Go on a family cycling adventure this summer

There’s something about cycling that taps into your fun and childlike side, especially when shared with kids. Perhaps that’s why we find it so addictive.

If you have little ones, then you might find the idea of going on a cycling holiday slightly daunting, but we think that with some careful planning, there’s nothing more fun than setting off to see what adventures await.

Riding with kids can be hugely rewarding if you pick the right route and take the right kit.

Here are our top tips to keep the whole family smiling on your next cycling holiday.

Choosing your route

Make sure you check out our guide to how to plan a cycling holiday for some detailed tips on route planning and more.

When you’ve got kids in tow it’s particularly important to make sure your daily distances are easily manageable. Think about tired little legs or the added weight of pulling a trailer. Make sure you choose traffic-free trails or routes on quiet, cycling-friendly roads that are safe to ride.

Some of our favourite National Cycle Network routes for family cycling are:

• Hadrian’s Cycleway – This is a fun coast-to-coast cycling route that traces the footsteps of Roman soldiers. Over four or six days, you’ll pedal through rolling countryside and peaceful river valleys, before reaching the sandy shores of Tynemouth where you can enjoy an ice cream and a paddle to celebrate the end of your epic journey.
• Coast to Coast (C2C) – More challenging than Hadrian’s Cycleway due to the hills, this is a superb family cycling challenge and one that’s very achievable if you give yourself enough time. Over the 25 years we have been running C2C trips, we have seen countless families experience the thrill of pedalling across the UK together.
• Northumberland Coast (from Coast and Castles) – Northumberland boasts incredible sweeping sandy beaches and ancient castles and fortresses. It’s the perfect setting for a family cycling holiday.

If you fancy heading abroad, you could pedal along the Danube cycle path or go on the adventure of a lifetime in Costa Rica .

What to pack

In addition to your regular cycling kit, we have a few kid-specific recommendations:

• Helmet
• Sun protection – sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for off the bike.
• Swimming things and waterproof sandals for paddling.
• Pens, paper and other craft things for any activities you have planned.
• Decent warm layers and full waterproofs just in case.
• First aid kit.
• Snacks and more snacks.

Trailers and tag-alongs

If you’re holidaying with young children, then you’ll need to think about how to carry them or give them a helping hand on the bike.

Children aged one to four can travel in a bike seat. Some are designed to tilt which can be useful for napping. It’s also easy to have a conversation when they’re so close to you. Keep in mind that bike seats can make the bike feel a little off-balance, especially if your little one is a wriggler.

A trailer might feel safer and more stable. Plus, you have the added benefit of protection from the elements and plenty of space to store snacks, drinks and toys.

If your child can already ride a bike but isn’t quite old enough to manage the daily distances on their own, then you can use a tag-along – a kid’s bike where the front of the bike is replaced by a towbar that fits to the back of your bike.

Unlike a tandem, the bike can freewheel which means your child can pedal as much (or as little) as they like. If your child is still quite new to a pedal bike (typically aged four to five) then you could consider using a combination of a tag-along and a trailer, with one adult pulling each.

Using e-bikes

One of the things we love about e-bikes is that it makes cycling more inclusive, bringing friends and family together.

Having the boost of a battery is handy when you’re pulling the added weight of a small child and a trailer. It’s also brilliant if you have a mixed ability group.

We have seen a family of three generations pedalling together thanks to e-bikes, with one parent and two grandparents enjoying a pedal assist.

For safety reasons, we don’t rent out e-bikes to children under the age of 14 but otherwise we think they’re the perfect addition to your family getaway.

Logistics and luggage

Planning logistics and luggage is even more important on a family cycling holiday.

If you’re carrying your own luggage, then you’ll need some expert bike packing with all the extra kit (and essential toys).

It’s completely possible but often the reason why many people choose to holiday with a tour operator who can move their luggage each day and provide emergency support if needed.

Kids come with a lot of extras (see our kit list tips above) so it’s something we recommend so you can simply focus on the fun of the ride.

A centre-based holiday could be a good alternative option if you want to do a DIY cycling holiday.

Off-the-bike activities

In our slightly biased opinion, cycling is a lot of fun, but it’s a good idea to incorporate some off-the-bike activities too.

This could be a simple river or beach stop to paddle and throw stones, or you might have a specific attraction to visit along the way – a spooky castle or open gardens to explore.

Sometimes it’s about getting creative – making art with objects you can find in nature, photographing your favourite sights, stopping to do some watercolour painting or drawing, writing a travel journal/scrapbook or doing a scavenger hunt.

On-the-bike activities

If your kids are on their own cycles or a tag-along, you could set yourselves a nature spotting challenge or give them a bike computer to track your speed and mileage.

If they’re in a trailer then there are lots of options – listening to audio books, picture books, toys, colouring-in books and more.

If you already care for a little one, then we probably don’t need to emphasise the importance of having plenty of snacks. Keep them handy in a handlebar bag or similar.

Happy cycling!