If you want your children to have fun on their bikes, you need to have a good hand: on the one hand when dealing with the children and on the other when choosing tours. The search for suitable routes is not that easy, because accurate information is rare. We want to change that! To save you from unpleasant surprises, we have sent touring expert Peter Brodschelm across the country. The Transalp specialist and enthusiastic family man has tracked down the most beautiful tours for bike families and we present his highlights. From now on in an exclusive series, here on these pages. With tour descriptions, GPS tracks and all the information, of course. But even on the best routes, there is still plenty of potential for a family outing to end in disaster. Here too, expert Brodschelm has advice: "You have to be constantly on a journey of discovery and take exciting breaks." Because children crave variety and entertainment. Fortunately, nature offers a true paradise for explorers with plants, animals and rocks. Parents need to open their children's eyes and give them time to explore. What's more, juniors feel most at home when they are out and about with other children. Playing games or competing with each other will make the time fly by on long tours. Family expert Brodschelm reveals more tips in this interview.
"THE BEST WAY TO RIDE IS WITHOUT A PLAN" - Peter Brodschelm, bike guide and father:
How do I motivate children to go on tours?
The offspring have to join in. I sometimes announce big tours weeks in advance to create anticipation and get the little ones ready to do something special.
And on the road?
Parents need to be very sensitive and recognise silent signs early on: an anxious look or astonished eyes. I have to respond to this in a supportive way and stand by the children as much as possible. They need to feel safe and secure. Positive signs should still be supported, so you can play the clown a little.
What is not possible?
The worst thing is time pressure! It's best to ride when you don't have a plan. The rough route can of course be planned, but distance and time must not play a role on the way.
What can I expect my children to do?
You can only learn this if you start small and slowly increase the volume. Assigning a generalised age to a tour length doesn't work. For me, the length of a ride is perfect if the children are still riding the bike in circles after the tour instead of throwing it into the corner annoyed.
THE BEST FAMILY TOURS
The much-travelled bike guide and enthusiastic family man, Peter Brodschelm, regularly presents his highlights on BIKE Online. From Lake Constance to the Lüneburg Heath, from the Sauerland to Upper Bavaria: the highlights for bike-loving families. It all starts in Willingen.
The tour enchants children with exciting break attractions: past the game reserve with a bird of prey flight show, along enchanted-looking heathland, up to the summit of the Clemensberg. With the kids, the excursion becomes an extended day trip. A nice bonus: bike families rarely get to tackle such an easily accessible summit with views stretching for kilometres. The tour is signposted with squirrel symbols and can be extended further for those in good shape. An extra dose of action is optionally available for experienced riders on the Ettelsberg, from which you can descend via the freeride route suitable for beginners.
Routeapprox. 18 kilometres - Altitude metresapprox. 380 - RetreatHochheide hut
GPS track, directions, information and more pictures of the family tour in Willingen can be found here.
Towing hose
The trick with the hose is super simple: knot two hoses together and hang them around the stem of the child's bike and the seat post of the towing vehicle. This tow rope is quickly installed and removed again. It is also flexible, which helps when starting off and makes the ride more comfortable. Caution: only use uphill as long as there is traction on the hose. Stop as soon as it gets flat! Because if the inner tube sags, it becomes dangerous. Give commands while riding, for example when you want to stop or when obstacles are approaching.
You can read this article or the entire issue of BIKE 9/2017 in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or buy the issue in the DK shop reorder:
Florentin Vesenbeckh
Editor CvD
