One family's European biking experience with two kids along for the ride, and tips for planning your own family bike excursion.
Our family of four went on a five-week bicycle tour from Kiel, Germany to Sweden and Norway: Ulrich (1), Bernhard (3), Karin (age not disclosed) and myself. From our family's large supply of bicycles we took along only two, and the children rode in our Brüggli Leggero trailer.
How did we do this very long cycle trip across Scandinavia?
Handling luggage for four persons using only two bicycles is not so easy, but somehow we managed to store almost everything. Each of us had a rear cycling bag, and I also took the big rucksack, which we called Bär (bear) because of an old family tradition. It contained a tent, cooking pots, dishes, rain coats and other stuff, while Karin had a waterproof Ortlieb bag holding four sleeping bags.
On top of the front bags, we added some small, heavy packs as well, mostly food, cameras, and papers. In the children's trailer, we stored up to 7.5 liters (approximately 2 gallons) of water, some milk and bread (depending on when we'd last been shopping), and most importantly, the children's toys.
For part of almost every cycling day, our children slept in the trailer. In the evening they were fit, while we were tired. But this improved with time. Even if they had slept in the trailer, the children would sleep about the same hours we did at night.
Cycling Across Sweden, Kids on Board
When we boarded the Stena Ferry (08705 42 1101) to cross to Gothenburg, no one complained that my bicycle with the three of us aboard weighed 180kg (396 lbs)! The sea trip was great. We slept until 6am, then Karin took her time feeding the children as I prepared the bikes for riding off the ferry. We cycled about 20 kms (32 mi) from Gothenburg, leaving the city and its densest suburbs behind.
The road soon became a typical Swedish highway — the pavement was about 14 m (45'6") wide, two lanes (one in each direction), with wide shoulders for cycling. Gladly, the Swedish traffic was much lighter than what we were used to on German highways. Finally, after many delays, we made it to the campground at Trollhättan. The next two days we rested, using one day to see water falls and the other for swimming in Vänern Lake, but we did not intend to spend our whole vacation at one location.
For part of almost every cycling day, our children slept in the trailer. In the evening they were fit, while we were tired. But this improved with time. Even if they had slept in the trailer, the children would sleep about the same hours we did at night. Every campground in Sweden that we encountered had a kitchen and a washing machine and, of course, a mini golf course.
Highway N240 led us through an almost unpopulated area, and past a few big lakes where we even drew water for drinking. The highway was quite hilly, and with my 180kgs weight it proved to be slow — 3-5 kph (5-8 mph) was the usual speed. The small campground in Stöllet was on a small peninsula so the children could run around while we watched out for any cars. Again, we stayed for two nights. During the day they could bathe in the river and play near its bank, which was unusually wide because of the dry summer.
Nearby Höljes, a village of maybe 200 or 300 inhabitants, had a bank, playground, youth hostel, campground, open-air museum, tourist information office, and even a swimming pool. We stayed for a few nights and went on walks, using the bicycle trailer as a stroller for the baby. At the campground we met many families, most traveling in cars.
About 30kms (48 mi) was the maximum we could cycle between breaks. Unfortunately, the children slept at times when we could have swum in a lake, and they were hungry at times when there was no water in sight to picnic by. But every rest was still nice and at this pace, we were soon at the Norway border.
Bike Riding with Kids in Norway
About 2 kms from the Norwegian village of Trysil, which gave its name to the river, we found a campground. It was in a very beautiful location, offering swimming in the river as well as great views of the mountains with their snowy and icy slopes. We had some rain, then fine weather, and many places to pick blueberries along the roads.
We had some cold nights, down below freezing, and then a large, heavy animal who came to visit the tent. It was probably a moose but animals didn't present any problem, as even bears prefer to eat blueberries and fish over humans.
Outside of Lammhult, the drive up the highway was so steep and my load was so heavy that my bicycle broke. I could turn the pedals, but they were no longer connected to the front sprockets; we would have to take a train to Trelleborg to have it fixed. At the train station, we removed all the luggage from our bikes and stored as much as possible in the trailer, which we carried on as a stroller.
During our stop to change trains in Malmö, we visited a museum with stuffed animals, and even some live animals, for example, bats, fish and nocturnal animals found in warmer climates. It was especially fun for the children. The naval museum was interesting as well because they set up a pirate ship as an indoor playground.
After my bicycle was repaired, we had a nice trip around Trelleborg, the southernmost community in Sweden. Bernhard met a boy from Berlin who was just a little bit older than he, and who was on a cycling trip as well. This child already rode his own bike and the family had spent some weeks on a tour in the vicinity.
