Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Mountain Bike SkyPark At Santa’s Village

Mountain Biking SkyPark At Santa’s Village – At a 5,700 ft. elevation in southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains, you’ll find the revitalized SkyPark At Santa’s Village. Originally opened in 1955, this small renovated winter-themed amusement park features a dozen beautifully crafted mountain biking trails the whole family can enjoy.

Where: 28950 CA-18, Skyforest, CA 92385
When: Open year-round. Check online for exact days and if trails are open due to recent weather conditions
Why: There’s a bike park here among other fun activities.
Who Its’ For: Mountain biking families who want to try something new.
Learn More: www.skyparksantasvillage or call 909.744.9373

During a recent trip to California, our family of four made the 1.25 hour trip from Anaheim to surf the dirt on our mountain bikes at the SkyPark At Santa’s Village. We were also able to experience more of the park’s offerings. The drive up from San Bernardino into the forested mountains was impressive by itself. We ascended over 4,500 feet in the span of just 20 miles on CA 18. Upon arrival you will have to pay your entrance fee(s) and exchange signed liability waivers in return for fabric admission wrist bands. Your daily fee is good for all the park’s activities all day long.

San Bernardino mountains on the way up to SkyPark at Santa's Village

Upon entering the park, you’re immediately transported to the North Pole. Before you lie Santa’s House, St. Nick’s Patio and Grill, as well as the attractions Arrow’s Adventure and Silver Bells Skating Pond (roller skating during warm months). The bike park trails are accessed on the looker’s right of the park after you enter.

Did Someone Say Bike Park!?! Mountain Biking Skypark At Santa’s Village

You get to earn your turns at this bike park. There is not a lift or shuttle. We spent most of our time at the south side of the park so the the trail Row Upline was our main gateway to the downhill trails. The ride up only took about 10 minutes for each lap and it was never too hard for our 11 year-old. There’s even a small skills park with ascending/descending logs, a see-saw, ladder feature, and more technical log features where you can test your chops. Throughout the day we saw younger kids pedaling and doing hike-a-bike up the trail.

Sleigh Ride

We got our first lap down the trail Sleigh Ride, an intermediate flow trail almost a half mile long that ends on Row Upline. From there, we took the intermediate trail Playground and opted-in to the end of the advanced trail, Arrow. Sleigh Ride featured great berms, rollers and few small table top jumps. Playground was very good single track and the lower half of Arrow offered up three rollable cedar plank wood features that were wide and in very good condition.

Young mountain biker riding a see-saw at SkyPark at Santa's Village — A young mountain biker riding a see-saw at SkyPark at Santa's Village.

Arrow

Our next lap started at the top of Arrow. There is a large wooded berm on the right side after you start the trail and it’s followed by two table jumps with wood tops, then a ladder feature with a steep rolldown. We won’t spoil the rest of trail for you, but it’s good. Really good.

Off To Neverland

The mountain bike park’s signature trail is an advanced jump line called Neverland. Be sure you and your kids can ride all the features on Sleigh Ride and Arrow before you take this one on. Neverland is accessed from the top of Row Upline and it’s two-thirds of a mile long. Some of the take offs on the table jumps have sculpted lips to give you extra boost; there is a bridge with a small step-up; and an expertly built step-up/step-down whale tail. Get the speed right to make the jump onto the whale tail.

Again, there’s more on this trail to discover when you have the opportunity to experience this bike park in person. All this being said, I’m just an intermediate rider, but by the end of the day, I was able to do a few of the jumps and features that looked too difficult when we first arrived.

Here’s What The Kids Said About The Bike Park

There was a lot of opportunity for progression in the bike park.
They put a cooler full of ice-cold water at the top of Row Upline. That was really nice later in the day.
I really enjoyed the bridges. And, a lot of the other features weren’t only built well – they were creative.
There’s a lot to do and you’ll never get bored.

What the kids said about riding the SkyPark At Santa's Village bike park

Comet

Comet is another advanced trail in the park. It also starts at the top of Row Upline and heads north. Although it does not feature a gnarly rock garden, this trail has the most steep and technical sections in the bike park. There are tight turns, exposed roots and an elevated ladder feature with a tilted 90º turn. Truth-be-told, I walked a few parts of this one. It was plenty tough. The return route takes you past another skills park and Ladybug Pond.

Reading the tail map and getting ready for the next ride

A couple of wily womp rats railing the berms at SkyPark at Santa's Village

The kids loved the interesting trail features at the bike park

Deck The Halls

We also rode part of the intermediate trail Deck The Halls. This was more of a cross country trail as opposed the to flow trails in the park. After about halfway through, one of my sons and I opted out and connected to the Row Upline trail so we could ride Arrow again.

This mountain biking zone can accommodate riders of all ages and abilities. There is a balance bike trail near the center of the village – bikes and helmets are provided. And, the trails Pipeline Road and Reindeer Return meander along the lower elevations of the bike park. The multi-use trails Pond Road and Fantasy Forest Multi Trail can also accommodate less aggressive mountain bikers.

“The trails were wide enough so you could focus on the features and not just staying on trail like thin singletrack. Almost everything was rollable. The trail designers and builders went out of their way to make the mountain biking trails family-friendly. The pedal up was nice because you could ride side-by-side and still pass or get passed. All the other riders at the park were polite and friendly.” – Mom

You’re Gonna Pedal – And You’re Gonna Like It!

The kids didn’t mind the uphill pedaling at all. Our 11 year-old put in about five laps before heading our to discover the park’s other offerings. Our 14 year old could not get enough of the Neverland trail. When stopping for a quick chat with the bike patroller, I mentioned how much we were enjoying their trails. He told me that they were in the process of building a beginner level mountain bike trail from top-to-bottom with optional advanced features on the sides.

Explore the bike park at your own family’s pace. You’ll have a great time if you do simple out-and-backs on the multi-directional trails or ride all the trails. You’re nestled in a gorgeous forest with dense trees and great dirt. We really lucked out during our visit because it rained quite a bit a couple days before. The ground was tacky, not greasy – and all the man made features were in excellent condition.

The Adventure Center is where you rent gear at SkyPark At Santa's Village.

Full suspension youth mountain bikes are available to rent.

Reasonable mountain bike rental rates help beginners hit the trails — Reasonable mountain bike rental rates can help the bike-less hit the trails .

The on-site bike shop can help save the day if a minor repair is needed.

SkyPark can also rent mountain bikes at very reasonable rates if you cannot bring your own equipment. They also have a small bike shop on site so minor repairs and maintenance can be taken care of during your visit.

When You Visit SkyPark At Santa’s Village, Plan On Spending The Entire Day

Playground at SkyPark At Santa's Village

Certainly, you should get to SkyPark At Santa’s Village as early as you can and plan on staying late. Their days of operation vary, so be sure to call ahead to make sure they are open when you plan your trip. That being said, there’s a lot to do. After a few laps in the bike park, our 11 year old was ready to see if the rest of the park could wear him out. Here is a list of other attractions in the park.

Arrow’s Adventure –

Kids and adults can ride pedal cars along a track of varying terrain. One of our kids said, “The cars were easy to pedal because they were geared. They were fun and fast.”

Blitzen’s Bungee –

The automated bungee/trampoline hybrid system allows jumpers to get a bird’s-eye-view of the adventure park.

Discovery Playscape –

A playground featuring playhouses, an obstacle course, mini zipline swing, and a spider web composed of thick ropes.

Frozen Falls Climbing Tower –

A 30 foot outdoor tower with climbing holds and automated belay system.

Magic Tree Bouldering Room –

Interior bouldering with 12 foot walls suitable for climbers of all abilities. Our youngest told us, “You could climb on the ceiling and the arch in the boulder room. And, the floors were padded.”

North Pole Express Train Ride –

Cruise through the park on an electric powered train with four passenger cars.

Serrano Archery Range –

Do your best to hit a bullseye with real arrows at the archery range

Silver Bells Arena –

Ice skating in the winter and roller skating / roller blading in the warmer months

Strider Balance Bike Trail –

Kids 8 years old and younger can hone their skills on balance bikes on a dirt track. Helmets are required and provided as well.

Zipline –

600 feet long and 30 feet high. Our youngest thought the best part of the zipline was jumping off the landing platform to the ground with the assistance of the automated belay system. At any rate, the staff members managing the zipline were trained with fitting harnesses properly. They communicated via walkie-talkies to ensure fun and safety for each participant. SkyPark’s harnesses looked brand new. Of course, staff made sure guests did not allow the equipment to touch the ground so it could be used properly and safely.

Make Sure Ole Man Hangry Doesn’t Stop By

In addition to all the fun activities at SkyPark, they also have St. Nick’s Patio and Grill. The menu had a wide selection of foods. To list, salads, tacos, sandwiches and burgers just to name a few. St. Nick’s Patio and Grill made it easy to make sure you keep the kids’ energy up with good food. We stayed for lunch and dinner. In truth, we all enjoyed our meals. Equally important, SkyPark also has the Pedal Pub, an on-site watering hole where those of age can enjoy a cocktail, beer or glass of wine.

Add This Destination To Your Nice List

You have many activities to choose from in southern California. However, if you have a mountain biking family who likes try something new, We highly recommend SkyPark At Santa’s Village. As has been noted, it’s a wonderful change of pace from all the expensive, big crowds and big hassle theme parks. Without a doubt, the park was very clean and staff members were always quick to answer questions or offer a polite greeting.

