Pump tracks are appearing all over the place – in council owned parks, in school grounds, campgrounds, mountain bike parks and some lucky people have even made one in their own backyard. With more interest in recreational riding we have seen the development of a lot more. Â This means there may be one near you! Making riding one easy and accessible so you too can have fun and improve your riding.
What is a pump track? A pump track is a small man made dirt track built with a looping trail system. They are generally designed with different sized dirt mounds/rollers and corners that have a banked outer edge (called berms).
Why is it called a pump track? Â Because you pump the terrain. Pumping – is a riding technique that allows you to use the track to keep and generate momentum therefore eliminating the need for pedaling. Â Ultimately you should be able to ride a pump track without pedaling! Â What?
OK so that is the ultimate goal or the ideal of pump tracks but there is a lot more to gain from a pump track than being able to ride it without pedaling. Do not let that phase you or intimidate you.  If you are anything like me, it is unlikely you will reach that no pedaling goal without a lot of practice.
However understanding the ultimate goal will give you insight on how to get the most out of riding a pump track.
What do pump tracks have to offer ?
They are full of fun.
They are accessible
They offer community. Often there will be other riders there to enjoy, watch and be inspired by. The kids will see and pick up on the skills and techniques that similar aged or older kids are using on the track, and soon enough you will see those skills being used in their riding.
They offer a great safe environment to improve your riding. Pump tracks allow you to get used to the bike moving under you. You will start to get a feel for how both the bike and your body move to maintain balance as you ride over the terrain, differing slopes and corners etc. The more you ride them, the more you will gain confidence in your riding. If you become quite skilled at pump tracks they teach you how to use the terrain to assist your riding – allowing you to ride on trails with more flow, speed and control.
They are great for both strength and fitness improvements.
They suit a wide range of ages as the rider can tailor the pump track to their capability. Finding an activity to suit the different ages of children in families can sometimes be a challenge, the pump track can offer something for every member of the family – especially the adults.
For the younger kids – they can miss out mounds and corners if they are too hard, or focus on just one part of the pump track. Because they are popping up in park like settings for those easily distracted or the not so riding keen there is often other outdoor activities to enjoy like playgrounds or you can take a ball/frisbee for them to kick or throw around. Also they frequently are void from safety concerns like vehicles but every pump track is different and you will need to assess the safety of the environment.
The older kids/ adults – can improve their biking skills, their strength and fitness. Depending on your riding experience and capability like the younger kids you get to tailor it to your needs, and can progressively challenge yourself as your riding confidence grows. That can range from completing a lap pedaling, to completing a lap without pedaling or for some even progressing to a jump.
Think about making an adventure out of your excursion to the pump track. If you have one close by maybe biking there is an option. Consider having morning, afternoon tea or lunch there. It can be a great place to enjoy with other families.
Give it a go, get in on the fun, lets see more of us BIG KIDS, more of us GIRLS on pump tracks. The kids will love that you join in and if you do it, maybe you will inspire another adult or female to give it a go.
Are you interested in learning more?  Like -what skills to try out on a pump track?  Watch out for future stories on Pump Track Skills.
We would love to hear about your local or favourite pump track. See you out there.
Thanks for reading. Used together our stories and resources support you to achieve and develop as a rider.Â
goRide is a shared journey, so we would like you to assist in guiding it along the way. Â Contact goRide. Â Your thoughts, comments or feedback are welcome. Thank you for being a part of the goRide way.
We did it! – riding the Central Otago Rail Trail with 2 kids attached – Sam 4 years old on a trailer bike and Hollie 2 years old on a bike seat – on carrier.  Over 5 days and 4 nights! And now the kids are wanting to do it again but this time on their own bikes. When we returned from our journey at Christmas 2009, as a family we wrote a story about the highlights, and thoughts from our adventure. I want to share some photos, and snippets from that story that might inspire you to goRide the Central Otago Rail Trail.
Reading stories about cycling adventures helps to connect you to other women who ride and makes you think about what you and/or your family could achieve. It’s that story of another family or women having completed a bike adventure that makes you wonder if you or your family can. AÂ story that made you believe you can. Its that little piece of advice, or that must do, or must stay, that helps with the planning and preparation and helps make your adventure successful and special.
