I love adventure and the vast, open countryside that stretches across Great Britain. As a parent, one of the things I hope to pass on to my children is that love of the outdoors. It doesn’t have to be about speed, distance, or setting personal bests. Sometimes, it’s simply about getting outside, slowing down, and appreciating everything around you. Here’s how I helped my children develop a love for bikepacking.
Since they were young, I’ve taken both of my children bikepacking, and the fact that they still ask when our next trip will be is something I hope continues long into adulthood.
For many people, the idea of bikepacking alone can seem daunting. Most routes are associated with huge distances, challenging terrain, and long days in the saddle. With children, though, those numbers simply don’t matter. The adventure is the destination, not the mileage. If you’re thinking about taking your children on a bikepacking trip, here are my top tips for making it an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Start small
Even the best children’s bikes are relatively heavy when compared to the size and power of their riders. Add luggage into the mix, and even a short climb can become a real struggle.
For children, the riding itself is only part of the experience. The real excitement comes from sleeping away from home, cooking outdoors, and having an adventure together. Choose an easy route and do everything you can to make that first trip enjoyable rather than challenging.
You also don’t need to travel far. Some of my favourite overnight trips have been less than five miles from home, riding to a beautiful viewpoint, watching the sunset, and simply enjoying the evening together.
Route planning is key
Forget what you think your children should be capable of, and don’t worry about average speeds or covering big distances. Less time or distance can often mean more fun. When riding with your kids, ticking off tricky sections or topping fresh FKTs isn’t the aim of the game. Keep it simple and keep it easygoing because at the end of the day, it’s about your kids’ enjoyment as well as your own.
Traffic-free cycle paths are often ideal for family bikepacking trips. Near me, the Towy Valley Path in Carmarthenshire and the Mawddach Trail in Mid Wales are perfect examples, offering easy riding and opportunities to stop and enjoy the surroundings.
Route-planning websites and apps can also be useful, although I would avoid relying on them completely as they are not always perfect. Use them to check elevation profiles, gradients, and surface types, as well as to identify traffic-free sections. A little planning beforehand can make the difference between a trip that builds confidence and one that’s simply too much, too soon.
Carry the load yourself
On every trip we’ve done, I’ve always let the children carry something, but I’ve made sure it’s light. It helps them feel involved and gives them ownership of the adventure without making the riding unnecessarily difficult.
A favourite toy, a lightweight item for the campsite, or a change of clothes is often more than enough. There are also some good-quality kid-specific backpacks on the market, and these can also be really useful.
Keep an eye on the forecast
Few adults enjoy riding all day in the rain, and children certainly won’t.
Unless you’re tied to a specific date, be flexible and plan trips around good weather. Dry trails, warm evenings, and clear skies make the whole experience far more enjoyable and create the kind of memories that will make them want to go again.
Don’t be afraid of a little luxury
Bikepacking doesn’t have to mean wild camping with the bare minimum of equipment, and with kids in tow, it’s useful to make things as comfortable as possible.
Campsites, youth hostels, or even a guesthouse can be a brilliant way to introduce children to overnight adventures while reducing the amount of kit you need to carry. Hostels are particularly good, with kitchens, toilets, and showers making everything much simpler, and many also offer private family rooms.
It’s also worth thinking about using public transport for sections of the trip. Catching a train for part of the journey can turn an otherwise ambitious ride into something much more manageable.
Pack something to do when you arrive
Once you’ve reached your overnight stop, it doesn’t have to be straight into bed.
A pack of cards, Top Trumps, a travel game, or simply a notebook and pen for a game of noughts and crosses can provide plenty of entertainment and become part of the adventure itself. A small notepad can also allow them to write a diary and give something to look back on, or use a phone or action camera to create a video of the experience.
Always have a backup plan
Even the best-planned trips don’t always go to plan.
Think about where you could shorten the route, turn back, or finish early if someone is struggling. If you’re aiming for a campsite or hostel, have an alternative in mind in case something throws a spanner in the works. A little forward planning can prevent a minor issue from becoming a disappointing end to the trip.
Build in rewards (or ice cream)
It doesn’t have to be an ice cream stop, although that rarely goes down badly.
Breaking the ride into smaller sections with something to look forward to at the end of each one makes the whole journey feel much more achievable. It could be a café, a picnic, a playground or simply stopping to skim stones across a river. Those small moments often become the highlights of the day.
Use a little assistance
There’s no shame in making things easier. There are some excellent products designed to help families enjoy longer rides together.
My preferred setup is an e-bike paired with a Burley Coho XC cargo trailer, which gives me plenty of carrying capacity without worrying about luggage space, along with a Kids Ride Shotgun tow rope for the tougher sections or if they get tired. However, an inner tube or similar would work nearly as well if you’re in a pinch
If you live somewhere relatively flat, an e-bike probably won’t feel essential, and even in hillier areas it’s perfectly possible to manage with an unassisted bike. From personal experience, though, I’d strongly recommend planning routes that avoid long sections where you’ll end up pushing heavily loaded bikes. Keeping the riding enjoyable will make everyone far more likely to want another adventure.
Take a little reminder of home
Spending a night away from home can be a big step for younger children, so taking something familiar can make a real difference. It helps provide a sense of comfort and keeps a small connection to their normal routine.
A favourite teddy, a much-loved toy, a special keepsake, or even their own pillow can all help them settle more easily. They’re mostly small items that take up very little space, but from my experience, they can make the difference between a child feeling anxious and one looking forward to the next adventure.
Any parents of young bikepackers have any more top tips of their own? Let us know in the comments, and they might make it in the next update of this article!
