Our guest blog this week comes from parent Richard Misters who is cycling from London to Paris in 24 hours this August. Richard will be raising money for the charity Children with Cancer UK, which we are delighted to have donated to. With two energetic sons I asked Richard to recommend his favourite local (Surrey / Hampshire / Berkshire) trails for getting the kids out on their bikes and enjoying the sunshine this summer.
Freedom! Cycling With Kids
Cycling: I’m 37 and can’t recall when I started cycling. I remember as a kid riding all the time; to school, to play football at weekends and up the woods after school. It was great, freedom, speed, excitement, Adventure. As I get older I still ride, mountain biking up the woods on undulating, dusty trails for exactly the same reasons as when I was a kid. New challenges are found, long rides, different countries, bigger mountains or even a different type of riding. Last year I finally tried Road biking, for which its popularity has gone up significantly in the last few years. All of a sudden distance could be combined with speed, climbing hills was “easier” and my route options exploded. Another adventure began.
I have two sons, Ollie 6, and Sam 3. Sam is addicted to his balance bike, Ollie now rides off road with me on his bike. I never pushed him into it, but he sees me riding and all the mud I visit and he wanted to do it. After a year or so on his bike, he’s now wanting more trails, to go further and faster. I recently asked him why he loves riding so much, he simply replied “Because Its fun”. I watch both of them on their bikes, grinning when they are riding on their own. I can see the freedom and adventure written on their faces, the same as when I was younger.
Great Places To Take Your Children Cycling
We’ve found some good places to learn also. Brooklands, Weybridge is ideal for kids of all ages. A recent Karting track, disused runway and even the historic race track offers a safe area to ride. It’s perfect for balance bikers and riders to blast around with others, plenty of room to gain some confidence and a playground also there.
A second favourite place is Swinley Forest, Bracknell. This is ideal for the peddler with a more confidence, with marked bike routes. The Green is great for practicing on, the Blue similar to the Green but a few more hills and longer (recommend section 10, that’s flat but lots of fun). There are also plenty of tracks for a more relaxed adventure, with a great park at the end.
Third place we like to ride is Alice Holt, Farnham. A family bike route, bike hire, pond to picnic next to and a park at the end also. In fact there are lots of great rides, the Basingstoke canal, Blackwater River Path, Hawley Lake, Fleet Pond, endless woods to name just a few. It’s a great way to see the outdoors, to keep healthy, to have fun, to smile.
No excuses then: check those tire pressures and make sure the brakes work, don a bike helmet and hit the trails around our lovely part of the world!
If you can recommend any great bike routes ideal for young children in Surrey, Hampshire or Berkshire please let us know. Share your favourites, and especially any tips for getting little ones up hills! Use the comments below.
Please also help Richard reach his fundraising target by donating here: JustGiving Richard’s Cycling London to Paris in under 24 hours.
If you would like to contribute a guest post to our blog, get in touch! We are always interested in articles about family life, childcare and child-friendly activities so email info@naturallycuriouschildcare.co.uk if you would to appear!