Family Cycling Tips?

[llynnnn]

Hi

We would like to start cycling as a family. We have a bike trailer for dd2 (age4) and dd1 is 7 and can ride confidently now. I have visions of us cycling through the countryside and stopping for picnics etc!

Is this the reality? How do I find the best and safest cycle trails? Obviously with the trailer and a 7 year old we dont want to be going down busy roads at all.

Is there a website/book/any info about the best cycle routes available? Does anyone have any tips?

I realise we wont be doing miles and miles!

TIA

Check out the sustrans website for some traffic free and quiet lane routes : www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/national-cycle-network

With my 6 year old cycling and 4 year old on a trail-a-bike I would consider cycling to a park with a playground for a picnic and back again, 3-4 miles each way. They need the long break. But it takes quite a bit of prep (as do quite a lot of summer holiday 'free' activities!).

When cycling on roads I make both wear bright colours or a high vis vest - cars don't expect to see such slow moving cyclists so I like to make us obvious. Dd's trail-a-bike also has a flag I can attach.

I'm currently doing bits of road cycling with ds, he is slowly learning about placement in the road (not in the gutter!) and turning but will not lift his hands off to signal yet and prefers pavements whenever it is vaguely busy (as do lots of other adult cyclists around here!) so try to plan your route around cycle lanes/ really quiet roads, and make sure you are in speaking distance to them when on the road.

Hope you manage to enjoy a few rides this summer!

Thanks Sacha that's brilliant. I will have a look at that website.

I think I need a few local practice runs alone on my bike to really consider where the cycle lanes are and how busy etc. I know what you mean about free activity taking a lot of planning! Sure it will be worth it though once we get going.

Local council might have leaflets of cycle routes too. Is there a local cycle club?

I'm not sure bluechampagne, I'll have to investigate those. Thank you :)