kids bikes - have you taken them to french campsite? or not worth bother

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Just thinking about how we're going to fit everything in car. havent got a roof box and wondering if we need one etc. Kids getting on v ery well with bikes at moment and wondered about taking them in the summer hols over to france. We;re complete novices at driving over to france, campsite etc. Do people take kids bikes (kids not really big enough to ride anywhere but in campsite) or is it too crowded or unnecessary just cos there's enough to do or not enough room . Let me know your thoughts. thanks!!

Have only done one french campsite but do remember loads of kids on bikes.
Good idea to take them imo .

You may be able to hire them there if you haven't got room.

Yes loads of people take bikes for their children and we have done it several times. We haven't been able to for the last two years as we have flown but we are driving again this year and the dc are very pleased to be taking their bikes again! We put them on a boke carrier on the back of the car.

A bike carrier, obviously!

I always take a bike for ds, he doesn't mind cycling to the site shop for croissants but there's no way he would walk. He usually spends a lot of his time cycling round the site, making friends.

been camping 3 timses in France
always take kids bikes- would recommend it!

thanks for your reassurance re taking bikes a good idea. thats great. now have to look into bike carriers. any recommendations? silly question probably - has anyone put them inside car and the luggage on top? those bike carriers always look a bit scary to me - dont they block your vision at the back? reassure me!! I might have to open a new thread I think

You might want to look at the cost of bike carrier & if you will use extra petrol when using it versus the cost of hiring bikes on site.... We have always hired so far but might take our own this year as we bought a bike carrier recently. So we will be having a roof box plus bike carrier! The other thing to take into consideration is whether you will be making any overnight stops on the way there or back - some bike carriers are fitted in a way that means you can't open the boot when they are on so you would have to make sure you don't need access to the boot on the journey in that case...

Or if the bikes are small would they fit in the boot?

I'm temtped to get a trailer rather than a roof box and bike carrier - might be an option? Halfords have some good offers atm. We went camping in Germany at easter, and would def take the bikes next time. Hiring can be quite pricey, I think it was £7 a day for children's bikes, which adds up if you have several kids. Plus, at busy times they may not have availability.

If you take the pedals and front wheels off (both very quick and easy jobs at each end( and turn the front handle bars through 90 degrees, bikes are suddenly almost flat and they take up far less room and may well fit inside the car without the need for bike rack.

Not been to a French campsite for many years admittedly but much of my childhood (80's and 90's) was spent on them. We never had space for bikes so didn't take them but I always used to wish we did. Everyone had bikes and if you can squeeze them in, I would.

We have taken 4 bikes + a Thule roofbox on our estate roof!! Causes lots of "how did they do that" looks at the ferry ports.

Renting bikes can be expensive, but if you cannot fit them in then folding scooters may be an alternative.

Not much help to you but a few years ago my dd didn't have a bike on the french site we were on but all her mates did. Someone had thrown 2 very old bikes away by the bins so a handy friend with a good tool kit took all the best bits and made a great bike for her! She still uses it every year , it's fine and she loves it.
Definately try and take yours with you!
Have a good trip

Oh thank you for all these helpful comments. MMm taking pedals and wheels off sounds like a good idea. I did wonder about bike racks and opening/closing rear hatchback type boot door. I need to ring up eurocamp and tell them we will have extra height/and or length. no doubt extra cash for more space on ferry.
What do you recommend - Halfords? Is Thule a special make. Sorry guys I will do some research!! cant expect you to answer ALL my questions!! thankyou for all your comments re the bikes. I think we will defo take them even if it means we cant take any clothes!!

I think Thule make Halfords own brand roof boxes as well as their own brand.

Bike racks do not count as extra length on ferry (unlike say a trailer). Roof box may or may not count as overheight depending on how tall your car is to start off with and what the total height (inc roof box) would be and which ferry company.

no to much hassle with bigger bikes

we hired.

take or hire, either way it is a legal requirement that children cycle and hang out at the toilet block at french campsites. if you don't comply your dh will be punished by being made to wear speedos.

mine have never hung out by the loos.

that is becuase they are odd

rofl.

kisses to you btw

We always take all our bikes - the kids spend hours riding round on the campsite on their own. And we go for rides together!

and a smooch back

girlish giggle