Advice on MTBing for (young) kids around Dublin

Lumen

I know nothing about mountainous bicycles or the riding of them, but what with the roads being a bit unsafe for small kids (5-6 y/old), we've started doing trails in the Phoenix Park.

It would be nice to meet up with larger groups and people who can teach technique (that I don't have).

What's the best way to proceed? It 5-6 too young to start MTB on proper trails?

I read about the 3 Rock/Dublin Blitz but that looks like a one off.

Cookie_Monster

Lumen wrote: »

I read about the 3 Rock/Dublin Blitz but that looks like a one off.

was about to suggest this, even though one off would be a good bet to see what the story is, meet people in same situation etc

davey101

Lumen, there are age categories at every mtb race with the youngest being under eight. this cat usually has a good mix and the trails are usually adequate for the age group, Unfortunately there is not alot more as most clubs usually dont cater for this age for a number of reasons. I would go along to the Dublin blitz as it will be a great day out, and i am sure Niall and Tarja have a trail suitable for such an age. and its free for underage.
The next Dublin race you could bring him/her to is on the 26th June with IMBRC. I think any age is a good age to start them mountain biking, Its how we breed champions

Lumen

davey101 wrote: »

I think any age is a good age to start them mountain biking, Its how we breed champions

MTBing also seems like good prep for road racing, as Michael Rasmussen Cadel Evans can testify. :pac:

fenris

I have been bringing my 6 year old out MTB-ing for a good while, we mostly go to Ballinastoe or Djouce.

Just a couple of points to note based on my limited experience:

- A few months in age makes for a huge difference in stamina and co-ordination (pedaling, braking, steering, looking - pick one maybe two at a time for younger kids)

- Short distances and lots of repeats of easy obstacles are the way to go

- Kids bikes weigh a ton relative to adult bikes when you compare body weight to bike weight, this makes a massive difference for getting up hills

- target fixation AKA magnetic tree syndrome seems to be just wired in up to about 6

- little hands sometimes cannot keep the brakes held in for long enough to control speed for more than a few seconds when they also have to cope with vibration from rough ground

- ease off the front brake, there seems to be no real discrimination regarding which one is pulled - this is bad when panic sets in

- Gloves are essential, no hope of getting them back on a bike if their palms are grazed

- Full face helmet (Halford's approx €30) - facial scratches / bruising immediately summons the wrath of mum with the potential for getting the short one banned until he is big enough along with "he could have lost an eye" etc.

- Wet wipes go a long way towards cleaning up / destroying evidence

- be really really careful about even very small drop offs due to the weight of the front end of kids bikes

- an old innertube is a great way of towing mini me up a hill

- be ready for meltdowns - chocolate is good, bad parents have been known to feed kids "Powerbar Cola Ride Shots" (the caffeinated ones) in order to get back to the car - allegedly

In Ballinastoe we started with the first section in on the right, just doing the last few curves a few times was enough initially, but they were done many many times but repetition seemed to breed the confidence needed to go faster and further, now we are doing the full small loop as long as I take care of the bike pushing for the uphills.

Once you are happy that the ability to brake and go fully around the corners is there on the lowest section, the next step is to go straight up the fireroad, past the turn off to the left, until you get to the track going in to the right, this is a nice relatively flat section where sprogs can get the feeling of proper mountain biking but not gather enough speed to get busted (mostly), this section is great for getting the message across about not braking on the downhills and using momentum to get most of the way up the next hill - this is so not obvious to a 5 year old.

From the lower Djouce car park, there are a couple of nice little loop in the woods on the immediate right of the barrier - perfect for a couple of kids to scamper about on - they will probably end up pushing the bikes up hill but it is short and there is enough to do on the downhill bit - great crack with a couple of kids.

For real inspiration/trouble there is always the dirt jumps in Enniskerry!

Greyspoke

Lots of very good advice from fenris there. The only reservation I'd have about recommending a full face helmet (and I can fully appreciate why you would), is that their little heads will get very hot inside them any time they're putting much effort in. My 10 year old wears a skate helmet sometimes and finds it very hot.
The problem with kids mountain biking (and I've three of them at it 4,8 and 10) is that they always find riding uphill either very hard work or just plain impossible and if there's one thing that's going to put them off, it's the uphill struggle. Trouble is, mountain biking generally does involve rather a lot of hill climbing.
The lower loops in Ballinastoe, as advised above, do work well and they won't mind going around a few times - ideally if you have to climb, do it on a fire road as at least you can ride beside them and give a push. Once they do venture onto proper single track you need to be sure that they are able to keep full control of the bike as you'll be either behind or in front and won't be able to grab them though if you felt like it it works quite well to run close behind with a loose hold on their jacket or whatever.
A couple of flat places you could try are Donadea forest park near Clane - like most Coillte woods, you're not officially allowed to cycle there but a parent and child is never going to upset anyone. There are some nice trails in there, especially some fun, twisty single track if you can find it. If you want to venture further afield, there are lovely flat trails in Portumna forest park which are purpose built and well manageable for smaller children.
Also as suggested above, try and get up to Three Rock on May 8th and see what other kids are up to - see you there!

davey101

Sure would you look what Mr Byrne of Epic MTB is starting, Perfect if you are available.
http://www.epicmtb.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14176

Thats great stuff, all we need now is some more people to do the same

Sacred_git

Lumen wrote: »

MTBing also seems like good prep for road racing, as Michael Rasmussen Cadel Evans can testify. :pac:

Can also be good prep for road racers to see the light, flog their road bikes and buy mountain bikes and turn nto real men/women.

Full face helmet all the way for the little man but a good light weight one with lots of air vents!!

Bren10101

also get stickers for his helmet

some skulls or something