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Trying to build up the mileage from the daughter as she is interested in doing a 40 mile charity ride with me in May this year.
Started a couple of weeks ago to get miles into her little legs and we've done a couple of canal rides and a road ride the last three weekends of 10, 11 and 13.5 miles.
Any advice on training for kids would be appreciated as I don't want to push her too hard and make her hate cycling. She's on a kids "mountain bike" out of Decathlon with 24" wheels and it weighs loads more than my 29er karate monkey
She's 9 BTW but she'd say almost 10.
Pulling a face at me with my camera
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This is me and my (then) 9yo on a 25mile MTB sportive:
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She's on a 24" wheel and the bike (Trek MT220) also weighed approximately twice what mine did! She did it without much training but the biggest things I learned:
1) Bring LOTS of sweets/treats for encouragement
2) Bring LOTS of water/drinks for her
3) Bring LOTS of extra clothing for her (see my pack in the photo - full of sweets, drinks and clothes...)
4) Don't rush it. Let her go at her pace.
You'll have a fantastic great day that you (and she) will remember for a very long time. Enjoy it!
If you approach it right, she should be fine. Minipips did the [url= http://minipips.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/rapha-festive500-honourable-mention.html ]Rapha Festive 500[/url]
my just 10yr old will happily ride 12/15 miles of the PBW on a full size bmx and she eats up 20 plus miles on the canal.
she is a pretty good fell runner and runs/ swims 4 nights a week. she does it with a smile, i grimace a lot and pant even more.
Sounds like you're doing it right - building up the mileage gradually rather than throwing her at something that'll be a killer.
Sweets and other such bribes can help, especially if things are getting tough - a surprise sweetie bag appearing from a camelbak at the right moment can make the last few miles a lot easier if legs are getting tired. Conversely, if it becomes routine it loses it's impact - sweeties are expected so it's no longer a pleasant surprise, so maybe one to keep in reserve unless needed.
Obviously, a lighter bike would help, but that's not always feasible if you have already bought one.
You'll know if you're pushing it too hard, she'll let you know. Conversely, I got it wrong the other way last weekend - took my 7 year old up and down the canal for 15-20 miles which I thought would be more than plenty, then we got home, she kept her bike out and was riding round the street for another hour so clearly should have done more..
My daughter was riding a gearless kids shopping bike 22km at the age of 8. At 13 she was doing 24 hour solos on a singlespeed. Then she discovered ice skating and doesn't ride now. 🙂
So basically it's how fit is your daughter - then only obstacle is mental and parental reservations.
took my 7 year old up and down the canal for 15-20 miles which I thought would be more than plenty, then we got home, she kept her bike out and was riding round the street for another hour so clearly should have done more..
Quality!
is it on tarmac? some slick tyres might help.