specialized1#
Likes Bikes
Now we're talkin' !It's awesome mate that ye old man is with his son all the way, but I have to pose the question, what do you think O'l man.... Ruggers or MTB?
How can a 47 year old rugby tragic that has a discovered a passion for mtb through his 4 kids begin to answer that ???
The short answer is BOTH !!
I beleive that Rugby (very different to the other codes, no matter how similar they may seem) can teach a young bloke some valuable life lessons. I think that was why the game was invented. Please forgive me if I seem a bit over-the-top with this, but: Rugby demands team play, courtesy, respect and courage. There is a field position for every size and body shape. Winning (or losing) a tight one with 14 of your mates amplifies the emotion that a solo sport can never match. Mateship. And most importantly in a world where political correctness dominates, where any physical expression of emotion can be frowned upon (and really, how else do boys communicate), a world where success is often disparaged....For eighty minutes each week, these kids can be king of their patch, belt the crap out of each other within a loosley constructed set of rules (and learn to control their anger along the way - a skill that is clearly lacking so often) and generally express themselves in a manner that nature intended. They can do this with the all important approval of the older generation. It is a rite of passage - one of many to be found. And helps those turbulent adolescent emotions to settle a bit, as they have an outlet.
Thats my abbreviated version
Its the MTB that has landed us in hospital a couple of times.
MTB (race or just out there) teaches mongrel. And if you haven't got mongrel by yourself, you won't have it for your team. Here the def'n of 'team' can be anything - mates - family - footy - whatever. MTB teaches you to stick at it, to attack the mountain, get to the top and enjoy the fun that it brings. Self reliance, independance - a tyre change in the back blocks, by yourself - a big thing for my 11yr old, but he's done it. MTB teaches decision, choice and consequence. One of the boys came home pumped - "Dad, I did that big jump" "When you do it, you have to just...do it ! I wasn't thinking of anything else" Thats called focus and if you it can be done on a bike, it can be done in an exam.
Adolescents are risk takers - what better place to learn risk than on a downhill track.
MTB is something all of us can do and the kids love nothing better than hitting out with me on the trails. Finally, after we were assisted with a flat by a passing rider, one of the kids observes "everyone we meet when we're riding is really nice". That's hard to top
With regard to injuries, beyond the two hospital visits. We have experienced 3 broken ribs. 1. 11yr old missing the lander on a tabletop. 2. Me going over the bars 3. Me getting taken out by a 12yr old rugby player in training - i'm often the tackle bag
phew ! that was a bit long.
ps - bike parts = academic incentive