Mountain biking is a dynamic sport that can teach lots of important lessons that can be applied to real life. As our kids grow up, we often use mountain biking as a metaphor to talk about the things they are experiencing in their non-mountain biking life – from homework to social issues. We think that mountain biking can help kids build the character and skills to help them deal with whatever life throws at them. Here is our list of ways that we feel that mountain biking helps kids be successful in life.

Here Are 10 Life Lessons That Mountain Biking Has Helped To Teach Our Kids:

1. Planning And Preparation Is Important

Getting out on the trails for a day of biking helps to build skills to prepare for the unexpected. Now that our kids are older, we let them pack their supplies. What do you think you might need?  Snacks, water, maybe a rain coat? Sometimes, forgetting to bring what you need is the best way to remember next time. This skill can definitely transfer to preparing for a school day, camping trip or college.

2. You Can Do Hard Things

You’ll hear the word “grit” to describe kids that know how to persevere through challenges. Mountain biking provides so many opportunities to practice digging deep and developing grit- from climbing hills to riding longer distances. On one memorable ride, we were at the mid-way point on the Slickrock trail in Moab when our youngest crashed his bike and rolled right into a cactus. After we removed as many of those tiny spikes as we could, our kid had no choice but to pedal the 6 miles back to the trail head.  It took a very long time, but we made it back to the car, and our kid often talks about how he rode 6 miles with cactus in his leg with a proud smile on his face.

3. Look Ahead, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

When your kid first starts riding a bike on trails, it is natural for them to notice and avoid all the rocks, roots and bumps in the trail. Seasoned mountain bikers know that looking at every little obstacle is a great way to get hung up and potentially crash. As your kid spends more time on the trail they’ll learn to see the small obstacles, but look ahead to where they want to go. There are so many ways that this lesson applies to real life!

4. Things Don’t Always Go Your Way

In the last year, our oldest has had two races derailed by mechanical issues with his bike. One of them may have been prevented by checking tire pressure before a race (see lesson 1), but the other seemed to be a random occurrence. Each DNF felt awful to him. After each he spent a bit feeling upset and then started to look for the good in the situations and moved on.

5. View Obstacles As Challenges

What would mountain biking be without rock gardens, roots and corners? BORING!  Our goal is to try to teach our kids to view life obstacles in the same way they view mountain bike obstacles. Problems that can be solved and even enjoyed with creativity, practice, patience and persistence.

6. Be Brave, Seek “Healthy Risks”

Mountain biking can be scary. A large part of why I enjoy mountain biking more than trail running is that feeling of exhilaration from trying something that scares me. The more time they spend on the trails, the more our kids know their abilities and feel comfortable taking “healthy” risks. In mountain biking, as in life, many obstacles look worse than they are. Through mountain biking, kids can learn to trust themselves to try new things.

7. Failure Is The Way You Learn And Get Better

We’ll often stop during our rides to session a challenging part of the trail. Sometimes, you can get over the obstacle by just pedaling harder, sometimes, you need to attack it from a different angle and sometimes, even after several attempts, you have to be willing to let it go and try again next time you ride the trail.

8. Moving Outside Is Excellent For Mental And Physical Health

Several years ago, our youngest son would almost always start family rides with a bad attitude. He did NOT want to go on a mountain bike ride and his gloomy mood and frequent tears often made us question our will to get the family out.  However, when we persevered, it would take less than 20 minutes for him to be riding along and singing or chatting up a storm.  He has recently started to recognize the direct connection between mountain biking and his mood. Knowing how to take care of their own wellbeing is something we hope our kids learn from mountain biking.

9. Be Humble

Mountain biking can be extremely humbling. Just when you think things are going great, you strike a pedal on a rock and take a dive over the bars, or have a mechanical issue, or fall into a cactus. Mountain biking provides lots of chances to practice living with grace and humility.

10. Community Is Important, Find Your People

Mountain biking can create a strong connection between people. Our boys love to ride with family, but adding friends to the mix makes things even better. Building a network of mountain biking friends can be positive and meaningful for your kids. Good mountain biking friends are supportive, helpful and up for adventure.

Are you already riding with your kids?  We’d love to hear what life lessons your family has gained from mountain biking.  Share your lessons with us on our MTB with kids facebook page

Wanting to get your kids out on bikes with you?  Visit our Tips for Mountain Biking with Kids articles to help you get started.

