photo courtesy ColoradoDaily.com // MARK LEFFINGWELL
Boulder Indoor Cycling is offering classes for surprisingly young mountain bikers over holiday breaks from school and teaching skills that many adult riders have yet to master. Young bikers, ages 5-10, learn how to roll over teeter-totters, logs, ramps, and skinnies, how to be safe on the trail, and how to make minor bike repairs. Over the winter holidays many of the sessions were filled to capacity with 15 young riders tearing up the indoor course.
An article I read mentioned that a 5-year-old was able to master the double black diamond course (rated from green to dbl black) and that kids as young as 18 months receive instruction at the indoor park. Many of the youngest riders are still rockin’ Strider scooter bikes but some of them are even learning to ride rocks and stairs already!
In addition to biking, the kids also spend time coloring and drawing – but instead of cuddly animals, these kids are imagining and drawing their dream bike tracks. If all of this is any indication, I think we’re going to be seeing some sick new riders hitting the scene in 10-15 years, pushing the boundaries of what we think is possible in terms of riding and course design. I just hope I’m still limber enough to get out there and ride with ’em!
5 Comments
Jan 11, 2010
Jan 12, 2010
Jan 11, 2010
-Nick
http://www.thecampingtentsale.com
Jan 11, 2010
At 6, and still on her Hotrock with 20" wheels she rode almost all of the Hidden mesa trail, including dropping off son 16" high ledges. Those aren't a big deal for us, but try it on 20"wheels sometime!
Anyway, the point is, it's so great to watch them starting out so young and getting the feel for how to ride before the fear and over-thinking kicks in!
Feb 17, 2012