Mud
Mud is something most experienced rid-
ers aack, but that's generally not realis-
c to a couple of fourth grade
beginners. We introduced a few mud
scenarios that ranged from moist soil to
saturated muddy trails. The former we
had them stand through while the laer
we had them drop right to the seat and
paddle with their feet. Having them
stand through a saturated mud hole and
consequently crashing is quite an or-
deal. Nothing good comes from it. For
now, we'll encourage them to drop to
the seat and paddle while applying a
steady throle when it comes to saturated mud. It's gen-
erally easier for the beginner to be aggressive when sing
down and paddling. Their mud techniques will evolve
over me but for now, sing and paddling is where
they're at.
Rocks, Roots and Logs
Obviously you want to start small here. We set up a small
log and had them stand up with their weight back, being
careful not to whiskey throle the bike. We then in-
creased the number and spacing of the small logs and had
them stand up as long as they could before sing on the
seat and paddling. The reality is all riders of all abilies
32 Trail Rider
It's best to have the kids stand when-
ever possible. Jordan Knowlton does a
fine job demonstrang.
Below: Olivia Novello drops to the
seat and paddles through a muddy
trail.
www.TrailRider.com
