Nephew (13) has been down for a few days riding. He's been around Thrunton, Slaley and the fells and today Chopwell Woods.

His confidence took a knock a few months ago in a fairly large off (for him) that ended up with two buckled wheels, a bent fork and a fairly large gash on his leg.

He wanted to do the red run at Chopwell, so foolishly, as the foolhardy uncle, I agreed as long as he followed the first time and we went slowly.

Speed picked up a bit on the second bit, and a short drop (1/2foot) followed by another that can be jumped I landed and slowed, turned and in my peripheral vision saw him coming off. Turned and ran back to see if he was ok.

His bike was head on into a tree, he was still sat on it dazed, checked if he was OK, no but not silent and not screaming, so helped him up. His arm was hurting so did a squeeze your hand etc. All was good, he was a little shaken.

Then looked at where his bike was and realised that a felled tree and the planted tree had held the bike in a pincer like grip. If they hadn't been there it was a 4m or more drop into a stone filled gulley to the side.

Praise the biking gods that they looked down on me today. I need to go and sacrifice hiker now as a thankyou.

😯 eek…

Phew !! And RELAX 😯

My mate Dave got knocked off his bike on a road ride yesterday – guy drove off. Luckly he wasn't hurt or his bike – bush at side of the road caught him 😯

Eeeek. Dunt sound like he's quite ready for that kind of trail – hard to guess with kids tho. Hope it has not put him off, and that the ticking off from his parents wasn't too severe!

Reminds me of a guy I worked with who took his nephew and niece "off trail" down from Snowdon. The lad lost his footing on scree and slid off a cliff, bouncing on ledges etc. He survived, was airlifted and recovered fully from his broken neck. I think it's easy to overestimate a kid's ability, but underestimate their toughness.

*Awaits Tandem Jesus* 😉

Was his bike ok?

Haven't had the ticking off yet. No doubt that will come when I drop him back home tonight.

Hopefully it will be reduced after fixing his brakes, giving him a nice gilette and a set of crud catchers I had spare.

Worst things are to come though, when he inventively tells the missus in the next hour or so when I pick her up, she will give me an ear full for days.

Was his bike ok?

I think so. I thought initially the forks were a bit off, but looking a bit more carefully I think they are ok. Think he is getting new forks this weekend anyway.

A nice Gilette – isn't he a little young to start shaving? 🙂

I blame the bike you're riding – too quick…

A nice Gilette – isn't he a little young to start shaving?

Can't spell today, a bit shaken.

Pah. 13? He's probably doing backflips on the jumps down his local woods.

And boasting about how every time he goes out riding with his uncle, he has a daft stack to get a load of free kit 😆

I'd try following him – you tend to go very slowly your first time on a trail. If you know the trail reasonably well, your slow probably seems hard to keep up with.

tbh while I let my older kids wear what they want (although they've all got full face helmets, as well as piss-pots) and gloves; my 11 year old though does wear full moto gear and the under-armour.

And boasting about how every time he goes out riding with his uncle, he has a daft stack to get a load of free kit

Unfortunately I had already given him the stuff, next time though I'll keep some back for emotional bribery.