Son wants to be "bike racer"

[AZSpinner]

Okay, so my son, Grant turned 3 about a week ago. So we upgraded from his Radio Flyer Fold 2 Go to a Huffy Rockit. :) (I wish I could upgrade my bike every year. I guess if my bike was only $30...) As we are biking around the block, he tells me, "When I turn 4, I'm going to be a bike racer." I'm guessing it must have been because I took him along to watch the AZ State Crit Championships on Saturday. He was pretty impressed, as was I, with how fast those guys were going.

So, here's my question....Is 3 too young to get SPDs or cages put on his pedals? :D

[mimitabby]

YOu can surely give him some cool stuff for his bike, like maybe an old bike computer? and a bell and a flashing red light?
I don't know about cages and SPD's though. Enjoy!

[LBTC]

AZS that is the coolest thing!! Start watching for the kids mini-events at races - do they do that at road races? At most of the mtb races I've been to there's been a kids event. Coolest thing ever!!

Keep us posted!

Hugs & butterflies,
~T~

[velogirl]

I used to coach a 7 year old with SPDs (and he was tiny for his age). I think it would probably be challenging to find shoes small enough -- I guess you could cleat a pair of his regular shoes (I've done it with red pumps -- don't ask).

Of course, toe cages would work with any shoe.

Many local criteriums (and a few road races) will have kiddie races too! You'll see every kind of bike imaginable. I personally love when the little girls on Barbie bikes beat the little boys on their tiny road bikes, but I digress.

At his age, keep it fun!

Sanctioned junior racing begins at race age 12 so he's got a few years before he can compete in "real" races.

[singletrackmind]

Makes a mama proud when the 3 year old (nearing 4 quickly) insists on riding to the park....7 miles round trip, 1:46 total in the saddle, with a couple of hours of play time in between.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/smcr/163-6366_IMG.jpg

Well....my arthritic old knees can't keep up jogging alongside him because he's going faster and more often soooo......

Last weekend it was out to Indianapolis to pick up a........TANDEM!! :eek: :D



(I wish we could afford to go clipless for a kid that needs new shoes yearly....but yeah, toe clips......for now)

[SouthernBelle]

Why don't you try power grips on his pedals?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Good idea about the PowerGrip straps...thats actually what I use! :D

Hey, all you ladies who keep falling over on your new clipless gizmos- maybe you all just need some TRAINING WHEELS!!! :D :D :D :p :cool:

[AZSpinner]

And here I thought I'd get blasted for even suggesting SPDs or toe cages! :D Thanks for the suggestions. I'll have to check out the Powergrip Straps. He gets really frustrated when he has to stop pedalling to get his feet back on the pedals. I'm just concerned about him falling and being attached to his bike. I've fallen while attached to my bike...but that's another story. :o

He really is getting pretty quick. I can no longer walk beside him. He told me that I should get out my fast red bike and ride with him. He said he'd go slowly so that I could keep up. :)

He did point out this morning on his training ride (that's what he called it!!!) that his new bike doesn't have a "dinger," so I think I'll have to get him a "dinger" and maybe a water bottle/cage if I can figure out a place to attach it. He also said that he has a fast motor?! Where does he get this stuff?! :) I asked him if he's been reading a bike forum on the computer. He said, "No. I just play Elmo games."

[Jones]

AZ,
If your son really wants to race or you really want him to race you can always look into BMX racing. I have seen kids as young as 4 at the local BMX track and they always look like they are having fun. I think it requires a lot of equipment; full face helmet, elbow and knee/shin guards but clipless pedals are not required.:)
Jones