Family Fitness Magazine

Are you looking for a fresh family fitness challenge? Each issue, Nicola Joyce will give you all the information you need to try a new sport. This month… mountain biking.

If you don’t mind getting wet and muddy, winter is ideally suited to mountain biking, and here in Wokingham we’ve got some legendary trails: Swinley Forest draws bikers from across the South.

Mountain biking is a great sport for individuals or groups and can form the basis of a fun day out for the family. The only limiting factor is the ability to ride a bike – although confidence helps! As with any outdoor sport, mountain biking lifts the spirits and boosts endorphins whilst getting you fitter, and it’s a great way to see some beautiful countryside. Start now and, by the time spring arrives, your base fitness will enable you to take on some longer rides, or perhaps do some local events!

Mountain biking can be as challenging or accessible as you want. Kids as young as three or four could manage a gentle jaunt along a flat trail. Paul Howard from local bike shop Mountain Trax says: “Typically Dad or Mum are already keen on mountain biking and want to get a decent bike for their kids. We stock bikes for all ages and, regardless of the cost of the bike or the age of the person it’s for, we’ll make sure it fits perfectly. We also stock children’s bike helmets – a really important thing to buy.”

So you’ve got a bike, had it professionally fitted and made sure your kit will keep you warm, dry and safe. What next? Why not contact a local mountain bike club and join an intro rides? Alternatively, head to Swinley: there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye and there’s no better way to explore than by bike. Over-16s will need to purchase a pass from The Look Out.

Jon and Jane Lucas regularly take their son Ollie , aged 9, mountain biking at The Look Out. “I took Ollie off-road biking on the back of my bike when he was about 2,” says Jon, “he had a “tag-along” when he was four, by the time he was six he had his own bike. He loves biking off-road, it’s such a great thing to do as a family.“ There are loads of benefits: you avoid traffic and you don’t have to drive for miles to reach great countryside around here. Make sure your child wears a helmet – and do so yourself to set a good example. I’d recommend getting your child gloves, too – the first thing children tend to do when they take a tumble is put their hands out. Take extra layers for them, and a bit of food (water is a given) in case they get tired or the weather turns. Most importantly, listen to how your child is reacting. Once it stops being fun, head for home.

A couple of safety points: ride with someone in case you get into trouble, carry a few items in case of emergency (mobile, puncture repair kit, allen key and identification).

Jacqueline from Dirt Divas tells us Mountain biking is as much for women as it is men. “Dirt Divas run courses for novice through to advanced women mountain bikers who want to gain confidence and improve their bike handling skills. The courses are run in Crowthorne Woods by fully qualified coaches with a maximum of 6 riders per group. Dirt Divas also offer private lessons which can include a mixed group of men and women, they are also ideal for groups of children (min. 9 years old)” Dirt Divas

Mountain Biking in Wokingham, Start here for local shop, courses, events

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