First commandment: Don't ride (too) difficult trails with your kids

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Of course, when dad is out riding with his buddies, he wants to show what he can do. The nasty root carpet with the abyss on the right may or may not work. What doesn't work under any circumstances is trying out unknown trails with the kids. The risk of someone crying (or breaking something) is simply too great. That's why it's better to start simple and work your way up to more difficult sections together. If you're unsure about something, get off and push. If in doubt, it's always a good idea for dad to "mock", i.e. stand in the right place ready to help and catch the child if the worst comes to the worst.

Second commandment: Thou shalt not always ride in pole position.

Fathers have a natural instinct to show the way. And that's a good thing. As long as they don't get lost - or the batteries in the GPS device die. But kids don't always just want to see their old man's backside on tour, they also want to drive ahead. So: give up the pole position every now and then and let the kids go first. This way, the little ones get to know the magic (and trickery) of speed, search for and find the ideal line - and get better with every kilometer of leading work.

Third commandment: You should celebrate the descents, not the ascents

Children are not fighting machines. Anyone who thinks they are going to attack the 20-percent stitch to the mountain station with them is in for a shock. The sit-down strike is still one of the softer reactions. Remember: children want to have fun. And they rarely have fun on miserably long forest roads. Much more on slightly technical roller coaster tracks and, of course, downhill. Why not take the lift that glides comfortably up to the mountain station next to the steep uphill slope?

Fourth commandment: Thou shalt lead by example

Children learn by observing and imitating. So if the parents thunder down into the valley without a helmet but with locking rear wheels (and threaten to destroy themselves and the beautiful natural trail), the little ones will naturally follow suit. Parents are role models! So take the "trail rules" to heart, which exist in a similar form in all bike spots: Helmets and protectors on, being able to brake on sight, being considerate of bikers, hikers and wildlife, and leaving nothing but good karma behind.

Fifth commandment: Take care of your children's equipment

All too often you see parents with brand-new high-end bikes - and the kids are left behind on ancient, rusty supermarket bikes. It's no wonder that the little ones prefer to retreat to the couch to play Wii after the first, or at the latest after the second tour together. It's better to invest in a fully-fledged children's mountain bike and age-appropriate, practical equipment. You'll be congratulating yourself for a lifetime. And: a high-quality bike can be sold on for surprisingly good prices when the offspring has grown out of it.

Sixth commandment: Thou shalt provide sufficient food and drink

Children's bodies work very efficiently, but they need a lot of fuel. Consequently, the parental rucksack should be filled with tons of energy bars, chocolate, apples, bananas, etc. And don't forget to drink. A water bottle, preferably filled with fresh tap water, also belongs on the children's bike. Nothing tastes better at the top of the pass than pure water.

Seventh commandment: Always look after the welfare of your children

The mountain bike tour should end with a high-five in the burger joint and not in the emergency room. So make sure you check your equipment before the tour and plan your route. Medical bills are always more expensive than a high-quality, perfectly fitting helmet, good sunglasses (a must against stones and insects), long-fingered gloves and knee and back protectors.

Eighth commandment: You should always ensure three things: fun, enjoyment and pleasure.

Mountain biking is one of the most fascinating sports there is. It's even more fun when you go on a tour together instead of alone. But to ensure that no one ends up crying, everyone has to meet in the middle and put the brakes on their own desires if necessary. The weakest member of the group has the say. Excessive ambition on the part of parents often backfires. The most important criterion: fun for everyone.