de plus en plus de famille voient dans le vélo de route une façon de nouer des liens serrés avec les enfants en plus de créer des moments uniques. La présence de nombreux clubs cycliste jeunesse au Québec permet aussi aux membres d’une même famille de vivre des expériences sportives uniques, de voyager lors de différentes compétitions et de développer un sentiment d’appartenance, si important dans un monde d’après pandémie.
DOSSIER QUILICOT
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Introducing young people to road cycling
Young athletes give you advice and tell you about their experience
Despite being an individual sport, cycling has the appeal of being a unifying sport. Long rides in the sunshine and surprise thunderstorms would not have the same meaning without friends and riding partners. It's not surprising to see an increase in the number of cyclists since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Road cycling is, in addition to being a way to stay in shape, an excellent way to socialize with friends and enjoy good times with family.
More and more families are seeing road cycling as a way to bond with their children and create unique moments. The presence of many youth cycling clubs in Quebec also allows members of the same family to live extraordinary sports experiences, to travel to different competitions and to develop a sense of belonging, so important in a post-pandemic world.
Benefits for the young generations
All the young people we spoke to have been cycling since a young age. They all talked about getting positive emotions and feelings from their sport. Naomie Lauzon -Savoie appreciates the satisfaction that comes from being tired after a race, a training session, or a simple family outing.
« At the end of a workout, I feel a little tired , but I also feel proud of myself . »
Naomie
In a conversation with several young racers, we realized that all of them were feeling the fatigue, but that it was accompanied by other sensations appreciated by the young people. For example , Arthur Michaud , who has been racing with the Espoirs since he was four years old , feels much calmer and more relaxed when he comes back from cycling.
« If I did not bike, I feel like I would have too much energy. This allows me to empty the excess »
Arthur
In this sense , road cycling, whether it is practiced in a competitive or recreational context , has a positive impact on the lives of young people.
Cycling to get together
As we saw briefly at the beginning of this dossier, cycling encourages exchanges between members of a group. This group can be the team, but also family and friends. This social dimension was particularly felt when we visited the Espoirs. At that time, the young people had just returned from their first group competition. Naomi told us that she loved the races:
“They [competitions] allow me to compare myself to others. I like being able to outrun the other racers, but also my limits.”
However , the human connections encouraged by cycling are not limited to sports teams. The family can benefit from good times on the road, without looking for performance. Élodie Légaré , for example , loves cycling because it allows her to spend quality time with her father and mother . When we asked Élodie , who already dreams of a professional cycling career, if she had an idol in the cycling world, she answered : “ my mother .”
« My idol is my mother . She's been cycling for a long time and she always gives me good advice . »
Élodie
Advice from our athletes : how to properly equip your child with a bicycle
When asked for their advice, our athletes all talked about the importance of choosing the right bike. For Elodie, the most important thing is to have a bike that is well adapted and of the right size. “When you are a child, you can practice road cycling with any type of bike. However, if it’s too big, you will have difficulty pedalling.”
For those who would like to get into the sport, there are road bikes with frames specifically made for children, equipped with a proper road drivetrain and a drop bar. The child must be comfortable to keep a better balance, and gain confidence. A model like the DCO Race 24 is an excellent choice for those who would like to start off the right foot.
Other accessories are also important to consider. For example, when we asked Arthur what was his most important item, besides his bike, he immediately replied, "my helmet!" Helmets help reduce the risk of head injuries, especially when you are just starting and the risk of falling is greater. It is important to note that helmets come in various sizes and type s . Thus, we recommend trying them on in - store.
Platform or clipless pedals ? A question that m any adults getting into cycling also ask themselves. But what about kids? Out of the three we talked to , two were riding clipless . However , they told us that they had started on platform pedals and had practiced extensively before switching , as they allow you to put a foot down easily if required , and can focus on getting to grips with how the bike handles. Cycling clubs such as Espoirs Laval are excellent places for children to develop their abilities as they offer weekly courses.
Finally, the accessory Elodie described as the most important is the water bottle cage . Kids get thirsty too, and often! That said, b ecause of the narrowness of frames , mounting a regular cage can be a problem . If it’s the case, opt for a side bottle or a handlebar cage . The latter allows easy access to the water bottle but can be cumbersome , while the former is not, and is offered for both r ight and left-handed .
Cycling is far too enjoyable a sport not to share with everyone dear , even those who show no interest in competing . Talking to these young athletes has shown us in the brightest possible way how sport can become a passion. This passion sets the pace for their lives with all the benefits that sport brings. We quickly felt that the Espoirs Laval club is a big family that shares a passion: riding and having fun. It is this same passion that motivates us at Bicycles Quilicot , and that we wish to pass on from our family to yours.
« My dream is to one day compete in major races »
Élodie
