Dirt biking was not something that ever crossed our minds to ever consider as a family activity. Well, now I wish we had looked into this sooner because my husband and daughter had a blast trying out the Junior Red Riders Program thanks to Honda. They are hooked, and we’re already planning to go back to the Popkum track for more lessons and riding!
WHAT IS JUNIOR RED RIDERS?
The Junior Red Riders Program was created and launched in 2004 for children aged 6-12. This immersive, professional, instructor-led program teaches the safety fundamentals of riding off-road in a fun and exciting outdoor closed course. This program is a great first step to provide children the opportunity to learn about off-road riding. Safety is a priority for Honda and Junior Red Riders provides the platform to teach kids and their parents how important it is to have the proper riding equipment.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE LESSONS
You can sign up for the Junior Red Rider lessons through Honda’s website, it will point you in the direction of lessons nearest you. For us, the lessons were held at Popkum Motor Park. At this track, lessons are being offered every Sunday during the 2019 season. Though, if there is a high demand Saturdays may have some availability. These lessons are open to all riders over the age of 6 and ride a bike without training wheels. Which explains why our youngest daughter was a little sad watching from the sidelines. She can ride a bike without training wheels but she isn’t old enough just yet. The whole lesson she kept saying “I can do that. I just need a little bike. I can do what they do too!”. You better believe that we’ll be signing her up as soon as she is old enough!
Bike and gear rental are built into the cost of the lesson, which works for us because we have nowhere to keep a dirt bike for not and well, I think Strata would slightly frown upon our riding through the complex. The gear and bikes are all sized to the learner’s needs. When we arrived they had a bin near each person’s rental sheet and in the bin was everything they needed in their size. Now, just what is the cost of a lesson? You are looking at $175 to $195 + tax depending on the size of the bike needed. Considering this includes 3 hours of lessons, all the gear needed, a bike provided, with small class size, and two instructors… I’d say that is a fair price. It is a brilliant birthday gift idea if you like to give an activity instead of an object.
As mentioned, the lessons go for 3 hours. You do need to arrive about half an hour early to sign in and fill out some forms. During the lesson, you are presented with the fundamentals of riding. There’s no guarantee you will be able to ride, but everyone in the class we attended was successful! The start of the class focuses on safety and the dirt bike. The key things our main instructor, who has been riding for 48 years, wanted everyone to learn was “body position, throttle control, and balance. Learn these and you’ll be a good rider, plus how to use your back break!”.
TIME ON THE TRACK
The lessons happen rain or shine. With the location we attended being on the side of the mountain we had sun and rain. The clouds that rolled in were a welcome break from the heat. You definitely want to make sure you bring lots of water to drink and a snack to eat. There were plenty of breaks to grab something to eat and have some water. Be sure to dress for the weather. If it were to a rain a lot you could put your rain jacket on top of the gear.
All Evie wanted was to get on the bike and get going. When everyone did get to walk over to the bikes for time on the track, we knew she was going to be just fine when she told Jason to go over to his bike. The Red Rider Intro class is meant to teach riders how to put a bike in gear and how to stop and go safely. Things started with the instructors pushing each rider so they could get a feel of the bike. Then a lap or two with the instructor on the back of the bike. Soon enough everyone was off to the races… well, riding around the track where the lesson was taking place. Towards the end of the lessons, riders were feeling confident enough to go up a slope, do a slalom path, stop and start with ease, and even stand while turning!
WE’LL BE BACK TO THE TRACK SOON
They say that after the Red Rider Intro program, you should be safe to ride in any farmer’s field anywhere in the world. Now if only we had a bike we could take to a field and knew someone with a field? After taking part in the intro class the best thing you can do is practice. Continuing to ride and practicing the skills you have learned (and possibly take more lessons, like the Red Rider Evolution program) will help riders to become truly proficient.
We are hoping to get Evie into another lesson and Jason is ready for the next level of lessons. We can see this being something they continue to do and Addie will join in down the road when she is old enough. We’ll definitely be back to the track soon!
Taking my 2 kids there tomorrow and I can hardly wait!
Exciting!! Let us know how it goes