Have to disagree about towing... If I didn't pull one of my kids sometimes... he'd never get to ride any trails. It's really dependent on your network/climb... my local networks have some steep AF climbs just to get to trails they can ride. Also depends on the kid and other factors.
Pulling them up allows them to have the energy to descend longer and we as a family can ride more, longer and have more fun.
You can also regulate how much work your kid is doing. While pulling, I'm always "feeling" how much he is working and ensuring it's not just a "free ride".
You also may not understand someone's individual situation. I have twin 10 year old boys... one does all the climbing under his own power. The other suffers from DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder)... basically it means that his brain-body connection isn't as solid as someone without DCD and it takes him 10x as long to learn skills, he has far less coordination and gets tired very quickly and easily. However, sports like mountain biking are fantastic therapy and training allowing him to battle against his DCD. So pulling him up helps overcome his issues with fatigue so that he can ride fun trails and gain the needed therapy and practice to help him battle the evils of his DCD, make it more than worthwhile.
On the other hand, my other 10 year old is a strong, athletic kid... no way he's getting pulled up. He fully has the ability and equipment to haul his own ass up... I know it, and he knows it. On the other, other hand... a friend's kid loved descending but stubbornly hated climbing. He started pulling him to keep the stoke alive and keep him interested... once he got over the fact that climbs were a necessary evil in order to access all the good time DH fun, he transitioned to hauling himself up the mountain.
So, end of the day, lots of situations where pulling can be beneficial.
Also, the Clairebarian is still young and little, considering where you ride there may be no benefit to pulling her higher. But, I could see a point where you both get bored of the trails she can get to under her own power... she may be ready for more, but not able to get there with the energy necessary to ride the trail safely or in the time available (big one for 9 to 5 people). there may be a crossover point where towing her a little might be a good thing. Again every kid and situation is different.
Oct. 21, 2021, 10:30 a.m. - IslandLife
Have to disagree about towing... If I didn't pull one of my kids sometimes... he'd never get to ride any trails. It's really dependent on your network/climb... my local networks have some steep AF climbs just to get to trails they can ride. Also depends on the kid and other factors. Pulling them up allows them to have the energy to descend longer and we as a family can ride more, longer and have more fun. You can also regulate how much work your kid is doing. While pulling, I'm always "feeling" how much he is working and ensuring it's not just a "free ride". You also may not understand someone's individual situation. I have twin 10 year old boys... one does all the climbing under his own power. The other suffers from DCD (Developmental Coordination Disorder)... basically it means that his brain-body connection isn't as solid as someone without DCD and it takes him 10x as long to learn skills, he has far less coordination and gets tired very quickly and easily. However, sports like mountain biking are fantastic therapy and training allowing him to battle against his DCD. So pulling him up helps overcome his issues with fatigue so that he can ride fun trails and gain the needed therapy and practice to help him battle the evils of his DCD, make it more than worthwhile. On the other hand, my other 10 year old is a strong, athletic kid... no way he's getting pulled up. He fully has the ability and equipment to haul his own ass up... I know it, and he knows it. On the other, other hand... a friend's kid loved descending but stubbornly hated climbing. He started pulling him to keep the stoke alive and keep him interested... once he got over the fact that climbs were a necessary evil in order to access all the good time DH fun, he transitioned to hauling himself up the mountain. So, end of the day, lots of situations where pulling can be beneficial. Also, the Clairebarian is still young and little, considering where you ride there may be no benefit to pulling her higher. But, I could see a point where you both get bored of the trails she can get to under her own power... she may be ready for more, but not able to get there with the energy necessary to ride the trail safely or in the time available (big one for 9 to 5 people). there may be a crossover point where towing her a little might be a good thing. Again every kid and situation is different.