Witness the moment a child bike instructor takes adults on their first mountain biking adventure.
The beginner’s programme, cheekily named the ‘Don’t Crash Course’, is aimed at helping newbies conquer their fears and learn the basics under the tutelage of five year old biking whizz Bo Barnes and his professional mountain biker dad, Joe.
Adults aged between 31-59 can be seen trailing the confident youngster through an exhilarating biking trail in the picturesque Bedgebury Forest, Kent, demonstrating that age is no obstacle to trying something new.
Participants were encouraged not to fret about appearances, feelings, or fitting in, but rather to embrace the thrill of youthful excitement often lost with age.
This comes after a survey of 2,000 adults revealed that 52% confessed they struggle to step out of their comfort zones, and a third are apprehensive about starting a new sport for fear of embarrassment.
The session was organised by cyclewear brand Endura, aiming to understand why anxiety prevents adults from experiencing new thrills later in life, as the study found four in 10 believed they were ‘too old’ to be a beginner.
(Image: Pinpep)
NHS senior psychologist Dr Abdi Mohamed, who collaborated with the brand, stated: “The reason trying something new can be so daunting is often rooted in social anxieties – worries about not fitting in, lacking the right gear, or feeling too old or inexperienced.”
“These anxieties can create significant barriers, making it difficult for individuals to take that first step towards new experiences. By adopting a positive mindset, the feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt can be significantly reduced.”
“Overcoming the fear of the unknown is a critical step in building self-confidence, allowing individuals to embrace new challenges with a sense of belonging. This journey not only fosters personal growth but also opens the door to a more fulfilling and active lifestyle.”
The study also revealed that over a third (35%) are held back from trying something new and thrilling due to fears of injuring themselves.
Extreme sports like scuba diving, surfing and mountain biking topped the list of activities adults most wanted to try but feel they’ll never get the chance.
Other sports adults dream of trying include snowboarding or hang gliding (14%). Meanwhile, 12% fancy the thrill of Whitewater rafting.
(Image: Pinpep)
Four out of ten adults wish they still had the fearless attitude they possessed in their youth, but social anxiety around trying new things has increased as they’ve aged.
Just over three in 10 (31%) believe it’s easiest to try a new sport when you’re under 18, before adulthood kicks in, and a mere 3% think it’s easiest to do this when you’re 35 or older, according to data from OnePoll.com.
Unsurprisingly, 34% of parents admit their children are more willing to take risks than they are, and half believe their kids are braver.
Noah Bernard, Endura’s Senior Vice President, commented: “We want to break down the barriers that prevent us from riding, so that everybody can enjoy the euphoria of the ride.”
“One such barrier is anxiety and self-doubt, but with sessions such as these, we hope to show more people out there that enjoying the full thrill of outdoors is well within reach, and that sometimes all you need is the right guidance and mindset.”
TOP 20 EXTREME SPORTS BRITS WOULD LIKE TO TRY OUT:
- Scuba diving
- Skydiving
- Surfing
- Paragliding
- Horse riding
- Rock climbing
- Snowboarding
- Hang gliding
- Sailing
- Windsurfing
- Whitewater rafting
- Mountain biking
- Martial arts
- Motocross
- Cross-country skiing
- Skateboarding
- Kite surfing
- Ice climbing
- Bouldering (i.e. climbing without ropes)
- BASE jumping