There is a lot of family fun to be had if you want to ride multi-day or long days on bikes with kids. It allows parents to continue to enjoy activities they love to do and creates some wonderful family memories and moments.
Let us help you have a successful multi-day adventure or complete regular long rides.
If you are going on a multi-day ride or want to ride distance regularly (e.g. commuter by bike) then it means that your kids will be spending time on the bike. Riding with kids at this age will mean that many will be riding their own bike or they still may be on a kids bike seat or trailer However you are riding together to keep everyone happy you will need to make sure they are safe and comfortable. If they enjoy their riding they will want to do more.
With a 4 plus yr old child that is riding their own bike …make sure
- they feel capable and confident with their biking skills
- they are comfortable on the bike at the contact points.Â
- you have an option to assist your child (with a bike to bike connection) to support them when they are tired and struggling. They should feel confident in the set up and understand how it feels to be towed.
- they can carry anything they may need …especially anything that they need regularly – like water
- they have riding clothing to match the conditions
Riding on a multi-day biking adventure or going on long rides will also mean that you will need to carry gear with you… whether it be just your gear for the day or gear for the full duration of your journey. As all this weight starts to add up you need to be fit and strong to enjoy your time. You can also gain assistance by choosing an E-Bike as the type of bike you use for your family riding.
Options for Riding Distance or Multi-Days with a 4 plus year old – riding their own bike
A bike to bike connection provides you with the ability to give them the option of riding on their own and assisting them when they need it.
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- The Tow Frame the most STABLE connection can be used to tow your child the complete length of the ride, or part of the ride. It is suitable for young riders that aren’t very capable on a bike yet. Only give them the option to ride on their own if you have plenty of time and you aren’t pushing to make distance.
- The Tow Rope is to assist the capable rider if they tired, struggling or simply had enough
- The Tow Bar is for intermittent use to help a child to ride further, inclines/declines that they may struggle to go, into wind and through low traffic areas.
1. Tow Frame – Bike to Bike Connection
Suitable for 3-9 yrs up to 36kg
- An incredibly stable, low connection provides your child (from 3yrs+) with a secure comfortable seat for long periods of time. They can pedal or rest as they want to. You can also detach them and let them ride on their own for short distances.
- Can be used as a tandem, ride always attached or for intermittent towing
- The tow frame gives you safety in a wide variety of environments …they will be safe if you ride in traffic/across roads ( as you know where they are and are making the decisions)
- As a tow frame is exposed it will be hard to protect them from the weather and conditions you may encounter during a long or multi-day ride. Clothing to keep them at a safe temperature and sun protection will be really important.
- To carry any additional gear you will need to consider where and how you can carry the gear. There are a variety of places where you can attach gear – the rear or middle of your bike frame, or you could attach panniers. Whatever you decide you will need to consider your load and balance. Use our Stories and Support for carrying gear to help you consider your options.
- To ride with your young child on a long ride or multi-day using a tow frame you will need to stop regularly to give them a break from being on the bike. Keep it fun, keep it interesting.
2. Tow Rope – Bike to Bike Connection
Suitable for 4 plus years old who are capable and well balanced riding their own bike.
- Best suited to intermittently assist well balanced, capable riders on their own bike, up hills, over distances and through windy conditions or to keep up with older siblings. Places they may struggle to go
- Lightweight and easy to carry so can use when you capable rider is tired, struggling or simply had enough and needs an assist to keep everyone smiling.Â
- Riding their own bike will mean they are exposed to the weather and conditions you may encounter during a long or multi-day ride. Clothing to keep them at a safe temperature and sun protection will be really important.
- To carry any additional gear you will need to consider where and how you can carry the gear. There are a variety of places where you can attach gear – the rear or middle of your bike frame, or you could attach panniers. Whatever you decide you will need to consider your load and balance. Use our Stories and Support for carrying gear to help you consider your options.
- To ride with your young child on a long ride or multi-day using a tow frame you will need to stop regularly to give them a break from being on the bike. Keep it fun, keep it interesting.
3. Tow Bar – Trailgator – Bike to Bike Connection
Suitable for 4 -9 years. By the age of 4 years a good number of kids will be riding their own bike. Your child will need to be well balanced on their bike to consider using the Tow Bar. The design of this rigid bar means that it can create leverage causing some lean for your child and some feeling of disruption to your biking balance for the lead rider.
- Best suited to kids who have reasonably good independent riding skills but will just need some assistance when needing to ride further, for longer or up an incline that they may struggle with or through some traffic
- Best suited for intermittent use. Kids are doing some biking and you are assisting when needed
- Riding their own bike will mean they are exposed to the weather and conditions you may encounter during a long or multi-day ride. Clothing to keep them at a safe temperature and sun protection will be really important.
- To carry any additional gear you will need to consider where and how you can carry the gear. There are a variety of places where you can attach gear – the middle or the front of your bike frame. The attachment position of the bar at the rear of the bike could interfere with your ability to carry load at the rear of the bike. Whatever you decide you will need to consider your load and balance. Use our Stories and Support for carrying gear to help you consider your options.
- To ride with your child on a long ride or multi-day riding their own bike and assisting with a tow bar regular stops will give them a break from being on the bike. Keep it fun, keep it interesting.
Tow – Safety
Before you ride multi-day or head out for a long ride you need to be well practised at riding with your child and their bike connected to your bike. Having a tow frame attached to your bike will feel different to begin with. Your child is unharnessed in this seat so can move. Everyone will notice this change, from experienced riders to beginners. With practise you will get better. To help you understand how it will feel to tow a child on their own bike please read our story.
To go on a long ride it is important to understand how the tow frame you are using works so you are comfortable with it. This will help you feel confident in your ability to use it and solve any problems that come up. Knowing how it attaches/detaches and how to check it is safe.
Use our guide Biking with a 4 plus year old for more detailed information and support:
- Learn how to keep them safe and comfortable throughout the ride
- There may be factors other than long days or multi-day that will influence your decision about which seat or trailer to buy (your best match). Factors such as
- The style of bike you have
- Where you plan to ride
- The size of your family – how many children, now and in the future
Support your child to become capable riders on their own bike with goRides Learn to Ride Programmes and Kits. Start your child on their learn ride journeys from 2 years plus.Â
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