Finishing our Overland Bike Ride in Germany
The next day we took the ferry to Rügen island, off Germany, where we made reservations for the night train to our home town, and where we would spend our last two days cycling.
On the morning we arrived in Heidelberg, it was still dark. We fixed everything, attached all the luggage to our bikes, and rode home. A normal working day had begun.
Tips for Planning Family Bicyling Adventures
Here are the most important things to consider if you and your family are planning to cycle in Europe and Scandinavia.
How tough are you?
Tour operator guidelines rate a "beginner" as someone who can ride 3-4 hours and cover 20-30 miles per day. An "intermediate" gets regular exercise and takes 4-6 hours to cover 30-40 miles per day, and enjoys it. An "advanced" rider will go 4-6 hours doing 40-50 miles at a time, including hills, often. Also, what are your children's skills and needs?
Where, When, and Why?
Do you envision gourmet meals or a burger, chateaux or a seaside campground? A physical challenge or a commune with nature? Is it the right time of year?
On your own or with a group?
More advanced cyclists will enjoy the freedom of a self-guided family tour, possibly organized but not escorted, by a tour operator who can supply itineraries with suggested rest stops, detailed maps, lodging, and even rental bikes. A group tour will provide your family with companionship, plus a guide/escort and some type of van shuttle support, in case of trouble. It's more expensive, but very reassuring for families who've never biked together before. Both offer accommodations in every price range, so costs vary greatly.
Prepare well.
Be sure everyone gets into shape. Frequency is more important than distance when it come to cycle conditioning, and test runs with the kids will teach you a lot about what to expect. Quality cycling gear of breathable fabrics, including gloves, padded shorts, rain-proof outerwear and shoes, are a good investment for long journeys.
Resources
Self-guided riders should get the "The Cyclists' Yellow Pages" from the Adventure Cycling Association($11.95; call 800/721-8719 to order — free with membership @ $35/year.) This annual directory includes cycling organizations, maps, hostels and relevant books for dozens of countries around the world.
Recommended Bicycle Tour Operators
Abercrombie & Kent ( 800/547-7016) Kids 12+ join escorted 7D or customized bike trips to Europe as well as bicycle/canal cruise vacations in France.
Backroads( 800/462-2848) A large variety of 6D family-only bike trips in North America and Europe welcome parents with children from infants up, to ride in a bicycle trailer (toddlers < 60lbs.), on a tandem bike (4-10 years), or on their own.
Butterfield & Robinson ( 800/551-9090) Kids 13+ on escorted 7-8D trips to France, Switzerland, Nova Scotia or Morocco; some offer land and water sports activities as well.
Euro-Bike ( 800/321-6060) Kids from age 7+ may join the 6-15D tours offered in 15 European countries by this family-run company.
VBT Tours ( 800/BIKE-TOUR) Kids 16+ can join 7-16D bike tours in Europe or New Zealand. 3-6D tours in North America open to kids 13+. VBT also arranges airfares.
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People who choose to book trips for summer or further out should do so with caution; the coronavirus pandemic is unpredictable. And many reservations may claim flexibility. Amid so much unknown, there will be one certainty: the headaches of rescheduling and canceling.
With a rugged interior featuring 286 peaks topping 3,000 meters Taiwan’s railway system is shoehorned onto the coastal margins where most of Taiwan’s cultural life is concentrated. Whether you ride the high-speed service from Taipei City to the second city of Kaohsiung or spend a week slowly circumnavigating the island by local train, all journeys are within eyeshot of either the cobalt-blue Pacific Ocean, flatlands of verdant rice-paddies, or towering mountainsides
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Amazing Post! about Amsterdam
There’s one street in Baltimore that’s more festive than the rest. Every holiday season, the neighborhood of Maryland’s miracle on h Street is decked out in Christmas lights and festive displays. From a tree made of hubcaps to classic candy cane fixtures, each house is uniquely decorated.
Considering Northeast Ohio has plenty of breweries, as well, Thomann was asked if it’s more likely we’ll find the members of Dorfrocker touring different venues tasting beers or visiting the Rock Roll Hall of Fame?
Covid-19 certainly affects travels plan…Not long ago my friends were among passengers of the British cruise ship Braemar. And how could the US refuse to help the ship and close the borders?? Unlike the US, Cuba showed its humanity and friendship! Thank you Cuba
Would you like to stay in the gorgeous area around Keukenhof? You can! We have a broad range of great hotels and bed and breakfasts for you. Accommodations in Haarlem, Leiden or Amsterdam are also good options.
I will reach Amsterdam only on 19 May morning, the last day of the flower exhibit. Is it still worthwhile to go Keukenhof Gardens? Will there still be many flowers to be seen?