Everybody wants to visit Whistler during Crankworx, right? Well… maybe. But consider these 8 reasons not to visit Whistler during Crankworx when planning your family’s epic summer mountain biking trip. Crankworx Whistler draws the fastest and most skilled mountain bikers from around the planet. Is it best to see all this in person or visit when there’s not hoards of people in town? Will our next post atone for the stupidity and blasphemy mentioned in this article?

Accommodations Are More Expensive/Limited

If you are staying in a trailer, motorhome or camping – this one does not apply, but parking may be harder to find. If you are planning a “last minute” trip to Crankworx, be prepared to shell out some extra dough. Hoteliers, condo owners, the VRBO/Airbnb crowd have certainly keyed into Crankworx Whistler being the most popular events of the season and treat it like Christmas in August.

Lift Lines At The Whistler Bike Park

There can be about a 30 minute wait to get on the Fitzsimmons chairlift. To minimize wait times, either start early, start late, or ride when people are taking a lunch break. A lot of people attending Crankworx may need to sleep the previous evening off due to extracurricular activities and that means the early bird gets the trails. In past years the bike park has opened an hour early to help alleviate the rush that greets each day.

Want to skip the peasants’ lift line altogether? Sign up for a daily group lesson or private lesson. Riders who have signed up for lessons have their own lift line and it’s much shorter than the common folks’. If there are events going on, registered athletes have priority, too.

You Have To Show Up Early To Get Good Spots To Watch Some Of The Events

The whip-off, pump track challenge and slopestyle course will be packed. And if you want to get the best vantage points, you will have to arrive early, stake out your spot and just chill. This means less time riding.

Mother Nature Does Not Give A Flying Fork About The Red Bull Joyride

Some Crankworx events can take place in the wind and rain, but definitely not the Red Bull Joyride. If anything more than a breeze lingers or if heavy rain starts coming down, be prepared for delays or postponement. Riders cannot ride in the wind because they can be blown off line when they are doing their tricks several feet above the ground. This equates to dangerous conditions and no one wants to be put in harm’s way. Be prepared for this in advance and know that the riders’ safety is paramount. Everyone wants a good show and conditions where the bangers can be let loose. But if the weather doesn’t cooperate, it’s best to have the riders not drop in. The photo accompanying this blurb was taken after Joyride was postponed a day due to a nice 10 minute rain storm that soaked the track.

Some Trails In The Whistler Bike Park Are Going To Be Worn In And Blown Out

Brake bumps, brake bumps and brake bumps. Crank It Up, Blue Velvet, and B Line can be blue washboards. A Line even gets brake bumps. In our experience, the brake bumps on Heart Of Darkness are the ones to really watch out for. So much traffic passes through there. Don’t get angry or whiny about this though – embrace it and become a better rider. Improving your position on the bike, having the proper grip, and the correct suspension set up will have you riding like Amaury in no time. You’ll also get tons of moon dust, blown out berms and bomb-holes at the foot of rock rolls and wood features. If you bring enduro bikes or trail bikes and want to avoid some of the crowds, ride the Lost Lake Trail System or the Whistler Valley Trails. It’s ok, pedaling is still cool.

Need A Mechanic To Work On Your Bike In A Hurry? Good Luck, Hoser!

Love and money used to make the world go round, but to us it seems like the bike mechanics now hold this top spot. All the shops with mechanics are going to be working overtime during Crankworx. To help avoid the need for a mechanic while attending Crankworx, be sure to start off with a properly tuned and maintained bike. Make sure your sealant is fresh with tubeless tires; brake pads are good; your dropper is bled. For those still running tubes, make sure your tires are properly inflated for the trails you’ll be riding.

Over the years we have learned to work on our own bikes for minor repairs. In addition to the basics, we bring tools and supplies for things such as brake bleeds, dropper post bleeds; a syringe, valve stem remover and sealant for tubeless tires; extra derailleur cables and a suspension pump. We even have a couple of spare derailleurs in our cache. Based on your own past experiences, be prepared with the parts and tools you think you may need.

If things go from bad to worse and you need a mechanic, always be polite. When you need a wheel rebuild at Crankworx and can’t do it yourself, keep in mind that there may be many similar jobs ahead of you. If your repair gets done in a timely manner, always… always give your mechanic a $10 handshake or bring back a six-pack of their choosing. The universe will smile upon you.

Getting Seated At Restaurants

This is a no-brainer. Plan ahead and make reservations. Be sure to have snacks on hand for little ones so they don’t turn into Jack-Jack and start melting faces.

