The Unexpected Changes that Occur

Family Bike Riding

In June, I got a call from a Mum; ‘My 7yr old son is very anxious, is on the Autism Spectrum, and doesn’t really pay attention, but I have heard you may be able to teach him to ride a bike – I would like that so much – can you help?’ After a quick discussion to find out a bit more about her son, (whom I shall call Q) we arranged to have 3x1hr sessions here in Brooklyn Park. An invoice was sent to their NDIS Plan manager, and the social story was sent out for the mum and…

Channelling the Bike

Family Bike Riding

Last weekend I had a 9yr old come for his 2nd lesson; he’d learnt to ride in L1 and had been amazed that he could do it; around and around he rode; stopping, starting using gears. Upon arriving at lesson 2, his dad had told me that in between lessons the he and his son gone to the local park to do some riding practise; the dad told me that the practise didn’t start well, and the son got very down about this and started to spiral his thoughts ‘I can’t; it’s not going to work’. In the park, the…

Finding the Time to Make Time

Adult Bike Riding

(I recorded** the following while out on a ride)….. I know it’s hard for everyone to get riding – to get out and do something they enjoy, we know we enjoy it, but life, work commitments, and laziness get in the way, and sometimes it is easy to stay in. what’s really important is that we make time for making time. Running my own small business I’m constantly battling between needing work and needing to live; what I have found of late, what I’ve noticed quite a lots, is that my joy of riding can slip away; I’m rarely available…

Comparing Kids’ Bikes

Family Bike Riding

The below is a simple comparison of some of the children’s bikes available in Adelaide, South Australia (Nov 2017). Features of: bike weight, handlebar & saddle height, and cost have been collated for your ease while looking for a new bike. Bike for kids – analysis (816kb)

What to look for in a 2nd hand bike

Family Bike Riding

You can get some real bargains on various second hand market sites (Facebook/community pages/Gumtree to name a few) – here are some things to keep in mind: Suitable for your purpose – it might be a bargain, but is is what you are looking for? … are you wanting a get around town bike – or a ‘faster’ bike bike a road bike Do the ABCDE check Does it fit you – do you feel confident getting on/off, stopping/starting, riding it, does it make your sore? After the ABCDE check – are you happy to take it to your local Bike…

The A-B-C-D-E Bike Check

Adult Bike Riding Family Bike Riding

A is for AIR  Are the tyres pumped to correct pressure—stamped onto side wall of tyre Adult Bikes: Hybrid Bikes 40-70PSI, Knobbly Mountain Bike tyres: 50-80 PSI Road Bike tyres: 90-110PSI Kids bikes: Little kids 30-40PSI, Pre teens: 40-60PSI Also check the tyres for signs of wear in the tread or crack on the side walls B is for BRAKES Do both brakes stop the bike when applied, yet leave a gap at handlebar Are the brakes allowing the bike wheel to roll freely (not rubbing) C is for CHAIN Is the chain able to spin backwards freely—if not check…

What do I mean by ‘good quality’ bikes?

Family Bike Riding

  Weight, Gearing, Fit for Family/Purpose.  Weight – Your child isn’t as strong as an adult – or even a teen  – give them a hand and allow them to ride something light.  Recently in a school program we came across a bike that was 22.5kg, now considering the 11yo owner  was approx 40kg, this bike was more than half his body weight – think of yourself having to ride such a bike. It will be hard and the child will struggle and COMPLAIN – go lighter weight for your sanity!! A VERY loose rule of thumb that I’ve worked out…

It’s a Balancing Act

Family Bike Riding

Seeing your children (or even grandchildren) ride around the park or getting out with them on a bike is one of those activities that leaves lasting memories for both young and old alike. But how do you transition children who have training wheels to a bike with 2 wheels and give them the cycling skills and confidence that are so important and valuable? This is a question Ride-a-Bike Right is often asked and like most good things in life it’s all about BALANCE. Balance is the fundamental cycling skill that needs to be mastered before anyone can learn to ride…

What to look for in a GOOD fitting helmet

Family Bike Riding

  AS/NZS 2063 Bike helmets sold in Australia have been tested to the Standard AS/NZS2063. These are the helmets legally required for use on bike. Hard shell, usually lots of ventilation holes, polyurethane foam inner and padding   THE FIT you want the helmet to be comfortable on the head and not move forward/backwards or side to side.  These Three lines – Helmet should fit snugly ‘across the eyebrows’ ‘down the sides’ and ‘under the chin’.     ADJUSTING SYSTEM This allows the helmet to be tightened under the back of the head, at the occipital bone at the base…

Y’ve Gotta Have ‘Heart’

Family Bike Riding

When working with children in our learn to ride lessons it is often the case that I’m teaching a child aged 5-8 yo and for the majority they are open to learning new experiences – as this is what most of their life is about. Yet when I am asked to teach children 10+ it’s when I see children at their ‘rawest’ for kids at this age ‘know that they can’t ride’ and in their opinion this is something they will never be able to do. Then they meet Ride-a-Bike Right instructors. Last week, we started our 4wk cycling skills…