In these modern times, outdoor activities are often held up as sacred. Years ago, children couldn’t wait to get out of the house to get away from their parents (yawn) and the road or mountain bike was a vehicle for achieving this aim. Now that priorities have changed, you might want to spearhead the championing of cycling with your children, so we have put together some top tips, from checking your mtb bearings to the right kinds of routes, and so on.
Healthy Habits
If you get them into good habits early on, they will develop a routine that proceeds into adulthood. When children learn to love cycling, they are often predisposed to become professionals who commute by bike to save money, benefit from the endorphin rush, and stay within budget. Teach your children to check their bike components properly – starting with all the crucial components, to see if they need replacing. Since they are not yet the responsible adult, we recommend carrying a few spare parts in your rucksack for them in case their ambition proceeds their current cycling ability. From derailleur hangers to mtb bearings, teach your children the ‘why’ and not just the ‘what’ so they will naturally learn to prioritise getting their bike in check before a big ride.
Time to Clean
While it might seem mundane (and certainly will to a rebellious teenager), going through a thorough clean after a muddy mountain bike expedition should not be a missed step. The wetter weather of the end months of the year comes hand in hand with mud that threatens to get stuck into your bike. If they learn to love the ‘boring bits’ of biking, they will learn how to utilise the longevity of CNC machined bike components and their properly fitted bikes.
Child Friendly Routes
Start out on simple cycling routes if you have a child in tow, even if they seem confident on their bike. Children can be unpredictable – their emotions unstable, their temperament led by hormones, and their little legs might not be able to put up with as much as their minds want them to. Ensure they are acutely aware of possible pedestrian encounters if they are using cycle paths – which we also recommend!
If you want to enquire about any of our road bike, mtb bearings, or any of our other components, to sustain great rides, please contact us via our website.
