You’ve watched your child learn to ride a bike with training wheels, then gradually work his way up to a real bike. After the scrapes and falls are behind him, take him on a nature ride with his bike, on a biking trail. Make sure you and the child have proper equipment: helmet, kneepads, elbow pads, goggles and gloves. Some nature trails are rough, with sticks and rocks strewn about, and if there is an accident you want to protect your child as much as possible.
Before starting off on a real biking trail, let your child practice riding at the park, your backyard or other woodsy areas. Riding on cement is much different than riding on sticks and grass, so allow plenty of time for him to practice and get used to the difference. Make sure your child is used to riding with all the gear. If he’s used to riding without it, then you put it on him for a day of biking, it can throw off his balance considerably.
Begin with a trail that is known to be easy for youngsters. Many biking trails are rated for easier selection of a trail that’s suitable for kids. Ride in front of your child to check the trail for danger, but if there are more than two of you riding, put the child somewhere in the middle. If you’re riding ahead of your child, be sure that you check often to see that he is still behind you and doing fine.
The bike that you choose for your child is very important. Trail bikes should be used for riding on biking paths, since they are the most adept for trail riding. Make sure the tires are properly inflated and all equipment is working properly before starting off on the adventure. It helps to have a few small tools, too, in case of a flat tire or other bike problem.
Always tell someone else when you’re heading off for a long journey on your bikes. No one ever knows what may happen while biking and you want to be sure that others know where you are. If you’ll be gone for the day, pack food and water and carry it on the bikes, when possible. Even a minor accident can leave you stranded on the trail all day with no food or liquids.
Talk to your child about the particular trail you’re on and various dangers that might lurk. If your child takes a real interest in trail riding, he might need to know certain things about trail riding in general, in the future. While riding, mention important things like what direction you’re starting in, what direction you are heading, and what direction the car is. Talk to him about not riding too close to the edge of cliffs. If you happen to know a lot about the outdoors, share with your child knowledge like particular fruits or berries he can eat while in the woods. In a worse-case scenario, you could be injured and the child would be left to fend for himself. If possible, keep a cell phone handy whenever you’re biking on trails, just in case of emergencies.
Overall, trail biking with your youngster is fun, safe and enjoyable, but as with any excursion, prepare for the unthinkable, keep a watchful eye on the trail and your youngster, and most of all, enjoy the time well spent with your loved one.
