bike 2 weeks.

Julia can ride Peters with her eyes closed that's another good thing. The kids learn the trails and trail rules. She can also change a flat and fix her chain. She knows if mom can't find her keys the ranger has them.

It's time well spent with the kids.

Just keep riding with them eventually you will find yourself riding alone. Hoping they are waiting for you somewhere.

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BrewMaster

I say introduce them to riding like you would introduce them to anything else: threats and beatings. They way they won't whine about falling.

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mazda-monkey

I have the Trek half-bike. My son loves it, but I wish he would pedal a little more. Getting to top of the world is tough! And the people at Trek are cruel, it's made from HEAVY steel. Good work out however, and I get to MTB with my son.

bevaaler

Wow, reading all of this makes me so anxious for the day I can take my boys mountain biking. They are only 2 1/2 yrs and 6 weeks, so I have a little while to wait. I was wondering what a good age is to start on the tag-along type bicycle attachment, is 3 yrs to young?? I was thinking maybe that would be a good Christmas present for him (and me): ) anyone??

DeeZee

I have one and two of my boys started on it and now I am going to put my third son on it (3 years old). However he has been riding his bike (with training wheels) for about a year.

My middle boy is a freak. At three he was riding a two wheeler, no training wheels and jumping off curbs. He is wired different then the other kids

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Red Hot Sloth
"where I grew up bling bling would get you shot, same with the lycra"

Dirtmistress "Hey! I resemble that remark! I was born in Berkeley and have the chin hairs to prove it!!"