The average age of cyclists in the Netherlands is +/- 35. For many, this is an age when the word ‘family’ is mentioned more and more often. A family almost always means making choices. Choices between cycling and the family. But what if you don’t have to make that choice? In this article, guest blogger Ruth tells how to best approach it. After all, the best adventures don’t have to be big and overwhelming. If you want to share your love for cycling and bikepacking with your children, that’s easier than you think. She went on a camping trip with her young daughter twice already. In this blog you’ll find five tips that will help you get started in no time. bikepacking You can have adventure with your young child or children.
Photos and text: Ruth Koops of ’t Jagt
First timers
The first time I went on a bike camping trip with my daughter Evie was when she was four years old. Most people looked at me blankly when I shared my plans, but I was headstrong and went ahead. We chose a beautiful nature campsite about 10 kilometers from home, packed our belongings -from tents to sleeping bags and from toys to stuffed animals- well and firmly and enjoyed, despite heavy rain, a wonderful bike adventure that we will never forget. Now we have been on the road for the second time, this time to a campsite 20 kilometers away, with beautiful weather. Appletart on the way, horseflower blossoms and the first dandelion. We both can’t wait to be on the road again.
We often say at our home that you learn from trying things. And I have learned, over the years, how to properly and incorrectly pack a bike with young children. Because I hope to inspire others to take on these small adventures, I am sharing my most important lessons with you in five tips.
Tip 1. Stay close to home
Unless your son or daughter is Annemiek or Mathieu, you’d best choose a place to sleep close to home. Your pace will be much slower than if you go on your own or with your regular Wednesday night club. We averaged just over 10km/h with our daughter pushing me along. During our first trip, our first break was at a playground not even a kilometer from our house. Embrace that slow pace and remember: it’s not about the destination, but the journey there. It’s also a great opportunity to look at your immediate surroundings with different eyes: what are the beautiful things actually within a radius of 10 to 20 kilometers around your house? The kilometers you’d normally be still working up to are now the most important kilometers of your adventure.
Tip 2. Invest in good gear
Good equipment saves a lot of trouble. That starts with choosing your tent: we go on trips with the Quickhiker light 4 from Decathlon, a tent that I can set up on my own while the daughter is playing in the playground. Even though we’re only two of us, it’s still incredibly nice to have a tent that’s a bit larger. As for the sleeping mat, I’m a huge fan of the Exped Synmat Ultralight, to inflate with an ingenious ‘pocket’. Warm sleeping bags They are also a must: if you’re cold at night, you really sleep a lot worse. And you notice that the next day :-).
The first time I made the mistake of choosing small lightweight sleeping bags that are ‘comfortable’ at temperatures of up to 10 degrees Celsius. We knew that: in the end, I ended up lying in the sleeping bag with all my clothes and my down jacket on. For children, a thermo underwear set A real recommendation is real wool, for example from the beautiful Scandinavian brand Dilling. Of course, you can also ‘save’ on your luggage by choosing a hikers’ hut instead of a tent, and ordering pizzas instead of going out to eat. But the real magic comes when you cook fresh pasta on a campfire in front of your tent in the evening.
Tip 3. Patience is a virtue
Children remain children. A bikepacking adventure with young children works best if you consider it a big mindfulness exercise. Divide the route for yourself in advance into several blocks, and take regular breaks. And prepare yourself for the fact that much will be stopped outside those planned break locations as well. Because there is a playground. Because a horse needs to be fed. Or because your child has a tickle on his/her ankle. Sometimes you have to pick a bunch of flowers for the cuddle that is of course included. Because they are tired or because they want to cycle over a hill. So take your time and go out on the road with the right equipment. mindsetYou won’t be going anywhere soon, not far away, and that’s totally okay.
Tip 4. Drive slowly or without a car
Plan the route so that you don’t have to worry too much about screeching cars. Choose separated bike paths, car-free and auto-free roads, and leave the paved paths behind. Get on your mountain bike, because that gives you the freedom to choose unpaved roads, which are usually also car-free. That way, you don’t have to be constantly super alert to honking drivers or your child making a sudden move. And that’s a lot more relaxing when you’re biking. However, recreational e-bikers are often already challenging enough.
Tip 5. Don't carry too much hay on your fork or luggage on your back
There is hardly any luggage on your child's bike. The first time my daughter didn't even have a luggage carrier, so it was just a backpack with her stuffed animals in it. The second time we tied the sleeping bag under her quick-release straps. But that means you still have to carry most of the luggage. There was plenty of space in mine. bike packs, But not everything. That meant that I had the tent of about four kilograms on my back in a backpack, for example. And that is not a good plan, not only because of your posture on the bike, but also because of occasionally pushing your child along. Unless you can book a good massage at the campsite, that is really not recommended. I am now saving up for one luggage trailer before getting on the bike. Because when we start going biking more often together, that's for sure!
Sander's bonus tip: ENJOY!
Especially with young children, the destination or the distance or the speed are not the most important things. It’s mostly the moment you can share together. That’s ‘priceless’, as they like to preach at a certain payment company.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.