to go cycling round framce with rhe kids?

[icecold]

Inspired ny a brief conversation with a friend of a friend, who said the cycle paths in France are really good. And flat

I don't want to do a cycling holiday in the UK, cuz of the weathert. It would be me and a 8 yold on her own bike, with 2.5 yold in bike seat, also pulling trailer with camping stuff in it. Or maybe stay in hostels?

I was thinking of only doing 20-30 miles a day, with plenty of rest days...

I wouldn't hesitate without kids. Is it daft to do this with 2 kids? Anyone done it?

Sounds totally doable to me.

But I wouldn't camp - requires too much stuff.

Sounds like fun. You could also look at campsites where you can rent a tent or a mobile home for a couple of rest days.

We cycled along some of the Canal du Midi (obviously flat!) with DS1 (8yrs) on a bike and DS2 (aged 4) in a trailer. DS1 managed 18 miles without too much trouble fuelled by a cake stop or two.

There are companies ( I think there are still companies, recession etc) that hire bikes out in France, they give you a route and you cycle it, each night all your camping equipment and clothing is at the next campsite waiting for you, I believe they also do the same thing but use b&bs instead, saves you carrying everything.
I can't see any reason why it can't be done

It's not necessarily flat we just cycled down the west coast, through the Pyrenees to Spain. It was ace. But not flat. North France towards Belgium is flat if you want that but perhaps not as warm

The person I was talking to, did east coast....to Biarritz (sp?)

There was a great documentary about a father who planned for months and bought all the kit for his kids and then the family set of from the south of England to cycle all the way to Gibraltar. The plans was that it would be a great cultural experience and educational too. The only notable thing that the two teenage girls took away form it was the one night in the youth hostel in the pyrenees with some spanish boys.

Haha novack!

I'm not after any cultural experiences. Just good cycling, good weather, good beaches, pain au chocolates, expressos and stubby beers

nobly thanks, will look into that. Not as adventurous as I prefer, but might be good for a first go with kids on my own. I could maybe organise my own back up crew....

How long at a time do you think is ok to have dd2 in a bike seat? She loves it, but we've only ever done maybe 2 hours at a go

Also, I don't speak French LOL. Will I get by with a phrase book? Do the French hate English people who can't speak the language?

Plan your route carefully to avoid any bigger roads, French drivers behave appallingly towards cyclists. I only live a couple of miles from work and would love to cycle there and back, but I only tried once and it scared the life out of me.

Ok, yes I'd want to stay off the road.

I think what I am most apprehensive about, is taking a wrong turn, having to double back, getting delayed with a screaming toddler who doesn't want to be in her bike seat any more, having run out of food and water, getting dark, having to camp in a dodgy place.....

That kind of thing!

I spose that is down to extreme planning

This might give you some ideas
about-france.com/tourism/cycling-holidays.htm

We cycled a bit of the purple route where it follows the Canal du Midi.

There are also lots of fairly cheap hotel chains in France if you don't mind a very basic room e.g. Formule 1 (tends to be close to autoroutes) and premiere classe or a bit more pricey Kyriad / Etap /Ibis. They can be a good fall back as you will find them in most medium sized towns and you pay for the room not per person.

An 8 year old cycling 30 miles a day, every day? and a 2.5 year old sitting still for however many hours it would take an 8 year old to cycle that far.
Doesn't really sound like a lot of fun for them to me.

The Vendee is good for cycling, flat and beaches. Miles of cycle paths, usually completely separate from the road although I have to say in my experience of cycling around the Vendee the French drivers are better than the English.

Does the 8 yr old regularly do 20-30 miles? That seems a lot to me. My DD is nearly 12 and would do 15, maybe 20 miles but she's very fit and I don't she could manage it day in day out.

I will look at the Vendee, thanks

I'm pretty confident the 8 year old could do it. And enjoy it. with plenty of rest days.

Not so sure about the 2:5 year old. Maybe we need a few practice weekends to see how we get on...

An 8 year old can.do 20-30 miles.

With the kids being so young, have you thought about the Netherlands instead for this kind of trip? At least for your first one, then go to other countries in future years once you feel more confident.

Unfortunately the Dutch weather is no better than here, but it's nice and flat with great bike infrastructure, lots of "family" hostels (the Stayokay chain is popular) and everyone speaks English.

The Ile de Re is wonderful for cycling. How about camping there - you could fly the bikes to La Rochelle and cycle over the bridge - and doing daily day trips to explore the island?

There is a cycling bus that leaves the uk and travels down to spain - dropping cylists of on the way and picking them up on the way ack. You can cycle all of one way or just get dropped off - google cycling coach to get thier route.

I have cycled in france and it is ok - but not exactly flat If you want flat and really child friendly being able to cycle between campsites and hostels then pick Nedertherlands esp Zeeland which is fab and easy to get to

I second the Ile de Re... So beautiful, flat, amazing bike paths. I recommend camping interlude, then cycle off from there every day....

Oh! Im so excited! Thanks so much for the info about Ile de Re and the cycling bus...that sounds a completely perfect solution!

Tempted by Holland, but the weather will really make a big difference with teh kids...it'll be miserable if we get wet more than a couple of times

Am off to do more research...cant wait!

Netherlands is flat but with flat landscape you can get terrible headwinds which will knock the joy out of a day's cycling. It's very hard work riding in windy conditions.

I think it would be great. But a word of warning - flat is not always good. I grew up in the Fens, where it is really flat. There was always a head wind (even if you turned round and went back the way you had come !), and never a chance to freewheel because no hills.

Trailer and camping sounds like more hassle to be honest.

I have a friend who has done it in Germany with a child of about 7-8. I think they covered 15-20 miles a day.

Sounds lovely; I did the same with my DM when I was a bit older and it was possibly the best summer I've ever had. We took the bike bus and stayed in youth hostels as we cycled up the Rhine from Strasbourg to Lake Constance. Cycle paths all the way, woods, beaches, waterfalls, a theme park somewhere along the line. Loved it.

I think you are very brave!!!