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AIBU?

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Original poster

To perservere with dd's cycling lessons?

55 replies

Dancergirl · 06/10/2013 21:10

Dd is 10 and can't ride a bike. She's slightly dyspraxic and struggles with many physical activities. I obviously want to help and support her as much as possible.

Dh and I both think bike riding is a skill she should have, in later life she can then decide whether to use that skill or not. Plus they do cycling proficiency later on in Year 6 and I want her to have the choice whether to do it or not, rather than not be able to take part because she can't ride a bike.

She has started having private lessons with an excellent instructor. He's taught many kids to ride including special needs etc and has a lot of experience. Dd's had a few lessons and he says she's doing well. He's concentrating on getting her to balance which is the biggest aspect. But dd's finding it hard going and complains every time. But I know dd - she wants to be able to ride, she just doesn't want to go through the process of learning which for her could take some time.

A few years ago she struggled with swimming. It took a year of private lessons (and lots of moaning) until she could swim, but she eventually got to a point when she thanked me for persevering and now gets a lot of pleasure from swimming.

I've talked to a few adults who don't ride a bike and they say they wish they had learnt as children. Dh thinks we should insist she carries on. But I've got a few doubts in my mind and I know that riding a bike is not in the same league as swimming.

WWYD?

OP posts:
ICameOnTheJitney · 06/10/2013 22:13

She needs her own bike to begin with .....it's hard to practice otherwise and one lesson a week won't do it.

cumfy · 06/10/2013 23:21

She doesn't have her own bike

You need to get her one.

It's going to be much cheaper to buy a 2nd hand bike than pay for lessons.

I'm sure she'd get the hang within a week.

Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2013 23:24

The instructor has lent her the bike between lessons so she can practice.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 06/10/2013 23:25

get her a big trike, like a pashley

QuintessentialShadows · 06/10/2013 23:27

It took dh under a week to teach our friends son to ride his bike. HIS bike, that he could try out any time he wanted to. This boy also has dyspraxia. You need to get her a bike. And yourself too, if you dont have one, so you can cycle together.

Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2013 23:30

We have tried and failed to teach her for many, many years. That's why we've handed over to the professionals as a last resort!

We were planning in getting her an isla when she'd mastered it. You think I should get it now?

OP posts:
QuintessentialShadows · 06/10/2013 23:30

why an Isla?

QuintessentialShadows · 06/10/2013 23:32

Nothing wrong with Isla, they are just quite expensive and she will outgrow it quickly. (Like any bike, I suppose)

Original poster
Dancergirl · 06/10/2013 23:36

I know they're expensive but they're supposed to be amazing and much easier and lighter for a child to use. They resell on Ebay for nearly the full price.

Or shall I just get a cheapie Halfords bike?

OP posts:
QuintessentialShadows · 06/10/2013 23:47

Do you have an Evans cycles nearby? Check them out before you settle on the Isla, and see what you think? I would not go to Halfords.

cumfy · 07/10/2013 22:19

Gumtree would be a good bet.

UniS · 07/10/2013 22:25

If swimming took time and effort, then yes cycling will too. I'd encourage he to stick with it. it may not be her favourite sport but it will open up future possibilities to her both for transport and for fun.

Drama queen kids don't like it when coaches call their bluff on a "nothing injury" do they ( I have one of those).

One of the big confidence booster s I've seen with novice riders is getting them to go on a ride with a friend. Its stops being all about riding a bike and becomes looking for ponies/ blackberries/ the next bench etc.

Pontouf · 07/10/2013 22:32

Persevere. I cannot ride a bike (really struggled to learn and just gave up trying) but I found it excruciatingly embarrassing as a teenager to admit that I can't do it. My DH is a keen cyclist and would love to go on family bike rides with our kids when they're a bit older - they're only 2.11 and 5mo at the moment. I am seriously thinking of getting an old bike and having a go but it is so much more embarrassing to try to learn as a grown up!

UniS · 07/10/2013 23:07

Isla bikes are very nice, they vary in their handling. AT 10 I guess your DD is big enough to look at either the Beinn 26 or the Luath 26 or maybe the Creig 26. 3 very different Islabikes. I'd personally not put a unconfident rider on a luath, the frame is quite compact and the drop bars handling seems a bit twitchy compared to the wide flat bars on theBeinn. The Beinn is very stable, you can fit mud guards kick stand etc which makes it a bit heavier but more practical for winter riding. I've not seen a Creaig in action, they look like a good Mountain bike, but if all your doing is pottling on a traffic free trail or on quiet roads, then it's over kill. its best suited to a child who wants to thrash it fast on technical off road

BUT when your looking at 26 inch wheel bikes there are LOTS of manufacturers out there doing half way decent 26 inch wheel bikes. Look for a light bike , know what your DD weighs so you can compare to her body weight, 50% or less is good. Get slick/ semi slick or road tyres. knobbly tyres are hard work on hard ground and will just make it seem heavy , nosey and hard.

