NW Kids: Mountain Biking 101 for Families

By Amy Whitley

Photo at right: Mountain biking is a huge hit with kid cyclists. Photo by Amy Whitley

Which is better: walking a mountain trail, or mountain biking it? This is what my kids would call a “no-brainer.”

If they can do something fast, they’re sold. And if it’s just a little bit dangerous, even better. While they’ve been raised to enjoy hiking, mountain biking kicks a family outdoors experience up a notch in a way that keeps them interested in their school-aged and ’tween years.

Getting started in mountain biking as a family doesn’t have to be complicated—or expensive. All you need is a trusted local bike shop, a good trail map, and strong legs.

A picnic lunch helps, too. Before investing in specialized mountain bikes and other equipment, try out the sport in the following ways.

Start on a combination of single track and dirt roads

On our first time out, the experts at one of our favorite bike shops, Blazin’ Saddles of Sisters, Ore., suggested we start on easier-to-navigate forest service roads instead of single track.

While they fitted our kids for their bikes, we asked their advice for our best routes through designated forest service land. We had success starting on flatter fire roads where we could ride two abreast before graduating to narrow single track where bike control is crucial.

Take a group mountain-biking tour

Many outdoor tour operations offer family mountain biking excursions that include all the gear and bike rentals, plus a guide to show you the ropes. Parents don’t have to know where to go, and the guides do all the heavy lifting.

Consider a half-day excursion for kids under age 10. One of our personal favorite mountain biking excursions is the one-day family tour from Bend’s Cog Wild Bicycle Tours. The nearby Paulina Plunge also makes for a good first ride, though with its 2,500-foot vertical descent, kids are liable to think all rides are this easy on the legs!

Start at a ski resort

One of the easiest ways to get into the sport of mountain biking is to learn at a ski resort in summer. Gravity-based biking is intense and challenging, but resorts likeMt. Hood’s Skibowl have mountain bike networks that include some downhill and some rollers; a perfect combination of terrain for young riders. Plus you can rent your bikes and protective gear and set out for your ride all from the same place.

Build up to a multi-day experience

This year, our boys want to tackle a 2–3 day mountain bike tour along Mt. Hood’s hut-to-hut routes, operated by Cascade Huts. I know it will be grueling at times, but oh-so rewarding to see each hut come into view after a long day’s ride.

Will we be ready for it? Only if we hit the trails hard this summer!

Amy Whitley is a freelance travel writer, lover of the outdoors, and editor of family travel website Pit Stops for Kids. She makes her home with her husband and three kids in Southern Oregon.

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