Why Cycling is an Excellent Option for Families on Holiday

When considering an activity holiday with family, friends or going solo, one of the most obvious choices tends to be cycling holidays, and with good reason.  Here’s a reminder list of the reasons cycling is one of the best options when planning future holidays.

Off the beaten track

Think of the access you gain to stunning natural settings and wondrous environs which you simply can’t achieve whilst travelling in the car.   Country lanes, cycle paths and woodland tracks completely inaccessible to other vehicles, offer up some real beauty that would otherwise be unknown to us had we not explored this way.

Dismounting and walking the cycle alongside us can sometimes be a necessity in order to access trickier areas but the cycle comes with us and we continue in the saddle when it gets more accessible again.  Can we do this in any other vehicle?  Not on your nelly! 

Exercise

So obvious, I should have listed it first but I’m keeping you on your toes – or your pedals if you prefer!  Usually, holidays have us griping about potential weight gain and getting out of shape as we anticipate the impending lack of mobility! 

Cycling holidays, even leisurely ones, demand a certain level of fitness which can only be of benefit.  When involving the whole family, this is a perfect way of introducing exercise as a fun activity for your kids.    They will grow up with fond memories of their cycling holidays and are more likely to adapt exercise into their daily lives when it’s experienced in such a positive way.

Camaraderie and teamwork

There’s no ‘I’ in team!  True indeed!  Cycling lends itself to a certain amount of organisation and enjoyable activity holidays require a good level of working together and teamwork for it to be both fun and rewarding as an experience.

So whether going on holiday with family or friends, the teamwork involved often deepens bonds with these shared experiences and strengthens ties when working together with the common goal of having fun!

Environmental

There’s the obvious reduction in fuel consumption seeing as you’re fuelling your own way through those heavenly settings with pure pedal power.  Not only are you not adding to the carbon footprint by cycling but you’re also not offering up any ‘immediate pollution’ to that beautiful countryside or landscape you’re exploring with your environmentally friendly cycle.

Expense

Now, depending on how serious you are about your cycling will determine whether or not you spend less.  Sure, you can tog yourself up a la Lance Armstrong and plan a visit of the Tour De France hotspots.  Flashing the latest in carbon racing bikes that may dint your wallet a tad!  But, honestly, cycling holidays can offer up more purse-friendly options than a great deal of other holidays out there.

To buy or not to buy

Hiring cycles these days has come a long way from the days I recall when Dad would be shakily perched on something that was akin to a penny farthing!  These days, hire shops at activity centres or individual outlets are really geared up with latest cycle models which suit the entire family’s needs.  Baby seats, kiddie trailers, tandems, you name it, they’re out there.  And these hire centres keep the cycles maintained and in plentiful supply so that there’s always something to suit each individual.

And owning your own cycle isn’t a hindrance with all the latest in cycle attachments for your car, caravan, 4×4, whatever it is you want to tack your bikes onto!  It’s a ‘have bike will travel’ scenario these days which can only be a good thing when considering this great activity for future adventure holidays.    Owning or hiring, either way, you’re guaranteed a great experience.

Biog:  Now that Charlie’s twin boys are too old for the bike trailer, she’s experiencing less exertion whilst they get used to increased pedal power!