What do you think? Do you have a different opinion?  Maybe you’ll want to check out 8 Reasons to Visit Whistler During Crankworx

These gifts for mountain bike dads are sure to raise your status in the family! Want to solidify your rank as his favorite child or restore the youthful glimmer in his eye (even though nothing can be done about that receding hairline)? All you have to do is choose something that reinforces his love for mountain biking.

All kidding aside – here are a few gift ideas that may help you get something interesting for the old man. We’ve listed our top picks for dad in mountain bike apparel, MTB accessories, tools and components, and of course, mountain bikes.

MTB Apparel – Update dad’s kit!

Five Ten Freerider Pro mountain bike shoes 

Give dad all-day comfort on and off the mountain. We love five tens for mountain biking,. Here’s why. Firstly, the Five Ten Freerider Pro flat pedal biking shoes provide grip and durability for all-mountain and enduro riding. Secondly, an impact-resistant toe box complements the medium-stiff build for a responsive ride. Thirdly, the signature sticky rubber and purpose-built tread pattern keep dad’s feet firmly planted on his pedals. Fourthly, these shoes look as good in the café as on the trail. These shoes are useful gifts for mountain bike dads.

Wolf Tooth Logo Trucker Hat

Keep dad’s face out of the sun and his helmet hair covered! Dad will use this hat before and after epic family mountain bike rides. This hat has a mesh back, curved visor, and plastic snap back.

Columbia Watertight II Jacket – Men’s

Dads like to be outside, no matter the weather. Keep dad comfortable with the Columbia Men’s Watertight II Jacket. Firstly, the Omni-Tech two-layer nylon shell is fully seam-sealed, so it keeps moisture out. Secondly, the air-permeable design allows unwanted perspiration to escape. Finally, the adjustable storm hood with an abrasion-resistant chin guard will keep the elements at bay.

Fox Racing Ranger Short – Men’s

Troy Lee Designs Ruckus Jersey – Men’s

The Ruckus is Troy Lee’s longest-running jersey design. This 3/4-sleeve top offers warm weather relief for mountain biking dads who crave gravity-disciplines, without compromising fit with pads underneath. The wide, flat neck stays comfortable even with a pack. The fabric provides active moisture wicking and breathability to keep dad dry and cool. The Ruckus even includes two rear zippered stash pockets for snacks and essentials.

Oakley Frogskins Prizm Sunglasses 

Whether did is hitting the trail, strolling through the city, or soaking up some rays on the beach, these Oakley Frogskins Prizm Sunglasses will keep dad’s eyes safe and stylish.  These sunglasses boost contrast, offer protection from 100% of harmful UV rays and look cool. Sunglasses are some of the most inexpensive and most useful gifts for mountain bike dads.

Helly Hansen Holmen 5 pocket Pant

Is the dad in your life still wearing pants from 10 years ago? SAME! Get dad some new pants! Your Dad will love these versatile outdoor pants designed to offer full range of motion and great style! The warp stretch twill weave fabric is 100% bluesign® approved and made to be easy to move in.

Fox Racing Defend D3O Glove – Men’s

The Fox Racing Defend D3O Gloves are built to be aggressive. These tough gloves pair stretch Cordura construction with D30 padding at the knuckles to take the sting out of unfortunate encounters with branches and rocks. Fox’s D30 padding flexes when warmed, so dad’s hands  stay comfortable on the bars and can shift with ease. In the event of an impact, the padding firms up to absorb energy. Importantly, the gloves use Fox’s TruFeel internal texture that offers heightened feel and control of levers.

Garmin Forerunner 945 HR

Is dad obsessed with numbers? He needs a Garmin!  If dad wants to improve his athletic performance, nothing beats having quantifiable metrics to monitor and analyze his efforts both during and after mountain biking. Other features include barometric altimeter for tracking elevation changes, GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo sensors for tracking speed and distance, Garmin Elevate wrist-based heart rate, and training status. Additionally, increased battery life allows dad to train for longer between recharges, lasting up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode, 10 hours in GPS mode with music, or up to 60 hours in UltraTrac mode.

Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guard 

Troy Lee Designs Raid Knee Guards features neoprene construction with a breathable back panel for all-day comfort. Fit-Lock calf bandwill prevent slippage and the knee cap integrated w/flex panel provides flexibility for full range of pedaling motion. These pads also include abrasion resistant side padding for protection against bike frame & trail features.