Mountain Biking Skypark at Santa’s Village = Better than Disneyland!?!

Surprisingly, our 11 year old said SkyPark was better than Disneyland. I asked him if this was really true. He said. “Yes. Because I get to choose what I want to do on a lot of things. I can ride the trails I want and go as fast as I want in the bike park. I can choose my route in the bouldering room and it’s up to me if I make a bullseye at the archery range”. Well said, kid.

Similarly, my wife and I really enjoyed being in the woods, in the clean air without hoards of people. Of course the park operates at capacity around Christmas time, but for mountain biking families who enjoy exploring off the beaten path, make sure you put SkyPark At Santa’s Village on your list of places to ride.

We highly recommend mountain biking SkyPark at Santa’s Village families that want a super fun and active day. Check out our Trails and Destinations page for more ideas for family mountain biking adventure.

Written by Dan SHARE TWEET

Orbea MX 24 Trail Mountain Bike Review

Well-crafted mountain bikes for kids are becoming easier to find and more big manufacturers are getting in the game. The best kids mountain bikes have the right pedal-to-gear ratios, lightweight frames, and everything that an adult-sized bike has – only smaller. The Orbea MX 24 Trail is a front-suspension mountain bike that your kid will enjoy riding.

Bird's eye view of the Orbea MX 24 Trail cockpit — Bird's-eye-view of the Orbea MX 24 Trail cockpit

At-A-Glance

Stock Weight: ~27 lbs.

The pedals on the bike have been upgraded from the stock flats and a Shimano Zee rear derailleur has been added to handle the shifting.

SHOP FOR KIDS BIKES AT JENSON USA

A Seven Year Old Tells Us About Her Orbea MX 24 Trail

What do think about having 10 gears?

I like how easy it shifts. It pedals real fast. It makes 4 laps feel like 2 laps. I like how it has a good low gear, because it’s lower than my other bike’s low gear.

How do you like the brakes?

They work real good. They work real good on roots when you’re trying to slow down. They’re also easy to reach and use because they are right next to my fingers. They work better because I can kind of squeeze them softer than my old brakes.

Is the bike comfortable to ride?

Yes it is because I can bounce around and stand up better on it than my old bike.

What is your absolute favorite thing about this mountain bike?

It rides real good because it has a lot of gears. Now i can open and close the little thing and make my fork real hard or squishy.

Crankset and rear derailleur on the Orbea MX 24 Trail

Some Of The Numbers

STANDOVER HEIGHT

26″

DRIVETRAIN

1 x 10

WHEEL SIZE

24 Inches

Getting To Know This 24 Inch Mountain Bike

The Orbea MX 24 Trail features an aluminum alloy frame with 26-inch standover height made from the company’s Hexatubing technology. This makes it both lightweight and strong at the same time. The Suntour XR LO 63mm air spring fork offers just the right amount of travel and plush ride. While it doesn’t offer an adjustable rebound, it is set up very smoothly – especially after you dial in the air pressure.

Zee rear derailleur added to the Orbea MX 24 Trail

The Shimano M396 hydraulic disc brakes offer effective smooth stopping power. And with the short reach adjustable levers, they ensure easy use and actuation. These hydraulic stoppers are considered to be some of the best available at this particular price point. They pads are also easy to replace once your child wears them out – or if the bike is handed down to another young mountain biker.

Going fast and getting dirty on the Orbea MX 24 Trail.

The Shimano M610 Deore Shadow Derailleur and shifter, coupled to the Shimano HG50 11-36t 10-speed cassette offer strong, crisp shifting. It was a much better choice over the grip shifting offered on some kids bikes. We upgraded to the Shimano Zee derailleur and shifter to get the shorter cage, ground clearance, and even easier shift actuation. Plus the looks are so much cleaner.

This kids’ mountain bike is designed specifically for riders between 53 and 61 inches tall. And thanks to its seat tube length and angle, not to mention the saddle size – it’s incredibly comfortable for young riders. On top of this, the sleek unisex color scheme – with its black frame and yellow, green, orange, red, and purple accents – makes it look impressive. We’ve seen several adult bikes that don’t look as good as this one. The bike was stronger, lighter, smoother, and more comfortable than my daughter’s previous 20″ mountain bike.

The Orbea MX 24 Trail transfers from road to dirt quite well with its suspension fork and Kenda tires.

Other features include an alloy 32T chainset, Orbea OC-I Riser 560mm bars, and an FSA team issue chain. It also has Mach1 Klixx 23c tubeless ready rims and 24” Kenda tires. The Kendas (Small Block 8’s) offer excellent traction. Whether the task at hand is accelerating, climbing, cornering, or braking, they preformed better than expected in the heavy rain, wet roots, and mud during my daughter’s first race. I was going to go with a more aggressive tire, but after seeing them in action – we will keep them.

The Orbea MX 24 Trail is a well-designed 10-speed mountain bike designed specifically for young riders. It has all of the bells and whistles of its adult counterparts, only on a smaller frame. Thanks to its geometry, the Orbea MX 24 Trail was a comfortable fit for my daughter The lightweight frame, disc brakes, and tires are all wonderful features at this price point. This great little 24-inch wheeled, front-suspension mountain bike proves the designers at Orbea know what they’re doing when it comes to creating mountain bikes for kids.

Dad’s Final Say For The Orbea MX 24 Trail

Everyone who has seen the bike has told us they love the way it looks and complement its groupset. I own my own small bike shop and do a lot of building and servicing bikes. This bike is easy to build out of the box, and is very easy to clean, and tune. It also holds a tune very well. The only service I’ve had to do to it is completely tear it down and re-assemble it after racing in the mud.

Having seen my daughter ride, race, and jump this bike – it is the perfect mountain bike for her at a decent price point. It looks better than other bikes in it’s class, and came very well equipped.

Contributing Writer

Dan Hagler and his daughter Valice live in Texas. Dan is a bike mechanic, welder, and heavy machinery repairman. In addition to getting around on the bikes, Dan and Valice enjoy trucks, shooting, four wheelers, jeeps, ribbons, bows, and camo clothes. Dan describes Valice as having a big bouncy personality. She can out-shoot you at the range, and get a little mud on the tires.

Written by Traci SHARE TWEET

Boys Bikes VS Girls Bikes – What Is The Difference?

Boys Bikes and Girls Bikes - what is the difference?

Can You Keep A Secret?
We are currently beta-testing our refurbished kids mountain bike database page. It has balance bikes for tots through 29ers for teens and adults. You can filter by bike type, wheel size, bike brand, and cost. Click here and take it for a spin.

Boys Bikes VS Girls Bikes – I came across an interesting/annoying occurrence while researching our kids’ mountain bike database. I noticed that several bike companies are still producing bikes that are specifically labeled “Boys Bikes” or “Girls Bikes”.

These Bikes Fell Into Two Categories

1) The exact same bikes, but different colors. The “girls bikes” include pink, white or purple while the “boys bikes” generally come in a wider variety of darker colors.

2) The “girls bikes” have a lower stand-over (step-over) height.

The colors… really? Aren’t we past labeling gender with colors? Both of my boys love pink and purple. Kids’ bikes should come in a variety of fun colors.

MTB Helmets For Kids

Make sure your kids have proper, well-fitting head protection.

Mountain Bike Helmets For Kids

Knee Pads For Kids

Knee pads are another level of protection for young riders.

MTB Knee Pads for Kids

Hydration Packs For Kids

Is your kid big enough to carry their own water and supplies?

MTB Hydration Packs for Kids

The Lower Step-Over Height on “Girls Bikes”

Here’s a bit of history: The lower stand-over design was introduced in the late 1800s for women riding in long skirts and dresses. A step-through frame allowed women to get on and off a bike without having to lift their legs high over the saddle. It also allowed dress wearing women to ride without the fabric getting caught up on the top tube. Great design decisions for the reality of the time! Luckily our daughters do not have to worry about these old fashioned clothing norms anymore.

Today, most adult bicycle designs are described by frame style, rather than the sex of the rider. Although there are a few companies that make bikes specifically for adult women who can have longer legs, a shorter torso, narrower shoulders, slightly shorter arms and smaller hands than men of the same height. This an idea that relies on sweeping generalizations and a topic for another day. Boys and girls do not display these physical differences until adolescence.

Despite the changes in fashion over time and the fact that boys and girls do not have physical differences requiring different bicycle design, there seems to be an expectation in the kids bike market to have two different designs.

Kids’ Bike Gender Stereotyping Is Unnecessary

A lower stand-over height is the single functional design difference on girls-specific bikes. A low stand-over height an advantage for most young riders (especially beginners) as it is easier to get on and off. Once the child is riding, the difference in the girls’ or boys’ design has zero impact on functionality.

I admire companies that create functional bikes that both boys and girls will want to ride because of the variety of colors and kid appropriate design. Many companies including Specialized, Woom, Stampede, Spawn, Lil’ Shredder, Rocky Mountain, Prevelo, Orbea, Kona, Marin, KHS, Isla, Giant, Flow, Early Rider, Commencal, Cleary, Meekboyz, Frog and Pello are moving away for gender specific labeling.

Riding a bike is about building confidence; and being strong, healthy and free. There is no need for the gender stereotyping that still exists in this market. Check out our kids mountain bike database to help you determine the best mountain bike for your little ripper!

