The early bird gets the worm: How kids learn to bike quickly and safely
Florentin Vesenbeckh
· 16.09.2017
Pushing children to perform at their best at a young age? Absolutely not! If you project your own ambition onto your offspring, you run the risk of nipping the fun of sport in the bud. With children, the focus should always be on playfulness; performance-orientated training tends to be counterproductive. This does not mean that mountain bikers should not challenge and encourage their little ones. Children also need challenges that they can master and grow from. Peter Brodschelm is a riding technique expert and has crossed the Alps with his 13-year-old son. He knows exactly how children can become good and enthusiastic bikers in the long term.
Children learn intuitively and through play. But what basics should the little ones be taught?
Before children go off-road, they should learn to ride standing up. Intuitively, they often roll into rough passages sitting down - that doesn't work. In a solid basic position, they have the cranks horizontal, in children's terms one foot in front and one foot behind. They also look ahead, i.e. always towards where they want to go. Once the little ones have mastered this, they learn how to take fast bends or master steep descents.
When are children ready to learn?
Approximately from the age of six - but of course it's impossible to generalise. By the way: No matter what age, fun must come first.
How do I manage that?
All exercises must be packaged in a playful way. Balance is also important: don't permanently underchallenge, never overchallenge. Pay attention to silent signs: an anxious look, astonished eyes, broad grin?
Home training or riding technique course?
Both have their justification. My experience is that children really look forward to a course. In a group with children of the same age, they can suddenly do a lot more. Completely new things work when other children have demonstrated them. The experience value and learning success are greater in a camp than when practising with parents.
Why is it worth investing in technical training?
What children learn in terms of motor skills, they will also master as adults. Stamina and endurance come and go over the course of a lifetime, but coordination skills basically remain the same. So those who work on complex movements at an early age will benefit for the rest of their lives. It is also important for children to develop a sense of their own limits. Some children need to be slowed down along the way, others need to be motivated.
Peter Brodschelm, father, touring guide and riding technique instructor: "No matter what age: fun must come first. Together with peers, the experience and learning success grow."
DRIVING TECHNIQUE PRE-SCHOOL
Little games give children more safety on the bike and train their skills. These exercises are fun and prepare children for off-road riding.
TIPS & TRICKS FOR BIKING WITH CHILDREN
1. a clean POSITION forms the basis: stand up, cranks horizontal ("one forwards, one backwards"), weight resting on the pedals, looking forwards. The little ones understand this best when someone demonstrates it. A saying that always helps: "Only grannies ride sitting down."
2. CLASSIC ERROR: Out of fear, children put one foot on the ground in difficult situations. Both feet should always remain on the pedals when riding off-road. Encourage your child positively even before their foot comes off the pedal.
3. ONE PUMPTRACK is the perfect playground for children. Here they learn to ride standing up, look forwards and get a feel for bends and speed.
4. isolated exercises AVOID. Incorporate elements such as roots, bends and steep steps into short, fun laps or combine exercises to create a varied course. This puts learning in the background and prevents feelings of "I have to".
5 children are world champions in IMITATE. Driving ahead is better than explaining in a complicated way - provided you have the right driving technique.
CAMPS & COURSES
Kitzbühel / Kirchberg
The bikeacademy offers the perfect accompanying programme for a family holiday in Tyrol. At the Kitzalpbike junior camp, 7-12-year-olds spend four days over the course of a week hunting for single trails with like-minded people. www.bikeacademy.at
Rabenberg / Ore Mountains
The Rookiedays at the Rabenberg Trail Centre focus on the fun of biking. The practice course and the easy trails are the playground. Mum and dad can learn new skills in adult courses at the same time. www.trailcenter-rabenberg.de
Upper Bavaria
At the Craft Kids Days, 8-13-year-olds can look forward to playful riding training in three age-dependent groups. www.fahrtwind.de
Dortmund
The basics of mountain bike riding technique are taught in a fun way for kids aged between eight and twelve. www.bikeride.de
Leogang / Saalfelden
The Elements bike school offers many courses in the vicinity of the Bikepark Leogang for children between the ages of four and 14. From beginners to young freeriders. www.elements-outdoorsports.at
You can read this article or the entire BIKE 5/2017 issue in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
