AIBU to cycle 7 miles with my kids for the school run?

[Yestoday]

I have DC 9, 6 and 2. We have just lost our second car and it might be a while until we get it back (3/4 weeks maybe?). DH can take the 2 year old to nursery on his way to work but he’ll need to leave at 7:15.

I was thinking I can cycle the older two to school and back each day. It’s 3.5 miles each way. We practiced today and it’s about 40 minutes one way. It’s mostly on field paths and farm tracks so safe enough.

Do you think it’s doable? I’d take drinks and snacks and change of shoes etc. I’m thinking they’ll be knackered the first few days but will get used to it. DH thinks I’ll end up begging friends to give us a lift after a few days!

Have you got rain gear ?

We’ve got good raincoats. But might invest in some waterproof trousers. That’s a good idea. The weather is one of my 2 majors concerns, the other being the physical tiredness.

I think it will be fine and they will very quickly get a lot faster as they build endurance. It will also be so good for their learning, a really good way to get them alert and ready for school.

Have some waterproof trousers and jackets in a backpack. They can fold up small and don't weigh much.

Yeah, once you get into the routine of it, it will be easier and faster Hope for kind weather. Farm Tracks in particular sounds muddy though.

What time would you need to leave in the morning? Whilst it’s doable, it would be miserable! What if it’s a torrential downpour? Or really foggy?

That is a long way

Bad weather, cold, darker evenings

Beg for lifts and get it sorted now

Why does it take 40 mins to cycle 3.5 miles?

Ar4 the roads safe to cycle on would be my biggest concern.

On rough ground with young children who are not in the habit it could easily take that long, but I don't think it will be long before they get that time down by a fair chunk. Could even halve it probably.

Rent a car for the month? Courtesy car? Taxis on bad days?

Are they cycling on their own bikes or are they on the back of yours? I'd be tempted to get a bike trailer so at least you aren't held back by tired legs, but I'm not sure how much they are, so perhaps not reasonable just for a few weeks?

Oh sorry, edit to add i missed one was 9y. Probably too big then 🙈

We’d need to leave at 8am. 8:10 at the latest. I guess if it’s really raining I can call friends. Some of them already know about the car and have offered to help out - was just trying to find a solution the other days

There is nothing wrong with the weather, it's the clothes. You will all be fine. The DCs will be better behaved and ready to learn at school. They will want a lot more food and will also be better behaved. Exhausted children don't have the energy to run riot at home, they might be more mouthy though.

Snow is a condition that will probably stop the cycling!

Easily doable.

They’re on their own bikes. They’re pretty OK on their bikes, although there was some whining from the 6 year old.

I could put him on the back of mine, they’re pretty hefty though!!

I DEFINITELY haven’t factored in for snow!

Apart from crossing 2 roads at crossings we don’t need to cycle on roads at all. It’s bike paths and field tracks

it might be a hard first week. but it will get easier as they build stamina and get into the routine

when you collect them from school have a proper snack box for them. actual real food.
plus a few jelly babies etc .

make sure you have spare inner tubes for all of your bikes. plus the practical ability to change one swiftly. front and back wheel.
tbh, that would be my biggest worry.

OP, it won't be 'miserable'. A short settling in period and it will most likely be the highlight of your day. Exercise in the fresh air is fun and the weather is rarely as bad as it looks out the window once you actually get going.

It will set your kids up great for the day and help them form healthy habits for life.

Does that allow for any delay?

If your car is being repaired, can you get a courtesy car?

It was our first try. And 6 years olds stop a lot. But I’m very much hoping it’ll get faster. If not, that’s OK, I don’t want it to turn into an endurance training session every day, I just want to get there

I cycle literally everywhere and I'm oldish I'm adapted to it , but I don't love it in bad weather - not because of getting wet, but because of the way drivers aren't always great during a heavy rain storm.
Basically having decent bike paths is a must if riding with children.

It'll be fine - I thought you meant permanently! I had a tandem to share with the youngest and the other two rode in convoy, about 4.5 miles each way and it was really lovely to have that time together. Waterproof trousers are really uncomfortable and sweaty though - you can get something called rainlegs that go around your waist and cover the tops of your legs where the rain actually goes.

Pretty bad making a 6yo cycle 40 mins before the school day even starts. That will really be tough on them op. My kids do PE and sports at school so they would be so very tired.
friends have offered so do that. Meet them at their place to make it easy. Is car hire possible for at least part of the time

Yes - mud. Great point. When we did it today it was glorious weather and the ground was hard and dry. I do need to think about the mud. Perhaps have spare uniform in the bag just in case?