Tulips and other flowers mainly bloom during spring. March through May is therefore the best time to visit the Netherlands if you want to watch them in bloom. The world’s most beautiful spring park, the Keukenhof, is open during this time.
If a court order states that one parent can travel abroad with the child without the consent of the other parent, what documentation is required? We recommend carrying a copy of the court order stating that the other parent’s consent is not needed to travel abroad with the child. Any questions about the wording of the court order should be directed to a family lawyer.
If transporting your pet by air is the only option, find out whether they can travel in the cabin with you. Most airlines will allow you to take a cat or small dog in the cabin for an additional fee. But you must call the airline well in advance; there are limits to the number of animals allowed in the cabin. If you are transporting your dog, make sure they meet the size requirements. If you get overwhelmed by all the regulations, there are companies that can help you navigate through the process of flying with a pet.
Is a consent letter mandatory? There is no Canadian legal requirement for children to carry a consent letter. However, a consent letter may be requested by immigration authorities when entering or leaving a foreign country, airline agents or Canadian officials when re-entering Canada. Failure to produce a letter upon request may result in delays or refusal to enter or exit a country.
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Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car. Pets who are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or made sick by having cold air forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.
Ever dreamed of driving along the cliffs that overlook the Pacific with the windows down? Or wanted to travel the historic Oregon Trail in a car instead of on a computer? Explore these eleven incredible cross-country road trip routes across the U.S.
Rhonda, from a railman who started his train travel when he was 16, I would strongly suggest a Canadian Train Ride! Via Rail Canada offers four significant rides through wilderness and coastal areas with deluxe, overnight trains from Toronto to Vancouver ( 4 nights), and Montreal to Halifax, Nova Scotia (one night). Both offer a chance to have decent meals enroute, and sleeping car accommodations. Train crews tend to be a bit friendlier than south of the border, Canada, largely uninhabited, offers many scenic vistas with little hamlets few and far between, certainly a wonderful way for both of you to enjoy these new experiences.
Via Rail Canada also offers Railpasses, which enable you to travel on other routes as well for a bit of a price reduction. It’s all up to you!
Their website is http://www.viarail.ca for further information.
My son is a rail fan and we have traveled only in the US but I would love to surprise him with an excursion where he could talk to the train staff and railroad personnel. I would also like to include beautiful scenery as well for Both of us. My son is 16 and I am 59. We love to explore and don’t mind walking and roughing it!! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won??™t slide or shift in the event of a quick stop.
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This driving route of the Appalachian Trail parallels the epic hike. From the top of New England to the heart of Dixie, it takes you through continuous natural beauty—without the sweat, bugs, or blisters.
7 memorable Tips for Traveling to Mexico
Don stress if you don Mexico is agreeable to English speaking travelers, And there a ton of tips to get to know the country landscapes, terms, And younger culture.
yet still, If you new to traveling or have never been out of the us, A trip to Mexico may be somewhat frightening.
If you interested in learning some tips for traveling to Mexico, Take a look at our 7 easy to remember tips for your journey. We outlined some of the basics that you’d like to learn for your own aventura!
1. Choose the Right Transportation If you traveling to Mexico, You need to decide you might arrive by car, aeroplane, Or liner. It important to know how you want to arrive because it will searching,an extravagance,good to have city you arrive in, How much luggage you results, and so forth.
an individual can find international flights if you prefer to travel by air. instead, There are plenty of cruises to Mexico that you can enjoy if you like the amenities and beautiful views that are included in ship travel!
If you live nearby the border, Or just need to take a bit of a road trip, going down the road by car is always an option as well.
2. Use Pesos When You Can It best if you use the local currency pesos when you can. while touristy areas accept USD, They choose the rate at that they accept it, So it is possible to get a better deal if you just use pesos.
Consider exchanging USD for pesos somewhere in the usa before your trip and dividing up your cash between USD and pesos during your trip.
3. Know bathing room Etiquette In Mexico, The sewage pipes just aren built to handle a lot. this means that people rarely flush their toilet paper. rather than, There will often be a trash bin near the toilet for you to put your used toilet paper in.
further, Men may make of entering a bathroom labeled with an M, let’s assume that it stands for However, The M actually can stand for mujeres, Which is the word for in Spanish. Men needs to look for doors labeled H, Which stands for the Spanish word for men, Hombres.
4. Practice Some Spanish One of the most basic tips for traveling to Mexico is to learn a few Spanish phrases before your trip.
once you know basic things, Like how to ask where the bathroom is or how to order food, Will make your trip to Mexico a lot smoother. sometimes, The locals will appreciate the effort, Even if they undoubtedly speak English as well!
