Bicycle Touring with Children

Do you spend your days dreaming of taking off with your children to explore the world? You’ll ride camels around the Egyptian pyramids and gaze in wonder at the graceful domes of the Taj Majal – with your children by your side. You’ll take buses from town to town, fly from country to country, and explore back streets by donkey cart. But travel on bicycles? With children?

I have now cycled about 21,000 miles with my twin sons (now 12) in the past few years, and can tell you that traveling by bike may just be the best way to travel – even with kids!

Most families opt for buses or planes to travel the world, but they miss a lot that way. The motor allows you to easily reach the next city, so you tend to skip the small villages. However, it’s the small villages that have retained the character of the country. In today’s world, cities have become increasingly generic, but villages have not. Travel on bike allows you to spend time in the villages, thereby getting to know the countries you pass through more intimately.

Motorized vehicles encase you in steel and glass and isolate you from Mother Nature. Traveling on bicycle without the protective layer of your vehicle around you, you’ll be more in touch with nature. You’ll feel the wind in your hair and rain on your cheeks. You’ll grind up hills using muscle power only, so will truly understand what those hills are. You’ll feel the effect of altitude on temperature as you climb into the mountains.

But perhaps the most important part of bicycle touring with children are the life lessons they learn from their bikes. They learn lessons that will carry them through life – through all the hardships and struggles they’ll face. They learn to persevere and know they can come out victorious in the end. There are times when only through teamwork can you reach your goal. And sometimes, all you can do is focus on getting through the next 60 seconds and forge ahead.

Can kids learn those lessons by traveling another way? Sure. But the lessons come a whole lot easier on bikes!

Nancy Sathre-Vogel has been bicycling with children for more years than she cares to think about. She is now cycling from Alaska to Argentina with her sons as they attempt to break the world youngest to cycle the Pan American Highway. This and other unique content ‘bicycle touring with children’ articles are available with free reprint rights.

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February 24 2010 | cycling | No Comments »

Spring time is quickly approaching

With spring quickly approaching, many parents are looking to purchase a running bike for their young child. Running bikes are very popular during the spring and summer months. This specific type of bike is designed to teach a toddler balance and steering skills before they move up to a traditional bicycle. Sometimes referred to as balance bikes, running bikes are wonderful training aids for young children. In addition to perfecting balance skills, these bikes also improve coordination. Running bikes do not have pedals or chains, making them a safe choice for all toddlers.

Running bikes are favored by parents who have children between the ages of two and five. This is a great age to begin teaching kids how to balance on a bicycle. Running bikes are much better than bikes with training wheels. This is because the child can focus just on balancing without having to pedal the bike.

Since there are no pedals, the running bike must be propelled by a parent or an adult that is with the child. The adult simply has to walk or run beside the bike, allowing the child to steer and learn how to balance.

Running bikes can be made from various materials, including wood and metal. They can range in price, but they are generally affordable. Running bikes were designed to provide a transition between a tricycle and a bicycle. Toddlers benefit from running bikes more than a bike with training wheels. This is because they can focus on the skills they need to master without having to pedal the bike at the same time.

Intrea carries a full line of balance bikes for toddlers. They are available in various colors, including black, red, green, blue and pink. These bikes are crafted with the best materials, providing the best quality for the cost.

Running bikes are become more and more popular. These are great teaching tools. They allow the child to learn while having fun. It also offers a great way for parents to interact with their children. Since there are no pedals to propel the bike, a parent must accompany the child and move the bike by pushing or pulling. Running bikes are one of the best ways to prepare any toddler for the real thing.

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February 13 2010 | bikes | No Comments »

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