- Check the space and the kit.
- Get your child's attention first.
- Show it from two sides.
- Say one thing only.
- End on one that works.
Put the phone down where you can see it. Tap Next with your thumb, or use the arrow keys.
Is the space marked?
- The start line
- Two lines of cones
- A square
- A stopping line for the braking game
The child's bike, a track pump, a helmet.
Three minutes to get warm.
Easy jogging on the spot, then arms and legs. How to warm up well is explained at workonfitness.com.
- Put the helmet on level, two fingers' width above the eyebrows. Fasten the strap so only one finger fits under it. Shake your head: it stays put.
- Squeeze each tyre: it should feel firm.
- Squeeze each brake lever and push the bike: the wheel must not turn.
- Look at the chain, then twist the handlebars and the saddle: nothing moves that should not.
Show it once from the front and once from the side, slowly. Then let your child try.
- Fasten and unfasten the helmet buckle three times.
- Check it sits level and stays put when the head is shaken.
- Tyres firm.
- Both brakes stop the wheels.
- Chain in place; handlebars straight and tight; saddle firm; the child can reach the brake levers.
How much: 1 full check before each ride
Level above the eyebrows
Spot the problem
The rules
You secretly set up one problem on a bike; the child does the full check and finds it.
- While the child looks away, set one safe problem: a loose helmet strap, a soft tyre, the saddle turned a little, a brake cable unhooked by you
- The child does the full check in order
- The child names the problem and how to fix it
- 5 rounds
Fair play: When the child sets problems for you, you must find them within 1 minute.
- Points
- 2 points for finding the problem; 1 more point for saying how to fix it.
- Fouls
- No points that round: skipping a step of the check; riding off before the check is done
- Win
- The most points after 5 rounds.
- 6
- 10
- 15
The child fastens the helmet alone and names 5 checks.
End on one that works. If it was hard today, finish with the easier version.
Well played.
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