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With winter on its way I wondered if anyone had any ideas to entertain my bike mad 6 year old and keep him active. We'll still go out mountain biking at the weekend but with the nights closing in and the weather getting shit again we won't be quite so outdoorsy. I
We're in the tweed valley if that makes a difference. Maybe an indoor bmx park? Any velodromes that'll let kids ride?
Indoor skate/bmx Park is a good bet. We have a brilliant online leeds. My lad spent most of his 10 to 16 years there.
Also outdoor bmx Park on a evening is good most years. We used to ride it on mtbs.
Cyclocross racing, whatever your local league is should have a kids race on a shortened version of the course, bike type and kit doesn't matter it's a turn up and have fun format.
Also can I add, I am currently sat in bmx/skate park watching my 2 youngest grand kids fly round the place.
Think I am gonna buy a adult stunt scooter..... ;0)
Pump tracks. That Skelf place in Edinburgh looks great.
Really make use of every weekend day you can...
Make use of other outdoor sports - we canoe and hillwalk - these can often happen on days when trails are too wet to ride on. It all helps with the 'outdoors is good' theme.
Think I am gonna buy a adult stunt scooter….. ;0)
Get a skateboard! You're never too old! Then you can share with them.
Well into my forties, bought one 9 months ago, great fun.
Very painful 9 months, TBF, but still ..
Get a skateboard! You’re never too old!
I used to work in A&E. Saw a couple of unforgettable skateboard injuries in amateur adults. Soooooo.... No.
Get him or both of you a Gore-Tex jacket or onesie and carry on riding, just adjust your routes so you don't end up in boggy horrible areas.
Pump tracks. That Skelf place in Edinburgh looks great.
Skelf is indeed great! He basically learned to ride there.
My kids love a climbing wall. Eden rock just south of Edinburgh has an area just for kids. Perfect for when the weather's crap but you want them to burn some energy!
My kids love a climbing wall.
came here to recommend the same, even though it’s not biking. But like biking, it’s a “proper sport” as opposed to, say, soft play. This means they have to think about what they’re doing, stick to the rules, act responsibly, and acquire genuine strength, skills, and resilience. It’s a good activity to pickup alongside biking.
Enter Strathpuffer! Good incentive to keep it up through the winter.
Replying to myself to clarify - indoor bouldering is what I had in mind rather than climbing wall. Bouldering means no ropes which makes life much simpler. We’ve got an excellent kids area at our local red spider, but suspect even my 4 year old will be on the proper wall before long.
Bit of a distence but one of the best parks in the UK is at Dumbarton (unit23) otherwise local skateparks and pump tracks. Or if he is more pedally what about a CX series?
My kids love a climbing wall. Eden rock just south of Edinburgh has an area just for kids
We're on first name terms with the staff at eden rock and he had his last birthday party there.
Bit of a distence but one of the best parks in the UK is at Dumbarton (unit23)
That's a brilliant shout. Will def check it out.
Cyclocross racing, whatever your local league is should have a kids race on a shortened version of the course, bike type and kit doesn’t matter it’s a turn up and have fun format.
Not sure if some of the winter kids cyclocross races I've seen count as fun! I'm sure folk have lost custody of their kids for less.
We got really into orienteering (non bike) with the kids over the past couple of winters. Loads of local events around Edinburgh and the Forth Valley. Basically visit a nice area / country park. Run about the woods a bit. Pairs very well with other activities and gets you places you'd otherwise never go. We often take the bikes with us and do both. E.g. there's an event next week at Falkirk wheel. Will probably take the bikes and take the kids around Canada Wood after or play on the water.
https://www.scottish-orienteering.org/fixtures-results
We got really into orienteering (non bike)
That's a good shout I'll look into it. He loves a map and really enjoyed orienteering with beavers last year.