Spurzzz Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 Looking for some advice please ... I ride weekly on Sundays with my 7 year old on his MTB in the local suburban area. Since we've started last year he has now managed to comfortably conjure up a speed of 15km within an hour (which we're both quite impressed with ) Questions ... - Do we now work on improving his speed within the hour or look at extending the hour while maintaining the speed (he is very comfortable after an hour and asks to carry on)- Any advice on some flattish jeeptrail type terrain that I can introduce him to in the Cape area, traffic in the suburbs is whack at times- Is 15km/h average for someone at his age? Thanks a mill
Slowbee Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 Spurzz, no offense, but the lil chap is 7! Let him go out and just ride till he is blue in the face - then he will be fit enough and strong enough.
Capricorn Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 wasnt there a thread like this before? Spurzz, if u can find it, chat to that dad as I'm sure he's done his homework on developing his child into a superb athlete.
Christopher Brunsdon Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 I would say speak to your Doctor as well. Pushing a 7yr old can be treading where Angels fear to walk. I would also side with Slowbee on this as my daughter was push by her mom to try too hard with sport at the age of 7, she ended up hating all sport by the age of 8 and that is not what we as parents want.
DJR Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 Koeberg nature reserve is mostly flat and the kids find it fun. They like bumping into the wild animals and going to the beach halfway through the ride. While they play, have a picnic. Only problems I ever had were the southeaster and getting my head around the idea of riding in the shadow of a nuclear power station. Personally, I feel that riding at age 7 should strictly be fun. Let them dictate the pace, time and distance. Even then, it is always better to stop when they are still hungry for more rather than when they've had enough or too much. What you are trying to do is to establish a healthy outdoors excercise lifestyle. Training comes much later, for now, just ride and enjoy.
cat-i Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 Personally, I feel that riding at age 7 should strictly be fun. play. i'm waaaaaay beyond 7 and still prefer playing to training, it's way more fun and it makes me want to go back for more.
Guest agteros Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 Looking for some advice please ... I ride weekly on Sundays with my 7 year old on his MTB in the local suburban area. Since we've started last year he has now managed to comfortably conjure up a speed of 15km within an hour (which we're both quite impressed with ) Questions ... - Do we now work on improving his speed within the hour or look at extending the hour while maintaining the speed (he is very comfortable after an hour and asks to carry on)- Any advice on some flattish jeeptrail type terrain that I can introduce him to in the Cape area, traffic in the suburbs is whack at times- Is 15km/h average for someone at his age? Thanks a mill You need to let your kid play. At 7 a kids body is not ready for the rigours of training, nor is a kids mind ready for the work en toughness required for a "training program".Do FUN rides, emphasise participation, fun, etc and NOT achievement. Yeah have the little sprint and whatever, but at 7 a kid and his love for sport/physical activity need nurturing, not sharpening! Sharpening (if required) will happen via play. Do the Sunday rides, but grown-ups tend to lean towards 'death marches', and kids want to play / explore / learn / experience. Rather take a friend or more along for your son to ride with, and as grown-up just back off and see what they do.... Show them 'cool' things, and help them to do do those at a level that they will WANT do, in a way that THEY want to do, IF they care to do it at all! e.g. jumps but not mega heights, down hills / drop offs but at their chosen height... Give guidance (if they care) but just let the kid PLAY, that is how they LEARN! Actually give them a chance / place to play and stay out of their way!And please do not use your kid to full fill your ambitions, they have their own, and mostly different ambitions and motivations.
cat-i Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 a friend took his son to the bmx track at teak place. he played there for a long time. when it was time to leave the kid burst into tears ... dad thought son was just too tired, but upon further investigation, the kid wanted to stay longer to play more he (son, not dad) promptly insisted on having his birthday party there
Slowbee Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 a friend took his son to the bmx track at teak place. he played there for a long time. when it was time to leave the kid burst into tears ... dad thought son was just too tired, but upon further investigation, the kid wanted to stay longer to play more he (son, not dad) promptly insisted on having his birthday party there so where would you have your b-day party then ?
Christopher Brunsdon Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 ...And please do not use your kid to full fill your ambitions, they have their own, and mostly different ambitions and motivations. I wish my ex-wife would take this advice. She lives her life through our daughters and it only causes problems. But there is nothing wrong with encouragement.
ccc2 Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 children up to the age of 15 should not be introduced to a structured training program.pm me if you want a suggested training article i have for young cyclists.
TCTG Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 I have 2 kids age 7 and 8 that ride for fun , enjoy the fun part and the fact they want to spend time with you now. Enjoy it while it lasts.....
Spurzzz Posted March 30, 2011 Author Posted March 30, 2011 Thanks all for the feedback - Re-reading my post I can see its a bit whack and doesn't sound like much fun does it!!! The FUN points suggested makes soooo much sense, I"ll definitely be taking that advice. That and including friends at Koeberg Cool beans, have a lekker day guys ! Much appreciated
nuge Posted March 30, 2011 Posted March 30, 2011 children up to the age of 15 should not be introduced to a structured training program.pm me if you want a suggested training article i have for young cyclists.kind of off the topic: we were suckered into a family gym contract for a year when i was about 14 and at the time was getting serious about dinghy racing (you could race optimists until you turn 15, don't know if that's still the case). i went down to said gym to try and strengthen my legs for hiking out when the wind got up and the instructors looked at me and basically said no way. they said strength and weight training simply should not be done by anyone under the age of 15 as everything's still growing and stretching and might change the way your body develops permanently. eventually i got to do the circuit but only under supervision - i quickly got bored and got into girls and punk rock instead, so it wasn't all bad!
Slowone Posted March 30, 2011 Posted March 30, 2011 I got my 8 year old a MTB a while back........ we ride for fun on the road ....... enjoy spending the time with them when they that small ......PS : he also average about 12 - 15 km when we ride ........ My 13 year old on the other hand want to ride in the League ........ thats a whole different story .........
mtbee Posted April 3, 2011 Posted April 3, 2011 Find a mtb park nearby, we regularly spend the day with the kids exploring the single tracks at Mankele and cruizing the bmx track. The kids just have fun and develop a passion for riding.Its now standard for Birtday parties great to see kids who normally would sit watching tv riding a bike. I agree with the no formal training until 15 years old.
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