It’s fun to ride a mountain bike. You can support your kids if they are showing signs that they want to get off-road by giving them some helpful tips. I’ve compiled a list of what to tell them and how to make the start of their biking career as easy as possible. It is extremely important to make sure your child wears a helmet with a fastened strap. When you supervise and encourage your little mountain biker, you won’t have to worry about them being a burden. She will be your biking buddy.

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Try not to push too hard.

Spend some time getting them ready. A not-so-tough kid should focus on general physical conditioning first. Have fun with it. Children hate “death marches” and other activities adults do to get in shape.

Choose the right bike size.

Kids will learn to ride more easily, have more control over the bike, and have a whole lot more fun. With the right kids’ mountain bike, their learning experience will be enjoyable, and they will have the chance to take their riding skills to the next level. Involve the child in the decision-making process. If they pick out the bike themselves, they are more likely to enjoy it. However, you must do a little preparation so that the child knows that a good bike is more than a brightly colored paint job. Buy a quality bike. Consider a good frame with cheaper components if your budget is limited. Upgrade the components when he or she is skilled enough to need them.

Relax.

Your child should be comfortable with the “attack position,” which is standing with pedals leveled, elbows bent, and weight centered over the bike. When riding anything more technical, this should be their default position. The bars should not be gripped in a death-grip; they should remain fluid and relaxed. It allows the bike to move around underneath them – without fighting the bike – and leaves them ready to tackle the next challenge.

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Start in your neighborhood.

It is often outside your own home that you learn the most valuable skills. Take a ride on the lawn. Get used to the “off-road” feeling at a nearby park with grass hills. Set up a steering course using bottles or backpacks as cones in a free parking lot, so they can practice tight turns. In front of the house, ride off the curb. Practice rolling over the curb while off-seat, butt-back. Once they’re ready, try rolling down two or three steps.

Get off the beaten path.

Start off-road riding on easy trails first. Give your new biker plenty of time to learn. In most cases, it’s best to let the child lead the way, especially on the uphill parts. Take a break if the child seems tired. It is also important not to belittle her abilities or push her to take dangerous paths. Make it clear you don’t mind if she gets off and walks the rough or steep sections. You might even join her.

Do you think your children have what it takes to be great mountain bikers in the future? Start them young by following the steps above, so they can have an early headstart into this beautiful and fun outdoor activity.

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