Encouraging kids to ride

[Wolf]

Inspired by TonyB's thread.

How many here encourage/would encourage their children to ride bikes, possibly even competitively?

My boys - thanks to their in utero support of such worthy charities as the Toy Run - are obsessed with bikes.

I used to stop at the top of the driveway on returning home so Taliesin could ride on the tank as far as the garage and we used to give them rides around the lawn when Juliet had her little trail bike.

I hope to be able to afford a couple of JR50s or similar when the boys are old enough.

I want to encourage them to learn to ride at an early age and encourage them should they decide to try motocross or racing. I want them to build up their skills and their confidence and self-esteem and maybe, just maybe, when they're teenagers and their so-called mates challenge them to a drag, they won't feel they have anything to prove (or at least have the sense to say "better than that, let's take your POS down to the motocross trail/race track and I'll wipe the floor with your sorry arse.")

I want to continue setting a good example of safe riding and hope that my kids enjoy riding as much as I do - for a good number of years. They would be the 4th generation of bikers in our family - my grandfather and both my parents used to ride bikes.

[Coyote]

I was lucky enough to have a Dad that was in a mid life crisis and decides to start riding again after he had stopped for 20 years. He brought a CRF150 at the beginning of 2003 to teach my brother and I to ride. He would've got a bike earlier (were planning to get an XR100) but we were struggling for money at the time. We then got the KX80, then I have recently got hold of the CBR and my brother will get a 125 when he's ready.

Mum took a bit of convincing, don't know why she even let us start let alone let us keep on riding.

[Posh Tourer :P]

I will be encouraging them too.....

Anything otherwise would be hypocritical....

[riffer]

My main problem at the moment is trying to find a PW50, JR50 or similar for Tim, who's absolutely obsessed with getting a bike.

Watching a 5-year-old on his old 12-inch wheel BMX hanging off at about 20km/hr on the BMS track trying to "get my knee down like Rossi Dad" is one of the funniest things you ever saw...

Looks like the family tradition will continue as soon as I can get a bike for the young fella.

Now to find the money... :argh:

[TonyB]

I was lucky enough to have a Dad that was in a mid life crisis and decides to start riding again after he had stopped for 20 years.
He probably had to give up for financial reasons or because he thought it was the responsible thing to do. Now he probably has the dough/ deems your old enough to find you way in the world, so he's started again. Only when you look your first child in the eye for the first time will you realise how much you mean to your parents and how much they are willing to sacrifice for you, because you will feel the same. Ahem... :done:

As for teaching the kids to ride. Yep, it's in the plan (Lexies 3 and Zachs 17 months). When they're ready there will be a wee mini bike turning up for sure!

[Coyote]

I wish I got a 50 when I was younger. A nice KTM 50 :devil2:

At least I'm lucky enough to own a bike now.

[Lias]

When I did my handling skills cert last year there was a young girl there, all of 15-16ish and a tiny wee thing, and her dad (at least I assume he was her dad) was obviously a biker and encouraging her.. I thought it was pretty cool.

[Coyote]

If you want to get your kid to get into competition, they really need to start riding at the age of 2 sadly. Especially in MX. I see 5 year olds on KTM 50s going faster than me on my 80 cause they have had 3 years of experience. Also, those are the years when they are fearless so the end up progressing faster. If I want to compete in MX, I have to be a prodigy, or just really really reckless.

No such problems with motard. I managed to be competitive with a 12 year old who has been riding MX since the age of 2 after 3 race days

Another problem is kids grow fast and you have to get bikes physically bigger. A year ago, my brother and I laughed at our dad riding the KX. We though he was like a gorilla on a bicycle, now, I'm taller than him.

[Fryin Finn]

I taught my 8 year old brother to ride back in the 70's. I sat on the back showed him how to work the controls and once he was moving along I jumped off the back, followed him along for a bit and when he wanted to stop jumped back on and showed him how. He had his first and only prangs back then.
Later when he had his own bikes he bought an XJ650 just like mine. He got done for drunken driving 3 up on the motorway. I didn't teach him that.
He's now living in London with 2 kid's and no bikes. I take him for a ride on the back of mine when he visits. :sick:

[Wolf]

If you want to get your kid to get into competition, they really need to start riding at the age of 2 sadly.

Taliesin's 3 on 21 May and Tangwyn's 2 on 10 May.

Need to find some cheap, small bikes fast, eh.

[Motu]

As mentioned in another thread,my daughter was in a sidecar at 2 mths,at 3 weeks she was at her first MX meeting,then I bought a trials bike and she cames to trials with us from a few weeks old,as she got older I would ride around at trials with her on the front.Later when I was riding at the dirt track I would take both girls around the track on the back of various bikes and quads,the wife would too - the girls waving to each other from the back of their parents bikes.Our second car was the XS1 Yamaha,being carted around by a bearded ponytailed biker in black leathers was normal in their world.Later we got a PW50 then a couple of old trail bikes for the girls.

They have asked if they can ride my Stornello so they can get their bike licences - I suspect that's why the Stornello no longer runs,I am not prepard to send my girls out on the road,that's ok for me...but I'm a selfish prick,I need my girls to look after me in my old age.

