The good news first: you will find what you are looking for online if you combine the search terms "bike", "family" and "children". The bike industry - manufacturers, bike schools, lift and park operators, hoteliers, tourism experts - have long since started investing in the future. And yes, you can now plan a family weekend and have fun yourself. Participatory events such as the Junior Trophy are part of a festival. Generational events, such as the Family Challenge in Serfaus Fiss Ladis or the Father & SonDays, where parents and kids have fun together, are right on trend. We have picked out a few examples to inspire you to go biking with the family. And there are many more events out there. Have fun planning.
Club atmosphere: Bike-Festival Freiburg
It can also be done on a voluntary basis. This is demonstrated by Mountainbike Freiburg e. V., which is organised by the 24 to 26 April has already organised its eighth bike festival. The association was founded in 2011 to ensure the continued existence of the Borderline. All festival proceeds remain in the association and are invested in maintaining the trails, but also in youth work and the construction of the new paediatric and youth clinic in Freiburg. Needless to say, families are very welcome at this cool festival in a beer garden. Info: bikefestival-freiburg.com
Firmly in family hands
Nice anecdote: In the Serfaus underground railway, children announce the next stop, not an impersonal electric voice. Families are the thing here, as the programme of the Serfaus Fiss Ladis MTB Festival proves: At the Specialized Rookies Cup or the Pumptrack Fun Session, parents can still watch, but at the Family Challenge they have to compete in a generational team. The region also offers many opportunities for families without a bike, and the date (27.7.-2.8.) is conveniently located in the holiday season. All information about the programme: bike.sfl.at
Men's rounds
Holger Meyer has customised this camp for himself. After all, the dad already has a lot of fun on the trails with his son Lois. He would like to share this joy of biking together with his junior and has organised the 19 to 21 June Father & SonDays in Nauders am Reschenpass for the first time. Participants can expect a full programme on the enduro trails with guiding, technical tips, fun contests and a barbecue around the campfire. If you want to know what it costs and what is included in the price: dierasenmaeher.de
BIKE Festival to the power of 3
To the BIKE Festivals in Riva (1 - 3 May), Willingen (15 - 17 May) and Saalfelden Leogang (11 - 13 September) you can ride with the whole family. The Junior Trophy, the race series for kids aged 3-14, has been part of the programme for years, and in Leogang it even takes place on the brand new pump track. And there's plenty for kids to experience anyway. Tip: The event in Saalfelden Leogang is the festival of short distances: Expo, Riders Playground, lift to the bike park, bike school, bike shop with hire and many family-friendly bike hotels are all in the same place.
Info: bike-festival.com
Further dates for family events:
8-10 May Bike Days, Solothurn (CH): The national bike festival offers everything for young and old to join in and watch.
and old. bikedays.ch
21-24 May Dirt Masters, Winterberg: Full programme with races for all ages: Downhill Cup, Enduro, Kids Race, Rookies Cup. dirtmasters-festival.com
4-7 June Rosadira Bike, Welschnofen (ITA): Great setting, hands-on programme for the whole family and, for some, conveniently located during the Whitsun holidays. rosadirabike.it
5-7 June Biketestival, Erzgebirge: Family festival with a smart programme: 2-person team EnDuo for adults and FunDuro for kids. trailcenter-rabenberg.de
19-21 June Rock The Hill Music & Bike Festival: With kids of live music and party age, this festival at the Bikepark Geißkopf is a hot family tip. rockthehill.de
Kids and youth camps in Leogang: Full service for the whole family with a packed camp calendar. Dates under: elements-outdoorsports.com
Premium Bike Camps, Sölden and Saalbach: Freeride pro Rob J makes children smile, and parents can have fun in the top areas. Dates under: premiumbikecamps.com
Family days in the Oberammmergau bike park: Flexible family tickets and family days, biker families are welcome here. Info and dates: bikepark-oberammergau.de
Holiday camps in the Black Forest: 4 dates between 3 August and 12 September. Tip for parents: Combine with the start of the marathon in Furtwangen (13 September). hirsch-sprung.com
Family courses in the Geißkopf bike park: Here, parents can train together with the kids. Or everyone can do their own thing. Anything is possible. mtbzone-bikepark.com
Tips from Josh Welz, BIKE editor
1. choice of location: Whether hotel or campsite - short distances are important! Then you don't have to load the family car pool onto the car every day. Instead, you can do everything by bike - the way to the festival or the restaurant, for example.
2. sparring partner: The closest parent-child relationship cannot replace one thing: a bike buddy. Especially on longer tours, sports friends of the same age can be a real motivation booster. So make sure your children have suitable company.
3. the right programme: Trial shows, jump contests, autograph sessions - you can't watch all that any more? Your children can! Incorporate such highlights into the family programme.
You can find this article in BIKE 2/2020. You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
