Video: Sam Blenkinsop Takes His Daughter For A Ride In 'Sam & Indie'
Words & Video: Kids Ride Shotgun
When Sam’s parents bought him his first pedal bike at 3 years old, they kick-started a lifelong passion for their son.
Now, after 17 years competing professionally at the top level of the sport, and collecting his share of silverware along the way, Sam says he’s still in love with mountain biking – just as much as when he got that first bike.
“Biking has always been the thing that I love so much, and I always thought that if it ever became a job for me, that’s when I’d stop. But I’ve been professional now for 17 years, and I’m still so hungry for it.”
When Sam’s not wide open between the tape on a World Cup downhill track, you’ll find him on his local trails at home in Christchurch, New Zealand – sharing his passion for riding bikes with his daughter Indie.
Since becoming a Dad, Sam has juggled racing and fatherhood while remaining at the sharp end of the world cup leaderboards. For most pro’s, having kids would mean time to ease off the gas – but Sam says getting to share the things he loves with Indie has only made riding more enjoyable.
“My riding still feels the same, I’m still as stoked as I ever was – I’m probably more stoked because I get to share that with Indie.”
Reflecting on a life of getting to see the world through racing, Sam says he now wants to show Indie what life has to offer, like his parents did for him.
And whether Indie inherits his love for two wheels or not, riding bikes together for them is about sharing amazing adventures, and showing Indie the world, with all the incredible things in it.
A massive thanks to Sam, Lysh, and Indie Blenkinsop for sharing their story.
Wanna go for a ride? Not a bad set up for a mini shredder!
Safety first
Shred stoke runs in the family
Sam's local trails in Christchurch, New Zealand
Post ride fluffies
Bedtime stories
Edit produced by Cadre.nz
Brought to you by Kids Ride Shotgun
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Member since Apr 30, 2019
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I had two of my kids riding pedal bikes at 2 years old with training wheels. Parents just need to put the time into their kids.
They absolutely love their shotgun seats (tip - much easier with ebikes, we hired some to try out).
Combined with Shotgun seat on the MTB +another style of front seat on commuter, he was on his first 12" pedal bike at 2.5. Training wheels stayed in the packet, he was able to balance/steer and cruise with his feet on pedals right from the word go.
A couple of months of practice every now and then (plus continuing on the balance bike) and he is pedaling away - just needs to learn to brake now haha!
we're getting them to lift served biking and she wants to sit down the whole ride ... ARGH!
Also riding uphill with a 15kg toddler, KRS seat and all the crap kids require is bloody hard work.