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Prevelo Alpha Two – Kids’ Bike Review

Featured photo of the Prevelo Alpha Two - a 16" wheel bike for kids

The Prevelo Alpha Two is a 16” wheel, single speed bike designed for kids between the approximate ages of 4 and 6. It resembles an adult mountain bike, only on a smaller scale. Prevelo has done the math with this bike so its profile is low and narrow. This allows children to hold their balance and stay in control. And, you won’t have to worry about the Prevelo Alpha Two being too much for your kid to handle.

In our rider's words - Prevelo Alpha Two

The Words That Matter The Most

Our rider says…

“Riding a real bike is not as hard as I thought it would be. This bike is easy to ride! It looks really cool, too.”

At-A-Glance

Seat Height: 17.7" - 25"

Stock Weight: 14.5 lbs.

Where to buy: Prevelo Bikes

The Prevelo Alpha Two – First Look

Importantly, the Alpha Two comes with a kid-sized crankset – one that Prevelo designed specifically for a bicycle this size. Specifically, the crankset measures 95mm. The ground clearance of the bottom bracket, which connects the crankset to the bicycle, has been sized down as well. This allows your child to get the best performance possible while straddling and riding the bike.

Looking at the Prevelo Alpha Two - a 16" wheel bike for kids

Close up of 95mm length crank on the Prevelo Alpha Two

Prevelo made this bike to fit kids’ needs. Firstly, this bike is relatively light, weighing in at a total of 14.5 pounds. Secondly, the Alpha Two has a minimum seat height of 17.7 inches thanks to the short seat post. Conversely, the bike also comes with a longer seat post to allow a maximum seat height of 25 inches. Thirdly, thee quick-release seat collar is also a great standard feature. We have had to pay additional money for a quick-release seat collar on other higher priced kids’ bikes we have owned.

Interestingly, one benefit of the range of seat height is that i not only enables your child to continue using the bike as she/he grows – it allows the bike to be designed without a coaster brake as per safety regulations. If your child is transitioning from a balance bike for the first time, the absence of a coaster brake lets the rider get used to hand brakes at a smaller size and/or younger age.

Our rider is impressed with the look and feel of the Prevelo Alpha Two — Our test rider couldn't keep his eyes off the shiny new Prevelo Alpha Two. We couldn't either. The polished aluminum finish is a classic look for this girls and boys 16" wheeled single speed bike.

Fit Happens

Our test rider was confident on his bike with training wheels but had not yet committed to earning his turns on a pedal bike – until he rode the right sized bike. With a little help from his dad, this young man was off-and-rolling. We’re pretty happy to be able to take part in this special moment for this young cyclist and his father. The single speed drivetrain and easy-to-reach brake levers means the bike is simple, but functional. Our rider really enjoyed increasing his speed and stopping with both brakes evenly. Undeniably, the fit of the bike allowed him to enjoy pedaling and control his turns.

3 of 3 - We have lift-off with the Prevelo Alpha Two

Riding a real bike for the first time only happens once. The look on this kid's face says it all.

Moving Along With The Prevelo Alpha Two

A lightweight frame made of 6061 aluminum custom-formed tubing is the foundation of the bike. Internally routed brake cables complement the clean and tight design. The wheel components are made of both aluminum and chromoly – the fork is made of the former, the steerer the latter. Plus, all of the hubs have a low profile and rounded hex bolts. This means that there aren’t any sharp edges in places where your children’s legs could get a scrape and scratch.

Both brake levers are within easy reach on the Prevelo Alpha Two

No coaster brake? No problem with the Prevelo Alpha Two

On top of the enhanced design, the Alpha Two comes with Tektro front and rear brakes – and the brake levers are perfectly within reach. There’s also a double chain wheel guard which will help protect the front chain ring. The bicycle itself comes in silver, but there are a few customization options on the Prevelo website available, including a: bell, kickstand, name lettering, and colored grips.

Some Of The Numbers

WEIGHT

14.5 lbs

SEAT HEIGHT

17.7″ – 25″

DRIVETRAIN

Single Speed

WHEEL SIZE

16 Inches

AGE RANGE

4-6 Years Old

Although the Prevelo Alpha Two comes 95% assembled, there are a few parts of it that you’ll have to put together upon arrival, including the pedals and attaching the handlebars to the stem. Certainly, Prevelo has thought ahead and recognized that not all of us are bike mechanics. The bike comes with a pedal wrench, hex key and instructions for assembling the bike at home. Please make sure all bolts and screws are properly tightened to ensure your child is safe. And of course, always make sure your young rider is wearing a proper sized helmet correctly.

Riding off with the Prevelo Alpha Two — Hey kid – remember to come back when you need to upgrade. Prevelo also makes 20-inch and 24-inch wheeled bikes.

Riding Off Into The “Tramonto” On The Prevelo Alpha Two

Above all, the Prevelo Alpha Two is a beautifully designed, single speed bike for kids. Take a look at the Prevelo website for much more regarding sizing, specifications and geometry. They’ve really done the work to help you make an informed decision regarding your kid’s next bike.

If your child is serious about progressing from a balance bike to a pedal bike, then this model is not to be overlooked.

Contributing Photographer

Professional photographer Brian Oar is an artist in photography, music, golf and writing. He prides himself on unique perspective brought to life from experience, relationships and opportunity. Along with his wife Kelly, and two sweet daughters, his family is the lifeblood of his inspiration. Follow him on Instagram at @brianoar and visit his website www.brianoar.com.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Planada – Planning your Family Mountain Biking Trip to Canada

Planning a Family Mountain Biking Trip to Canada Planada

"PLANADA" MEANS PLANNING FOR CANADA

Planning for a Family Mountain Biking Trip to Canada = Planada: For some families, Planada begins immediately when your family leaves Canada. For many, it’s a long term goal of amassing the money, free time and gear required to give it a go. Here’s what our family has learned with traveling with the kids north of the border.

Save The Money

We started a separate savings account at our bank called “Planada”. Whenever we can, we throw in what we can afford to fund our family mountain biking trip to Canada. We reside in the USA and the exchange rate for the Canadian dollar has been very favorable for us over our last couple of trips. Do your research and try your best to take care of the more expensive items such as accommodations, bike park tickets and ferry tickets when the exchange rates are most favorable. If you play it right, you’ll end up with a few extra bucks.

Schedule Time Off

Our family is fortunate because my wife and I are far enough along in our careers that scheduling time off from work is not a huge issue. I’m a freelance graphic designer and that means that I get to take my work wherever I go. On one trip, I had a lot of work in progress. Getting up at 3:30 in the morning while on vacation and putting in 5 hours of billable time before my wife and kids got up for the day was difficult, but I think most people would make that choice if they could.

Make Your Itinerary

One of our favorite parts of planning the family mountain biking trip to Canada. If you want to wing it- right on. But when we have our time off scheduled, the next step is to decide where we’d like to go and how many nights we’d like to stay at each destination. When it’s feasible, we’ve even gone so far as to plan ahead for each day’s drive time vs. ride time. This is so we can realistically plan which trails we can ride on travel days so we don’t waste time sitting around. It’s always a good day for a pedal and hopping on the bikes after a long drive feels great.

We drive a mini-van when we visit Canada

The Family Truckster

Just like your bike(s), choose the right vehicle for the job. Until just a couple of months ago, our family car was a AWD beige mini-van. We threw on a trailer hitch and a 4-bike tray rack. The back seats folded down and we learned to pack this thing to capacity. Be prepared for maintenance issues along the way. In 2016, the radiator died on Vancouver Island and that really sucked. We had to rent a truck while our car was taken apart at a repair shop in order to maximize the time on the trails. We also learned that our AAA membership was valid for our Canadian excursions.

Accommodations

We try to stay in condos or homes with a full kitchen and washer/dryer as much as possible. To save money, it’s important to book as early as you can. We have had to pay as much as over 20% more for accommodations when we book late. We’ve learned that it’s best to best to book summer Whistler family mountain biking trip to Canada January. VRBO is our go-to online resource for most of our accommodations. You can even find condo owners who offer free nights or discounted accommodations if you book for more than 5 consecutive days.

Kitchen accoutrements are hit, miss, and everything in-between. If you need to bring your favorite slotted spoon or tea kettle, do it.

We have never camped in Canada – yet. Hopefully next summer we can give it a go. Hint: Fernie is on the wish list.

And yeah – we always look for the free breakfast perk when we stay at hotels.

Equipment

Make sure your family’s bikes and equipment is in safe, working order. Nothing is more disappointing than arriving at your destination, ready-to-ride and finding out your brake pads need to be replaced, a dropper needs to be bled, or suspension needs maintenance. Nothing can prevent a determined evil-doer/bike thief, but we do our best to keep the bikes locked up while they’re on the car. Our arsenal includes: a 10-foot cable lock, 4-foot heavy chain lock, and a u-lock.

Some of the additional items we have learned to pack with us include: a floor pump, extra bite valves for the hydration packs, extra chain, extra derailleur, extra brake pads, spare tubes, brake bleed kit, and a bleed kit for dropper posts. Somehow, we’ve even ended up with an extra dropper for 30.9 diameter posts and and a shim so it will fit a 31.6 seat tube.

Medications And First Aid

Be sure to bring all your prescription meds and even some things you think you may need – just in case. In 2013 our youngest got dual ear infections while we were on Vancouver Island. He was only 6 at the time and we arrived at Victoria BC in around 11am. We did a little sight-seeing during the early afternoon but as the day wore on, he told us one of his ears started to feel weird.

