Grumpy 13yr old - just me?
Discussion
Be grateful! Mine just moan and refuse to put any effort in and one won't use his gears. They walk every hill. And then the one that does try a bit moans because he's bored waiting for the others! 
(Admittedly it's a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy as it's such a pain to go out so we don't do it as often so they don't get any fitter.)
On a positive note it means I get to go on my own without the hold ups.
(Admittedly it's a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy as it's such a pain to go out so we don't do it as often so they don't get any fitter.)
On a positive note it means I get to go on my own without the hold ups.
anonymous said:
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Enjoy it whilst you can, is my advice. In a year or two he won't want to do anything with you, or indeed speak to you. Then a few years after that he'll grow out of it and you'll both remember the times you went biking together as the greatest moments of his childhood.Mine is 14...and exactly the same.
He just wants to session jumps, and being 50, and never having being great at jumps, it's not really my thing.
So we alternate between jumpy stuff and super steep tech - my preference.
I'm getting better at jumping, he enjoys being way better than me at it, and he now wants to do an Enduro as he's starting to enjoy going flat out down rocky rooty steeps. He's also helping me jump better. He can film for example.
Few things that I've found helps.
1) Chatting speed. It's our rule that you can't get off and push, but you need to be slow enough to chat. Him and his mates now do this, and look down at the push up brigade. They do this becuase they know being fit up, means fast down.
2) Encouraging him to watch the likes of Ollie, Bernard, Matt and Jonno, etc cocking about. He now gets that climbing is a part of the MTB scene and necessary to be good - although not helped recently by the gits all getting eebs.
3) Similar to chatting speed. Slow races. Slowest over the next x meters wins. Track strands not allowed. You can make it part of game of bike too.
4) Buy a towhee if you have an eeb. Being 14 is exhausting... If they like the DH, lean into it. Alternate the two sessions.
He just wants to session jumps, and being 50, and never having being great at jumps, it's not really my thing.
So we alternate between jumpy stuff and super steep tech - my preference.
I'm getting better at jumping, he enjoys being way better than me at it, and he now wants to do an Enduro as he's starting to enjoy going flat out down rocky rooty steeps. He's also helping me jump better. He can film for example.
Few things that I've found helps.
1) Chatting speed. It's our rule that you can't get off and push, but you need to be slow enough to chat. Him and his mates now do this, and look down at the push up brigade. They do this becuase they know being fit up, means fast down.
2) Encouraging him to watch the likes of Ollie, Bernard, Matt and Jonno, etc cocking about. He now gets that climbing is a part of the MTB scene and necessary to be good - although not helped recently by the gits all getting eebs.
3) Similar to chatting speed. Slow races. Slowest over the next x meters wins. Track strands not allowed. You can make it part of game of bike too.
4) Buy a towhee if you have an eeb. Being 14 is exhausting... If they like the DH, lean into it. Alternate the two sessions.
anonymous said:
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DO IT!Maybe make it a weekend event by staying somewhere local.
Ironically when I was 13 with my first mountain bike I was keen on cross country racing and riding for miles & miles, now at 40 I'm more like your son, I want the speed buzz, a few jumps & technical areas that go on for a few minutes not a 20 second blast then a slow crawl back to the top.
Yes, sounds like an average 13 year old.
But, I've got an AM9 (with Lyrics), and I wouldn;t consider it an XC bike in any shape or form. It's far more an enduro bike. Climbs will be a slog, and tame DH will feel boring. Mine is far more at home at Nevis Range, or the steeps at Dunkeld.
I'll be out with some mates tonight up the local hill. I'll be on my hardtail because it's more fun.
But, I've got an AM9 (with Lyrics), and I wouldn;t consider it an XC bike in any shape or form. It's far more an enduro bike. Climbs will be a slog, and tame DH will feel boring. Mine is far more at home at Nevis Range, or the steeps at Dunkeld.
I'll be out with some mates tonight up the local hill. I'll be on my hardtail because it's more fun.
anonymous said:
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Do it. Then head for either Fort William or Les Gets on holiday :-)anonymous said:
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You're riding an ebike while he slogs up on a heavy FS bike? Perhaps you should swap & see who complains.anonymous said:
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Sounds to me like he's either way over-biked for his ability, or way beyond your comfort zone. Does he go to an MTB club to get guidance from qualified, experienced coaches? If-not, why-not?Edited by pistol pete on Thursday 17th August 16:51
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