336
I got one Christmas card in my life from my late brother-in-law, Owen Nagel. Somewhere in the family grapevine, he apparently learned that I got a horse, if late in life. He wrote one sentence: Dirt bikes are safer.
Considering that dirt bikes do not have a mind of their own, and they are not afraid of rocks and tree limbs that might vaguely resemble bears and lion paws, one could buy into that train of thought. I hold a motorcycle license, and my first bike was a Honda 100 with knobby tires. I prefer trail riding on a horse, but there’s no doubt that trail riding with a dirt bike is also a heap of fun.
There are similar advantages in getting a physical workout, whether you are riding on four hooves or two wheels. Mental well-being has been documented, along with fostering friendships and camaraderie. Navigating trails takes not only keen eyesight, but also the mental acuity to manage, steer, lean (or not) and expertly control your horse or bike.
Leaving the horse behind to eat grass, which is their favorite activity in the whole world, dirt bikes offer an adrenaline-rush sense of adventure in the great outdoors. Monica Perdue’s parents took up off-road riding when she was in high school. “I got my first dirt bike when I was 19 and dabbled in it throughout my 20s,” she relates.
Her own boys, now 10 and 5, began riding on Strider® bikes about the same time they learned to walk. These don’t have pedals, and they promote balance.
At Strider®, we love riding bikes, and we love inspiring kids to ride. Our mission is to build lightweight, efficient,
all-terrain bikes that develop two-wheeled balance, coordination and confidence in children.
[www.striderbikes.com]
From there, Monica relates, they moved on to a Yamaha PW 50. Today, Drew (10) rides a Husqvarna 85, while Reece (5) has a Honda CRF 50. This mom rides a Beta X-Trainer (300), adding that knobbies are a must (for tires). “We ride the dirt bikes on wooded trails, through creeks and mud, anything that comes our way!”
Initially, she explains, like on a PW 50, there are not any gears. After that one, they move up to a bike with a foot lever. Then you add the clutch (like Drew’s 85). Kairos in Giles County is their favorite riding ground, and they are usually joined by friends who ride. They all kayak, too, sometimes, on the New River.
One day after riding with a friend, his mom and a couple other adults on forest trails and conquering a hill climb, Drew exclaimed: “That was the best day I’ve ever had!” The younger one, Reece, is stuck on saying: “I just want to go fast!” His mom sighs: “He’s the one I’m going to have to worry about.”
Many parents consider dirt biking to be dangerous and expensive. Monica embraces all the benefits. “It teaches independence, problem solving and respect for the outdoors. It’s a hobby that builds lasting relationships you won’t find anywhere else. It takes a special kind of person to enjoy some of the pain and the challenges that come with our sport, and it’s 100% worth it.”
For her, nothing else compares. Her kids learn to safely navigate across varied terrain, close their mouths when riding through mud and water, use body positions to control the bike and critical thinking skills for successful rides. They know how to check tire pressure and gas, clean and store all the equipment, use hand tools for maintenance, employ safety measures and gear, and get along with other riders with different personalities and skill levels.
When you factor in fresh air, the unspoiled beauty in nature and a wonderful sense of achievement during and after every ride, well, that builds character, endurance, stamina and tenacity. Coupled with their kayak excursions, these kids are growing up with a giant love and appreciation for being outdoors for their entertainment and good times.
Safety is priority (just ahead of having fun). The boys know if you don’t wear the gear (helmet, chest protector, knee/elbow pads, boots), you don’t ride at all. – Monica Perdue
Text by Joanne M. Anderson
Photos by Jon Fleming