We didn’t think this was a big deal until he told us both his ears were hurting. My wife gave him some Childrens’ Tylenol in the early evening and that did not help. The poor kid was complaining of a headache and acting lethargic at dinner. He was in pretty rough shape around 9 at night and my wife decided it was time to get him to a clinic. To summarize, we paid about $40 for the anti-biotics he needed, but the doctor visit was $800.

Our first aid kit is basic, but we have learned to include duct tape, extra large bandages, gauze, moleskin and first aid tape. My wife is even a CPR instructor and trained in basic first aid.

More Planada Packing Tips

Sometimes, when we have just one night in a town or city where we are staying at a hotel, and we’ll be traveling early the next day – we just have one bag of clothes for the entire family. With a mini-van loaded to the brim with gear for 4 people, why unload 4 bags from the car for just a night at a hotel? We will pack a single suitcase for this scenario. For each of our main suitcases, we use the 60L Patagonia Black Hole Duffel Bags. Each family member has her/his unique color so we can identify each bag’s owner.

On some trips we need to bring more than one bike per family member and our bike rack only holds four bikes. This means some bikes get packed in the car. When storing bikes in the car we gain a lot of space by removing the pedals from bikes and removing the front wheel. The pedals are zip-tied to the frame so they don’t get separated or misplaced. After the front wheel with a hydraulic brake is off, we are careful to put in a brake pad spreader/bleed blocker. This is so an accidental bump or squeeze of the brake lever doesn’t compress the pistons without a rotor – which could require a brake bleed.

Clear storage containers are used so we can quickly see the contents of a storage bin.

Always be sure to bring packable rain jackets for bike rides- and umbrellas for village strolls.

Passports

From the U.S. Department of State website as of this writing…

“Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry both proof of citizenship and proof of identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.”

“If you plan to travel to Canada with a minor who is not your own child or for whom you do not have full legal custody, CBSA may require you to present a notarized affidavit of consent from the minor’s parents.”

It can take 4-6 weeks to receive your passport. A $60 fee can be paid for expedited 2-3 week processing. If you show up at an When we had to get new passports for our kids, we went to our county clerk office. All 4 of us were required to be present for the formal application submission.

We make copies of our passports while we travel, too. The copies are stored in a different location than the originals somewhere in our bags or in the car. We leave copies at home, too. This is just-in-case they get lost or stolen.

If you need to get passports for your Americano family, start here.

Crossing The Border From The United States

We normally enter Canada at the Peace Arch Border Crossing between Blaine, Washington and Surrey, BC. As you would expect – Friday through Sunday and holidays can be very crowded. We have had to wait in the queue for up to over an hour due to summer traffic. When traveling very early, late or on a weekday, the wait has been less than 5 minutes.

If you’re in a long line, your family can take turns getting out of the car to stretch stiff legs or use a restroom. When at the booth, the CSBA (Canadian Border Services Agency) Officer will ask you the purpose of your trip, where you are going and how long you will be in the country. A couple of times we have been asked to roll down the windows in the car so our childrens’ identities can be visually confirmed.

Food and Meal Planning

Planning meals for the family during our mountain biking road trips is one of dad’s favorite parts of preparing! Last summer, we even brought our rice steamer (filled with uncooked rice and a bottle of soy sauce) so we could have fried rice one week and stir fry the next week. If you’re a family of omnivores, frozen meats (including bacon and bratwursts) will last for a few days if you start with them frozen in the cooler. Other food and cooking items we have brought from home over the years include: canned black beans, uncooked tortillas, cooking spray and olive oil, eggs. Avocados (let them get soft during the trip). Pancake mix. Frozen tamales. Pasta and canned sauces. Lemons. Salsa. Nuts for snacks and salads. Peanut butter and/or Soy nut butter.

Take advantage of the local fare. On the Blackcomb side of Whistler last summer there was a farmer’s market. Was it a little more expensive than the IGA market? Yes. But it was well worth it. Farm fresh veggies, baked goods and craft prepared foods (packaged, bottled) were available.

If you’re in the Vancouver area for your stay, a trip to Granville Island Public Market is a must. It’s a indoor market featuring everything you need to make a five-star meal at your home away from home. If you’re a foodie, you’ll be in heaven. If you’re just hungry looking for a bite to eat, you’ll be in heaven.

For lunches, we will often bring along sandwiches if we are eating along the trail. If we are riding in an area where the car will be accessible throughout the day, we will pack camping chairs and a cooler.

Last, time your trip right and you will be in Canada when blackberries are ripe. They grow like weeds all over the place. We’ve had our share of fresh blackberries at trailheads, on the side of gas stations, even at a ride zone next to a landfill.

Spending Time In The Car

Books on CD or a music player are how we maintain our sanity in the car on our mountain biking road trips with kids. We are starting to get into podcasts, too. If you are traveling with kids as young as 4 years old, you are in the sweet spot. Roald Dahl, Carl Hiassen, J.K. Rowling, and Eoin Colfer are some of our kids’ favorite authors. Some of the voice actors are quite good as well. Here are some of our audiobook picks to get you started.

There’s an added bonus when everyone is listening to the same story – you get to talk about it with your kids. Often times, one of our kids will pipe up saying he knows what’s going to happen; why something’s happened; or just ask a question. Your kids aren’t going to be trapped in car with you for eternity. Make the most of it by having a discussion about what’s going on in the story.

We always have enough audiobooks to get us through a trip. Your local library is a great resource for these invaluable items.

Kids’ Lessons At The Whistler Bike Park

Whistler Bike Park Lessons for Kids

DFX lessons are one of the best parts of our family mountain biking trip to Canada. At the Whistler Bike Park, kids aged 5-12 or 13-16 can be enrolled in daily lessons. Deals are available when your kids are in lessons for more than 2 days. Lunch is included, too. Over the last couple of years while the kids have been in bike park lessons, mom and dad have explored the Whistler Valley Trails and nearby Pemberton on the trail bikes.

Whistler Bike Park coaches and instructors are trained professionals who know how to make sure your kids have a good time. Your kid will be placed in the proper group based on your child’s riding ability. They’ll ask you if you have been in the bike park before and what trails you’ve been riding. Instructors are allowed to move kids from one group to another if they are either ready for the next level or need to dial it down a bit.

Lesson info

If your kid has her/his own bike for a bike park lesson, the instructors will give it the once over to ensure that it’s safe to ride. They examine the brakes, suspension, steering and drivetrain. They also make sure kids have the proper protection gear and hydration pack. Younger children receive a GPS tracking device called a Flaik. These things are cool because (A) it helps prevent lost kids and (B) you can see the data associated with your kid’s session in the park during their lesson via a web application.

Opportunity for development of new skills!

When your kid is done with her/his lesson for the day, they may receive a report card that states what trails were ridden; what skills were done well and what needs improvement in order to move to the next level. Instructors are keen to chat it up with parents to give you the inside scoop on how the day went.

A lot of the time, kids booked for consecutive daily lessons can get the same instructor. This helps because it gives the instructor the opportunity to have a little history with your kid and improve their riding. Two years ago, our oldest had the same instructor for 3 days in a row. At the end of the session, the instructor told our kid that he progressed quite a bit over the couple of days and they had accomplished all the goals set on the first day. Last, it’s not out of the ordinary for parents to offer a cash gratuity to their kid’s instructors following a lesson.

SGC Camps

For the ultimate kids’ experience in the Whistler Bike Park, consider the Summer Gravity Camps run by Andrew Shandro. Pros from around the world teach kids the finer points of mountain biking over the course of a full week.

If you’d like to learn more about the Whistler Bike Park’s daily lessons, click here. You can also read about our son’s experience with Whistler’s Summer Gravity Camp.

Squamish - Vancouver - Pemberton road sign

Finding The Best Mountain Bike Ride With Your Kids In An Unfamiliar Area

Online apps are fine, but after years of extensive research, we have found that actually communicating without a smartphone – with a real human being, face-to-face is the best! Be a good traveler and visit your temporary local bike shop during your trip. We have made a point to swing by local bike shops in unfamiliar places so we can speak with the locals about the best places to mountain bike with our kids. Everyone, and I mean everyone we have spoken to in a bike shop on a trip has been knowledgable and more than willing to give their opinion about what would be the best ride for us. Tell the bike shop staff how long you’d like to ride, what type of riding you’d like to do, and what level of riding you’d like to do. These wonderful folks will also have up-to-date trail conditions. This is super useful if a recent storm has passed through or a trail is closed for maintenance. While you’re there- pay it forward if you can. Buy a t-shirt with the bike shop logo on it, or a printed map that supports the local trail organization. At the very least, ask to buy a couple of shop stickers for your kids.

Ferry Transportation

Plan ahead and reserve your ferry rides in advance. Ferry rides are a unique aspect of a family mountain biking trip to Canada. We lost half a day of bike riding once because we were unaware we were traveling on BC DAY. Due to additional holiday traffic and a ship in need of repair, we sat in a long queue of cars trying to get from Sechelt to Powell River. To reserve ahead of time, you can call BC Ferries at 888-223-3779 or reserve online at BC Ferries.

Are you going to be taking several ferry rides during your trip? If so, you should consider a BC Ferries Experience Card for discounted fares. You prepay for your Experience Card like a gift card and use your balance as you travel. When you plan all your ferry rides correctly, you will save a measurable amount of money. Not all routes are discounted. Learn more about the BC Ferries Experience Card.

