Kids take part in time trial at Singapore Mountain Bike Carnival

Story by REDintern Mai A Malek

Tampines Bike Park, Sunday, May 30, 2010 — As the BMX riders took a breather from tasting the dirt, the crowd soon shifted their focus to a happy bunch of budding riders over at the start point of the Singapore Mountain Bike Carnival which was held over the weekend. Believe it or not, kids as young as three years old took part in the Offroad Time Trial, where they had to go through a 1.5km bike course for three consecutive laps.

It seemed like an official race to the little riders but to their parents, it was more like an opportunity for a get-together as a small family of riders.

The time trial comprises of four different types of junior categories – Juniors A for 17 and 18-year-olds, Juniors B for those aged 14 to 16, Kids C for those aged 10 to 13 and Kids D for those little tykes aged nine and below.

While the kids started to form their lines at the start point, one little kid clad in a blue-coloured mini racing suit was spotted in the crowd of riders. Meet Stewart William McNab, a three-year-old boy who came with his parents all the way from Malaysia, just to be part of this carnival. His father, Mr Alexander McNab, explained that Stewart’s trainer bike was shipped from Europe and that initially, his son had no clue what to do with it or how to ride it.

“My wife and I showed him videos of kids cycling and within two weeks, Stewart was on his own on his bike. He was only two years old then,” said Mr McNab. “It has since been a routine to just take him out with his bike every evening.”

Mr McNab also added that cycling is actually a family sport, and that the main objective of them cycling is to get to beautiful places, considering that Malaysia has nature spots scattered all over the country.

“But I would prefer the atmosphere here in Singapore,” added Mr McNab. “It’s just proper. Everything here at the bike park is very well-organized and it’s a very nice place to be in.”