Mountain biking is an amazing fun way to spend time with kids, if you want to get out but are unsure if it’s right for your family or have some questions, you might just find the answers below…

We are not about to tell you how to look after your own kids! Ultimately you know them best and probably the nuances of what will work best for them. But… We’ve ridden with 1000s of kids over the past 10 years and been asked many times by parents how they can have the best experience. Whether you are a seasoned rider or complete newbie, these tips could be worth 5 mins of you time. 

Start simple and go slow: If you and your kids have never tried mountain biking before… You can do this! As long as your child can control their speed and direction on a gentle slope, they’re ready to take their first steps. Choose a very easy route and keep it short—sometimes just looping the first 200 m of the Nova Trail is the perfect first taste of MTB. Whether you are hiring a bike or not, don’t hesitate to ask one of the team in the shop to point you in the right direction.

Limit numbers for smoother rides: Riding with up to two kids is ideal unless you have detailed local knowledge. Knowing escape routes, stop points, and plan-B options makes all the difference. If they are about one of our kids’ coaches will be happy to chat you through where we tend to go with different age groups, but experiencing it for yourself can also help—you could take a pre-ride alone to get your bearings before setting out with the kids. 

Manage distance and time expectations: This is something we more often see more experienced riders misjudge when taking kids out for the first time. Off-road riding on small wheels is harder than bigger wheels—and sorry for the age check, but the last time many of us rode a 20-inch bike, mountain biking probably didn’t exist! Even confident kids can tire quickly on their first ride. Try to avoid exhausting them first time out. Plan a short ride that can be extended if energy allows, rather than risking getting to the furthest point of a loop and having energy suddenly disappear. We’d recommend allowing a couple of hours for a first ride, but if time is limited, just plan the route accordingly. You can find a link to a route map on this page to get you started.

Check your bike is up to it before you leave the house: There’s nothing more frustrating than making all the plans, getting five minutes into a ride, and realising that your or your child’s bike isn’t in good shape. We can often help with a quick fix or provide hire bikes, but on busy days this isn’t always possible at the last minute. We’ve created a short video to help you work out if your bikes are suitable and well prepped for the trail —check it out on our YouTube channel. Any questions, drop us an email, want to book your bikes in for check over or service? We can do this too. 

Pack plenty of snacks: A simple one, but easy to forget. Snacks keep energy and morale high—for kids and adults alike—and can turn a fading ride into a fun one. If a section of trail feels challenging, a snack can also be a great opportunity for a break and a moment to reset. We find that the challenges of mountain biking are great for building resilience, determination, and a sense of satisfaction, but if things start to feel like a bit too much, a relaxed break among the trees with a snack is often the perfect antidote. We love snacks and made a silly video for our Instagram here – do you think we can make a PB&J rice cake whilst riding our bikes? 

Always finish on a high. Stick to manageable routes and expectations, but if things do get a bit stressful, aim for a fun final section. The stretch from the top of Beggar Bush to Hole in the Wall is ideal for this, with an easy shortcut back to the shop if needed—just ask one of the team for the quickest, flattest way.

Any questions? Or maybe you have some top tips you’d like to share? Drop us an email we’d love to hear from you at info@pedalprogression.com

We’re often asked by parents of tweens and teens when it’s safe to let their kids go out riding on their own. It’s a tricky one to answer, but we’ll share some practical tips and thoughts in a later blog that we hope will help you to help your young people build independence on their bikes in a safe and supported way.