Dem Bears

If you’re used to seeing bears, that’s pretty cool. If not, be prepared. There are bears all over the place and they can be close to residential areas. During one Whistler trip, our family was walking along a paved bike path that backed against a condo complex. And, just like another pedestrian using the trail – a black bear approached from the opposite direction. We were sure keen to get out of its way without causing a ruckus. It strolled right by us and some people enjoying their hot tub. I told them, “If that bear was hungry, you would have been soup”. We wear bear bells on our bikes at home sometimes to gently announce our presence to other bikers and hikers. In Canada, those accessories can serve the purpose they were intended for. If you are considering taking bear spray with you on your trip, please read the latest information from the Canada Border Services Agency website.

Take A Day Off The Bikes Every Once In A While

For a lot of families, not riding on a vacation day may be sacrilege. But, if the kids are tuckered out or you plan on taking a rest day, there’s always plenty to do. When planning your family mountain biking trip to Canada, check out your host town’s tourism website. If you’re on Vancouver Island, consider a vacation from your vacation and take a trip to Tofino. There is hiking and surfing. Vancouver has Stanley Park and Granville Island to explore.

Tide pools on Vancouver Island — Exploring tide pools on Vancouver Island

Written by Becky SHARE TWEET

A Bike-Minded Family Heads Norte

Words by Becky Parker | Photos used with permission from Ty Schmidt | Published on 11/18/17

Inspiring a City of Kids on Bikes

The non-profit organization Norte began shortly after founding members Ty and Johanna Schmidt moved to the Traverse City, Michigan area from southern Arizona. They became motivated when they saw a lot of traffic at school gates, and so few kids on bikes. In a bid to help, they started offering neighborhood families another option – “Drop your kids at our place and they can join us cycling to school.” In no time at all the numbers began to grow. Inspired by the fun they saw the kids having, Johanna and Ty reached out to friends to set up similar bike trains in other neighborhoods. From this, Norte was born.

Visit the Norte Website

What Norte Offers

Norte is governed by a 9-member board and dedicated support team. Between them, they organize 18 bike trains connecting 9 different neighborhoods to 12 Traverse City schools. Expanding far beyond their original plans, Norte now run several different programs. These programs include: Safe Routes to School, Pro Walk/Pro Bike Advocacy, Youth Empowerment, Mountain Bike Clubs and Coaching. They also sponsor events throughout the winter to keep the town cycling year round.

Highlights of These Programs Include

Community events promoting cycling
Cycling club group rides for kids of all ages and experience levels
A mountain bike race team with kit, coaching and race day support
A bike library bringing access to bikes for everyone

Urban bike education – teaching kids to be safe and courteous on the roads
Snack themed rides. Kids love bikes but kids REALLY love snacks!
Girls only rides

“When I moved to Traverse City I noticed that despite there being an incredible network of trails and many race teams, there was nothing really around for kids. I wanted to get kids away from the computer screen and outside exploring.”

Ty Schmidt – Norte

What Does Norte Aim to Achieve?

The core goal the non-profit is to get more kids on bikes. The combined efforts of Norte cover all ages and aspects of bike life. Norte hopes to appeal to, motivate and educate as many people as possible. From teaching the youngsters starting out to ride with the ‘Estrella’ group on balance bikes, to teaching the older kids how to wield a spanner and fix their own set of wheels with ‘The Solucion’ classes.

Norte mountain bike club - girls only ride

A young mountain biker races on the Norte club

The formula is to get kids hooked by showing them what they will gain for themselves thorough riding bikes. The independence, freedom, and above all fun of being active and playing outdoors with friends. Ty spoke about how through running the clubs, he has seen the way bikes build youths’ confidence. Cycling teaches them a grittiness to persevere when they fall or become tired on a longer ride. Since the start of Norte, many kids have progressed from barely being able to ride 4 miles – to now competing in cross-country races of up to 30 miles.

In the town’s recent ‘Iceman’ race saw 5,000 people competing from all round the country. Norte had 60 kids from their teams racing. Fifteen of which were taking part in the 30-mile race.

Norte encourages young riders to bike to school

Ty’s Top Tips for Starting a Venture Like Norte

Though Norte has grown into a thriving club now, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. Ty wasn’t shy to mention that with what they know now there are many things they would have done differently. He believes that a strong factor in their success has been the way they have branched out to offer many things. With the benefit of hindsight, here are Ty’s 3 top tips to anyone wishing to start a similar venture.

Make friends with like-minded awesome people in your community – You can’t do it all on your own.
Be consistent – set a time that rides will take place and stick to it no matter what. Build a reputation of reliability.
Make the rides all about family time – families are more likely to commit to becoming part of something if it’s an activity everyone gets involved with and enjoys.

Ty’s Top Tips for Starting a Venture Like Norte

Though Norte has grown into a thriving club now, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. Ty wasn’t shy to mention that with what they know now there are many things they would have done differently. He believes that a strong factor in their success has been the way they have branched out to offer many things. With the benefit of hindsight, here are Ty’s 3 top tips to anyone wishing to start a similar venture.

Make friends with like-minded awesome people in your community – You can’t do it all on your own.
Be consistent – set a time that rides will take place and stick to it no matter what. Build a reputation of reliability.
Make the rides all about family time – families are more likely to commit to becoming part of something if it’s an activity everyone gets involved with and enjoys.

The Future for Norte

While Norte are already seeing impressive numbers of kids at their rides, with up to 100 riders on a Sunday and 30/35 at the after school clubs, Ty aims to see this figure double in the future. He is also always keen to help other communities build their own cycling programs and is looking to produce material that can help with this. There were mentions of a ’10 Ways You Can Do What We Have’ type guide.

In the meantime, if you would like any advice from Ty he is more than happy to help in any way he can. The best way to get involved is through the contact page on their website.

Contact Norte, Ahora!

Norte Would Like to Thank Traverse City for Their Continued Support

Despite only being a small town, Traverse City is a thriving community of outdoorsy people who really embrace the enjoyment of an active life all year round. Ty was full of praise for the way the town has believed in the project from the beginning, rallying behind every new campaign and getting involved in all the events they held. Ty felt confident that given the chance many other cities would also do the same.

Despite Ty’s constant claims during our chat that ‘They aren’t anything special’ it’s quite clear that his enthusiasm for what he does has played a large part in getting this project off the ground. The enjoyment and reward he gets from seeing the kids improve and grow as people is genuine. His sense of pride in what they have achieved is tangible and rightly so. What Norte have done for the kids of, and Traverse city itself, is impressive. I hope other people can see what they’ve done and feel inspired to follow their lead building a healthier future for the next generation.

Becky Parker

Meet the Author

Becky Parker is a Freelance Writer based in the valleys of South Wales, UK. She enjoys all things trail based be it walking, trail running or mountain biking, as long as it involves exploring the mountains, she’s happy. Over the last summer she has dabbled in a touch of enduro racing and has discovered the competitive streak is strong in this one, provided the race tape is leading purely down the hill! Visit Becky’s blog at www.runridewrite.com.

Written by Liz SHARE TWEET

Red Bull Rampage with Kids

HOLD MY JUICE BOX, MOM — WATCH THIS…

Mountain biking groms and their families spend a weekend at 2017’s Red Bull Rampage

GETTING TO THE EVENT

2017 RED BULL RAMPAGE

MTN RANKS FANPAGE

Written by Liz Mallen. Photos by Ted Bell, Dan LaRiviere, Steven Lloyd, Liz Mallen. Published on November 12, 2017. Read all the shout-outs here.

Cam Zink, freeride mountain biker at the 2017 Red Bull Rampage

Freeride mountain biker Cam Zink, one the the many fan-favorites, backflips his bike at the 2017 Red Bull Rampage near Virgin, Utah. Photo by Liz Mallen.

WHAT IS THE RED BULL RAMPAGE?

Red Bull Rampage is an invitation-only freeride mountain bike event hosted just outside of Virgin, Utah. This year, riders on Finals Day consisted of 18 incredibly talented athletes from around the world. Red Bull Rampage is THE mountain biking event to watch. It is the “Superbowl” of freeride mountain bike events.

SHOULD YOU ATTEND RED BULL RAMPAGE WITH KIDS?

Unquestionably, there are many kids who attend the event with their families, dreaming of some day receiving the same invitation to ride with the best. The kids, who at home pour over YouTube videos and Instagram, looking at great ones like Cam Zink, Andreu Lecondeguy, Kurt Sorge and Graham Agassiz for inspiration. What new trick or air are their role models are coming up with? And, will the kids be able to copy it someday?

RED BULL RAMPAGE 2017, GETTING THERE

HAVE TRAILER – WILL TRAVEL

We pulled into the Zion River RV Resort at midnight, Wednesday before the event. With all intentions to have arrived about 8 hours earlier, the whole “I have to work” thing got in the way. So there we were, setting up in the dark…shusshing each other, as to not wake the other campers. I look at my husband and ask, “Do you think they turned the sprinklers off yet?”. Twenty seconds later we hear the familiar “poppshhhhhh” of water. So there we were, setting up in the dark, in the sprinklers.

If you choose to stay at the resort, make your reservations (even without tickets), the minute they release the dates of Rampage, as their spaces reserve quickly. We have stayed here for the past few years as they have a pool, beautiful clean amenities, and just made it easier to be hooked up in the RV with the kids – especially when they were smaller.