The train to Middlemarch goes chuggedy chuggedy up the gorge tucked in tight against the hill and we got to go over lots of bridges and through lots of tunnels. It was my first train ride and I was amazed where this train managed to go. On the cycle ride there were lots of tunnels along the way. I had my very own torch to help light the way. And a horn on my trailer bike that I liked to push to let people know we were coming and just because it made a noise. I think Mum made sure it wasn’t a really loud horn. The scenery was wonderful sometimes we followed a river, there was often big open spaces, hills and a lot of brown a bit different to where I live. You may notice I am not often in the photos as I am very keen to be the photographer. We found Nelson Rd on the way which I thought was quite funny because I am from Nelson. Sometimes it was windy and it even snowed. I know, in December, luckily the place we were staying in had a great fire and the snow on the hills the next morning looked great. We were well prepared with lots of warm clothes and wooly hats, socks and gloves. Reaching the high point is pretty cool, you get to take a photo and you know it is downhill after that. You can get a small book called a passport and you get to collect stamps from the Railway Stations along the way and I loved doing that.
The Central Otago Rail Trail Passport and stamps collected from the Railway Stations. There are 18 to collect.
Adults highlights:
The train ride was an awesome addition to the journey. It is a great train ride to take kids on, and you will also enjoy the scenery. The train does take a few hours and if you are getting on the bike after the train consider their ability to be able to sustain the time and distance. Seeing this part of New Zealand from a bike is just filling. Fills your soul. Great scenery, great little towns, bits of history (it took sixteen harsh winters/scourching summers for labourers, stonemason, blacksmiths, and engineeers, to build the railway. Starting in Middlemarch 1891 and finishing in Clyde in 1907 – wow and you get to ride it in a few days, and it is so achievable for families with kids of all ages.
Here are some factors that made our bike adventure a success:
Planning and preparation. The distances of the days were about right. The trail is gravel and though reasonably flat it is slower going than you predict because of the gravel surface. Longer distances would have made the trip challenging with windy or cold days. You just cannot pre-order the weather and it certainly can be unpredictable in Central Otago. Having clothing options for all weather conditions and plenty of food and water for the day.
Early starts were important to our trips success. Kids are often at their best in the morning and we generally managed to get most of our biking completed by lunch time/ early afternoon.
Communication and distraction. Keeping their senses stimulated – look, see, feel and hear. The passport enabled your ride to be broken into sections, you always had a railway station and stamp to collect or a town to look forward to. Make it fun and keep the adventure in it.
Regular stops were important for food, a bit of loving, and a stretch for your body off the bike.
Thanks for reading. Used together our stories and resources support you to achieve and develop as a rider. Do it, at your own pace, in your own time, in a fun, supported way – the goRide way.
goRide is a shared journey, so we would like you to assist in guiding it along the way. Contact goRide. Your thoughts, comments or feedback are welcome. Thank you for being a part of the goRide way.[/themeone_section]
The goRide women profiles tell stories about everyday women who ride bikes. These stories will connect you to real women and perhaps spark an idea about what you could achieve with your riding or remind you what you have done. We are all on a journey, regardless of whether you are beginning or an experienced rider, so be open and curious and see what happens. Lets begin to build a stronger you and a stronger riding community. Enjoy reading Emily’s profile…
RIDING WORD: Not 1 but 5. Freedom, adventure (constantly changing perspective), explore, fun, connected to my environment.
Emily & Oscar get ready for a morning ride.
When did you learn to ride (any memories) and why do you still ride?
As a youngster biking to school – before helmets were in use.
What kind of riding do you do?
A mix of cycleways, around town, and the school run. Mountain bike trails – mainly Codgers – and at the moment I’m training for the 2015 Spring Challenge.
Do you have a biking tip or piece of advice that you would like to share?
Biking with young children is really liberating and fun. Oscar is one year old and once we found a helmet that would fit him and was light enough we had to encourage him to wear it (Emily recommends Polisport cycles Guppy helmet, size xxs, 44-48cm for a great shape/fit and really lightweight). Part of getting toddlers used to a helmet is them seeing you frequently wearing a helmet – role modeling – so that they want to be part of that as well. Now Oscar goes and gets his own helmet and puts it on his head!
What, if any, are your frustrations with riding? Personally and generally.
Around town cars don’t respect cyclists enough, they don’t slow down or give them enough space. This makes it harder to teach young children to ride on the road. Children have the right to be able to learn road riding skills so drivers need to be patient and consider what it is like for them.
What is currently your favourite ride?
Any ride that is out and about with the kids, doing everyday stuff around the city. Just riding and chatting. It feels great not to be using the car, its healthier, more environmentally friendly and cheaper.
What is your favourite ride from the past?
Heaphy Track about 15 years ago with my Dad. Brilliant. Two nights and we went super light weight in terms of gear that we carried. Then we flew in a prop plane back to the car in Collingwood!
Do you have a riding goal at the moment? (think equipment, skills/technique, rides)
Personal: Improve my downhill turns, smoother technique. To use the features on my new bike e.g. dropper seat, 2 cog gearing system, terrain functions. If I can understand how to get the best from my bike it will make my technical riding more enjoyable.
