Took my 10 and 6 year old to a 'fun' cycling event yesterday, ran by a local cycle club around a track and thought it might be good way to find out if my kids would like a different after school activity. Got there and que lots of kids in club shirts, bikes and kit that put my own to shame and some kids clearly sat on adult road bikes that personally I thought were too much / too big for them.
My two came last and were clearly outclassed, but my eldest especially enjoyed it.
Now, at 10 I don't know if she can catch up (I would struggle to keep up I at the back) and im a little put off by the potential cost. I do have kids junior triban road bike that I acquired in the garage on 540iso 24 wheels, in a sorry condition, but I can't justify a grand on a road bike for it get dropped as a hobby, like kids do.
Has anyone else been through this and done it on the cheap?
Don't let it put you off. I'm a parent helper for a club and training for coaching, and you're exactly what we want to see coming along. All the good clubs see this happen all the time and will accommodate it.
At this stage, we're only looking to have kids participate and develop a liking for pushing themselves a bit; winning is secondary at best. If a child is coming along regularly and seems happy, we're happy. The bikes only have to be safe and fit well at this stage, nothing more.
Just keep them coming if theyre happy to do so. If the club is any use they'll have far more than just races to offer, and their development sessions will be good for the kids no matter what bikes they have.
The club also may have loan bikes that can be used, but these tend to get offered to regular attenders, one more reason to keep them coming.
The Tribans are growing in favour incidentally, I prefer them to the usually much heavier Islabikes 🙂
Better bike doesn't = better rider.
If they enjoy it just take them all, don't worry about level of kit. Besides, as your kids improve you'll get much more satisfaction when they start to beat kids that are using much costlier equipment.
No woods nearby they can play around in?a 'fun' cycling event yesterday, ran by a local cycle club around a track
Km79 I get where your coming from, but it's more about the kids meeting new friends, learning a skill, in a controlled fun environment. They still get to play with friends in the woods.
Codybrennan and Jade - thanks its what i wanted to hear, it's probably me who is more hung up about this than my kids. As they had fun regardless.
Buy decent kids road bikes used from other club members. They are always available. Just confirm that your own kids enjoy it. For most kids clubs near us, there is a year-long waiting list. Hillingdon Slipstreamers and Palmer Velo are very popular.
I am a coach with a kids club, which focuses on race development. We have 140 members and another 40 on the waiting list. We have loads of bikes that kids can borrow, MTB and track. As others have said, it doesn't need to be expensive. We charge £20 a year membership and another £20 for each of the main session blocks, each of which are about 3 months. Much cheaper that my kids football and hockey clubs.
As others, it doesn't have to be silly money and racing all over the country, the coaches can still develop skills, talent and attitude on any safe bike. They may teach disciplines you don't ride, or skillls you don't have, or just that parents are not the best to pass on.
Kids like club kit though, they like to be part of something and show their association.
And don't worry about them catching up, they might not get to the front very quickly but they can probably learn some skills and build fitness quickly.
You could always look at the second hand market. If she drops it then you can sell it on.
Most kids clubs are inclusive and you will find she will improve quickly when she has had a few weekends of training.
If it was Preston park you went to its is go race but it is also part of the Sussex cluster races. That are held between all the local clubs hence all the club shirts. One of the other local cubs runs a go ride race that's not part of the cluster that's not normally full of club riders.