5. Adjust to the Time Whether you are changing time zones while having trip or staying in the same one, You find that Mexico runs on a lot more fluid schedule. Punctuality is less of a concern, So you take pleasure in it a lot more if you can relax and don push a strict schedule.
furthermore, Meals are spaced out a bit distinct in Mexico. You will usually have a large breakfast, associated with the main meal of the day between 2:00 together with 4:00 pm hours. then finally, You will enjoy a smaller meal at dusk.
6. Drink Bottled Water Bottled water can be found on just about any street corner for purchase. Why exactly do you wish to buy bottled water?
let me tell you, Most of Mexico plain faucet water is unpurified. Some hotels may have filtered water, But be sure to go shopping for a sign above your sinks before you test it out!
If you be residing in Mexico for a lengthier trip, Consider buying or bring a water filter with you to purify the tap water and avoid buying so much bottled water. You be decreasing costs and plastic consumption!
7. Stray off the Beaten Path While sightseeing attractions and famous beaches are always fun to see, Traveling to lesser known places will offer you a more authentic taste of Mexico.
of which this isn an excuse to be reckless or oblivious to your surroundings. Be mindful of the areas you visiting and research where you will make sure it a safe area.
Now You Armed with all very reputable Tips for Traveling to Mexico Mexico is a diverse country with so much to see and offer.
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Many parents of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder dread traveling or often avoid it altogether. Most people with ASD do better with routine and structure and a break from that (vacation) can often lead to stress and even meltdowns. Additionally, traveling by air can include having to navigate a multitude of unpleasant experiences from airport security procedures, moving sidewalks, and boarding tunnels to cramped seats, unfamiliar noises, and lots of strangers. Experts indicate that preparation and practice is the key to a successful flight and travel. Before your trip, talk with your child about what to expect. Go over the details of the travel: how you’ll get to the airport, wait in line, go through security, find your departure gate, get on the plane, buckle seatbelts, and spend time onboard. Flying to See Janet: A Fun Guide to the Airport Experience is a book you can use to prepare children for the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport experience. You can also write your own social story.
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Emily, my coming of age years were the late 1970s, early 1980s at the YMCA. I agree with you about the open showers versus the individual shower stalls. From a guys perspective, I spent many nights and weekends swimming or playing basketball at my local YMCA. Showering with not only my friends, but over the years, dads, neighbors and guys from church. It really makes one comfortable, not in a sexual way, with one self and others. Never had the nude swimming, I think that ended in the 1960s as women/girls joined the YMCA, forcing may YWCAs to close their doors.
Amelie, here in the US a number of Korean Spas have opened. As with Japanese, Korean families bath together (grandmother, daughter, grand-daughter), (dad, son) separated by gender. They are starting to attract a diverse clientele (age, race, etc). So who knows, maybe the nude swimming will return to the Y someday.
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Note that Global Affairs Canada cannot provide you with advice about the Consent Letter for Children Travelling Abroad beyond what is offered on this website.
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helo, do you happent allow drive passengers to another state?
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I’m so happy that you enjoyed your experience at the Onsen!
I’ve never been to an Onsen, but I would love to get to visit one some day.
Back in the 1980s and 1990s my mom was the head supervisor at a YWCA in Ohio. I practically lived in the YWCA (not literally, of course) for the 19 years that my mom worked there. I had a part time job at the YWCA for a few years in the 1990s.
One of the great things about spending so much time at the YWCA was that I grew up using the locker room all of the way from a young child to a young woman and being 100% comfortable with both my own nudity and the nudity of all other females.
I feel that it was so much better back then when the Y had one big room full of shower heads on the walls than it is with stalls these days. The group shower setting was great from a bonding experience. I feel that it’s much healthier psychologically speaking that females are exposed to other women’s and girl’s bodies, as opposed to feeling that we need to hide from each other and change clothes in toilet stalls or under towels.
One of the benefits of having a mom who was a supervisor of the Y was that after hours my mom and my sisters and myself could just skinny dip in the pool, and my sisters and I were allowed to have our female friends with us for a skinny dipping session on Friday and Saturday nights.
Also, my aunt and a few of my female cousins would skinny dip with my mom, my sisters and I every once in a while.
My mom said that she had heard that the YWCA used to have one night a week that was for nude swimming back in the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Obviously it was a female only facility at the time.
Dubbed the Great Northern in memory of the pioneer railroad that parallels the western half of the route, US-2 is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention longest, of all the great transcontinental road trips.
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Oh man. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I certainly appreciate your take on this though, a little humor goes a long way. I’m headed to Barcelona in a few days, so I’ll be sure to keep my valuables close. Thanks for sharing.