Follow goRides process for preparing for your first ride with the Tow Frame Have a safe and successful experience riding with your child. 

You have just recently attached the Mid Mount Seat to your bike.  Before your first ride please check that all the connections are tight and secure.

What to look for…

• check the connection onto the bike. Are all bolts screws and connections to your bike – stable and secure. 

When you feel confident the Mid Mount Seat is securely connected you can attempt your first practice ride. 

Note: goRide recommends that you check the connection of the Mid Mount Seat before every ride. it is a short and easy task that will help keep everyone safe and avoid any issues out on your ride. 

Due to its position of the bike seat and your child  (between your chest and the handlebars), your riding will alter with a mid mount seat, when compared to riding solo. The degree of change will be more pronounced the older and larger your child is.

Though most of the change will not occur until you have your child positioned on the seat we still recommend that you test the feel of the Mid Mount Seat in a quiet place ( away from road traffic). without a passenger. Imagine the space your child will take up in front of you and practice riding with your new bike set up.  

What to practise… 

• Consider how you are going to balance the bike to get your child onto the seat. Often that will be …straddling the bike and lifting the child on. If you have the option, having a second adult can be really helpful until you have a process that both you and your child are familiar with.
• getting on and off the bike…do you need to lower your seat ( at least initially) to allow you to safely do this skill.
  • …if yes practise riding with a lowered seat
  • …if you have a dropper seat, make sure you know how to use it.  
• your reach to the handlebars – how it will feel around your child.

When you feel confident riding with a Mid Mount Seat with out a passenger you can begin to prepare your child and plan for your first ride together!

Make it clear to your child that they need to remain seated on the Mid Mount Seat at all times. This is important as it is an unharnessed, unsupported seat.

Communication

Communication is key to having a fun and enjoyable experience. Use some consistent and clear words to communicate your riding process. You can talk through communication before your first ride together or with a younger child this will need to happen as you go for your ride together. At the very least it is great to think about how you are going to communicate your instructions.

Some communication points.

Mounting the Bike – Let your child know you are ready to lift them onto the mid mount seat. What words are you going to use each time

Starting to ride  – Choose instructions that suit your family for starting – either ready, steady, GO or count 1, 2, 3 GO.  The trailing rider can make this starting call so you know they are ready

During the ride – Keep up communication and interaction throughout the ride.With you child positioned close to you it is easy to communicate well and understand how they are feeling trhoughout the ride.

Stopping – Let them know when you are coming to a stop  The opposite to starting straddle the bike and talk them through when they will be lifted off the seat. Make sure you are placing them in a safe place so you know they will be safe until you have dismounted the bike. 

You need to let your child know it is OK to ask you to stop and that they need to remain on their seat until the bikes are completely stopped. How will they communicate this to you?

Choose a safe place that is quiet and ideally has no traffic.  School playgrounds, empty carparks, off road bike paths/cycleways.

This is a new experience for everyone so start small and be very patient.  Choose an area with a long clear path in front of you so you don’t need to turn immediately.

Process

Straddle your bike first and hold your bike steady.  Let your child know  you are ready to lift them onto the seat. As mentioned above having a second adult to support this can be helpful until you have established a rountine and communication that both you and your child are comfortable with.

Communiicate your actions, starting,  any instructions during the ride and stoppng.  

Keep practising until both you and your child are comfortable. This may happen in your first ride together or you  may have to repeat this again another day. 

When you both feel confident…

Your first ride to a destination should ideally be short and fairly simple.  Think about your route or the trails you could use for this. Ideally you do not want them dismounting until you reach your destination/a safe area especially if you are riding in traffic. The tow frame will open up a whole new type of riding for your family so enjoy and make the most of this new journey your family is on.

• The super fun and interactive with your child positioned in front of you…sharing the ride together.
• A great way to let your child get the feel of riding…lean and balance.
• Suitable for trails that you feel comfortable riding.

goRide supporting women and families to SMILE when you ride