Cycling can be a fantastic way for families to be together, be outdoors and work on being healthy. As kids, we learn how much fun bike riding is and what a great way to exercise, even if we don’t think about it as exercise. Continuing that hobby as an adult and including your family can lead to many years of enjoyment and memories.
Research Your Purchase
Decide with your spouse what kind of commitment you want to make to your new hobby. Decide where and what kind of riding you will do and what you may need for your children. Are they old enough to ride their own bikes or are tow behind carriers needed? Buy a bike that will handle the roughest terrain you plan to be in. Also make sure you don’t start off with too technical or specialized bike, just because their expensive doesn’t make them the best for your needs. Consider a bike rack for your vehicle in case you want to travel with your bikes. Biking vacations are growing in popularity, especially in ski resorts.
Seek Out Riding Areas
Most towns today are setting up bike paths for their residents and to capture tourist trade. These can be as simple as a belt route around the town or as advanced as black diamond runs at ski resorts. Decide what is the best route for you and your family. If you have young children, black diamond runs are not where they need to start. Make the rides enjoyable and build up from there and your family will be lifelong cyclists also. Investigate riding opportunities in your general area. Some places have several different riding experiences within half a day of drive and these trips are inexpensive and can add variety to your skills training.
Plan for the Trip and Emergencies
Take food, water and snacks for outings that will last more than a couple of hours or if you are going off road biking. Take a pack with you that contain a small bike repair kit, a small air pump and tire patches, bottled water or camel-paks and a gps system that can help you stay on track. Also a good first aid kit and a cell phone will help make sure you are prepared if something serious goes wrong. It’s also a good idea to have some extra padding if you go off road, including elbow and knee pads and padded gloves. Wrecks are inevitable in the wilderness and the more protection the less damage you or your family sustains.