AS every daunting task is met with the comforting phrase "it's just like riding a bike", cycling must be the simplest thing in the world.

So, in meeting professional cycling instructor Stewart Vanns near West Malling, I was not expecting much of a challenge.

MAKING TRACKS: Reporter Keith Fairbank traverses the muddy terrain as he tries his hand at mountain biking TWPL20110203C-001_C
TWPL20110203C-001_Cjpeg
Chronicle Reporter Keith Fairbank trys his hand at Mountain Biking as part of his challange Keith feature

Bikes were my staple mode of transport for ten years before I discovered what was missing – namely two more wheels, an engine and a roof.

I had hoped to be mastering schoolboy-style wheelies in minutes and Stewart, who this Saturday launches an eight-week mountain bike course for eight-to-16-year-olds at Trosley Country Park, taught me to stand on the pedal, and jerk my hips back as I pushed the handlebars forward.

Lamely, my front wheel hopped barely an inch off the ground.

I tried it a few more times and got more air time but I was embarrassingly useless compared to the many bike-wielding youngsters on the streets today.

We pushed on and Stewart led me up and down some deceptively steep hills.

Once I found the right gears I was rolling up and down with some gusto, only losing my balance a couple of times.

But then Stewart led me to The Snake, a twisting raised embankment barely 12in wide.

Skilfully, he meandered along the path but I failed to negotiate the first two bends before rolling uncontrollably down the grassy sides.

I must stress my ineptitude was no reflection on Stewart's tuition. I was having a lot of fun and constantly improved, but naively I had expected off-roading to be as easy as my old paper round.

As we made our way back, Steve showed me how to use ramps to perform better and higher wheelies, and hop over small obstacles. As testament to his teaching skills, I suddenly found myself able to lift that front wheel what felt like a yard into the air.

Memories of walking my battered BMX into school for my cycling proficiency test in 1990 came flooding back. It only had one gear and looked rubbish next to all my mates' shiny mountain bikes.

But in an instant, I had banished those demons and felt like the coolest kid in the playground.

For information about beginner and improvers' cycling courses at Trosley Country Park, call 01732 876166 or e-mail leisure.services@tmbc.gov.uk