Wise Words - Family Cycling

Cycling with your family can be really rewarding if you do it right. With the right kit, and more importantly, the right attitude, it can be a one way ticket to healthier days out, throughout the year.

On the Ride

Pace: forget your usual training pace. You need to ride at the pace of the slowest rider. Any faster and you'll receive a continual stream of complaints from behind.
If there are big differences between your family's abilities, try to even things out. I never ride my 'fast' bike when out with the family. If you're the fittest of the bunch, offer to be the 'mule' carrying the family's kit and spares. If you've got a particularly young child, consider a trailer bike.
Don't try to ride too far or too fast in your first outings. Kids like a challenge but push them too hard and they won't come again.
For you it might be all about the ride. Your family may have different opinions. So try to mix in other activities. Break your ride at the park for a game of football, cricket, or hide and seek. Pick a destination that's not too far and has something for everyone.
For a first ride to get them hooked, consider a self contained mountain biking centre - look out for their 'Green' graded routes - these are short, not technically demanding and will be accessible and fun for a wide range of abilities.
Check out www.sustrans.org.uk to see what traffic free paths are in you're area. Most are well surfaced, fairly flat and will let you concentrate on the ride rather than traffic.
If you do venture onto the roads, plan your route carefully in advance to avoid busy roads and difficult junctions. You may be able to handle them well enough on your own, but riding with a group of other riders, of widely varying abilities is a different matter. Make use of Sustrans' map of lightly trafficked, recommended routes. Get some maps of your local area and use green space, traffic free paths and quiet roads to get you to your destination.
If you're riding on the road, we'd recommend that you and your family get some nationally-recognised on-road training.
If you're riding on the road and have got two adults in your group, make sure that one is in front and one is bringing up the rear, effectively sandwiching younger riders. This way, they can follow the example of the lead rider, yet be closely supervised by the rider at the rear. If you are alone with one or more child, you are better off letting them ride directly in front of you, as you can see them and anticipate risks and hazards. You can also maintain communication with them much more easily.
If you are planning a longer ride, make a day of it and break up the ride regularly with fun activities - take a kite or a football with you, stop for a picnic. Take in parks and beaches, interesting places. Check if there are any 'bailout' railway stations on the route.

Weather

Weather needn't be a barrier to getting the family out on the bikes. The old adage of 'no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes' rings true for family cycling. Keep them warm and dry and you'll keep them happy.

Children get cold fast. Make sure that your kids have plenty of thin layers so they can regulate their temperature. If you're riding with a child seat, trailer, or trailer bike, your young companion will almost definitely be colder than you. Pay particular attention to keeping their hands warm.
Wear a helmet. More than at any other time, you are a role model for your family.
Make sure everyone has a light waterproof jacket - even if it means that you have to carry them in your bag.
Take sunscreen on sunny days and apply it frequently. The air rushing past can mask strong sunshine. Sunhats under helmets for toddlers are also a great idea.

Child Seats

Child Seats are great for toddlers - as soon as they can sit up unaided and hold their head steady, they're ready - usually around 2 years old. Some fit to purpose made rear racks, others have brackets that attach to the seat tube.

Whichever type you get, make sure it is fitted correctly - get a bike shop to do it if you're not sure. Make sure that you don't exceed the maximum weight limit as well - not only will it put too much strain on the seat, rack and bike, it will have an adverse effect on bike handling. Also make sure your passenger wears a helmet. It's a long way down if the bike topples over.
Mounting and dismounting with a child seat in place can be difficult, as you can't, in many cases, swing your leg over the back of the bike. Practice mounting the bike by swinging your leg over the top tube. A compact or sloping top tube frame makes this much easier, as does a step thru frame.
You can get special neck support cushions for toddlers - great if they fall asleep in transit - which happens surprisingly often.
To keep your little ones dry in the Child Seat, the best thing is a baby poncho, this will cover most of their body and will work best in a seated position. It can also be put on and removed without having to unfasten the belt.
When coming to a rest, don't rely on a kickstand - make sure you lean the bike against something sturdy so you can unstrap your child without fear of the whole lot crashing to earth!
If you are carrying a Child Seat, your luggage carrying options are limited in that you can't use your rear rack. Also in many cases a backpack will be right in your child's face. I found the best option was a low rider rack and a pair of small front panniers. As well as providing lots of capacity for waterproofs, tools, food, baby bottles, etc it also helped with the weight distribution on the bike, both stationary and on the move.

Child Trailers

Child Trailers are great for young children who have outgrown the child seat but are not yet ready for a trailer bike or a solo bike of their own. They are also great when you've got two small children to take with you, for toting around shopping, dogs and other bulky items.

Child trailers are wide - know your route including the 'tight spots' - anti-motorcycle barriers on NCN paths are notoriously difficult to negotiate - impossible when you're on your own.
Make sure that you double check your hitching mechanism before every ride. Make sure that your brakes are tip top, as the extra weight of trailer and precious cargo will make itself, especially on the downhills.
You will be slower and more cumbersome that you are when riding slowly - adjust your route and your expectations accordingly.
Think about clothing. You'll be working hard and your passengers will be sitting still. Make sure they're warm enough.
Some child trailers quickly adapt into strollers, allowing you to maximise usage.

Trailer Bikes

Trailer bikes are great when your child is just making that transition from passenger to proper cyclist.

It can get them used to riding on two wheels, being on the road and learning how to position themselves on it. They will learn from your good (and bad) practice.
Trailer bikes hitch in two ways. Cheaper models (e.g. Adams) hitch to the seatpost. More expensive ones hitch on a rack, with the pivot point directly over the rear axle (e.g. Burley). The latter have a much less profound effect on bike handling and track better than the former.
For safety and peace of mind, consider fitting a rear view mirror so you can keep an eye on your riding buddy - you can make sure they are still happy/hanging on tight/there without turning around.
You can do a surprising amount of off roading with a trailer bike - it adds a whole new technical dimension to your riding!
Make sure that the lead bike has a rear mudguard, preferably full length, with a mudflap. Your young ride buddy won't than you for being liberally spritzed with road grime!
If crossing roads at intersections, be aware of the extra length of your rig, plus the slower handling and acceleration.
Make sure that your brakes are in tip top condition before setting off. The combined momentum of you, your bike, trailer bike and passenger is considerable.
A slicked up mountain bike is ideal trailer puller - an overbuilt frame, wide bars for leverage, low gears and powerful brakes seal the deal.
You can use the trailer bike as 'turbo boost' for hills, especially if your ride buddy has gears and knows how to use them.

Introducing Significant Others

Introducing your partner/spouse etc to riding can be a haphazard, even foolhardy notion. Don't try to press gang them into getting on the bike, but if they do show an interest, make their first ride a pleasant experience.

Don't go too far or too fast. Make the destination as important as the journey.
Play on the romantic side of cycling - a summer's day, countryside, wind in the hair - Don't try to introduce your non-cycling partner to cycling in the depths of winter or on your special, brutal, training loop.
Try to hide any hint that your partner's pace is frustrating the hell out of you. Adopt a 'long view' - if they get bitten by the bug, you'll have a lifelong riding partner and you won't have to justify all those 'essential' cycling purchases.

Have your say

If you've got any Wise Words for harmonious family cycling, send them in. We'll publish the best ones right here. Send your words of wisdom to info@everydaycycling.com with the words 'Wise Words - Family' in the Subject line.

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