Advice needed.

[Quisqueyano]

I think I know the answer to this. But i thought I would throw it out their for discussion.
I have a son who is 8 1/2. He seems to show some natural physical ability for cycling. As soon as he learned to stay up without the training wheels he starting doing seat stands, riding with no hands, and tearing around the block as fast as he can. He also regularly runs a mile without coercion from me.
He is getting his first moutain bike today and has expressed interest in racing.
So my question is this: Should I try and put him on a regular training schedule? Or shouls i teach him some basic technical skills and let destiny take its course?
I won't be overbearing. I will be supportive. But should I try to instill a little discipline at this age? I don't want to burn him out.
Opinions?

[Archaea]

Two potential problems with cycling too much too early, you can cause joint problems, in the knees and in the hips.

Secondly, orthopods have told me that one should encourage younger cyclists to spin as opposed to mashing. My advice, as I'm trying with both my 12 and 8 year olds is keep it fun. My eight year old runs regularly, but doesn't cycle regularly. My twelve plays football and runs for football but hates running. He is more of a sprinter in cycling.

Be careful here.

[bluegoose]

I don't have any concrete evidence either way here, but my feeling would be that an 8 year old is way too young to establish a rigid training regimine for. Maybe once they hit 10 or 12, but at 8 I would encourage him to just have some fun with it. Nothing wrong with teaching bike handling skills though.

Also, at 8 they are still a long way from skeletal maturity. Cycling has been shown to have negative effects on bone density, due to the fact that at high intensities and durations it is very catabolic and is a non-weight bearing activity. A good variety of other activites would be more healthy imo, including running, swimming, team sports, etc.

[MikeWaters]

"thanks dad for the training schedule. I'm 21 years old and impotent due to nerve damage."

[Quisqueyano]

"thanks dad for the training schedule. I'm 21 years old and impotent due to nerve damage."


Not exactly what i had in mind when I decided to give my kid the "gift" of cycling. Thanks for the laugh.
You are all saying what i thought i would do.
Let him ride and have fun. Theach him how to keep the bike rubber side down and worry about the conditionin when he is older and if this goes anywhere.