[drain bamage]

Hello,

I am 13 years old and I have a kind of stupid question but would you say I am doing about what average 13 year olds do on a mountain bike if I catch from 1-3 feet of air and 1-3 foot drop offs on an 05 kids hotrock hard tail? I just started to do the bigger stuff about 1 month ago (like doing more than just the curb). So I am wondering if I should be doing like the 3-5 foot drops and jumps. And what 13 year olds really do? I know it is a stupid thread but I have had this question for such a long time and decided I would finally ask it. BTW I just got the Iron Horse warrior 4.0 from the penske dude. In the future I will probably upgrade it to first a better fork and then stronger brakes.

Thanks

 

[jeffgothro]

You do whatever you feel comfortable doing, if you feel comfortable doing 5 foot drops, go for it, and wear safety gear.

 

[William42]

I've seen some 13 year olds throw down huge, doing big whips over 15-20 foot gaps over cars. Most don't though. Do what you're comfortable with and push yourself now and then, and you'll be just like every other rider out there.

I know coming from the adults this is obnoxious advice, but trust me it pans out in the end, ride more, and worry about what other people are doing less. You'll have a better time in the long run.

 

[Broccoli]

You are asking questions. That's a very good start.

Some 13 year olds do dumb things. Most do not. The rule of thumb is that you should not care what others think and use your own brain.

The best skill one can learn is to know when to say "screw it" and turn back. It will be there tomorrow for you if you are still in one piece.

Personally I was swimming and wrestling at 13 and was way too scared of heights.

 

[boostin]

When I was 13 I was working on my bunnyhops and building dirt jumps. And I was riding BMX. I didn't get into mtn bikes until I was 17 or 18. BMX is so much cheaper and great for building bike handling skills.

The most important thing back then and now is that I have fun and ride with my friends. I still don't worry about how knarly the stuff I do is, or compare myself to other people. When I ride with other people they push me and my skills build.

and I know all kinds of people who are alot older than 13 and aren't comfortable riding a wheelie off a curb.

Just have fun man!

 

[Ray Lee]

Great advice from everyone here as usual...

but at 13 you will heal so much faster than when when you are old (like me) so I say go get some of the crazy out of the way.. its better done sooner then latter (within reason!)

and have fun riding

Ray

 

[G4VNJ]

I think you just bounce better when your young, i dont think i bounce at all now, i just cut and break lol

.....and when i was young i was throwing eggs at cars to get a chase so keep riding and stay out of trouble......aslong as yout enjoying it, thats what counts...

 

[TLL]

Work on your jumps and skills, and have fun. Wear your helmet/gear.

Good question, BTW.

 

[Luigiugueto]

Why should age be a barrier? as long as you're confident on what you're doing..

 

[okay_player]

Sounds like you've got a good skill base to work with. I know I wasn't doing any 3 footers when I was 13.

If you're going to start pushing yourself and going bigger, try to do it with some friends around you. It sucks to badly injure yourself when you're out there alone.

 

[Broccoli]

Whatever you do..

..do not do this.

In fact, watching accidents is not morbid. It is educational. Reminds you to wear protection and think in advance.

Spine protector and full face go a long way, unless they provide false security feeling. I doubt parents will refuse to chip in for that.

 

[Clutchman83]

And don't do this either!

Ha, thats like the most useless advice ever. Your young dude, ride what your comfortable with but don't be afraid to send it huge, otherwise you'll never learn. When you see something that scares you, just stomp the lip so hard that it remembers you by your tire tread. You'll heal a lot quicker now than you will in the future, just don't forget your helmet and pads. And if you don't have pads and you wanna go big, beg your parents or mow lawns like crazy and get some. They are worth having.

 

[Freerydejunky]

13 year olds watch alot of p0rn.

Do work

 

[Hand/of/Midas]

Hello,

I am 13 years old and I have a kind of stupid question but would you say I am doing about what average 13 year olds do......

Thanks

Video games. thats what most 13 year olds are doing.

no matter what you are doing if its on a bike you doing something awesome. keep it up bro.

 

[theextremist04]

First of all, keep doing what you're doing and have fun with it. The fun part can't be stressed enough.

Second, get pads if you're doing bigger drops.

Third, a source of income will be useful; biking is an expensive sport. Parts break, and GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) is inevitable.

Fourth, like everyone said, age has nothing to do with anything.

Fifth, like I said before, have fun!

 

[Hack On Wheels]

Ack, watching how that rider went down, was just lying there, and then was dragged off the trail was terrible. All I could think of was the potential for spinal damage and how the rider should not have been touched, unless to be stabilized by someone with proper experience/training.

What I would learn is how to bail, how to jump off your bike, etc. If you like doing ladder bridges, "north shore" riding, then learn how to hop off your bike when you are up off the ground. That has helped me far too many times!

 

[Jerk_Chicken]

13yo boys today are busy being emo, cutting, crying, and listening to "A7X", complaining how their wealthy parents don't understand them and their trendy hipster Hot Topic lives suck.

 

[Ray Lee]

Normally I would agree but being dragged would be better than getting landed on by the next guy.

Ray

Ack, watching how that rider went down, was just lying there, and then was dragged off the trail was terrible. All I could think of was the potential for spinal damage and how the rider should not have been touched, unless to be stabilized by someone with proper experience/training.

What I would learn is how to bail, how to jump off your bike, etc. If you like doing ladder bridges, "north shore" riding, then learn how to hop off your bike when you are up off the ground. That has helped me far too many times!

 

[mtnmark]

You should be pushing yourself to get better everyday and riding with friends that are better than you. The motivation to get really good at something comes from inside, not from what you "should" be doing

For some inspiration here is a link to the Santa Cruz bikes Allride academy press release that had some info about their junior team. I thought it was pretty cool what some of the 10 and 13yr olds are doing. Google their names to find out more about them, I think a couple of them have blogs:

http://www.santacruzmtb.com/news/index.php?news=1&NewsID=0061

 

[Slyp Dawg]

I'm 15 years old, so I can relate a bit better than the adults on here. always keep pushing the limits, but ride within your skills or you'll likely spend more time getting your cast signed than riding. that said, some times it's better to ride a bit higher than your skills, find the limit then go past that limit, just so you know what it feels like to be past the limit. OR, you may find out that even though you're pushing the bike harder than you ever have before, pushing it past what you thought was the limit, you in fact haven't found the real limit yet. don't be afraid to get crazy while you're on the bike, but make damn sure you know your bike can handle it before you start going too big, because no amount of skill can save a crash caused by a catastrophic component or frame failure