Family:Road safety with my 7 year old daughter, handling skills on the bike. Something we can all do at different ages and abilities.
What is your favourite piece of biking kit/equipment?
My Ground Effect clothing (especially my whitches britches) – I get cold easily so the ability to bike comfortably in the colder months is great.
The baby carrier (iBert) has given Oscar and me access to so much more daily adventure. He sings, waves to people and points to things as we ride. Its very social and friendly.
Thanks for reading. Used together our stories and resources support you to achieve and develop as a rider. Do it, at your own pace, in your own time, in a fun, supported way – the goRide way.
goRide is a shared journey, so we would like you to assist in guiding it along the way. Contact goRide. Your thoughts, comments or feedback are welcome. Thank you for being a part of the goRide way.[/themeone_section]
Enjoy our story of two families (3 adults, 9 year old boy/girl, a 7 year old girl and 6 year old boy) riding the Great Taste Trail over 3 days from Nelson to Kaiteriteri in the South Island, New Zealand.
Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.
When we make the effort and take the time to go on a biking adventure with the family we want it to be an enjoyable experience. To help plan your adventure read about these families experience riding the 78km from Nelson to Kaiteriteri part of the Great Taste Trail.
Where is it?
The Great Taste Trail starts in Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand. There are multiple places to join the trail within the city or you can fly in and start from the airport.
The ride and is it doable for you?
The Great Taste Trail is a loop in Tasman. We are riding the coastal section of the loop from Nelson to Kaiteriteri. At the time of riding this section of the trail was the most developed though the rest of the loop is being developed.
We have chosen to do it over 4 days of riding with one of the days riding in the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park before heading home.
Car Shuttle – We had someone accompanying us will a car shuttling gear. There are options for gear and car transfers available if this would suit your family better.
DAY ONE – Nelson to Ruby Bay – 36km – is it doable?
Biking – We started our ride in Nelson City. It is a flat ride around the coast of Nelson to Rabbit Island, where you get the Mapua Ferry across a narrow channel to Mapua. Please check the ferry timetable as it only crosses the channel once an hour. It was good getting the longest day completed on our first day.
Accommodation – Camped overnight at Ruby Bay McKee Domain.
4km before you reaching Ruby Bay is the beautiful village of Mapua. There are several different accommodation options in Mapua and therefore maybe a more suitable place for you to stay.
Highlights/Tips – Climbing the big seat in Richmond. Swimming at Rabbit Island. Pushing our bikes on to the Ferry and crossing to Mapua on the Ferry. Ice Creams at Mapua. Pump track at Mapua.
DAY TWO – Ruby Bay to Motueka – 26km – is it doable?
Biking – This section involves some climbing to a high point. We used the Tow Whee Tow Rope to assist the kids with getting up this section.
Accommodation – We stayed at the Top 10 Holiday Park in Motueka which has a variety of accommodation options.
Highlights/Tips –Â Watching the eels & exploring the gardens at Jester Cafe between Ruby Bay & Tasman, riding past apple orchards, Toad Hall Cafe in Motueka, Top 10 Holiday Park in Motueka – ground trampoline & swimming pool with climbing wall.
DAY THREE – Motueka to Kaiteriteri – 16km – is it doable?
Biking – This is the hardest day as you are going uphill and there are a few steep parts (only a few, though it did require our 8 year old to get off and push her bike a couple of times). The trail is signposted every 1 km.
Accommodation – Camped at Bethany Park in Kaiteriteri which is a large camping ground right next to the mountain bike park.
Highlights/Tips – Great coastal tracks & broadwalks through Motueka, stop at Riwaka Primary School to explore & play, ride through Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park is awesome – worth the climb into it.
DAY FOUR – Biking in the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park
Biking – There are a variety of tracks of different levels making up the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park. We enjoyed the pump track and introducing the kids to a couple of the easy trails. Including riding Easy Rider again.
We travelled home after riding in the park in the morning. A couple of the adults rode the 78km back to Nelson on their bikes while the kids were transported in the car.
What skills will you need to do this ride? This track is a well graded grade 2 trail. You need to be comfortable doing a gradual climb over 5km.
What level of fitness will you need to do this ride? Â You can complete the ride over as many days as you like and therefore determine how many kilometres you ride in a day. However due to where there is accommodation located it is likely riders will need to be comfortable riding 30-40km in a day. And they will need to ride this distance on consecutive days. This ride is not all falt you will need to be comfortable doing a gradual climb
How could the weather effect the success of your journey? Weather in this part of New Zealand is often favourable however you will need to be prepared for all weather conditions and wind.
