A complete guide to cycle touring for beginners and families
- What is the average distance to travel per day?
- How many days should I go for?
- Do you need to be athletic to travel by bicycle?
- Transporting luggage by bicycle
- What type of accommodation should I choose for a cycling trip?
- Is it easy to find accommodation along the routes?
- Meals by bike
- Managing fatigue and mechanical problems
- Manage the weather
Any further questions?
Family cycling trips are increasingly popular with travelers seeking nature, freedom, and shared moments. Accessible, gradual, and adaptable, they allow you to discover a region at your own pace while providing a fun experience for children. If you are a beginner or looking for advice on family cycling trips, this page is for you.
Practical questions about family or beginner cycling trips
Here are the distances we recommend based on age and experience:
– Children aged 5 to 8 cycling independently or semi-independently: 10 to 25 km per day
– Children aged 8 to 10 cycling independently: 15 to 35 km per day
– Children over 10 years old: 20 to 40 km per day
– Beginner adults: 30 to 50 km per day
– Athletic adults: 50 to 80 km per day
Of course, these distances are guidelines only, and we strongly advise you to adapt them to your experience and fitness level. It’s also a good idea to try a full-day or half-day trip beforehand to see how it goes. The most important thing is to prioritize enjoyment over performance. Take plenty of breaks, plan activities along the way, and adjust your pace.
For a first experience, a 3- to 5-day trip is ideal. This allows you to try out road trips without constraints. More experienced families can then embark on trips of a week or more, particularly on longer routes.
No, cycling holidays are accessible to everyone. The designated routes are often flat and safe. The rise of electric bikes makes the experience even easier, especially for adults.
Two options:
– Independent transport with panniers (note that children’s bikes cannot be equipped with panniers). It is possible to rent a child trailer for luggage only (be aware of the weight limit).
– Luggage transport service, very popular with families. This second option allows you to travel light and fully enjoy your stops.
In general, the Accueil Vélo (Cyclists Welcome) label is a good indicator for choosing accommodation. You can consult our “partner accommodation” page as well as the official websites of the routes that provide accommodation at each stage.
Before booking accommodation, we advise you to check several factors, including:
– Secure bike storage (locked and not freely accessible)?
– Luggage storage with the possibility of picking up and dropping off luggage between 9 am and 6 pm? Essential if you book luggage transfer with BicyBAGS.
– Family room if you are traveling by bike as a family.
– Nightly booking (if you wish to change accommodation every day).
As the Vélodyssée is a very popular route with many tourist stops, the choice of accommodation is significant. We advise you to book in advance, especially if you are traveling in July or August. On other routes such as the Vélo Francette, the Flow Vélo, or the Lot Valley, you will likely need to plan your stages based on the accommodations you find.
If you’re going on a cycling trip with camping, we recommend reading this article: recipes to make on a camping stove. There’s also the excellent practical guide “Food Trek: Cooking for Cyclists and Hikers” which offers numerous recipes, tips, and advice.
If you’re staying in hotels or bed and breakfasts and don’t have access to a kitchen, consider bringing one or more knives to make sandwiches on the go. There are many local specialties to try instead of the traditional ham and butter sandwich (sheep’s cheese and Bayonne ham in the Basque Country, Curé Nantais cheese, goat cheeses from Poitou, etc.).
Find out the market days and times so you can prepare fresh, seasonal salads first thing in the morning before setting off on your bike! It’s always good to have some snacks on hand to stave off hunger pangs, because cycling makes you hungry! Here are our favorite portable snacks:
– Bananas, apples, and other easy-to-carry fruits
– Dark chocolate, milk chocolate… essential for its energy and comfort!
– Cereal bars, fruit compotes…
In case of fatigue:
– Shorten the stage
– Take a longer break
– Use a train or local transport if necessary
In case of a breakdown:
– Use the repair kit if it’s a flat tire
– Go to a nearby repair shop or bike rental shop
– Call BicyBAGS’ 24/7 assistance hotline if you rented the bikes
– A successful trip is above all a well-prepared trip… but also an adaptable one.
