Get your kids mountain biking…if just for the lingo!

“Man, I was doing a grinder on a half-track vegetable tunnel when a bear trap gave me a shark bite. So I superman to a soil sample, my sneakers potato chip, and bam! it’s a yard sale everywhere. It was awesome!”

[translation] “Friend, I was riding a difficult and long uphill climb on an a very narrow dirt track through some heavily overgrown foliage when my foot slipped off, caused the pedal to crack into my shin, and chain grease to leave a mark on my calf. I then flew over the handlebars of my bicycle, did a face plant into the dirt, and my tire got severely bent causing my gear to be scattered everywhere. It was awesome!”

Mountain biking. This is a sport all right . . . and most certainly one just perfect for your kids.

Get them that mountain bike they’ve always wanted, hit the trails around the region, and encouraging them to start practising their mtb lingo.

Yes, the world of cycling has evolved over the years from the neighbourhood streets we rode for hours on end to today’s numerous dirt trails. Mountain biking is a hugely popular sport with a great community feeling. Here are some tips to ease your children into it and get them hooked for life:

STARTING OUT Let’s assume your child has experience riding around the neighbourhood and is now keen to take it up a notch. As a responsible parent, the right equipment and the right approach go hand in hand. This means you’ll want to get your child involved in the entire process from picking the bike to the gear.

For off-roading, get the biggest wheels they can handle and ensure the frame is properly sized. Next, depending on your budget, get quality components such as quick-release skewers, shifters and brakes. By visiting any of the specialty bike stores in the region they’ll ensure they’re properly geared-up.

Generally though, if the kids are under the age of 10 keep them out of clipless pedals, it’s too scary. Instead, focus on investing in a good lightweight bike either new or second-hand.

Begin with your child practising on grass at nearby parks, ideally with some rolling hills, and have fun. From there, move to a nearby school or church parking lot to practise turns around cones set about four metres apart. You can even throw down some 2x4s so they can work on hitting bumps while turning and pedalling.

NEXT STEPS Now it’s time for you both to hit the trails. Ottawa has them all over, so depending on which part of the city you live you’ll want to choose something flat, easy and wide. As your children are new to mountain biking, let them lead and encourage them to take rests when you think it’s needed. Always, always praise them, and never push them beyond their abilities.

You’re the instructor, so teach them the basics. Get them to stand on level pedals off the seat when riding through a difficult patch. They’re to keep the head-up; eyes looking where they’re going; keep pedalling, and remind them their knees and elbows make a natural suspension system.

TIPS

• In the beginning, teach children to apply both brakes evenly when stopping. Too much rear brake pressure causes skids; easier wipe outs, and wreaks havoc on the trails.

• Later they’ll learn to use the front brakes more often (about 70 per cent of the time), to keep their butt over the back tire; pedals at the 9 and 3 o’clock position, and two fingers ready to brake always.

• “Stretch a skipping rope across a path and have your children stop at the rope,” says Dominique Larocque, owner of LaRoccaXC Mountain Bike School. “This drill is great for practising 70 per cent front-brake stopping in the ready position.”

• Once your child has gained experience on novice dirt tracks they can advance to more difficult and rewarding trails found in the region.

• Mountain biking may not be for everyone, but if the kids are up for this fun and challenging activity, they’re sure to grow to love it. . . if just for the lingo.

• Don’t be a Fred or a Barney, fix your wild pigs, hammer hard, don’t bonk, and Ride On! ~ Originally published in Dave’s Outdoor column in the Ottawa Citizen.