Riding with Kids Attached or Towed? This is a graded wide trail that would be easy to ride with kids attached or towed behind your bike. Even the section in the mountain bike park is family friendly.
Be safe and comfortable when riding a section of the Great Taste Trail – Nelson to Kaiteriteri
Enjoy our multiday bikepath riding pages that introduce gear and stories to get you ready to ride.
Throughout this trail there is some support with riding through towns such as Motueka. You are generally not too far from help with this ride. Use our stories for multiday biking to help support you to be prepared to ride the Great Taste Trail – Nelson to Kaiteriteri.
Read stories about NZ trails, tracks & parks. Find out what other families & riders are doing. Be inspired! Is this ride an option for you or your family?
A collection of stories that will help you learn about bike gear. goRide supporting you to get the right bike gear solution for the type of riding you do or want to do.
Stories in Types of Riding support you to learn about riding a bike in different environments. So you can successfully choose to ride more place, more often.
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes. All entries receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
Kids love to ride bikes. It’s almost a part of their DNA. We can all remember learning to ride and the fun that came with that journey. In this story you will meet 4 kids who learnt to ride a while ago. They are learning new things now and discovering the different kinds of places you can goRide. They will continue to learn as their bodies grow and their skill set grows, it’s all about ages and stages…
Like all our stories we hope to connect you to real kids and provide inspiration and motivation for you to goRide more places, more often with your kids. Enjoy your reading.
Hollie is 7 years old and lives in Nelson. She rides a Mongoose 20 inch wheel bike with no gears – this is a challenging bike for Hollie as it… read more
Isaac is 6 years old and lives in Nelson. He rides a 20 inch wheel Specialized Hotrock with 6 gears. The thing he loves the most about his bike is that it is red and it has gears – but he finds the gears really… read more
Rhea is 9 years old and lives in Nelson. She rides a 26 inch wheel mountain bike with 21 gears and front suspension – which she got about 6 months ago and it has made a huge difference to her riding enjoyment. Why?… read more
Sam is a tall 10 year old boy who lives in Nelson. He rides a 24 inch wheel mountain bike with 21 gears and front suspension – which he got for his 7th birthday. This bike is definitely too small… read more
goRide is a shared journey, so we would like you to assist in guiding it along. Contact goRide. Â Your thoughts, comments or feedback are welcome. Thank you for being a part of the goRide way.[/themeone_section]
Life is hectic and we often have many roles and many jobs within a day, a week, a month or a year. In all that busyness we need to make time to stop and see the special moments that are present, that exist right in front of us.Â
Supporting you and your family to SMILE when you ride.
Being present, being aware, seeing moments, engaging our senses, helps shape and strengthen our experiences. Â So when on the bike it helps shape and strengthen our riding experiences.
One of the reasons I ride is because I get to see and create those moments. A commute, a bike trip to the library or sports training or a trail in the hills can be filled with moments. Riding allows me to travel at a pace that enables me to feel, see, smell, taste and hear my surroundings and allows me to become immersed in the environment. I feel the hot sun or a cool breeze on my neck. I see the changing light the morning brings and the different shades of green of the bush. I smell the eucalyptus on a hot day and the freshly cut grass. I taste the refreshing air. I hear the river flowing, I am aware of peace and the laughter of a riding friend.
Engage Your Senses
Chi Riding is all about being aware by engaging our senses. Being aware of our body and our environment. We started off the Chi Riding series Tip 1 with learning to be aware of our riding position. Then Tip 2 was an extension of this – being aware of our core control.  If we gain awareness of our bodies, if we are relaxed and working efficiently, then that relaxation and ease will allow us to open our minds.  With our minds open we can then see and recognise the moments, recognise our environment. While we ride, rather than just ‘doing’ the ride, we can ‘be’ in the ride.
Why is it important?Â
Could you spot something you haven’t noticed on a regular ride or trail, or note how it looks different at different times of the day?  Could you ride something new and take notice, be present, be in the now, awaken and engage all your senses?
On a bike we have so much more opportunity for these kinds of experiences. When you are relaxed and confident, thoughts and feelings will come to you and make you smile. This is the very reason why so many people love to ride their bike.
Your bike riding success is different to others… use our stories and support, get the right solutions.
Incorrect alignment when you pedal can cause problems with comfort on your seat.
Support and inspire other riders and families to ride
Share your riding outings, adventures and experiences on our quick and easy question and answer forms. Join us in helping others ride bikes. All entries receive a free shipping coupon and go into our seasonal prize draw.
Have you noticed a pump track near you?
Give it a go, get in on the fun, lets see more of us BIG KIDS, more of us GIRLS on pump tracks. The kids will love that you join in and if you do it, maybe you will inspire another adult or female to give it a go.
