A cycling trip with the family

More and more parents are finding the idea appealing, and it’s growing rapidly in popularity – heading out on a cycling trip across France, visiting plenty of places, taking the time to relax, making discoveries and even new encounters. 
Beyond a cycling trip being an appealing notion in itself, being able to share it as a family is piquing the interest of many families looking for new experiences. The idea for many is to keep it simple, travelling without too many possessions, making do with what’s required for one’s daily comfort. For many, it’s also about experiencing a slower pace of life, pedalling along, stopping, visiting, tasting local specialities (including, say, ice creams from a local producer!), travelling at one’s own rhythm, making the most of the little pleasures in life.

If embarking on your first cycling trip as a family, we advise you choose a stretch along an easy portion of cycle route, for example with stretches of greenway (voie verte in French) and relatively short daily stages, between 15km and 25km in length, to see how you get on. La Flow Vélo is a perfect cycle route in these respects. Don’t overestimate what the family can do. Overdoing it can lead to cramp, or worse, muscular exhaustion, which might lead to having to cut short a cycling holiday. Also consider what your children might be capable of. For example, if they haven’t had enough sleep or rest, you’ll soon find out how hard it is to get them motivated, even if they’re being pulled along in a trailer! So, make sure to factor in frequent stops and make the most of breaks to visit things or try out other activities. And if you’re unsure about committing to a whole cycling holiday, then do test out the concept, simply taking the family on a day’s cycling outing close to home as an experiment. 

An enriching experience 

Young and old alike will delight in all the discoveries to be made on each day’s cycling. Every day, as you cover the kilometres, your family will learn lots of new things together, admire new landscapes and meet new people. On top of all that, on your family cycling trip, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter other families, encouraging parents to chat among themselves while the children take the opportunity to play together. 

In a child’s development, this kind of experience can be very enriching. It can plant in their mind that little seed of curiosity and a thirst for adventure, opening their horizons, encouraging them to become at least as adventurous as their parents! Developing the senses is also a significant benefit, helped by playing outside, touching the ground, wandering around in bare feet, even allowing a child such little things as getting dirty or scenting a flower! A cycling trip offers the ideal opportunity for kids to develop their five senses, even a sixth sense, if they’re very lucky!

A cycling adventure is also a good way of demonstrating to children today that having fun doesn’t have to involve a screen. Let them experience an old-fashioned holiday like ‘when I was your age’, involving plenty of fun out of doors playing such classic games as hide-and-seek or off-ground tag. Nowadays, it’s become an all-too-easy fallback to suggest to our children to go and watch TV or play on a games console to keep them from getting bored or to calm them down. But let’s not forget the benefits of the great outdoors; there’s nothing better for getting children to let off steam, and for calming them down.

Getting organized before riding out 

Even if a cycling break, however short, may seem a doddle, it does require a certain amount of organization. Reflect on the multiple possibilities during a cycling trip: all those kilometres to ride; the sun and the rain; how each day might pan out; sleeping and breaks; little accidents along the way, such as those that require a change of nappy, etc. The hardest part is being prepared for all such eventualities when you can only take what fits in your little bicycle panniers… but we don’t doubt that you can do it and will manage everything very well! We do suggest, though, that you consult our section dedicated to preparing for a cycling trip…  

Stick to the essentials. Only pack a few changes of clothes, remembering that a handwash timed with sunny weather to dry clothes is a pretty effective option. Or then, if you choose campsites over wild camping, the washing issue can be solved by checking in at campsites that offer a laundry service. Read more on such matters below, consulting our checklist.

