Video: 8 Year Old Inspiration
For me mountain biking has become an obsession, an adventure and a way of life. A big part of that adventure is the people that I meet along the way. Working for the Camp of Champions has brought a lot of people into my biking circle; that is how I met Ron and Jackson Goldstone. Ron introduced himself to me during Crankworx 2011 and asked if it would be possible for Jackson to visit the COC Compound to use the airbag. Ron and I stayed in touch over the winter and during camp 2012 Jackson, Ron and the rest of the family visited several times a week.
![360 into mulch]()
The Goldstone family has made biking part of their everyday life and it was great to be around a family who is so involved in biking. The whole family races BMX, Jackson and his sister Bailey attend the DFX Daily Kids Bike programs, they go to Woodward for family vacations, the whole family has been bitten by the same bug that has sunk its teeth into so many of the people in my life.
![night shoot]()
I had the chance to ride with Ron and Jackson this summer and it was amazing. I followed Jackson down, A-Line, Freight Train, Dirt Merchant and several of the more advanced trails at the Whistler Bike Park. Seeing 8 year old Jackson pedaling hard into a good sized jump (like the big creek gap on Dirt Merchant) and taking flight would make me nervous every time.
Here is a video following Jackson and Ron down Dirt Merchant:
While riding down A-Line Ron had a GoPRO pointed back at Jackson and was braking to make sure Jackson was in his shot. Following from behind several times I heard Jackson yelling at his dad to go faster. It was great to follow behind and watch Jackson whipping, tabling and doing no footers off every other jump.
I am a firm believer that anyone can influence someone else to ride. And Jackson and his whole family make me want to ride more.
![Massive air on A-line. 8 years old and sending it.]()
Photographs from Camp of Champions' compound taken by Stewart Medford.
360 into the mulch pit.
The Goldstone family has made biking part of their everyday life and it was great to be around a family who is so involved in biking. The whole family races BMX, Jackson and his sister Bailey attend the DFX Daily Kids Bike programs, they go to Woodward for family vacations, the whole family has been bitten by the same bug that has sunk its teeth into so many of the people in my life.
Jackson taking part in a Camp of Champions night shoot.
I had the chance to ride with Ron and Jackson this summer and it was amazing. I followed Jackson down, A-Line, Freight Train, Dirt Merchant and several of the more advanced trails at the Whistler Bike Park. Seeing 8 year old Jackson pedaling hard into a good sized jump (like the big creek gap on Dirt Merchant) and taking flight would make me nervous every time.
Here is a video following Jackson and Ron down Dirt Merchant:
While riding down A-Line Ron had a GoPRO pointed back at Jackson and was braking to make sure Jackson was in his shot. Following from behind several times I heard Jackson yelling at his dad to go faster. It was great to follow behind and watch Jackson whipping, tabling and doing no footers off every other jump.
I am a firm believer that anyone can influence someone else to ride. And Jackson and his whole family make me want to ride more.
Boosting one of the jumps on A-Line.
Photographs from Camp of Champions' compound taken by Stewart Medford.
Author Info:
Member since Nov 17, 2007
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My son just turned 7 last week and loves riding his bike, but I find it's a fine line between encouraging him to try stuff I know he can take on, and letting him go at his own pace. If you push too hard, even in an encouraging, positive way, they will push back if they are not confident, and if they crash then everyone feels bad and it can lead to resentment, fear, or not wanting to ride.
My parents were never keen on riding, and I want to instil my love of mountain biking in my son, but he has to develop this love himself, so I see my job as making it as easy as possible
With this much experience at such a low age, even if he continues to just train "casually" while balancing other factors like school, etc, he'll still probably become a top 20 rider, easy.
I remember my parents never taught me or anyone for that matter how to ride a bike. One day after seeing my friends ride their bikes I hopped onto some random bike sitting in the garage and literally just started riding...but that was when I was like 6-7 yrs old. This kid already is take jumps and handling some decent trails already while back then, I didn't even know places like this existed.
Definitely a huge advantage living close to Whistler, that critical exposure at a young age is key for any rider who wants to make it big.
www.pinkbike.com/video/275064
6 years old
The bike is a lil shredder prodigy.
rant over nothing personal guys just my view!