As parents we know the difference between a good day riding with the kids and a fantastic day riding with the kids!
We have been on a cycling journey with our two children, Sophie & Oliver, from the moment they were able to go into a seat on the back of a hybrid bike or being towed in a chariot, progressing on their balance bikes, then riding their first bikes with pedals, riding on tag-a-longs being towed by Claire or myself, to mountain biking and road cycling. We have seen the joy they have both had from riding their bikes and learning a new ‘Life Skill’, we have picked them up when they have fallen off and wiped away their tears, we have shared in their successes, witnessed their frustrations and tantrums at not always being able to achieve their cycling goals.
There has been much laughter, some tears and many many great memories of riding our bikes and sharing a passion together from such an early age. We have taught them how to jump, do skids, ride down steps, ride on the road and how to be safe on their bikes. We have coerced, blackmailed and bribed them into riding further than they may have sometimes wanted and also pushed them too much and have been on the receiving end of a ‘cycling cold shoulder’ from them both. Out of all this we have learnt the difference between good days and fantastic days riding with our children.
Oliver has smashed me to pieces on an e-bike in the Italian Alps as I struggled to keep up with him on my road bike on a 10km climb, he loved shouting ‘Come on Dad keep up’! I realised as I puffed and panted that this was a glimpse of what is to come in a few years time as he continues to get stronger on the bike. What really made that trip for us all was both Sophie & Oliver riding the same climb on their standard road bikes. What a massive achievement for them both at the tender ages of 8 & 11 years old.
We know that it is not just the case of putting a child seat on the back of a hybrid and setting off. There are many more special little things that we, as parents, can do to make the days riding a great success. Here at the Andalucian Cycling Experience we have years of experience riding with our children and other families here on their holidays that we can share with our clients to make their family cycling holidays/days out a raving success.
Click here for more information on our family cycling holidays
