Kids maximum riding distance

[Reden]

What distance would be the maximum a 12 year old kid should ride?

He is quite short, weights 30kg (quite skinny too) but out climb my wife on hills.

Currently he will ride till he explodes.

I take him (and wife) for 12km to 16 km rides at Northern Farm at a slow pace.

[King_Crispy]

Nothing more than 20kms

[Flowta]

I guess it depends on the kid. (not an expert at all) I did my first Argus at 12

[Woolf]

As a kid I had to cycle to school. Kaalvoet in the sun, rain and snow. Was at least 60km. Or that's what it felt like at least.

[Kranswurm]

Depends on the kid

My son completed his first Argus at 11 in 6 hours

You have to keep them topped up with food tho as their reserves are small and they can burn out

Speak to Jeroen or someone like that

[GLuvsMtb]

Anything that he can comfortably complete in one hour. Primary school hockey and rugby games last about 30 minutes in total and their training sessions should never go beyond 1 hour for these. I think its a good marker.

[gummibear]

I take him (and wife) for 12km to 16 km rides at Northern Farm at a slow pace.

 

My 8 year old rides some of the the cycle tracks with me.Max is 12km and he rides it pretty comfortably.

I spoke to my Dr about all the sports he does.He told me that as long as my son is eating well and drinking fluid then 90 minutes a day of sport was fine.

[Reden]

He does the 16km ride in about 1h 15 minutes.

Will keep his fun rides then to the 10km distances till later.

Usually the next distance is 20km in fun rides.

All MTB rides.

[Cycho]

Some very valuable input here if you are involved with young ones riding... was put on to this by Jeroen...

 

http://coaching.cyclingsa.com/content/30

[DJR]

All good advice above. Hopefully some more below....

 

I always tried to end my boys rides while they were still having fun. That way they always wanted to ride more.

 

My own ones did their first Arguses at 12 years, but only after doing about 10 PPA funrides as preparation, starting with the shorter (40km) rides and progressing to the 80km rides over a 3 month period. They also did at least 1 midweek ride on the mountain and the usual school sports (swimming & waterpolo) which built aerobic fitness big time. On the mtb, they did 20 - 30 km rides at that age. They also started to cope well with fairly technical single track (Tokai Forest) and rode a few organized events during winter.

 

I found that feeding on the bike is much more critical in kids than adults. Make sure they stay hydrated and fuelled, or they'll bonk very spectacularly. At 12 years old you have to ride with them yourself because they are not well equipped to deal with unexpected problems like punctures or breakdowns. You being there to help will prevent them having a horrid time that might put them off riding. They are also too young to ride on the road alone without adult supervision, even in organized and marshalled events.

[Pants Boy]

At 12 years old you have to ride with them yourself because they are not well equipped to deal with unexpected problems like punctures or breakdowns.

 

Must .... resist .... Ancering .... this .....

[DJR]

Must .... resist .... Ancering .... this .....

You don't know how much willpower it took me.....

[NotSoBigBen]

As a kid I had to cycle to school. Kaalvoet in the sun, rain and snow. Was at least 60km. Or that's what it felt like at least.

 

And as my kids would add uphill both ways!

[ccc2]

at 12 years of age the bike should be a toy. let them have fun. up until 16 nothing more than 30 - 40 k's.

and please please please change the gears from open to restricted. it might not affect them now but when they reach 17/18 they WILL have knee problems. age restriction gears teach them a good pedalling form without them knowing it. my 17 year old son spins better than Lance up the hills.

if they beg to do the Argus / Burger - do the Argus on a tandem and let them ride the short Burger

[Reden]

at 12 years of age the bike should be a toy. let them have fun. up until 16 nothing more than 30 - 40 k's.

and please please please change the gears from open to restricted. it might not affect them now but when they reach 17/18 they WILL have knee problems. age restriction gears teach them a good pedalling form without them knowing it. my 17 year old son spins better than Lance up the hills.

if they beg to do the Argus / Burger - do the Argus on a tandem and let them ride the short Burger

Where can I get the gearing development dimensions for their age group MTB?

[DJR]

at 12 years of age the bike should be a toy. let them have fun. up until 16 nothing more than 30 - 40 k's.

and please please please change the gears from open to restricted. it might not affect them now but when they reach 17/18 they WILL have knee problems. age restriction gears teach them a good pedalling form without them knowing it. my 17 year old son spins better than Lance up the hills.

if they beg to do the Argus / Burger - do the Argus on a tandem and let them ride the short Burger

 

Will a compact crankset do the same i.e. restrict gears enough? Or is a proper junior cassette also needed?