I rebuilt the Peewee a couple of years ago but the boys don't seem interested,the older boy is now too big for it - he has driven a go cart and loved it,but the bike is not a big drawcard.I'm happy,they can do whatever they like and I will support them to the hilt...if not bikes,so be it.

[Coyote]

Taliesin's 3 on 21 May and Tangwyn's 2 on 10 May.

Need to find some cheap, small bikes fast, eh.
Remember, don't force them, just give them the opportunity. If they don't like it, you'll feel like at least you have given them the chance, and it'll be hell of alot cheaper in the long run :eek:

[mikey]

poor kids.... think of what your doing to them.... you shouldn force bikes on them

[FROSTY]

I rebuilt the Peewee a couple of years ago but the boys don't seem interested,the older boy is now too big for it - he has driven a go cart and loved it,but the bike is not a big drawcard.I'm happy,they can do whatever they like and I will support them to the hilt...if not bikes,so be it.
Mate give me a yell if ya decide to sell/lease it -for sure baby bikie will be wanting a 2 wheeler as soon as he gets his head around throttle control.

[Coyote]

poor kids.... think of what your doing to them.... you shouldn force bikes on them
As I said, give them the chance, don't force it apon them, don't turn into one of those 'Ice-skater parents'.

[FROSTY]

Well my kids never stood a chance really. Baby bikie was riding on my bike almost from birth. Actually the only thing that would put him to sleep some nights when he was a baby was sitting on a bike seat with it running -Honest injun.
Hes got a quad now and ripps around at top speed on it everywhere.
He gets totally pissed off if daddy lets other bikes go past when we're out on a group ride.
Now his 18 month old brother is just as addicted -climbing up onto my bike and sitting himself inside my pack -ready for a ride.
They may grow out of it but well--all Baby bikie could say was
'daddy when can I be out there on the track with you?'
My reply -ohh on the back of my bike?
" No daddy on my own Melly Yelly bike"
racing daddy?
"Yea "
But son how would your old dad feel if you beat me?
Oh no daddy i'd slow down at the end and LET YOU win
Gee fanks son

[SIR-RUP]

just brought a 97 XR100 for my ten year old boy - Yes I am going through a mid lifer and need an out let for stress etc so what better way to do something together with your kids and blow a few copwebs away at the same time , Now the boy has got a bike I have the perfect excuse to buy one for me = all part of a cunning plan ..

[Coyote]

Well my kids never stood a chance really. Baby bikie was riding on my bike almost from birth. Actually the only thing that would put him to sleep some nights when he was a baby was sitting on a bike seat with it running -Honest injun.
Hes got a quad now and ripps around at top speed on it everywhere.
He gets totally pissed off if daddy lets other bikes go past when we're out on a group ride.
Now his 18 month old brother is just as addicted -climbing up onto my bike and sitting himself inside my pack -ready for a ride.
They may grow out of it but well--all Baby bikie could say was
'daddy when can I be out there on the track with you?'
My reply -ohh on the back of my bike?
" No daddy on my own Melly Yelly bike"
racing daddy?
"Yea "
But son how would your old dad feel if you beat me?
Oh no daddy i'd slow down at the end and LET YOU win
Gee fanks son
Was that you and your kid at the track day?

[marty]

My main problem at the moment is trying to find a PW50, JR50 or similar for Tim, who's absolutely obsessed with getting a bike.

Watching a 5-year-old on his old 12-inch wheel BMX hanging off at about 20km/hr on the BMS track trying to "get my knee down like Rossi Dad" is one of the funniest things you ever saw...

Looks like the family tradition will continue as soon as I can get a bike for the young fella.

Now to find the money... :argh:

i hope he's one of the hutt valley BMXers....someones gotta beat those TA kids

[marty]

my kids have seen/done/been involved in heaps - ironman, triathalon, endurance multisport, flying, targa, cycle racing, BMX etc etc.

what does the boy do? plays volleyball & waterpolo.

daughter? rides a bike (like sarah ulmer) and wants to be an olympic rower...

dad rides a bike? big deal.

go figure

[FROSTY]

Was that you and your kid at the track day?
Track day???
We were at the 2nd round of taupo racing in december--He was on back of a mates bike with me. --Then it was us on the 28th at taupo--him on his quad

[Timber020]

Teaching kids to ride is all good, but you have to be careful to give them a balance of physical activity as growing bodies can get long term injurys from the same repetitive stress as us older bodies can.
I taught MX in the US and have seen some 10 year olds with knees that more noise than a harley gearbox with 100,000 miles on it. Balance it with cycling, swimming and other such general activity and you hugely lessen the chances of problems.

Have a great time with them.

[RiderInBlack]

Teaching kids to ride is all good, but you have to be careful to give them a balance of physical activity as growing bodies can get long term injurys from the same repetitive stress as us older bodies can.
I taught MX in the US and have seen some 10 year olds with knees that more noise than a harley gearbox with 100,000 miles on it. Balance it with cycling, swimming and other such general activity and you hugely lessen the chances of problems.

Have a great time with them.PS: And don't for get to supervise them. Don't let this happen to your kids: 'Wonderful kids' killed as father's ute hits motocross bike (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?ObjectID=10111744) .