Bike hire outfits MIGHT be selling off this summers bikes at this time of year, can be a good way to get a decent price name brand bike and give then a good try before you buy.

My DS is on his 4th Isla bike, he uses it a lot and its been worth the investment for us. each one we have sold for about half its new price. Luath 26s seem to go for a bit more than half new price, thats what I'm looking out for to buy next as he is racing and would benefit from moving to a Luath from a beinn.

Tiggygirl · 08/10/2013 15:01

Please help your daughter to carry on with her cycling .My ds has dyspraxia and learnt to ride his bike quite young ,but it did take him a lot longer than his brothers .We were told by his OT that riding a bike is one of the best exercises someone with dyspraxia should do .Apparently it can really help with their coordination and more .Despite the fact that my ds is much older it is always apparent when he has been on his bike and we always see significant improvement in him after .

mylittlesunshine · 08/10/2013 15:21

I totally sympathise with you but I would definitely persevere with it. My son is 9 and can't cycle and every time we try it always ends in a big meltdown from him, swimming is the same he just cannot fathom any physical activity at all. He has been in swimming lessons for ages now and is getting there slowly I still hope he will be able to cycle one day too.

MillicentTendancies · 08/10/2013 16:04

I couldnt ride without stabilisers till 11. Then I failed cycling proficiency twice too! Very glad I learnt to ride (badly) eventually though as I think it would be nigh on impossible to learn now.

lljkk · 08/10/2013 17:04

I would reward her, OP. Give her extra computer time or sweets or whatever for each session she does without complaining.

Original poster
Dancergirl · 08/10/2013 23:25

Thanks all, I think my instincts were telling me to carry on even though it's really hard!

The question now though is, do I find a different instructor? And do I get her a bike now?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dancergirl · 08/10/2013 23:27

We had planned on buying her a bike when she'd mastered it, and as the current instructor is lending her a bike there didn't seem much point in buying one at the moment..... Not sure though...

OP posts:
UniS · 09/10/2013 10:47

Does she get to use the loan bike for practise between classes? When I've coached novice cyclists its been clear which ones have gone out to ride their bike between sessions, as they tend to progress much faster than those who are not allowed / willing/ able to.

Where abouts in the country are you?

WilsonFrickett · 09/10/2013 10:53

Are you taking her out a lot in-between lessons?

The other thing I would recommend is getting her a two-wheel scooter - you can pick one up very cheaply. This worked wonders for DS8.

  • he mastered it really quickly
  • the 'cool kids' at school also ride scooters, so he didn't feel out of place on it, which meant his overall confidence at 'riding stuff' increased
  • it's still a balance thing, so overall his core strength increased which then helped him with his bike.

If you can get her going on a scooter, keep taking her out in-between lessons and keep going, I think it will eventually all click in to place.

BlackbeltinBS · 09/10/2013 11:01

I'd get her a bike now - better to have regular five minute practices than long gaps in between. Don't get a Halfords one - we did and took it back because the brakes wouldn't work, but more to the point they weigh an absolute ton, I could barely lift the damn thing and when they lose their balance they are trapped under half a ton of steel. DD has a Ridgeback now which is lighter but not that expensive, Frog ones are supposed to be good (and lighter again) as well. Look on Ebay or something for a second hand one or just accept you'll be selling it on and recouping some cost that way.

MillicentTendancies · 09/10/2013 11:23

I'd get her her own bike now - if she has a kind friend they could provide some help and encouragement - I had a friend almost 2 years younger who said "come on you can do it" and wanting to be brave and not lose face encouraged me to progress. Totally different I know as I was really lacking confidence rather than having dyspraxia.. so please ignore if not apt

NameyMcChanger · 09/10/2013 11:52

I'm not sure whereabouts in the country you are op but I've found a place in Carlisle, Cumbria which gives cycling lessons to disabled children. You can also hire trikes there for £2 or so, it's here www.ctc.org.uk/map-feature/watchtree-wheelers-cycle-centre

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