They also have a list of fun events happening in the evenings, such as movies, Halloween Bingo and other fun contests for the kids in the clubhouse. A word of warning however, they are very strict on their rules, and asked that the kids not ride their bikes after dark or go in the hot tub if they are under 18. If you, or your kids choose not to abide by the rules, they will ask you to leave.

Testing the Bob trailer. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Carving pumpkins at the Virgin, Utah RV park

A little camp fun! Rampage usually falls around Halloween making it extra special for these kids. Photo by Liz Mallen.

BEING PREPARED TO ATTEND RAMPAGE

YOU NEED TICKETS

At the present time, this is always a small source of anxiety, as in years passed, they sold out online in 5 minutes. The key is to follow all of Red Bull Bike social media channels. Then, be poised and ready the minute (or before the minute) they are released to buy on the chosen date and time. Simultaneously, you will only be able to purchase two tickets at a time, and must match each ticket by name to each family member.

Once you have your ticket confirmation, it is a good idea to actually print them out in case anything were to go awry. A few days before Rampage, the actual tickets are released. As I have said, be sure to print them and have them in hand, as there is no cell service at the gate.

ARRIVING AT THE VENUE

When you finally arrive in Virgin, it is a good idea to pick up your wristbands and any swag you want to purchase the day before the event. This way you are not scrambling at the last minute at 7 am in the morning to get your proverbial stuff together, and out to the venue. Some of the coolest swag sold out this year by Thursday evening!

We were lucky to pull in right as the ticket checker station opened. The kids do miss a few days of school, but as they have become older, we find that Rampage is a good motivation for them.

Red Bull Rampage kids and adults show off their wristbands and swag

The kids and parents showing off their wrist bands and Rampage swag. Photo by Liz Mallen.

MAKE YOUR DAY MORE COMFORTABLE

Actual preparation for the day, does wind up taking a little time and forethought. This event is held at a “primitive” site. Importantly, this means no running water. They actually state in an email with the tickets “NON-ADULT SPECTATORS ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.”

With all of this in mind, here are suggestions which may make your family’s experience better:

Grateful for some shade in the desert! Love our Manta pop-up tent!. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Shade (the designated spectators’ areas are exposed and it can be windy)
Sunscreen
Drinks and water (Camelback provides drinking water refill stations)
Lunch and snacks

A buff for the moon dust
Hats
Binoculars
Solid shoes for riding/climbing
Blanket or easy to ride a bike with or carry chairs

Wet wipes
Basic first aid kit
Extra layers of clothing/rain slicker
Flashlight or headlamp
Drybag with ice (hard case coolers are not allowed)

IT’S OK TO BE A GROUPIE AND DRESS THE PART

Unlike a lot professional sports and events, the athletes strive to be accessible. When attending Red Bull Rampage with kids, bring a marker and items for athletes to sign. In the past, we have brought: hats, posters, race plates, helmets, photos, and magazines. In addition, we put a Sharpie marker on a lanyard so they don’t have to worry about holding on to one more thing as they are billy-goating around the site. If you really want to get into the event – accessorize and bring bells, noisemakers, glitter and costumes! My friend and I remarked one year, as we were perched on the edge of a cliff surveying the madness, that this was the closest to Burning Man we would ever get.

THE RIDE OUT

It is a looonnngg hot day. Red Bull Rampage with kids is not for the weak. The ride out us about 3.5 – 4 miles on a very moon-dusty road, one way. It is a gentle pedal up out there with a few tricky spots here and there. My husband attaches a Bob trailer to his bike and we load in all of our gear, including a small bbq and brats, our drinks, chairs and shade and of course a trash bag. With all the kids, it takes between thirty minutes, and an hour. We usually have someone speedy in the group, they cruise out ahead, and stake down some land for the rest of us.

A group of spectators heads out to the Red Bull Rampage

Headed to to the bike valet at Red Bull Rampage

Photos by Liz Mallen.

RED BULL RAMPAGE 2017, THE BIG SHOW

MOUNTAIN BIKING ON THE WORLD’S BIGGEST STAGE

With a collective deep breath, the first rider of the day, Brett Rheeder took his first run at 10:00 am. I don’t think a person can really understand the physics of what happens in this little area of the desert on this particular day. Until you are able to see it for yourself . Red Bull Rampage is something to put on the bucket list.

Obviously, these men are some of the most incredible athletes in the world. The pure physical and mental strength it takes to perform these maneuvers is mind-blowing. The fact that just after these guys come down, from literally risking their lives, they make it a point to sign and take pics with their smallest of freeride fans, proves their dedication and love for this sport.

Can you name all the pros shown below? Click on each image to show the rider’s name.

Photos by Liz Mallen.

These professional athletes are some of the nicest guys in any sport. I think all the kids were levitating (and maybe some of the dads). This year was the largest year for the Red Bull Rampage with kids, with most of the Outlaw Bike Team present. Additionally, there were ton of other groms running around. For the sport of freeride mountain biking, the future looks promising. The moms had just as much fun, although as we were watching all of this unfold, we could not help think that maybe our kids some day will be the ones in the start gate.

Liz Mallen and her twin boys - Luke and Alex.

Tricia Kirschenmann (Finley's Mom) and Sarah Flinders (Dillon's mom) are all smiles at Rampage!

A MOM’S WORRY NEVER GOES AWAY

I have had the chance to chat with some of the athletes about how their mom’s feel. It seems a lot of them choose not to watch. This year however, Brett Rheeder’s mom was in the audience for the first time. Apparently she had a hard time even watching it live on tv! In addition, I had the chance to talk with Graham Agassiz about how his mom felt. He said she wanted to watch, but he felt better, and less nervous when his family were not there in person. As a mom of kids who are interested in pursuing this sport, I can begin to understand what it is like to watch your child drop backwards and upside-down and over the edge of a 50-foot cliff… on a bike. We are already beginning to experience that feeling, on a smaller scale, for now.

Utah local Logan Binggeli sending it in the middle section of the venue. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Drops for days... where the big kids come to play. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Spectators at the Red Bull Rampage take it all in

The kids watching it all unfold. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Spectators line the edges of the freeriders' lines. Photo by Liz Mallen.

THE RIDERS SHOWED WHY THEY’RE THE BEST FREERIDERS ON THE PLANET

Not surprisingly, as the event played out, you could see that the gloves were off between these heavy hitters in the freeride mountain biking world. The main competitor in the past being the wind, this year, luckily it did not make an appearance allowing the guys to send all of the massive tricks they had planned out for their runs. Additionally, this was the first year there were no catastrophic crashes or injuries. Everyone was happy about that.

PODIUM

Kurt Sorge wound up on the podium in first place for the third time. Throwing down some massive flips, and a smooth run, he earned the top spot with a total score of 92.66 . Proving to the world that he is the one of the best, and can still hold his own after fathering two kids, family man Cam Zink stomped into Second place with a hair raising run down one of the steepest chutes in Rampage history named “The Scar” He then proceeded to back flip off his drop, before the road in the same steep upper section.

An emotional Cam was seen blasting through the finish of his first run into his wife’s arms. Cam’s bike unfortunately got away from him on the second run as he attempted a front flip in the bottom section, leaving that top spot just out of reach and in the hands of Kurt Sorge. Local Utah resident Ethan Nell, threw down and claimed his stake on Rampage 2017, and wound up in third place, solidifying him as a new force, and someone to be reckoned with in the years to come.

Antoine Bizet earned the People’s Choice Award with one of the “flowiest” runs of the day. Commencal team rider Pierre Edouard Ferry earned the McGazza Award for channeling the late Kelly McGarry’s enthusiastic and aggressive style.

RED BULL RAMPAGE WITH KIDS? YES, PLEASE!

If you’re up for some dusty fun and amazing athlete experiences, you should consider it!

VIDEO: KURT SORGE’S 1st PLACE RUN

VIDEO: ANTOINE BIZET, PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Kurt Sorge wins the 2017 Red Bull Rampage

Winner, winner chicken dinner! Kurt Sorge in the top spot on the podium.. Photo by Ted Bell.

Luke on the podium... some day? Photo by Liz Mallen.

WATCH A REPLAY OF THE EVENT!

In the end, it was one of the most successful Red Bull Rampage events to date. You can watch the live replay on Red Bull TV, and see what all the insanity of the biggest event in the sport of freeride mountain biking has to offer. Rampage is part of the Red Bull Signature Series, and will air a highlighted program on NBC Sunday, December 24th. Happy Holidays!

WATCH IT ON RED BULL TV

RED BULL RAMPAGE 2017, FINAL RESULTS


PLACE	RIDER	SCORE
01	Kurt Sorge	92.66
02	Cam Zink	90.33
03	Ethan Nell	90.00
04	Brandon Semenuk	89.66
05	Brett Rheeder	89.33
06	Thomas Genon	89.00
07	Carson Storch	87.66
08	Kyle Strait	87.33
09	Tyler McCaul	87.00
10	Tom van Steenbergen	84.33
11	Andreu Lacondeguy	83.00
12	Antoine Bizet	81.66
13	Darren Berrecloth	81.00
14	Vincent Tupin	78.00
15	Pierre Edouard Ferry	76.33
16	Logan Binggeli	69.66
17	Bas Van Steenbergen	68.66
18	Ryan Howard	67.66

MTN RANKS FANPAGE

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF FREERIDE MOUNTAIN BIKING

The day after Rampage, there’s a lot of excitement and buzz in the air. The kids, fueled by the big show the day before are ready for the chance to go out and mimic their idols at the original Red Bull Rampage site. MtnRanks, a lifestyle clothing company based in Park City, Utah, puts on an event every year called MtnRanks Fanpage. It’s “Freeride for the People!” They bring music, give-aways and cold hard cash for the sick tricks performed by the fans of Red Bull Rampage. For those who attend Red Bull Rampage with kids, this is a great opportunity to meet some fellow groms and MTB parents.

