Eric Porter - High Fives | Teton Gravity Research

Eric Porter's backyard is cooler than yours. Photo by Andy Fitzgerrell.

Despite any parental optimism, natural talent is not a hereditary trait. It can, however, develop with a proper foundation, which is why professional mountain biker Eric Porter has been hard at work. For the last three years, Porter has been shaping dirt jumps and pump tracks in his backyard in Midway, Utah—a small town on the backside of Park City’s singletrack-laden ridgeline. From photo shoots to product launches, his private bike park—which also includes a quarterpipe and a set of disassembled waterslides connecting his backyard to neighbor Doug Dalton’s own pump track—has been the site of numerous gatherings. But none have been as instrumental as his frequent shred sessions with sons, Milo, 4 (and a half), and Owen, 2, both of whom started biking when they learned to walk. We talked to Porter on the rise of kids’ push bikes, the importance of playing in dirt, and the role of a mountain biking parent.

Milo shredding a berm. Photo courtesy of Eric Porter.

What’s your stance on training wheels?

[Milo and Owen] never used training wheels. When I was five years old, I got my first bike with training wheels. It wasn’t very helpful. I don’t think they help you like a push bike does. You can transition straight from a push bike to a pedal bike basically in a day.

Owen dropping in on the pump track. Photo courtesy of Eric Porter.

What are some tips to consider when teaching kids how to ride a bike?

The hardest one to keep in mind is not getting them in over their heads too quickly. It’s like riding with a girlfriend for the first tim . . . I’ve learned from those lessons. It’s hard to think that every ankle-high roller that we [as adults] don’t even see is really big for kids because they’re so little. You gotta pick the right terrain for kids so they can learn how to ride. You have to make yourself think what the trail looks like to someone who doesn’t know how a bike works.

In this edit by Steve Olpin, Eric teaches Milo how to ride a bike. Even if you aren't teaching a youngster to ride anytime soon, the video is definitely worth a watch.

There’s a fine line between being an encouraging parent and a “helicopter” parent. How do you keep biking fun for them?

I’ve always been very conscious about not pushing them to ride. I want to let them discover it for themselves because they enjoy it. The kids will tell me when they’re done riding. We’ll play tag and chase each other around the pump track. Or they’ll go dig in the dirt or kick a ball around. As soon as they’re done, that’s that and we’ll do something else.

I see the negative side [of parenting] most often at the BMX track. I’ll see the BMX dad that’s pushing the kid too much. You don’t wanna be that. Milo has his BMX bike now and races in the winter. He has a good time, but I manage to keep it non-competitive for him. He still has a good time. In the end, that’s why you ride.

I’ve always been very conscious about not pushing them to ride. I want to let them discover it for themselves because they enjoy it... As soon as they’re done, that’s that and we’ll do something else.

Owen's first trail ride. Photo courtesy of Eric Porter.

Did it ever cross your mind that maybe your kids wouldn’t be as into mountain biking as you hoped?

Yeah, definitely. Who knows, it could change in a year or two and they’ll want to do something else. I’ve got plenty of friends who ride and whose kids aren’t into it. I always planned on just supporting whatever it is they want to do and will help them chase that dream. I’m definitely going to introduce them to everything I love to do and show them how to have a good time doing it. But I’ll leave it up to them.

Eric Porter and Cody Gessel riding double. Photo by Andy Fitzgerrell.

What are Milo and Owen’s risk tolerances like?

Milo thinks about things a little bit more because he has taken some falls. He’s got constant scabs on his knees. He just lost a scab today and then cut it back open. He’s definitely getting used to crashing, but he’s always just gone for it. Owen thinks about the consequences more and falls less. I’ve taught him that so he doesn’t charge off something and hurt himself. Since I’ve been around [biking] for so long, I can see crashes coming before the average person…when someone looks like they’re gonna wreck. I try to make sure they know what could happen and how to save themselves in that situation.

Milo flashes the thumbs up over his new pedal bike. Photo by Steve Olpin.