Fox Racing Grainz Utility Flannel

Dads love flannel! The Grainz Utility Flannel by Fox is perfect for the post-ride campfire. Thanks to soft, brushed cotton infused with stretchy spandex, dad can get around freely with all the warmth he needs on cool days.

MTB Accessories

YETI Hopper Flip 12 Cooler with Top Handle

The YETI Hopper Flip 12 Cooler with Top Handle is a great way to bring lunch and beers to the trailhead! Built from the same material used for river rafts, the Hopper Flip 12 is durable. The wide-mouth design secured with a leakproof HydroLok™ zipper means it can host up to 13 cans on ice and won’t make a mess when dad tosses it in the trunk.

Helinox Chair

Perfect for a campfire, BBQ, or post-ride parking lot relaxation! Five years ago, we purchased four Helinox chairs (one for each family member) as a Christmas gift. After 5 years of use, we remain impressed with the quality and durability of these chairs. The Helinox chairs are compact and light, taking up about half the space of our old heavy foldable camping chairs. This not only helps when we road trip in the minivan, but also makes it possible to put them into a backpack for short hikes. These chairs assemble easily – our kids can have their chairs built in less than a minute. Read our full review at: https://mtbwithkids.com/helinox-two-camping-chair-review/

Yeti Rambler 20oz Tumbler

One cup to rule them all. The Yeti Rambler 20oz Tumbler keeps dad’s coffee hot and his beer cold! The double-wall vacuum insulation ensures that dad’s drinks remain at the perfect temperature longer.  This tumbler is perfect for camping or road trips. The stainless steel construction withstands dents and dings.

NiteRider Lumina OLED 1200 Boost Headlight

Sometimes dad needs to get out for a ride after dark. The NiteRider Lumina OLED 1200 Boost Headlight has five light levels so dad can choose based on the conditions. The wide beam lens directs the light with even distribution to ensure that upcoming obstacles are seen. The digital display provides battery percent as well as run time, and the Lumina recharges quickly so it’s ready when its needed.

Kids Ride Shotgun seat and handlebar set

Dad wants to get junior out on the mountain bike now!  The shotgun combo is the ultimate setup for your mountain bike kid. Not only will you get the shotgun seat and handlebar accessory, you’ll also get our custom mudguard and one of a kind ‘shred til bed’ stem-cap too. This front mounted child seat will work for kids 2 – 5 years old (up to 48lb). The full rubber protection will keep dad’s bike pristine. The Shotgun seat and handlebars are adjustable width and angle to fit all mountain bikes. Installation and removal is a snap with quick release. Read our full article here: https://mtbwithkids.com/shotgun-kids-mountain-bike-seat-review/

My Medic MyFAK First Aid Kit 

Dads love to keep everyone safe! The My Medic MyFAK (My First Aid Kit) was designed to be adaptive, functional, and indestructible. Importantly, this first aid kit measures 7.5”x6.5”x5” so it can fit in a hydration pack where it’s available when you need it. In addition, this kit comes in basic and advanced, so you can match the supplies with dad’s level of training. See our full MyFAQ Review.

CamelBak Mule 12L Backpack

Is “Be Prepared” your mountain bike dad’s moto? The Mule Hydration Pack is designed to make dad’s mountain bike rides a little sweeter. This pack is big enough to carry 3-liters of water and a day’s worth of snacks and gear. Importantly, the Air Director back panel keeps dad cool by wicking moisture. The stretch overflow pocket lets dad quickly shed layers as needed. Pump and armor gear loops ensure dad is prepared for all rides.

GoPro HERO9 Black Camera 

Help dad fulfill his desire to capture and share his mountain biking adventures. The GoPro HERO9 Black Camera makes it easier than ever before to capture professional footage in the outdoors. This action cam is waterproof rated to 33ft of submersion and features high-definition video at 4k60 or 5k30 and up to 23.6MP photos. Thanks to advanced processing power, this action camera includes HyperSmooth 3.0 video stabilization and a real-time TimeWarp 3.0 feature that stitches video together for ridiculously smooth time-lapse videos.

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bag 55L

Dad could use a new Black Hole 55L Duffel Bag.  The 55 L Black Hole duffle has plenty of storage capacity for gear-intensive weekend travels or longer trips. The ripstop fabric will withstand wear and tear from endless adventures. It’s also highly water-resistant to keep your stuff dry in case of wet weather. Deployable backpack straps make it easy to carry while wheeling your bike. These duffles are one of our favorite gifts for mountain biking families. Read our full review.