Alex Mallen at the MtnRanks Grompage - photo by Steve Lloyd

Alex Mallen boosting at the MTN Ranks Whipoff 2016. Photo by Steven Lloyd. Follow Steven on Instagram at @stevelloydphoto and his website at www.stevelloydphoto.com/.

HERDING CATS WITH ICE CREAM

Our friends from Worldbikeparks.com wanted to get some shots of the groms, so to gather them all together (as it is like herding cats), we decided to initiate an “Unofficial Grompage Ice Cream Social”, which took place just before the main event. Grabbing some ice cream and bowls, we were able to get the kids to sit still for a hot minute before they sent it on the dirt jumps showing some of the heavy hitters in the industry what they were capable of. Needless to say, they turned some heads. People such as professional adventure photographer Steven Lloyd captured some amazing shots. Steve, a father of two sons in this “grom army”, is right on point with photos. This year we were able to bring it together again, and have the kids and the adults show off their stuff at the same time.

This year, we also had some of the companies that sponsor the kids donate some awesome gear for the multitude of groms that show up and strut their stuff. Firstly, a big thanks to Demon United and Zoic Clothing for the grom-sized swag additions! Some sweet body armor was presented to some of the smaller kiddos, who were really stoked! Secondly, just before the event, continuing on the tradition started last year by our friends Natty and Trey from Worldbikeparks.com, we decided to have an ice cream social. Celebrating all the groms who want to get into the sport of freeride mountain biking, and get them all together (and give them a little sugar boost).

Some Of The Pros Showed Up To Cheer On The Groms

Andreu Lacondeguy and his crew at the MtnRanks Grompage

Andreu Lacondeguy watching grom talent from above, wondering who will be nipping at his heels in a few years!. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Nico Vink hanging out with freeride mountain biking kids

Nico Vink hanging out after the boys finish a session. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Pro mountain biker Aaron Chase with a couple of kids

Aaron Chase with the groms. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Aaron Chase about to enjoy a little ice cream in the desert. Red Bull Rampage with kids id cool. Photo by Liz Mallen.

The Groms Were On Fire This Year!

The young shredders are earning their places in the desert among the MTN Ranks Fanpage fans. It was full-on entertainment.

Lots of tricks happening. Photo by Dan LaRiviere.

Pushing bikes to the top of the kickers at the old Rampage site. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Getting a little fatherly advice. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Adjusting a grom's neck brace. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Andreu Lacondeguy in the queue at the MtnRanks Fanpage

Andreu Lacondeguy waiting in line for his turn to rally with the kids. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Andreu poses for a photo with some of his youngest fans. Photo by Ted Bell.

Step-up no hander at the MtnRanks Fanpage

Learning to fly. Photo by Fred LaRiviere.

The groms are setting the bar high. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Whip it – whip it good. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Money talks! Photo by Liz Mallen.

Commencal Development Team rider Dillon Flinders finding some vertical terrain. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Signing the waiver for the MtnRanks Grompage

No sign – no ride. Tricia signing the Fanpage waiver. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Young freerider, Fred Lariviere one-footer

Fred Lariviere showing off one of his signature one-footed moves. Photo by Dan LaRiviere.

A young freeride mountain biker at the 2017 MtnRanks Fanpage

Red Bull Rampage with kids "Yeah- I can do that." Photo by Liz Mallen

Two of the youngest mountain bikers at the event

Two of the youngest shredders in the group, but don't let their size fool you! River and Sam send it!. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Young mountain biker at the old Red Bull Rampage site

Clearing the big step-up like a pro! Photo by Liz Mallen.

A young mountain biker doing a large step-down

Finley Kirschenmann channeling his inner Kurt Sorge. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Basecamp at the MTN Ranks Fanpage Whipoff. Photo by Liz Mallen

Luke Mallen spotting his landing on one of his favorite drops at the old site. Photo by Liz Mallen.

Alex Mallen drops Canadian Bacon at the old Red Bull Rampage site

Alex Mallen drops “Canadian Bacon” Photo by Dan LaRiviere.

These Young Mountain Bikers Are Getting Noticed

Finally, with all of the media surrounding these kids, it is no surprise these kids have caught the eye of a few companies. Under the watchful eye of coach Tyson Henrie, leader of the Outlaw Bike Team, these kids have been invited to be a part of Commencal USA bike Rider Development Team. In addition, they have also caught the eye of several other companies who have shown interest in working with the kids. Demon United, Poc, Magura USA brakes, Kenda Tires, Zoic Clothing, Level 9 and Leatt Protectives to name a few.

Exciting things are ahead for all of them and with the guidance and support from family, friends, coaches and companies, this next generation of grom freeriders are ones to watch.

Thanks to sponsors, family and friends

Outlaw Bike Team

Steve Lloyd Photography

Tricia Kirschenmann

Give these kids a follow on Instagram

Part of the Commencal USA Development Team. Photo by Liz Mallen.

About the Author

Liz McDonald-Mallen hails from the outskirts of Salt Lake City. Liz, husband Tony and her twin boys - Luke and Alex are looking forward to spending the winter on skis and bikes. Follow them on Instagram @thosemallentwins.

Check out our Destinations and Trails page for more fun places to ride and visit!

We’d love to see the fun and games your groms are getting into on their bikes! Share your MTB with kids shenanigans with us on Instagram or Facebook

Written by Traci SHARE TWEET

5 Mountain Biking Shorts For Kids

Mountain biking shorts for kids need to be functional and comfortable. The five pairs listed here fit both of those categories, as they are made from fabric that stretches and breathes, feature useful pockets and reflective patches, and are even designed to grow with your child (within reason, of course.) These are some of our choices. No lycra for this round. Maybe one of these will end up as your child’s new favorite pair of mountain bike shorts, as well.

Fox youth Ranger mountain biking shorts for kids

Fox Racing Ranger Mountain Biking Shorts For Kids

These sturdy shorts have withstood several months of summer riding including a slide-out crash that removed a few layers of skin under the shorts – which did not rip.

The shorts are made up of 2-way stretch polyester that (as we have tested) is durable and abrasion resistant. Fox designed the shorts with their “trail fit” system which is basically just an adjustable waistband that keeps the shorts in place when doing all different types of riding. The liner is detachable which is nice for times where you don’t need it such as when riding downhill. The leg holes are also well sized so knee pads don’t get snagged. The liner’s chamois is not too thick which is preferred by a lot of trail riders.

The freedom of movement in these shorts is another benefit. Unlike regular everyday shorts, these won’t hinder legs from spinning at all! You will also be no doubt happy to hear that the shorts feature pockets to safely hold cards, keys, or whatever else you or your little one may need on the trail. There are two hand pockets, and two cargo pockets. The left pocket has a zip closure (perfect for a lift pass), where the right has a Velcro closure.

Buy now from Backcountry

Youth Troy Lee Design Skyline Shorts

Spending quite a bit of time on a mountain bike requires a comfortable pair of shorts. Between the lightweight, stretchy fabric, adjustable waist tabs, and pockets, the Troy Lee Designs Skyline shorts are both comfortable and practical – just what your child needs for your next family mountain biking excursion. These shorts are available in sizes 24 through 28. They boast reflective logo sections, making it easy for motorists and other mountain bikers to spot your daughter while she’s pedaling away.

The fabric is a breathable polyester blend, so it won’t collect sweat and make the ride miserable. These shorts come with a stretchy, spandex back panel, ensuring an extra bit of comfort where it’s needed the most. On top of that, the side pockets zip shut, so your young one won’t lose anything while on the trail.

Buy now from Competitive Cyclist

Dakine Pace mountain biking shorts - youth sized

Dakine Pace Youth Mountain Biking Shorts

Our camouflage patterned shorts are designed to fit comfortably, thanks to their adjustable waist and incredibly stretchy, yet breathable fabric. The waist adjusts in several different ways, including a closure at the front that features a hook and a loop. There are also gussets on the interior to give your child a little room to grow. If all of that fails, the shorts also have belt loops, so if you have to buy a pair that’s a little big, they won’t fall down while on your next trail ride.

These Dakine Pace shorts come in various sizes, all unlined and made of a polyester and spandex blend. The front pockets are comfortably aligned, ready to hold important things (like bags of trail mix) or keep your child’s hands warm on chilly morning or evening rides. As if that weren’t enough, the shorts come with a limited lifetime warranty that protects against manufacturing defects.

Buy now from Backcountry

Louis Garneau Range JR Shorts

The mountain biking shorts, made by Louis Garneau are extra comfortable thanks to the sewn in, cushiony chamois. When combined with their patented Rhino stretch fabric, these shorts are as durable as they are comfortable. The fabric liner wicks away moisture, adding yet another layer of greatness to these simple shorts.

On the outside, the exterior has some reflective panels for additional protection, which makes sense given that the shorts only come in the color black. These are available in sizes ranging from large to extra large, although the elastic back waist has some give to it. As far as pockets are concerned, the only one is on the back, and it has a zippered closure. While your child can’t store too much in the pocket, whatever does end up in there will stay put.

