I’ve been into bikepacking for about 10 years now, but this weekend was a first I took my son along on a trip using our cargo bike. He sat up front in the cargo box (he’s still too young to ride his own for bikepacking). We went through the Black Forest route for around 6 hours total.
Throughout the riding part, I could see him through the bike’s screen, and honestly, he didn’t look like he was enjoying it. Every time I asked, he said he was having “so much fun,” but his face told a different story. When we got home, he even told his mom how great it was, super cheerful and all but I can’t shake the feeling he was just saying that for my sake.
I know you can’t force your passions onto your kids, but I really want to understand what he felt. We took short breaks every couple of hours for snacks and to stretch, and the route itself was smooth and scenic. The bike’s got full suspension, so I don’t think it was too rough. Maybe 6 hours was just too long for him to sit still in one spot,or maybe he got bored.
For those of you who’ve gone bikepacking with your kids was it like this at first for you too? Did they take time to warm up to the experience, or did you realize it wasn’t their thing? I’m wondering if I should plan a much shorter, more playful route next time maybe with more stops, fun activities, or a camping break or if I should give it a rest and try again when he’s older. I’d really appreciate any advice on how to make this something we both can enjoy.
by jone003
5 Comments
I haven’t bikepacked with kids but biked quite a bit with my kids back in the day.
6 hours sounds like a bit much.
Maybe breaks a little more frequent than every 2 hours.
Lots of stops to explore, throw rocks, find cool sticks, etc.
I don’t think he’s old enough to say something to make you feel better. He probably thought it was a good adventure.
You’re an awesome dad and you and he will have great memories from trips like this.
My kid is too young to go bike packing with me, but he does love riding on the Mac Ride seat. It’s more involved since he’s up front “steering” with me, but on longer rides he does start to get a lil bored or fatigued.
I’ve since been including small toys, snacks, and random found objects along the route in my front pack for easy access. He opens it every now and then to break the monotony.
I think distractions could help, but the fact is, they’re just sitting for long periods. Much like a car ride, a lot of that energy gets pent up. Maybe give shorter trips a try. To places with activities like swimming so there’s a bigger payoff at the end.
Otherwise he may just not be that into it and that’s totally ok.
Also, as my kids got older I didn’t push the cycling. It came and went. They’re both grown now and cycling is part of their identity.
I took my friend kid on a ride with my bullit a few times, i would not worry much if a kid is not having fun they will be vocal about it ( i guess, you know your child better 😂) maybe do some shorter route, that bike looks like a r&m i guess a load? So quite big, see if he wants to go again or makes excuses,or go for “purpose ride” i will normally give the kid a duty like holding something or stuff like that so it doesn’t get bored 🙂
Y’know that feeling when you were a child and your parents took you on “vacation” to the museum/grandma’s house or some other place that sounds lovely as an adult? I know I do, but the only thing I can remember now is how long the car rides were and how much I’d rather be at home watching cartoons. When I got home I’d be screened with the same questions and had to give polite responses.
On the flip side kids are fucking retarded and don’t have the breadth of experience to always know what they want or are interested in. I’d say keep on throwing him in the shallow end of the pool and by the time he’s a little older he will either ask you to stop or cannonball into the deep end himself.