Bike Touring With Kids
Bike touring with kids? Seems daunting, but a number of parents have done it successfully with kids of all ages. John and April Fleck have ridden weekend bike tours with their kids aged 1 to 4. Here are John’s suggestions for making the trip work for both the parents and the kids.
JF: Our trips have been taken while our kids were between 1 and 4 years old. We incorporated two kid-carry options:
1) A full-size Burley trailer which is best for small kids, great for napping and hauling camp cargo in the back. Plus, the Burley provides shade from the sun to prevent sunburn or overheating, as well as protection from rain.
2) A rear rack-mounted kid seat, e.g. the Topeak brand. This provides a perfect seat for young children to ‘be a part of the action.’ The Burley is low and kids can’t see much. They will get fussy after a while sitting in there. For our older daughter I’ve outfitted a longtail cargo bike (Surly Big Dummy) so she can sit immediately behind me on the deck. The whole point is options. You’ll get a lot more pedaling done and make better time if you have a couple different seating options available for the kids to rotate between.
Did you have to bring their favorite teddy bear or stop more frequently so they could study bugs on the trail or play in a playground?
JF: Our strategy for keeping the kids happy included allowing each of them to fill a small bag with their favorite animal or doll as well as an assortment of crayons, paper and coloring materials. These are all things that could be played with inside the trailer while we ride. Stops are a must. Since we know the route to our favorite campground quite well we note all the possible park and playground stops. During this 25 miles trip, which takes just over 3 hours, we stop three times. The halfway stop is lunch. We try to arrange the stop at a trailside playground so they can stretch and burn off some steam before getting back on board for another hour of riding.
Did you have to motivate the kids ahead of time?
JF: Our kids love camping. I believe all kids love camping, adventure and the outdoors. It’s the attitude, whether excitement or aversion, of parents that can be the deal-breaker. We announce we’re planning a camping trip and their excitement builds as the departure date draws near. As our oldest daughter has grown up we commemorate the trips with some sort of new gadget or piece of gear appropriate for her, so it reinforces the specialness of the trip. This is nothing big and can be as simple as her own camping utensils or a new plastic cup. We also get the kids involved with meal planning and remind them how they can help cook at camp. We mention the highlights like swimming at the lake and watching bugs and wildlife. These are natural sources of wonder for children. It doesn’t hurt that we get into them too.
How did they handle the distance?
JF: We ride 25 miles out and 25 back to a basic drive-in campground at a state park. The kids handle the distance fine since we make sure to stop frequently. However, part of the beauty is we treat the ride like just another component of the overall adventure. Too often it seems that driving to a destination we act like the drive is a chore. The kids pick up on that tension. But when Mom and Dad are on bikes and we’re loving every minute, the kids share in that joy and relaxation as well.
Were the kids as excited about the ride back as the ride out to the park?
JF: The kids are definitely excited about the ride back. It’s not that they’re sick of camping, but they’re ready for the next part of the adventure. By this time we’ve spent several days in camp and they’ve seen everything laid out. When the packing phase begins they’re excited by the process of getting everything back into the small bags and loaded onto the bikes. How fascinating that we can create a comfortable, portable home away from home and just move it at will. It is a very cool thing to share this excitement through the eyes of your child.
What warnings signs did you watch for, such as heat exhaustion, fatigue or hunger?
JF: Hauling a Burley trailer can slow progress but it (or any other good kid trailer) is an invaluable tool for preventing problems of exposure. Shade from the sun is a good thing when you’re out on the bike for several hours. We apply sunblock to the kids generously before starting and make sure they have full water bottles within reach during the whole ride. We take breaks in the shade. It’s important to remember that if the kids aren’t pedaling they aren’t sweaty and hot like we are, so we dress them appropriately.
Hunger is less of an issue since kids will always let you know when they’re hungry. However, to preempt this we pack snacks for the them in the trailer as well, so they can nibble at will.
A note about carrying a kid on a longtail cargo bike – nodding off is a bad thing. If your little passenger is tired you need to get them into the trailer. I carry on constant conversations with our oldest daughter when she is riding the deck of the Big Dummy to make sure she’s alert.
How did you keep the kids going when they felt tired or cranky?
JF: We like to play the mileage game and tell the kids not only how far we have to go but how far we’ve come. This works really well if you’re beyond halfway! In addition, there are myriad diversions – “Oh, look at that (blank)” or “Did you notice that amazing field of flowers?” etc. It’s never a bad idea to reinforce the treats like a full meal or a swim at the beach that await us when we arrive.
Mentioning the big Dummy and how it helped you carry all of the gear is good information. Can you add to it? For example, did you pack certain things near the top that you expected to use during the ride? How did it feel to carry all of that weight, plus pull a trailer behind?
JF: The Surly Big Dummy is a unique and versatile bike that I believe is perfectly suited for family camping. It allows you to haul a kid and plenty of camping gear. Plus the frame works well with the universal style Burley trailer hitch. Just like a touring bike, backpack or canoe, it’s important to pack heavy stuff low. I like to strap the sleeping pads on the deck behind the kid seating area to create a backrest. With a trailer loaded and hitched to the cargo bike the cyclist is driving a rig that stretches nearly 11 feet and weighs perhaps 200 pounds or more (not counting the pedaler’s weight). This can seem unreasonable but when you get it up to a cruising speed of 12-15mph the whole system handles great. I’ve pulled a loaded Burley with a fully loaded touring bike as well and that was not as easy to maneuver or as enjoyable to pedal.
If you are in a partnership where one person rides more than the other this can even things out on a short tour. The added weight for the more experienced cyclist means the group has no trouble staying together. Everyone’s still having fun and getting a workout but you can pedal at the same pace and have a conversation.
Summary?
JF: There is no reason in the world to not tour with kids, whether you are a seasoned touring cyclist/backpacker or a total novice. The benefits outweigh the potential pitfalls. Your kids will talk about the trip and carry these memories longer than you. And the cool thing is they will remember the fun stuff while you’re busy recalling all the hassle and stress. One important point – be realistic. Don’t carry grandiose ideas of 50+ mile days and a rigid itinerary. Plan shorter days with plenty of stops and, above all, be flexible. Remember, the journey is part of the destination.
Posted July 29th, 2010 by Bikeverywhere