Fun for all the Family
By TMX Archives on 15th Jun 12
It is not often that parents and kids get to ride together. Many dads stand on the sidelines urging their offspring onwards, especially at race events, wishing they could be alongside their sons or daughters so Nigel Wheatley has come up with a solution.
Enduroland's Kids and Dads days allow parents and youngsters to ride out together in a relaxed atmosphere with an hour on the course and an hour off between sessions, which last for a full day.
Between the KADs sessions adult riders can enjoy themselves without the worry of younger riders being on the course.
Nigel Wheatley said: "We started the Kids and Dads three or four years ago but struggled for the first couple of years with numbers.
"So we offset it from our massive Adult Sunday, basically using some of the funds from Sunday to fund the Saturday and then we got to a stage where it had to stand alone, which it now does. We are resorting back to the original format for the first time today where we have a competent adult session along with the kids and it seems to be working.
"We are probably looking at doing this for the future, just to keep the kids event going, where the numbers aren't that important because the adults will boost the day and we can keep the kids on, an hour on, an hour off sessions, which they seem to be enjoying.”
Rob Gilmore and his son Hugh are regulars at the KADs events. Hugh rides AMCA motocross so this is the only opportunity they get to ride together. They travel to the KADs day all over the country
Rob Gilmore said: "The attraction of these events is obvious; you can ride around with your son and each event is really well prepared and executed.
"I'm not sure if I'm looking after Hugh or he is looking after me. He's quicker than me but stalls more!
"We love the variation of tracks that Enduroland events provide with a good mix of both technical tracks and fast tracks. We don't have an Xbox, we've got two motocross bikes and we'd rather have that.
"We spend weekends outdoors doing stuff together and I get to enjoy the sport Hugh loves so much. Hugh rides with the AMCA's Oakham Club.
"You can still race round if you want to and there are no fast guys, and the adults can come on a Sunday and race around the track.”
Veteran rider Craig Parkes has plenty of racing experience and so has his son Mitch but the KAD's day was something really different for both of them
Craig said: "To be honest it is a new thing but it is great fun to be able to ride out there with your lad, with no pressure, no hassle, no set agenda or timescales, just go and have a bit a fun and maybe think about improving a few techniques and trying stuff.
"We will definitely be back to other Kids and Dads days as long as the event doesn't clash with anything we are following event wise, this is a perfect family day out.”
The Enduroland Kids and Dads days are really popular and it is easy to understand why.
"No pressure just pure enjoyment in a relaxed and friendly family atmosphere. Dads especially seem to love them, enjoying their kids youth while riding alongside them.It is not often that parents and kids get to ride together. Many dads stand on the sidelines urging their offspring onwards, especially at race events, wishing they could be alongside their sons or daughters – so Nigel Wheatley has come up with a solution.
Enduroland's Kids and Dads days allow parents and youngsters to ride out together in a relaxed atmosphere with an hour on the course and an hour off between sessions, which last for a full day.
Between the KADs sessions adult riders can enjoy themselves without the worry of younger riders being on the course.
Nigel Wheatley said: "We started the Kids and Dads three or four years ago but struggled for the first couple of years with numbers.
"So we offset it from our massive Adult Sunday, basically using some of the funds from Sunday to fund the Saturday and then we got to a stage where it had to stand alone, which it now does. We are resorting back to the original format for the first time today where we have a competent adult session along with the kids and it seems to be working.
"We are probably looking at doing this for the future, just to keep the kids event going, where the numbers aren't that important because the adults will boost the day and we can keep the kids on, an hour on, an hour off sessions, which they seem to be enjoying.”
Rob Gilmore and his son Hugh are regulars at the KADs events. Hugh rides AMCA motocross so this is the only opportunity they get to ride together. They travel to the KADs day all over the country
Rob Gilmore said: "The attraction of these events is obvious; you can ride around with your son and each event is really well prepared and executed.
"I'm not sure if I'm looking after Hugh or he is looking after me. He's quicker than me but stalls more!
"We love the variation of tracks that Enduroland events provide with a good mix of both technical tracks and fast tracks. We don't have an Xbox, we've got two motocross bikes and we'd rather have that.
"We spend weekends outdoors doing stuff together and I get to enjoy the sport Hugh loves so much. Hugh rides with the AMCA's Oakham Club.
"You can still race round if you want to and there are no fast guys, and the adults can come on a Sunday and race around the track.”
Veteran rider Craig Parkes has plenty of racing experience and so has his son Mitch but the KAD's day was something really different for both of them
Craig said: "To be honest it is a new thing but it is great fun to be able to ride out there with your lad, with no pressure, no hassle, no set agenda or timescales, just go and have a bit a fun and maybe think about improving a few techniques and trying stuff.
"We will definitely be back to other Kids and Dads days as long as the event doesn't clash with anything we are following event wise, this is a perfect family day out.”
The Enduroland Kids and Dads days are really popular and it is easy to understand why.
"No pressure just pure enjoyment in a relaxed and friendly family atmosphere. Dads especially seem to love them, enjoying their kids youth while riding alongside them.
