MTB events for kids in Gauteng/Northwest

[BenGraham]

So my son who is about to turn 7 has been really enjoying riding single track with me on the Spruit. He has a little competitive streak and recently asked if he can do a race. I honestly would love to make it happen but I don't know what events are available to a 6/7 year old. He does about 8km with me at present. We did Delta recently and he loved the descent. I did need to provide some additional motivational support a few times on the climbs though. He does the Emerentia full anti-clockwise like it's nothing now and has been asking for new trails to ride every time we go. I've started riding to Victory Park with him but his mom worries about crime along that section.

I suspect I may have to wait till he's 7 to enter most things. But keen to hear what's on offer for him. Would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

[Barry]

13 minutes ago, BenGraham said:

So my son who is about to turn 7 has been really enjoying riding single track with me on the Spruit. He has a little competitive streak and recently asked if he can do a race. I honestly would love to make it happen but I don't know what events are available to a 6/7 year old. He does about 8km with me at present. We did Delta recently and he loved the descent. I did need to provide some additional motivational support a few times on the climbs though. He does the Emerentia full anti-clockwise like it's nothing now and has been asking for new trails to ride every time we go. I've started riding to Victory Park with him but his mom worries about crime along that section.

I suspect I may have to wait till he's 7 to enter most things. But keen to hear what's on offer for him. Would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks.

There's the Suzuki like to bike not 100% sure on age groups and distance.  But my 4 year old granddaughter does the 2km MTB. They just had an event on Sunday at big Red Barn.

[BenGraham]

5 minutes ago, Barry said:

There's the Suzuki like to bike not 100% sure on age groups and distance.  But my 4 year old granddaughter does the 2km MTB. They just had an event on Sunday at big Red Barn.

That would have been perfect. Just had a look now. Will keep an eye on them. Hopefully there are more events like this. Thanks.

[Barry]

We have done it for 3 years i see on the web it is age 2 to 17.

Every race the kids get a medal that is a piece of the trophy that they build. Good days fun for the little ones

[The Ouzo]

4 minutes ago, Barry said:

There's the Suzuki like to bike not 100% sure on age groups and distance.  But my 4 year old granddaughter does the 2km MTB. They just had an event on Sunday at big Red Barn.

I was about to chip in that there was something at BRB this weekend for the little ones. I often use BRB as a halfway toilet stop on my road ride and this sunday I saw the whole Suzuki setup and wondered what it was .

[Barry]

https://www.like2bike.co.za/

[ChrisF]

Does his school have MTB as a school sport ?

 

 

The former SPUR Series is now run as the Schools Cycling Series.

[ChrisF]

 

Will send you the contact details via DM

[BenGraham]

18 hours ago, ChrisF said:

Does his school have MTB as a school sport ?

 

 

The former SPUR Series is now run as the Schools Cycling Series.

I was wondering what happened to the Spur series so this is helpful to know. He is only starting grade 1 in the new year so I don't know yet. I don't remember seeing MTB on his school sports list but his school is literally a few blocks from the Spruit so it totally makes sense. I will certainly be advocating for mtb to be a school sport if it isn't already.

[ChrisF]

SPUR withdrew late in 2020

 

Cycle Lab is currently the principle sponser up country .... will hopefully be for the entire series in 2023

[Steady Spin]

On 11/7/2022 at 1:06 PM, Barry said:

There's the Suzuki like to bike not 100% sure on age groups and distance.  But my 4 year old granddaughter does the 2km MTB. They just had an event on Sunday at big Red Barn.

Dude! A 7 year old on a 24" MTB kicked our asses going up Mandlas at Red Barn. He was wearing a rainbow stripes shirt so that must have been why. 

The distances are: 

1km
2km
5km
10km
15km

I didn't see any trail markings for the 25km.

Not sure of the age groups but we saw many kids aged between 5 and 14 maybe. 

Edited November 8, 2022 by Steady Spin

[ChrisF]

6 minutes ago, Steady Spin said:

Dude! A 7 year old on a 24" MTB kicked our asses going up Mandlas at Red Barn. He was wearing a rainbow stripes shirt so that must have been why. 

The distances are: 

1km
2km
5km
10km
15km

I didn't see any trail markings for the 25km.

Not sure of the age groups but we saw many kids aged between 5 and 14 maybe. 

 

Few years back we had a nice group doing regular rides at Meerendal.

 

It was a schools coach that arranged the rides.

 

So many of the rides were "family rides". 

 

Every so often he would book a ride for only parents .... no waiting about for the kids.  On one of these rides a dad rocks up with his 11 year old daughter .....  there were more than one unhappy wisper: "This was supposed to be our day to RIDE..."

 

By the time we were half way to the first dam she had circle the dam and came down join us again ..... next climb, same thing ....

 

The little rascal was a provincial champ .....

 

 

Nee KYK, sy het ons laat SLEG lyk daai dag.