Buy now from REI

Zoic Ether JR Bike Shorts

ZOIC designed this pair of shorts – the Ether Jr. – to be a smaller version of their popular adult style. In essence, these shorts have all of the bells and whistles, just in different dimensions. Their exterior is made of dobby nylon. While the full lining consists of polyester and spandex. Resulting in a combination of comfort (on the interior) and stylish function (on the exterior.) The fabric is designed to wick away moisture as well.

The shorts have an amazing five pockets, and one is a media pocket designed specifically to hold an MP3 player or phone. They come in sizes ranging from small to extra-extra-large. Between the loose fit, the adjustable waist, and the flat fronted waistband, these shorts might just be the pair that your child doesn’t want to take off.

Buy now from Competitive Cyclist

Written by Traci SHARE TWEET

Leatt DBX 5.5 Junior Neck Brace Review

Leatt DBX 5.5 Junior Neck Brace Review: We initially purchased Leatt DBX 3 neck braces for our kids when they were racing BMX a few years ago. This is because we saw a lot of crashes in those days and wanted to provide as much protection as we could for our boys. The concept behind a neck brace is to redirect some of the force from the neck to the body and limit extreme range of motion of the neck in the event of a crash.

Early in the summer of 2017, we noticed the DBX 3 brace was not fitting our oldest as well as it used to and decided he needed to move up to a larger size. We upgraded both kids to the DBX 5.5 (one junior and one adult S/M). The Leatt DBX 5.5 is a total re-deisgn when compared to the design DBX 3.

Features of the Leatt DBX 5.5 Junior Neck Brace:

Improved adjustability and fit – will grow with growing kids
Improved comfort – due to better fit and lower rise from shoulders
Easier to get on and off (push button release)
Sits lower on shoulders – allows better movement to look around while riding
Easier transport and storage – the rear strut folds inward making the brace almost flat

Buy on BTO Sports

Close up (sorta) of the the Leatt 5.5 DBX Junior neck brace

We’ve had just one minor issue. The brace slightly rubs at contact points of the user’s chest and back. When used for several days in a row this can cause moderate discomfort. We were able to fix this with some well-placed band aids – some people even use tape. This issue should not be regarded as deal-breaker by any means with this product. It’s a very acceptable trade-off for the additional protection the Leatt DBX 5.5 offers your young mountain bikers.

Young mountain biker wearing the Leatt DBX 5.5 Junior neck brace with hydration pack

Get Your Kid’s Neck Brace Configured Properly

Setting up Leatt neck braces takes some time. Our local bike shop was happy to help us get the braces set-up to fit appropriately. This process took about 5-10 minutes. It’s important that the braces are adjusted and checked for fit while sitting on a bike. If you have to do it on your own, the braces come with well-illustrated instructions.

When it comes to the function and design of a neck brace for mountain biking, every company seems to have their own perspective on how it should be made. Leatt is one of the most popular brands and for good reason. The DBX 5.5 Junior is CE certified while still offering comfort and freedom of moment for the rider. The chassis of the brace has a small amount of flex to it in order to fit different body types. However, it remains rigid enough to still transfer harsh forces away for the spine and disperse it across the body. The CoreFlex rear strut has been designed to break away under sever impacts to ensure the best protection possible. Overall, the DMX 5.5 junior is a great buy for anyone who want their children to have more protection.

Yeah – Our Kids Have Crashed While Wearing Their Neck Braces

Both of our kids have crashed while wearing their neck braces. Our oldest took a pretty good tumble off a step-down and went over the bars. Our youngest has taken several smaller falls when wearing his neck brace. His latest was when he plowed over a berm with speed at a bike park last summer. In our opinion, we believe the neck braces functioned and performed how they should have. The (neck) range of motion in our kids’ falls was limited by the neck braces. Will this always be the case? We have no idea. There are several factors that make each crash unique.

While we obviously hope neither of our kids experiences the type of crash that demonstrates the true value of the Leatt brace, we are happy to have the peace of mind that the extra protection provides.

Lastly, our kids know that it’s their responsibility to wear their neck braces when conditions dictate the need. It’s just like wearing a seatbelt in the car. After a few days getting used to them, it’s just a regular habit. The neck braces go on just like knee pads and elbow pads when the situation is warranted.

Written by Brett SHARE TWEET

Scott Scale RC JR 24 Mountain Bike Review

When you’re looking for a new cross country mountain bike for your kid, chances are you want something that is lightweight, stiff, and spec’d with a great drivetrain. That is the exact thought that went into the Scott Scale RC JR 24 mountain bike. This is a “race ready” children’s mountain bike that can have your little rider flowing along the trails like never before.

The Scott Scale RC JR at Thunder Mountain — The Scott Scale RC JR 24 cruising along the scenic Thunder Mountain trail near Bryce Canyon.

Scott Scale RC JR mountain bike for kids

The Words That Matter The Most

Our kid says…

“This bike is good to pedal uphill because of the weight. It’s a lot lighter than my downhill bike. I like the brakes too. My hands don’t get as tired using my brakes like my last bike.”

At-A-Glance

Standover: About 23"

Stock Weight: 23.0 lbs. We’ve added a Suntour XCR air fork and converted the tires to D-I-Y tubeless.

Our First Look At The Scott Scale RC JR 24

Race ready is a strong way to describe any bike, but for the most part, this Scott bike lives up to the expectations. There are a couple of things that you may need to change depending on your child. For example, the pedals are the typical inexpensive plastic pair that comes with most bikes. The other thing that might need changed is the fork. For smooth paths the rigid fork will be fine. However, our little mountain biker needed a fork with suspension to help absorb some of the nastier terrain found on trail rides. Overall the bike is a solid build that will encourage natural progression.

Brian Head - on the Scott Scale RC JR 24

Let’s start off with the frame. It is constructed out of 6061 aluminum that is double butted to increase strength around high stress areas. As a result, the frame is super light and a great platform for the build. Another nice thing about this frame is the curved top tube. You will notice that when looking at the bike, the tube has a flat spot in front of the seat before bending upwards to the head tube. This makes it easy for little riders to swing their leg over the bike when getting on and off.

Next is the drivetrain. It is a simple yet efficient 1×10 speed set up. This means that there is only one chain ring at the front and 10 gears at the back. Our rider loved the simplicity of only having one shifter to worry about. The shifter itself is a SRAM X5 trigger shifter which seems to work quite well with the SRAM GX rear derailleur. The wide range cassette offers quite a good array of gears enabling your child to ride at a fair pace, and climb and descend hills with ease.

Quick release seat post collar on the Scott Scale RC JR 24 in wheel mountain bike for kids

SRAM GX derailleur on the 24 inch Scott Scale RC JR

Tektro hydraulic brakes on the Scott Scale RC JR 24

A bike encouraging your child to pick up their pace can be nice. However, without good brakes, it could get a little bit scary for us parents. Thankfully Scott took this into consideration and gave the bike Tektro hydraulic disk brakes and 60mm rotors to make sure there would never be a problem slowing down. It is especially nice that they used hydraulic brakes over cable as it gives the young ones a chance to control the braking power rather than just being on and off like most cables brakes.

This bike has been designed to fit riders from ages 8 to 10 and is offered in one frame size. It is based around 24” diameter wheels. These work well for short riders because they don’t raise the height of the bike too much. Another great feature about this Scott is that it only weighs about 23 pounds. Most children’s bikes are a fair amount too heavy for them. And, they can tire your kid out quite quickly. This bike on the other hand can be tossed around easily by children on a ride. You’ll immediately notice that they can ride for longer when on the Scott compared to many other bikes.

Kids don’t want boring looking bikes. They want color and a design that will make others double take. This Scott is surely a looker (even from an adult’s perspective). It has clean lines, and a head turning black and neon yellow paint job. It just looks fast, and our rider loves that. Even the Syncros components have been color matched to the frame. This bike gets two thumbs up in the style department.

Riding the Scott Scale RC JR 24 at Bootleg Canyon, Nevada — The Scott Scale RC JR 24 does great across moderately technical terrain. We added an air fork so our kiddo could challenge the chunk of Bootleg Canyon's SD trails.

Our Upgrade – SR Suntour XCR Air Fork

We chose to put front suspension for on our rider’s bike as he is no stranger to rough terrain. In fact, he tends to gravitate towards it. Unlike most kids’ forks, this Suntour is something that really works well for lightweight riders. Since it is air sprung you have the ability to adjust the air pressure for their weight. Once the air pressure is set, you can easily make smaller adjustments to the preload via a knob on top of the right fork leg. Fully extended, the fork offers 80mm of travel but is internally adjustable via spacers to offer as little as 63mm. The XCR children’s air fork turned out to be the perfect complement to the already capable Scott Scale RC JR 24.

We review the Scott Scale RC JR 24 — Confident and comfy bike control is exhibited on the Scott Scale RC JR 24.

Scott Scale RC JR with 24 inch wheels and disc brakes

Final Thoughts On This Kids’ 24 Inch Wheel Mountain Bike

The Scott Scale RC JR 24 is a true cross country bike. It looks fast, and rides extremely efficiently under the power of little legs. Depending on your child, upgrading the fork might be a good option for you. However, this is personal preference and many kids will not need it. Our rider loves the bike and always has a good time on it. If spending a little more than average money makes every trail ride that much more enjoyable, then it is worth it in our minds.