If you are a cycling enthusiast and have started your family, chances are that you will want to share your passion with your children as soon as they’re old enough to climb on to the saddle of a bike. Now, more and more families are choosing to opt for cycling vacations and with good reason.
A family bike tour through New York City. photo from W.E. Stedman Co. Bikes
Children generally love getting out on their bikes as much as their parents do, making it an ideal option for a fun family vacation that will keep the whole family happy and healthy without exceeding the budget. Thinking of taking a cycling vacation with your kids this year? Here are a few hints and tips:
Prepare Your Children
Although long cycling tours are a lot of fun, they can be a lot of hard work. Preparing your children for the journey the family is about to undertake, is key. The first step, before your vacation, take the family out cycling as much as possible in order to get your children used to being in the saddle for extended periods of time. Remember to praise your children as much as possible during these pre-vacation outings so they know how happy you are with their progress: nothing makes a child want to be successful in a new task quiet like the praise of their parents.
The family train enjoying a scenic bike vacation
Finally, encourage your child to be part of the trip planning as much as possible; let them choose certain aspects of the journey; and let them help in pack their paniers with a favourite toy(s) or other bits and bobs they’d like to have for the trip. The more involved your children feel, the more excited they will be for the vacation ahead!
Think Safety First
Whether you’re taking a short bike ride or planning a two week long bike tour, it is important to ensure that you are all cycling as safely as possible. The whole family should have bike helmets that fit correctly, wear bright, visible clothing and have a good understanding of the basic road safety rules.
A family outing into the backcountry on bikes. photo from Bikepacking.net.
You should also ensure that you have a good level of travel insurance that will cover not only your whole family in an emergencies, but also for your bikes. Some policies may class bicycling across certain types of terrain as a form of extreme sport and you may well need an enhanced insurance policy to cover anyone should they have an accident. It’s better to be safe than sorry and certainly worth checking, before traveling, that nothing threatens the validity of your policy while on vacation.
Take Plenty of Breaks
It’s important to remember that, while their enthusiasm is boundless, most children don’t have the same stamina as an adult. Therefore, scheduling plenty of breaks during your daily bicycle itinerary is key. Often breaks will occur naturally: when you are passing a scenic overlook, an attraction or when you see a play ground in a park where children can enjoy and let off steam.
Mom with their family touring bike. A solid but fairly light bike both that the family can ride with the two kids aboard. It featured a stiff, step-through frame with Workcycles AST geometry, long rear carrier for kiddy seat with panniers and hydraulic brakes. photo from Bakfiets-en-meer blog.
Even if a natural break does not present itself, it’s worth setting an alarm on your watch or phone to remind yourself to stop regularly. If you are travelling with very young children then carrying colouring sheets, crayons, and other light and simple distractions to give your kids time to rest their legs, play and explore. The break will probably do you good too, so everyone is refreshed and ready to continue their journey!
Try to Travel Light
Weehoo trailer in use. photo by SheBicycles on flickr
Although it is not always possible, try to travel as light as possible. Family vacations usually require several suitcases, particularly if you have young children or infants that still require diapers or formula. Excessive luggage just isn’t possible when you have to strap it to a bike or carry on your back. Your children’ pannier’s should not carry anymore than the toys and other trinkets originally planned, so you have to be savvy about what you choose to take and what you leave behind. The lighter you travel the freer you will feel and ultimately the more fun you will have on your family bike vacation.