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[Riggers]

Later today I'm taking my great nephew on his very first bike tour. He's 13 and we're off to the Lake District, and weather permitting we'll be doing some of Lakeland's best e.g. Hardknott Pass, Wrynose Pass, WastWater, Patterdale et al. I thought long and thoroughly about this and talked it over with his mum, about getting a young fella into bikes becasue of the obvious issues regarding safety on Britains roads today. In the end his mum agreed as long as we don't do more than 50 (more than 50 two up on an Enfield in the Lakes I agreed!). Anyway big pre-amble done. What do you guys think about introducing a young fella into bikes these days? If anything happened to him I'd never forgive myself, but hey - bikes have given be some of the very best days of my life and a set of mates second to none, and maybe they'll do the same for him. What do you think? Cheers guys - love to know your opinions Riggers.

[Fido]

All depends which side of the fence you sit on. To me, everything about life is a risk. I wouldn't get out of bed in the morning if I thought about all the things that could happen to me. So if I had a kid enthusiastic enough to join me on the type of adventure you have in mind I'd be delighted. Have a great time.

[Gwilly]

It is your responsabilty to further the lads education and life experience. How else will he find out anything. I still remember my first time on a bike aged seven. My old pop just finished rebuilding a norton from a box of bits and wanted to run it round the block a few times, "Jump on son" he said, after he had been around once, Hold on tight.Never will forget that noise and power and the looks from my play mates as we sped past. Course mother went ape shit when we got back but the deed was done. I had grown a bit, despite her good intentions. gwilly

[Arch Stanton]

Hi Riggers,

Go for it, if he doesn't enjoy it, no harm done, if he does, he would have found his way to bikes in the end anyway and at least you will ensure he gets a a proper start in a relatively safe environment rather than him being tempted by his mates offer of a go on his uninsured scooter round a car park two up with no gloves or helmet. Our main regrets in life are always the things we didn't do, give him this opportunity, let him decide where it leads him!

Hope the sun shines for you both
Arch

[Durham Tim]

Hardnot Pass ?? Wrynose Pass ?? Two-up?? You'll struggle to hit 20 MPH, let alone 50 !! Watch the brakes though, on the way down the other side!

Seriously though, enjoy it!! You'll either have one dedicated biker on your hands at the end of it, or he won't go near a bike again in his life.

Most of all, enjoy yourselves, RIDE SAFE!!

[Riggers]

Thanks for the very supportive comments guys. Well herewe are in the lakes and He' s loving it! I think we have an addition to the fold! I' m typi g this on a smart phone, but will post full details here when we get home. Tomorrow Honester Pass and The Struggle!!! Riggers.

[Riggers]

Sorry - meant Kirkstone Pass!

[John M]

Hardnot and Wrynose Pass are the best roads in the North West if not the best roads in England, doubt they're much fun on a sports bike though.

[Riggers]

Well at 6pm this evening I delivered my 13 year old great nephew safely home to the open arms of his mother, his 'Very first ride' completed. In one weekend he's been over Wrynose, Hardknott, Honester and Kirkstone passes. He's seen Windermere, Ulleswater, Brotherswater, Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater, and Buttermere. He's seen Saddleback, Great Gable, Skiddaw, and the Lion and Lamb - albeit fron the tarmac not the trail. And he's experienced his very first little get off when a dick with an extremely big head driving a Range Rover caused me to stop on a one in three pot-holed hairpin bend on Hardknott Pass. I just couldn't hold the bike and we took a little tumble (no harm done). When he got home his first words were 'Mum I when I'm old enough I want a motorbike!' And he's just sent me a text which read 'Thank you for an amazing weekend xxx'. I'm glad I took him on his Very First Ride!

[Gwilly]

Riggers, just to say i enjoyed your trip as well. being unfamiliar with that part of the country i followed your progress with interest on google maps. wonderful country, a bit like my dartmoor but with bigger lakes.
How did the new brake shoes work? any fade on those slopes.cheers gwilly