Hi, can anyone help - my son (age 13) keep hassling me to have a go at mountain biking. Seeing as both myself & husband are pretty inactive people it would be better if he could have proper lessons I think.
Does anyone know of anywhere in the North West-ish that does lessons for teenager-types? I've spent ages on the internet & most places only mention adults. I managed to find one place in Cannock (not quite North West, I know, but do-able!) but my email was re-directed back to me .
Why don't you try asking in local bike shops. They will now the local clubs, or the libraries have contacts for all sorts of activites and hobbies. The big cycle shop called Charnock Richard Cycles near to the M6 Charnock Richard services may know contacts in Lancashire.
If you go to the British Cycling website there is loads of information on mountain biking, including articles on how to get started, events around the country etc. There is also a club finder which you can also filer to just include mountain bike clubs. Dont exclude other clubs though as if you contact them they may well know of local MTB activity.
Quote: Originally posted by I need sun on 28/7/2009
Hi, can anyone help - my son (age 13) keep hassling me to have a go at mountain biking. Seeing as both myself & husband are pretty inactive people it would be better if he could have proper lessons I think.
Does anyone know of anywhere in the North West-ish that does lessons for teenager-types? I've spent ages on the internet & most places only mention adults. I managed to find one place in Cannock (not quite North West, I know, but do-able!) but my email was re-directed back to me <IMG border=0 align=absMiddle src="https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/forum_images/smiley6.gif" alt=17>.
why not learn with him, as mountain biking solo isn't the most advisable for adults even - injury, bike repairs etc. don't let those put you off, but definitely safety in numbers!
Thanks very much - good ideas there to get us (him, I mean!) going.
To Sarah & Simon - I know what you mean but I hate to admit it but I'm too old/unfit to start falling off a bike, altho I suppose I could do a little bit....cycled to the local Homebase today (about 2 miles there I guess) & had to walk the bike up the hill coming back!
Quote: Originally posted by I need sun on 30/7/2009
Thanks very much - good ideas there to get us (him, I mean!) going.
To Sarah & Simon - I know what you mean but I hate to admit it but I'm too old/unfit to start falling off a bike, altho I suppose I could do a little bit....cycled to the local Homebase today (about 2 miles there I guess) & had to walk the bike up the hill coming back!
my next door neighbour in munich mountainbiked well into his 70s after a triple heart bypass... never too old ;) balls of your feet on pedals would be other advice-see lots of people struggling with the flats of their feet... oh and learning when to change gear so you don't lose momentum...
if you do end up biking together there are clubs that will let yound ones ride with them (With you)
lol hark me-am a wheelchair user. but i used to bike (more treking than mountain) and my husband mountainbikes!
mmm bet he'd been cycling all his life & I'm not sure if it's a good advert for cycling if you end up having a triple heart bypass (no offence to your friend)....Thanks for the tips though - I can smell a bike-full autumn coming up!
Where about in Lancashire are you? As I maybe able to point you in the direction of good mountain bike shops
Beware mountain biking can be very expensive, I know as I do it.
Basic Equipment you will need:-
You need a decent bike, as a cheap one will fail.
Helmet, its a must!
Glass's to stop the dirt getting into the eyes.
Shoes, ether flat soled or with cleats.
See if you can get him a cheap mtb to start out with from a secondhand shop like cash converters paying no more than £50 max. Make sure its small enough to fit him though.
Then check if your local council does free cycling lessons to teach road craft, many do.
Additionally google SKY RIDES - these are local rides happening up and down the country for free to encourage people to cycle more. They would be as good a place to start with.
Biking doesn't have to be serious, just having a bike in the shed might mean he chooses to ride round to his friends house or to the shops like many of us used to do years ago
Thanks again - wasn't expecting any more replies & we've been away for a couple of weeks so sorry for delay in replying...
We're in Preston, CandP if you can help with shops. At the moment he's well up on BMXing so we know which shops to go for that but aren't well up on mountain bikes.
JennyFisher - we actually have the possibility of buying an ex-hire bike that's been reconditioned - do you think that's a good idea or not?
TriBill - that was a useful link - once we've sorted out a bike I think I'll give them a ring esp as they do a family ride which even I might be able to cope with!
BTW, whilst way we went to Kielder & Peter went on a junior mountain bike day session & absolutely loved it so if anyone else ever sees these sessions advertised I'd definately recommend them - its from the Purple Mountain Bike shop (or something along those lines).
To Batt - I tried the cyclewise website which seemed very promising but there seems to be something wrong with the site at the mo & it was all too confusing for me!! I'll try again another time but thanks for the link. There's so much information out there if you only know where to look so tips like these are so helpful.
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Topic: Mountain bike lessons - teenage boy
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Yvonne