Anticipation and flexibility are key:
– Pack appropriate clothing
– Adapt the stages
– Don’t hesitate to modify the program
The best cycling routes for beginners
The Vélodyssée, from Arcachon to Bayonne
1️⃣ from Arcachon to Biscarosse (26 km)
2️⃣ from Biscarosse to Parentis (26 km)
3️⃣ from Parentis to Mimizan (31 km)
4️⃣ from Mimizan to Léon (47 km)
5️⃣ from Léon to Capbreton (33 km)
6️⃣ from Capbreton to Bayonne (29 km)
The Vélo Francette for families
1️⃣ from Niort to Arçais/Damvix (31 km)
2️⃣ from Arçais/Damvix to Marans (28 km)
3️⃣ from Marans to La Rochelle (26 km)
The Vélodyssée, from Pornic to La Rochelle
1️⃣ From Pornic to Bouin (34 km)
2️⃣ From Bouin to Fromentine (34 km)
3️⃣ From Fromentine to Saint-Gilles (36 km)
4️⃣ From Saint-Gilles to Les Sables-d’Olonne (37 km)
5️⃣ Les Sables-d’Olonne to La Tranche-sur-Mer (44 km)
6️⃣ From La Tranche-sur-Mer to Marans-les-Bains (46 km)
7️⃣ From Marans-les-Bains to La Rochelle (26 km)
In addition to being primarily on greenways and cycle paths, these family cycling routes:
– Are accessible by train
– Have virtually no elevation gain
– Offer a range of activities for the whole family
Yes, the Vélodyssée is a route particularly well-suited to families. Apart from the outskirts of towns and cities, most of the route is on safe cycle paths, although some sections are more suitable than others. We could add to the previous list:
– Cycling from La Rochelle to Royan as a family
– The Tour of the Arcachon Basin
A great alternative to a 100% point-to-point cycling trip is to alternate cycling days with rest days. Plan to change accommodations every other day. This way, you have a free day to do as you please: sightseeing, hiking, a loop bike ride, or… simply relax!
Example of an “alternating route”:
Day 1: Arrival in La Rochelle. Stroll through the old town and around the old port.
Day 2: From La Rochelle to Rochefort (50 km).
Day 3: Visit the Royal Rope Factory or the Naval Aviation Museum.
Day 4: From Rochefort to Marennes (38 km).
Day 5: Visit the Brouages Citadel, the Oyster City, or enjoy the beach.
Day 6: From Marennes to Royan (45 km).
Day 7: Enjoy oysters at the central market, boat trip to the Cordouan lighthouse.
Traveling by bike as a family
– From 1 to 3 years old, a child can participate using a trailer or seat.
– Around 5-6 years old, some children can cycle short distances.
– From 8-10 years old, they can follow a multi-day route, provided it is suitable.
– Child seat: ideal for children from 12 months to 4-5 years old (maximum weight 20 kg).
– Child trailer: ideal for children from 12 months to 4-5 years old. Two children can be placed in each trailer, with a maximum combined weight of 35 kg. Compared to a child seat, the trailer is more spacious and allows for storage of some belongings.
– Child trailer with hammock: for children under 12 months old. The hammock provides greater support. Babies who cannot yet sit up can use it.
– Tag-along bike: a tag-along bike is attached to an adult bike. The child is not required to pedal.
– Follow-Me system: the Follow-Me system allows a 20-inch bike to be attached to and detached from an adult bike. This allows the child to pedal independently and be reattached when they start to tire. A great alternative. – Children’s bikes: Available in 20 or 24 inches, children’s bikes are ideal for children between 115 and 145 cm tall.
– Generally speaking, appropriate equipment is essential for a successful trip:
– Comfortable and well-maintained bikes
– Helmets for everyone (mandatory for children under 12)
– Repair kit (provided with BicyBAGS)
– Weather-appropriate clothing
Safety relies on several elements:
– Choose routes primarily on greenways and dedicated cycle paths (non-shared lanes)
– Wear a helmet
– Respect traffic rules
– Remain visible (vest, lights)