Mountain Bike Components and Tools

PNW Components Loam Dropper Post

PNW made this post to honor dad’s most adventurous days on the trail. There are so many things to love about this ldropper post. First, the Loam Dropper capitalizes on PNW’s best-in-class reliability in our shortest, lightest, and most customizable package yet. Second, the new Loam also features swappable silicone bands that hug the midcap, giving you the opportunity to match your bike (or mood). The Loam dropper is available in teal, orange, grey, black and red. You should seriously consider getting dad some matching PNW grips, too!

Lezyne Digital Pressure Over Drive Floor Pump

Dads love tubeless tires. Fewer flats mean more time riding trails! The only problem is getting them to seat properly. Lezyne’s Digital Pressure Over Drive Floor Pump equips your home mechanic with a compressor-esque blast of bead-seating pressure, so the simple act of installing new tires won’t cost dad a trip to the LBS and a 12-pack of microbrews. The Over Drive’s big supplemental can is manually inflatable by toggling a foot lever. When it’s full, pop the lever, throw some shade at your sealant, and hope that your frame does have clearance for the new tires. Dad can also bypass the high-pressure can and use the pump as a regular floor pump while not trying to pin down those evasive beads.

Park Tool’s Professional Tool Kit

Give dad the ultimate bike tool kit. Park Tool’s Professional Tool Kit includes 88 different tools so dad can complete repairs and bike maintenance at home. This kit includes a huge array of wrenches and chain tools galore. The included case will help dad keep everything organized. Tools are always appreciated gifts for mountain bike dads.

Crank Brothers Stamp 1 Pedals  

New pedals are colorful gifts for mountain biking dads. Crank Brothers Stamp 1 Pedals are made of strong yet lightweight composite. Riders can choose between the large or small sizes based on their shoe size. This will provide for the most optimal shoe to pedal interface possible. Crank Brothers Stamp 1 Pedals also have premium bearings and a solid chromoly spindle so dad can ride with confidence. These pedals come in a variety of colors!

Mountain Bikes dad will love!

Santa Cruz Bicycles 5010 Carbon S Mountain Bike

Your dad definitely wants this bike. The Santa Cruz 5010 4 Carbon S bike flies downhill, climbs efficiently, and loves to jump and rail corners. This full-suspension mountain bike has a poppy feel that makes even the most mundane rides feel like they’re loaded with fun. It has a Carbon C frame that uses 140mm of travel on the front, 130mm of travel on the rear, and nimble 27.5″ wheels. The frame features a lower-link VPPTM configuration that leaves you feeling like there’s a lot more travel at hand on the rear. The frame also has internal cable routing, integrated frame protection, and a threaded bottom bracket.

Yeti SB150 C-Series C2 Mountain Bike

Does dad love enduro racing? If so, this bike may be just the ticket! The Yeti SB150 C-Series C2 Bike is capable, stable, efficient, and astonishingly fast. It has a forward bias frame that gives racers the room they need and centers them on the bike. The SB150 has a C-Series carbon frame that provides 170mm of travel on the front and 150mm of travel on the rear. 29″ wheels, a 77° seat tube angle, and 64.5° head angle make this a beast on the trails. The frame also features Boost spacing, internal cable routing, an in-frame water bottle mount, ISCG-05 mount, and is coil shock compatible. The C2 version of the Yeti SB150 comes with a SRAM GX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain. This includes a cassette that has a hill-crushing 10-52T gear range that makes climbing and pedaling through rough terrain a breeze. SRAM Code R 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes provide confidence-inspiring stopping power so you can descend under control. DT Swiss E1900 wheels are paired with Maxxis tires that can be set up tubeless for a smoother ride, better traction, and fewer flats. With the Fox Transfer dropper post, you’ll be able to quickly lift and lower your saddle with the press of a lever.

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Salsa Rangefinder Deore 12-speed 29″ Mountain Bike

The Salsa Rangefinder Deore 12-speed 29er is ready for singletrack, doubletrack and even bikepacking trips. There are many great things about this bike. First, the 6061-T6 aluminum alloy frame provides lightweight performance for the trails. Second, the 120 mm suspension fork is great for absorbing bumpy terrain. Third, the included TranzX dropper post can adjust your saddle at the press of a button to tackle steep descents and technical terrain. Finally, hydraulic brakes offer confident stopping power.

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