Fun Family Activities - Cycling

"Cycling" my kid's said, "whats that". "You know, bike riding" I replied. "Oh" they paused, "then why didn't you say bike riding". Okay then, let's go bike riding. What ever you decide to call it, cycling or bike riding, it's a great activity that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.

Before you head out (I usually do this the night before) check out the bikes. Make sure the tires are inflated, the brakes work and the chains are oiled.

Tires - Inflate to the recommended tire pressure shown on the tire

Brakes - Check that the nuts on the brake are tight and that the brake pads aren't touching the rims, unless you squeeze the brakes.

If the bike has gears - make sure the shifters move easily and the derailleur doesn't throw the chain off the sprokets.

Give the bike an overall inspection, especially if it is the first ride of the year.

I actually give each bike a quick ride to make sure they are all in working order.

Everyone should wear a helmet, period. - yes, adults too. In some places it's the law to wear a bike helmet. Helments aren't only for kids - if you fall and bonk your head, who will look after your kids? So wear your helment, set a good example and be safe. Make sure that the helments are fitted correctly for each bike rider and that they meet all the safety standards.

Helments from other sports such as baseball and hockey are not recommended for bike riding because they are designed for different types of impact.

Motorists don't always see cyclists. If you are riding on the road, make sure you, and everyone else, are wearing reflective clothing and that your bike has reflective strips on the back and sides and a light on the front. This is even more important if you are ridng at dusk or at night.

Having a bell or horn on your bike alerts pedestrians and other cyclists of your approach.

Most communities publish a brochure that shows bike routes and trails. In the community where I live, there are extensive bike routes in the city and trails through the forests and along the dykes. The skill level of the cyclists will determine where you're going to go. When my children were little and not too sure on their bikes, we would ride up to the elementary school and just ride around there. Schools or large empty parking lots are great places for novice rides to get confidence and learn how to handle a bike.

As the skill level improves, introduce more challenging rides,

My children are fairly confident on their bikes now, so we go on fairly long rides. Where we live is an extensive dyke system that you can ride along. I pack a picinic lunch, that I have to carry of course, and we head off for the day. One thing I have learned about bike riding with children is that they get thirsty more often than I do, and have to go to the bathroom more often! So be prepared, bring lots of water and know where rest stops are. Always remember that what ever distance you travel, you have to travel back, kids get tired and a long bike ride is a really, really long walk home.

When bike riding, it's dangerous to ride as a group on the road. Safe bike riding on the road, is riding in single file. So, do you have your children in front of you or behind you? If there're two adults, one can be in front with the children in the middle and the other adult at the end.

But if there's only one adult, what do you do? Personally, when we are on the road, I ride behind, my children ride in front and we go as fast as the slowest rider. When we are on the dyke my oldest child usually rides ahead and my younger one and I ride side by side.

Riding along the dykes we see hawks and eagles and herons, turtles sunning themselves on logs in the ponds, acres and acres of blueberry fields. Cows grazing in fields. The sun on our backs and the breeze in our faces. It is so peaceful, a wonderful time to spend together.

The Pedaling History Bicycle Museum has one of the world's largest collections of antique and classic American bicycles as well as cycling related memorabilia. They have a facinating web site that chronicles the history of the bicycle and how it has impacted society.

check it out at http://www.pedalinghistory.com