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!

Sadly not. Well, they don’t, at any rate. Breakfast club, yes but nothing after school. That’s pretty common around here, lots of little village schools.

I think tomorrow we’ll have to just go for it! And as you say see how it goes. The first couple of days should be a novelty at least. They seemed tired like they’d done some good exercise today but not absolutely shattered which I guess is a good sign.

How far away is your Dh’s job? Can’t he cycle?

Thanks for the tip, I’ll get some goo!

unfortunately the main road to the village is pretty hairy. I think once I’ve got a bit more confidence I might risk it but I wouldn’t want to take 2 kids on it. There’s no pavement, 50mph and twisty.

I hear what you’re saying about the mud. I’m hoping it doesn’t get too bad on the next few weeks, and then we can do it again sometimes when the weather’s a bit drier next year. If it’s really impassable I reckon we could walk it in an hour. So we’d be late but not terribly. And then I’d beg a lift for the pick up and the next few days

I think give it a whirl and see how it goes. Hopefully you have a second car again soon x

I'm a cyclist and I think it will be fine and they'll get quicker. Soft ground/mud will really slow you down though. Is there someone who can help with an emergency lift on very wet days?

I'd totally do it. They'll be fine. A fit and healthy 6 year old should not be exhausted by that.

There isn’t a bus. Well, there is but it doesn’t go through the village until 10 o’clock so no good really.

I did this for a year with children similar ages to yours. Some of the route was off road, some on road and paved paths. Mostly flattish with one hill to get over each way. It was actually really enjoyable most of the time. Obviously some days there was tiredness and tears and once (only once!) a flat tire as it was getting dark. On the whole it was lovely, we chatted, enjoyed the scenery and the time together.

Sounds like our commute. We do all weathers except black ice - yes, even snow - it’s just slow going but we can lower the tyre pressure for traction and switch to the road as there’s fewer cars on a snow day.

I carry the book bags, shoes etc in my panniers which I line with rubble bags to keep them waterproof.

The DC have lined wellies for the cold days, trainers and waterproof trousers for the autumn and swap shoes once they’re at school.

Thanks to everyone for their posts - and all points of view! I think tomorrow we will have to do it, not many other options - and we will see how we go. It says the weather is dry here until Friday so we should have a good run of it.

Thank you for the tips of the trade - I’ll get waterproof trousers and dig out the wellies. I’ll also take the spanner and a puncture repair kit. Lights are also a good shout, and I’ve got some hi-vis vests somewhere which we shouldn’t need really but you never know, and it’ll certainly make them look the part.

I am fortunate that we do have friends going that way if we really are desperate but it’s a faff with car seats etc and might have to ask 2 to fit them both in so would rather keep it to emergencies and downpours. Or if it really isn’t working out with the kids (I mean more than a bit of whinging) and they’re not coping.

Wish us luck!

I won’t lie, in some ways I’m certainly hoping it will be quite the montage from a wholesome 1950s family movie and they’ll arrive at school with a rosy glow and a great attitude. I really hope we’ll actually enjoy it, and it’s a great memory to have.

I’m actually really surprised about how many people are saying don’t do it as they will be too tired.
I have a seven year old, he does a lot of exercise including sport clubs he is very fit and active. He would easily manage around one hour of exercise a day, I’d honestly be concerned if he couldn’t.

googlemaps says it would take him 1hr 50 mins. Plus, he’ll have to take the 2-year old to nursery on the way as there’s no way I can get her there, it’s completely the wrong way

We cycle to school, albeit not that far.

Take spare inner tubes, tools and tyre levers.

As a tip, small feet seem to slip a lot on wet pedals. Cycling is hungry and thirsty work and hands seem to get colder than you’d think.

There’s a thing called a bike taxi which is like a tow rope from your saddle to their front post. A friend swears by it. I’ve always thought that a bit of rope could do the same job. Might be worth considering taking something for the home trip that would do the same job.

Hi I think this is totally doable and could be a great adventure for you!

I cycle once a week with my kids on a Friday. We call it a Friday treat and they love it! It’s one of the only days they’re not in breakfast club.

we leave at 7.30/40
get to nursery at 8.30
School at 8.45
I’m at work at 9.10

we eat breakfast after two miles (jam toast on a bench on a village green)

it’s hilly, all twisty lanes
cross one main road

some thoughts:

hi viz for all
helmets!
flashing red lights for backs of helmets

will you have enough daylight as time goes
on?

We have snack breaks after the toast
their favourite is jelly cubes
they divide up the pack and have one in various gateways they decide on the journey

another thought - what will you do with bags?

I have an electric cargo bike so carry all bags and can whack up the electric to get to work after drop off

kids are 5 and 8 and cycling their own bikes
3 year old is attached to mine using a follow me tandem

I think having the OPTION of cycling is great, but being forced to cycle 40 mn each way every day is not reasonable. How many days off can your DH realistically take?

What do you do when the little one is sick and can't go to nursery?
You can bundle them in the car, you absolutely cannot put them on your bike.

What do you do when an older one is under the weather? Well enough to go to school, but not well enough to cycle in the rain.

What do you do when you have a phone call asking to pick up one who has just been throwing up?

What about punctures? Carrying their school project, etc?

Friends playdates? Kids clubs, sport, afterschool club? Birthday parties after school (thank god very rare, but kids do get the odd invite)

You cycle 4 times a day is doable, but it will hurt when YOU are unwell.

I do judge parents who have to drive everywhere, but in your case cycling is just too much and too far for the kids.

that's ONCE a week, and you can change plans whenever you want.

Totally different from being forced to do to it every single day.

Thank you for the tip about real food to have at pick up. I might make them a sandwich even.

i think if we get a real problem I’ll walk and go pick up the bikes in the car later that evening. I will look into inner tubes, I just don’t fancy my chances!

Wait though....40 minutes each way? So you'd be cycling about 3 hours a day by the time you've done drop off and pick up?

Nm the kids...will you be okay?! 🤣 Take snacks for mum!

This sounds delightful!

I’m hoping the daylight will be just hanging on enough for us until we get the car back

I think if the youngest is 6 and used to riding a bike then it is doable - how long have they been riding?
Mine did 2.5miles there and back every day from around age 4 but we are a cycling family so they were reasonably fast for how little they were and they were reliable at stopping and not crossing roads unless told to.
They weren’t that fussed about the rain they were actually drier in their all over waterproofs in the school line than those waiting to go in who didn’t have waterproof trousers. You’ll need lights and to make sure they are visible tho.

Ha!! I’ll have secret Dairy Milk in the back pack for me. And perhaps a gin.

Get one of these tonight cover back packs

We are currently NOT a cycling family so they’re reasonable but not brilliant.

ask me again in a fortnight!