Regarding equipment to take for a fairly long cycling trip, you can’t cut corners. On top of that, when you’re taking the kids along, you need to take the matter seriously. One no-brainer – a bicycle trailer is more comfortable than a baby seat for a little child. Bicycle trailers come with space for either one child or two children. They’re much more comfortable than having to ride with one’s back upright at 90º the whole time. You might look, for instance, at Les Petits Baroudeurs to help you decide on the best trailer for your trip. Another practical reminder – get your bike(s) serviced before you start out, so as to avoid any nasty surprises. And consider learning some of the basics before setting off, such as how to change a bicycle inner tube or how to put a repair patch on a puncture…

Bicycles and trailers to suit both parents and children 

For your precious little ones, there are several options. First, if they are old enough to ride a bike, then let them spread their wings… on a bike of the right size for them, so that they can experience the adventure to the full for themselves. Otherwise, the FollowMe tandem hitch, for example, is a great way of fixing your little one’s bike to yours, allowing your child to ride at the same rhythm as you. Or then, as already mentioned above, the classic bicycle trailer may be the best solution, in particular for very young kids.

On safety, don’t forget: a first-aid kit for little scrapes; sun cream, of course; a suitable helmet for everyone in your group; and a high-viz jacket so that everyone is easy to spot if needs be. 

Make every cycling day a pleasure

To ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible on your cycling trip, the key is good organization. That’s the secret to enjoying a peaceful cycling holiday! Plan a daily programme, with a pretty clear outline of each day’s stage, the number of kilometres to ride, the meal plans, the weather forecast, the visits you might undertake… the last will help ensure that you don’t miss little gems that you’re riding right past on the cycle route. 

To really enjoy a cycling trip with children, as we’ve already mentioned above, don’t try to pack too much into each stage of the journey. Think of your comfort as well as that of the children. And remember, one important aim on such a cycling adventure is making the most of a certain dolce vita, taking your time, simply admiring all that you can see along the route.

Careful organization will help your children really enjoy the cycling trip, anticipating too that they may occasionally lose their rag on such a trek, for example when tiredness gets to them, or when the weather proves unpredictable. Factor in, according to the kids’ ages, and particularly if they’re not cycling on their own bike, activities that will allow them to let off steam (when they’re not snoring away behind you!). In addition, pack some games, remembering that you can find mini-versions of certain games, to entertain the family at your campsite or other accommodation after a long day’s cycling!

Checklist for a family cycling trip 

Remembering that bicycle panniers only offer limited space and remembering our recommendation to avoid a backpack, as it can quickly become uncomfortable cycling along, it’s still important not to forget the essentials, as any lack of the basics can prove pretty irritating on a family cycling trip. But don’t over-worry either, as you’re not heading into the wilderness on our cycle route, so you should be able to find any items you may be missing in many a little supermarket along the way. 
So, check on the following:

TO SLEEP WELL

• Mattress
• Duvet
• Cushion
• Tent

To be adapted according to your choice of either staying in campsites or camping wild. Or then you may prefer to stay in more permanent-style accommodation, such as hotels, B&Bs or rental gîtes, all easily found along our cycle route.

NOSH OR GRUB!

-Carry a few vitamin bars or high-calory energy gels (edible carbohydrate gels) to combat moments of fatigue along the cycle route.

Given that on a cycling trip you need to stick to the minimum, it’s really difficult to ride along with all the food you’d need to be fully independent on such a journey. Remember that there are many eateries to be found along the route, including snack bars, or then plan to shop for food on a daily basis, making use of the grocers’ and other shops you’ll pass on your way. 

FIRST-AID KIT

• Sun screen 
• Biafine, or a cream against sun burn
• Paracetamol
• Plasters
• Anti-mosquito cream
• Cream for bites
• Tick tweezers
• Disinfectant spray
• Bandages and dressings

ESSENTIALS

• Hat or cap to avoid sun burn 
• Sun glasses for young and old alike 
• Big bicycle panniers 
• Basic wash kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, solid soap, cloth)
• Water bottle or flask for drinking water
• Little solar panel for recharging your mobile’s battery (plus charger and adapters, etc, obviously)  
• Baby changing equipment: nappies; wipes; cream 
• Rubbish bags 

SAFETY 

• A helmet for everyone in your group 
• Gloves, to avoid grazing your hands should you have a fall 
• High-viz jacket, so that everyone can be easily spotted
• An extender to help distance vehicles from your bike, if you feel the need

So, are you ready to get cycling now?