Beginner family bike trip: where to start?

Good evening, Yes, you’ll need to gear up a bit to get started, but in my opinion, it’s not necessary to invest in high-end equipment unless you think you’ll be doing more trips in the coming years (I imagine that’ll depend on your first experience too). For bikes, standard ones are enough for most routes you’ll take. You might need to equip them with rear racks and possibly front ones unless you opt for a trailer. Front panniers are great, but you’ll need to test them a bit—it takes some time to find your balance at first, and don’t overload them. So, you’ll need to choose panniers. The best-known brands are Vaude and Ortlieb, but you can also find them at Decathlon/Intersport, usually at a better price. It’s up to you. We started with Intersport panniers and recently invested in Ortlieb waterproof ones—they’re sturdy and reliable. You might also need a lightweight tent if you decide to camp. Watch the weight—ideally, I’d say no more than 4 kg (for a 4-person tent). There are specialty stores, but for us, we bought a lot online from specialized websites. For your 5-year-old daughter, you can keep her in a trailer, but she might get a bit bored, or you could invest in a FollowMe. It’s a bike attachment system for kids (up to 20-inch wheels). The child stays on their bike but can still pedal since only the front wheel is slightly raised. The system is a bit expensive and heavy, but super reliable. The child doesn’t lean left or right like you sometimes see with tow bars.

You can check out our different blogs mentioned in the signature if you’d like—maybe they’ll answer some of your questions. And I’m here if you need anything else.

Happy preparations! Olivier

You go to the local bike shops and pick the one you feel most comfortable with, but a bike from Decathlon should already be enough for a first try. Good choice! claudio

Hi Carole,

In addition to gear advice, to keep the kids motivated, don’t hesitate to take breaks along the way to: catch butterflies, look for tadpoles, visit a chapel, etc.

Campsites are great for making new friends for the evening, and there’s always a playground.

Plan a backup option a little before your main plan in case fatigue sets in too early in the late afternoon.

From my personal experience, setting up the tent and eating outside is just as important as riding bikes for the kids.

I always find it interesting to take a bike route along small roads that lead to places we usually drive to. It helps you notice things, become aware of distances, and the motorized world we live in.

Simon.

Hello,

First of all, a big thank you for your reply.

About the follow me, I’d already heard of it, but it’s actually quite expensive. Do you know if we can find one second-hand?

We (my husband and I) have a B’Twin, and I went to Decathlon to look for a bike for my teen... but the choice isn’t obvious at all. Specialized bike shops (like Véloland) or local stores are very expensive... I’m thinking of going for second-hand, but I’m not really sure what we should watch out for...

Aren’t there any websites for selling second-hand cycle touring gear online?

We’re already planning to start with a short 4-day trip during the April holidays... but we live in a very hilly area, and I’m worried the climbs will be tough!

I’ll check out your blog right away.

Have a great day.

Carole,

You're right, the follow-me bike is a bit pricey, and it's really hard to find second-hand ones because they're in such high demand. We bought two and sold one two years after our first use. It sold really quickly and for a fair price. So you can buy a new one, and I don’t think you’ll have any trouble selling it when you no longer need it.

As for second-hand gear websites, I don’t know any.

For your teen’s bike, just get a basic one from Decathlon and add a luggage rack—I think that’ll work just fine.

Safe travels and happy planning! Olivier

Hi Sims

You're right—sleeping in a tent and picnicking are super important for the kids... We're counting on our oldest, who's a Scout, to help us out.

Thanks for the great tips! Have a good day.

Hello,

For second-hand bikes, try here: https://www.troc-velo.com/

Hello, I agree with what was said above about gear and what Sims mentioned about keeping the fun for the kids. We also started with very basic equipment: the bikes we already had, which weren’t at all "designed" for travel, basic panniers... and we only invested later when we were sure we wanted to do longer routes, spacing out purchases based on our budget, needs we noticed during trips, and desires. We only had a child trailer that we already used for day rides. Later, we invested in a FollowMe tandem attachment and were really happy with it. Definitely don’t hesitate to make plenty of stops with the kids—everything can be an excuse for a break: playgrounds, picking wild fruit, bakeries, (more or less) picturesque villages... or just a shady spot for a snack break! The length of each stage also depends on their energy, their mood, the weather... and we often chose very flat routes—no desire to put them off biking! They’ve always wanted to keep going, and that’s still the case today! A few photos and ideas on our site. Happy planning!

Hi, It's definitely best to start with easy routes so the kids (and sometimes yourself!) don’t get discouraged... You’ll find route ideas on the site: www.af3v.org. There should be some in your area—these are greenways, easy, safe, and perfect for getting started. Happy planning! jacques.

Hi there, just FYI, on the cycling touring website there’s a special second-hand section where you’ll find everything for bike-camping trips. It might be worth taking a look! 😉

Hello,

In my experience, the follow-me system is the most effective and highest-quality bike-trailer solution. It resells extremely quickly at a good price (high demand). Tow-bar systems aren’t very practical or comfortable for kids. However, they’re a good option for towing an empty bike if your child switches between a trailer and their own bike.

For bikes, to start with, it’s best to go for standard models that can fit racks. Alternatively, there’s the option of a cargo trailer towed by a parent. When buying a bike in a modest price range, check the peripherals (gears, brakes, derailleur, etc.). It’s better to buy a second-hand bike with a good groupset (derailleur, gears) than a new one with lower-quality components.

For young kids, make sure the brake levers are suited to their finger length and strength. The same goes for shifting gears (finger strength).

For really nice flat family routes, look for greenways built on old railway lines or along canals/rivers. Trying to do a loop isn’t always the best or easiest option. In that case, plan for a one-way trip where a parent takes the train or bus back on the last day to pick up the car, for example.

Wishing you all some great family rides!

Simon.

I can only recommend the Loire à Vélo. Given the number of families with kids I’ve run into there, it’s perfect. For the bike, a Decathlon one is enough. After that, it depends on where you’re starting from!

Hi Cariana, We took our first family bike vacation this summer (we have two little ones, 14 months and 3 years old). For this trip, we opted for a cargo bike. We found the concept super practical—my husband had both kids behind him (they loved it!). We were a little worried about the youngest since he was barely a year old, but after some research, we learned you can take a baby on a cargo bike from 9 months (here’s the source for anyone who’s skeptical: https://gaya.bike/blogs/journal/faire-velo-avec-bebe). We loved this experience! Are other people traveling with cargo bikes?