The official Riding with Kids thread

[AgentFlash]

My son (5) and daughter (2 - rides with me on a Feva seat) have been loving, doing some "proper mountain biking", as my son says, riding the lower Constantia Greenbelt trails.

Looking for any suggestions on other places we can go and ride. I have mainly ridden at Tokai, but don't think he is ready for that yet. His time will come. Based in the southern suburbs, but don't mind making a trip, if it is worthwhile.

Looking for something that isn't technical and not too steep. He has a good 10 - 15km in him. The Constantia Greenbelt is exactly the type of riding we enjoy, however, interested to see if other trails would be worth looking at.  Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

[AgentFlash]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:23 PM, AgentFlash said:

My son (5) and daughter (2 - rides with me on a Feva seat) have been loving, doing some "proper mountain biking", as my son says, riding the lower Constantia Greenbelt trails.

Looking for any suggestions on other places we can go and ride. I have mainly ridden at Tokai, but don't think he is ready for that yet. His time will come. Based in the southern suburbs, but don't mind making a trip, if it is worthwhile.

Looking for something that isn't technical and not too steep. He has a good 10 - 15km in him. The Constantia Greenbelt is exactly the type of riding we enjoy, however, interested to see if other trails would be worth looking at.  Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Any suggestions welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[ChrisF]

4 minutes ago, AgentFlash said:

Any suggestions welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

Melkbos Koeberg ... when it opens again.  Not technical, hardly any hills.  Just a nice spot to get in some longer rides.

 

Contermanskloof.  Up the road, first little climb, then a right turn next to the vineyards, green route. Nice short litte loop.  Couple of spots they need to pay attention, even an A frame.

 

Bloemendal.  Pump track for the kids.  Then a few laps of B Spot.

[Iwan Kemp]

On 11/30/2024 at 9:23 PM, AgentFlash said:

Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in advance.

Some good suggestions from @ChrisF. I can add the 10km loop around the dam/river in Jonkershoek. It is fairly flat and open with lots to see and appreciate. As a bonus there is a river crossing where you can stop to swim or chill in the water around the halfway mark. I've done it a couple of times with my kid and she loves it. 

Banhoek/Bethel farm also has a nice loop that is flat and scenic. 

[AgentFlash]

13 hours ago, Iwan Kemp said:

Some good suggestions from @ChrisF. I can add the 10km loop around the dam/river in Jonkershoek. It is fairly flat and open with lots to see and appreciate. As a bonus there is a river crossing where you can stop to swim or chill in the water around the halfway mark. I've done it a couple of times with my kid and she loves it. 

Banhoek/Bethel farm also has a nice loop that is flat and scenic. 

Thanks all. I will be sure to gives these a go!

[Shebeen]

On 8/4/2024 at 7:27 PM, PappaWatTrap said:

Hi everyone,

 

Anyone willing to share about their experience cycling with half wheelers? 
 

Is it as fun as I imagine it to be taking my son down some single tracks ?

 

 

speaking of half-wheelers. this is one is ready to go to its next home!

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/kids-bikes/768915/giant-half-wheeler

 

[Iwan Kemp]

I'm selling my kid's 20" Titan Racing e-bike if anyone is interested.

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/kids-bikes/776826/titan-racing-charge-junior-20-kids-e-bike

[Shebeen]

18 hours ago, Iwan Kemp said:

I'm selling my kid's 20" Titan Racing e-bike if anyone is interested.

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/kids-bikes/776826/titan-racing-charge-junior-20-kids-e-bike

I know you've done the maths, but

196km new to used, 

R12k-R5k5 = R6k5

~R33/km.

Smiles: priceless

this is a bargain

 

[ChrisF]

How time FLIES ....

 

January 2017 ..... FIRST ride ....

 

 

 

March 2017 .... 

 

6 weeks later we did the 12km route of Hemel and Aarde trails

 

 

And in the blink of an eye he is manhandling a 29" Medium around Bloemedal ....

 

 

 

 

ENJOY every moment with the little ones ..... they grow up way too quickly !!! 

 

Edited December 11 by ChrisF

[RobynE]

Anyone wanting a cracker of a girls bike, my daughter’s 2022 Titan Racing Calypso 26” is for sale, as I picked up a really nice 650b for her. 
 

Not your average 26” kids bike 😈

 

Purple

Weighs 11kg 

XT cranks (full length) 

Narrow wide oval chainring 

SRAM GX 1x10 with XO shifter

Rockshox SiD World Cup air fork - has lockout but not currently fitted 

Avid Elixir hydraulic brakes set up for small hands - incredible but very safe stoppage 

DT Swiss rims with DT Swiss hubs

Maxxis Crossmark tyres with plenty life left in them 

Grips, pedals and seat will be put back to original or similar 

 

A scuff here and there but I can nail varnish or leave. 

 

Plus you get all the original parts minus the Tektro brakes (which were *** anyway) if you want them - if you don’t I’m happy to donate the parts to my LBS’ donations bin. 
 

Absolutely zero money to spend - gears set, bike is fantastic, totally reliable and huge fun, simply been outgrown. Best suited to a kiddo between 1.20m and 1.40m. 
 

Currently dirty so no pics but will have a wash tomorrow then I’ll put it in the Classifieds section. 
 

10k or best offer. 
 

NB it’s not “just” a 26”. It’s the modern geometry super light frame, low step over, with really good upgraded parts and was purchased new by me and made better by @RobertWhitehead 😁 

[AgentFlash]

Thank you for the route suggestions. We tried out Bloemendal and it was fantastic! My son asks me everyday now when we are going back!

My son's words, "We went on an amazing adventure!"

We were not entirely sure how the kids would handle the trails. We originally planned on doing the Green Loop and B Spot. We ended up doing the entire Blue Route. I was blown away at how both the kids handled it.

The climbing was a lot more than we have previously done, however it was conquered. I have to say big 'thank you's' to the various friendly bikers who gave us words of encouragement. It gives the kids such a boost! I think I need to work on my fitness levels!

The downhills were amazing! We even managed Lombard's Terra, at a very slow pace. We did walk one rather gnarly corner. My son's favourite trail was BloemenNice. We picked up quite some pace. He even wanted to climb back up to the top to do it again.

My daughter (on her bike seat) had very clear instructions, "Faster daddy, faster!" on the downhills. On the uphills, "Power, power!" while tucking her head down into an aerodynamic position. She was also our navigator in finding the blue bicycle route signs along the way and whenever we hit a bump, excited laughter would erupt!

What an amazing day out and certainly won't be the last.