Starting off in Moto Cross

[Steve Adams]

Dear all,

I have a 14-year-old (15 in a few weeks) son who is keen to get involved in some form of off-road biking. I'm not a rider myself and have little idea about how to get started. Do clubs tend to have taster days or events where he can borrow or hire a bike to get a feel for the sport and I can get advice before we spend money on a bike and accessories? Where do people normally ride just to practice? (We're in Basingstoke, Hampshire. I have already emailed the Hampshire Motocross Club for advice.)

I also have an 11 year-old who hasn't expressed a strong interest yet, but no doubt will as soon as his brother becomes involved. Is 11 too young to ride?

Thanks for any advice.

Steve

[bilbo141]

hi steve cant answer all of your questions but ive a nephew who's been riding of road bikes from about the time he started primary school i rem his dad and i taking him to any spare piece of waste ground we could find to let him practice , even took him to deserted beaches in the middle of winter his interest grew to trials bike riding and he won several local trophies over the years, until he found a passion for road bike , his motorcycle control has got to be seen to be believed , he actually used a unicycle to improve his balance - gettin longwinded now (sorry) so to answer your question no 11 isnt too young .

[Rerb]

Hello Steve,
Your local club should be able to answer all your questions.

[indie]

ours started at 7 years old, can your lad ride a geared bike? the gears not cheap, and they grow out of it quickly especially boots, local land to pratice on is getting hard to find, we are lucky on that front but we are not close to you