1st 10 Miler with Jake

[Muddyfox]

Since getting my Cannondale i have given my 13 year old son (Jake) my old MTB with slicks on, and after school today he asked if i would take him out on a bike ride through the lanes in the village that we live in (i was delighted) so we picked a 5 mile loop and off we went ... he was very keen to keep a track of how things were going by constantly watching the cycle computer and after the 5 miles he wrote down his stats and then asked if we could ride the same loop again to see if he could better his time, so off we went and he knocked 3 minutes off the first lap and got his average speed up to 10.4 mph

Not fantastic stats (yet) but i'm so pleased he wants to come out cycling with me, and he really enjoyed it as i let him set the pace and i just followed his lead ... we are already planning some longer rides

Simon

 

[HLaB]

Well done to you both !

 

[Cubist]

Great stuff! It's so gratifying when the kids share an interest.

 

[mr Mag00]

lovely!

 

[sw3008]

Brilliant. Nice bit of Dad & Lad bonding time.

My 7 year old son loves to come for a ride with me. We did 6 miles the other week. Tired him out nicely.

 

[Big T]

I used to take my son out cycling with me. Now he's an Elite road racer and I can't keep up with him!

 

[Muddyfox]

Thanks for the positive responses Gents

I spend quite a bit of time with Jake through having to drive him all over the South West for his Rugby and last summer we did some mountain biking together but yesterday was very different, we just ambled along chatting (when he was'nt telling me what the computer was reading)

We have a nice 20 mile ride planned for the weekend

Simon

 

[HJ]

Never mind the stats, so long as you both enjoyed it...

 

[Muddyfox]

Never mind the stats, so long as you both enjoyed it...

We did both enjoy it very much ... i nearly took my computer off the mountain bike to put on my Cannondale but i'm glad i did'nt as it seems to have given Jake a target and since that first ride a couple of nights ago he's been out for the last 2 evenings before ive gotten home from work and done 1 of the 5 mile loops on his own to see how he does and so far he's got the time down to 21.24 mins and his average speed is up to 12.9 mph

The only downside is that he keeps looking at my Cannondale and saying i need one of those lol

Simon

 

[Randochap]

Hi Jake's Dad:

That's great that your son has gotten the cycling bug. If you go to my VeloWeb site, you'll see me at 12 y/o in front of my house, at the start of my training loop.

My dad wasn't interested in cycling, but I went off by myself and rode that loop as fast as I could, using my watch to time myself. Each time I tried to better my personal best.

I am still addicted to the bicycle and all the joys it affords. It all began around that time.

One thing I would caution: Make sure that Jake isn't too focussed on the computer during his rides. His attention should be fully directed at the road and traffic. Suggest that he record the accumulated data in a book, spreadsheet or an online database, after his rides.

Good on you for directing his youthful energy toward the noble bicycle. So many young men's experience of using their sinews to animate their dreams is stolen by association with those infernal machines that infer unlimited power can be had by pushing an accelerator or twisting a throttle.

 

[Cubist]

Jakesdad: it won't be long before you realise what you've done. 11 yr old Cubester is so hooked on the cycling bug that it's now starting to hit my wallet hard. He's tall and strong for his age, and already realised he can outdo all of his mates at school. He rides out with the grownups on our club rides, and to be honest is getting harder to keep up with. (my enforced lay-off isn't going to help!) What you need to do however is hide all the cycling mags from him, or censor all the articles that say "If you don't buy these gold-plated wheels your genitals will fall off" or "wear this shirt, it weighs three grammes less and you'll have lots of girlfriends and get very rich." That sort of nonsense has already cost me a fortune in upgraded forks, shorts, etc (though I insisted he saved up all his money and do a lot of extra chores for two months!)

 

[MacB]

JD, this is evolution in action, as soon as he can whop you for speed then there'll be no doubt the Cannondale is wasted on the old man. You may even enjoy riding your MTB again

Seriously good job, I'm currently taking my 3 boys on a 5 mile loop, ages 8/11/13. But think I'll need to start taking them seperately as the eldest has to wait a lot for regrouping purposes. Cheapo computer on a teenagers bike.......genius

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I don't think you could ask for anything better. Fantastic bonding time and a good average speed as well.

 

[Muddyfox]

One thing I would caution: Make sure that Jake isn't too focussed on the computer during his rides. His attention should be fully directed at the road and traffic. Suggest that he record the accumulated data in a book, spreadsheet or an online database, after his rides.

Very good point about the safety issues of watching the computer i'l have a chat with him about that ... he has started recording his efferts on Everyday Cycling

Jakesdad: it won't be long before you realise what you've done. 11 yr old Cubester is so hooked on the cycling bug that it's now starting to hit my wallet hard. He's tall and strong for his age, and already realised he can outdo all of his mates at school. He rides out with the grownups on our club rides, and to be honest is getting harder to keep up with. (my enforced lay-off isn't going to help!) What you need to do however is hide all the cycling mags from him, or censor all the articles that say "If you don't buy these gold-plated wheels your genitals will fall off" or "wear this shirt, it weighs three grammes less and you'll have lots of girlfriends and get very rich." That sort of nonsense has already cost me a fortune in upgraded forks, shorts, etc (though I insisted he saved up all his money and do a lot of extra chores for two months!)

I know what you mean about fitness and hitting the wallet ... Jake is already 5'9 at 13 years old with size12 feet (God help us when puberty kicks in) he plays rugby all over the South West so his fitness is already pretty good but i dont think he'l ever be a lycra clad racing bike type due to his size

JD, this is evolution in action, as soon as he can whop you for speed then there'll be no doubt the Cannondale is wasted on the old man. You may even enjoy riding your MTB again

Seriously good job, I'm currently taking my 3 boys on a 5 mile loop, ages 8/11/13. But think I'll need to start taking them seperately as the eldest has to wait a lot for regrouping purposes. Cheapo computer on a teenagers bike.......genius

The Cannondale is already wasted on the old man lol ... i'm no speed freak i just bought it as a lightweight hybrid really and i'm loving it but i have been keeping my eye out for an old steel framed MTB that i can load up with panniers and maybe do some weekend tours on ... glad to see your enjoying your rides with your boys as well

I don't think you could ask for anything better. Fantastic bonding time and a good average speed as well.

It is a great feeling when your son shares your interest ... although if his average speed continues to climb he'l probably get fed up with waiting for me

Simon