Family Riding

[Tri-FatBoy]

So, I'm looking for some suggestions to get the wife/kids into it. I've seen on these forums some pics of an insane tandem setup: tandem, clip on for the larger of the kids, and then a trailer for the smaller ones. While this may work, it looks like it would be rough to handle. I've currently got three of my own bikes, my kids each have a kiddie bike of their own, but this doesn't seem to be practical for longer trips (least not till the training wheels are off) and they're a bit big to share a trailer. The other problem is getting my wife to agree to let me buy her a bike that does not come from a big box store, and teaching her how to turn, etc on it.

I'm sure this is a common question, how do yall go about getting the rest of your lot involved in cycling?

[rule]

Simple...tell them not to.

[masiman]

I wish there were a magic answer but I have not figured it out. Where it seems to work is when there is excitement for the activity. The dad looks forward to it and then gets the kids excited about it which then improves the chances the mom will be willing to do it. The funny part is that to get the excitement going, it can't be about the riding but about what is going on around the riding. E.g., a group ride where the kids are treated special because there are few kids riding, ice cream, playground where other kids see them ride up, a ride through the woods with fun little obstacles, if they can and do ride ahead occasionally and feel freedom. Moms can be difficult. The most common problem seems to be a dislike of physical activity. Sometimes there is a dislike of riding even though the mom does other physical activity, but that seems rarer. The path to creating the family fun ride time can be long and slow. If you are a rider, expect and accept that you will no longer ride how you want to, but you will sacrifice your desires to help your kids and spouse enjoy the ride.

Specific ideas:
Look for community events that you can ride to. We ride to the DC mall over Memorial Day to see the 10's of thousands of bikers, we do the NYC 5-boro tour, we go to the Pentagon on Sept 11th. Occasional trips are around the local park/lake for ice cream and playground time. Occasional trips to National Airport to lay on the grass and feel the planes land on our heads, daily commute to school. Each of these is rides is very much enjoyed by the kids. Selection of who rides where, what are we going to eat, can I take my camelbak, etc.

If your kids are older, it likely would not be worth it to get a trailer. Ours is rated to carry 100lbs, but I have carried ~150 for short distances, and regularly do carry ~100lbs. Your tweener stage is tough. I have 1 (almost 2) there now. The tandem is great for this stage and even beyond. The trail-a-bike (tab) is another great way to overcome that. A tandem plus a tab is effectively a triplet. It has been nice to not have to exclude any of our kids from coming along on a ride due to number of seats and destination distance. It is nice when you can start to do 5-10 mile rides. Depending on the kid that can generally happen anywhere from 6ish-8 yrs old.

[Mel_bikes]

Ice cream

[HardyWeinberg]

It's all about the destinations.

[atbman]

Regular and frequent breaks. Choose a route where you/they can play ballgames, frisbees, etc. make sure you have sufficient treats for them. Choose routes where there is something interesting to see. Involve them in planning the ride.

For pre-riders, use trailer, childseat, trailerbike whichever is relevant. If you are (likely) much the stronger rider, you pull the kids.

Leave them wanting more

For mothers - make very sure that her bike is set up right

[rockmom]

I second the ice cream suggestion. Fun destinations in general seem to work. Coffee shops and bookstores are destinations that have worked for my husband and kids. Routes with playgrounds, beaches, or other points of interest are good.

[(BB)]

With our daughter we have had a trail-a-bike since she was 4 and have always used it for running errands etc... at this point she thinks using a bike to run errands is a normal thing, go figure. Although in the spirit of full disclosure, ice cream and/or stopping at the park can be a very powerful motivational tool.
It was my wife and her family that got me into cycling so I can't help you there.

[chego]

As a wife myself, I think that offering to give her some time alone to get out on the bike might do the trick. I probably wouldn't want the whole family around to watch me screw up and "alone" time to exercise is a precious commodity so combining the two might do the trick!

[triplerider]

Once our first child was about 6 months old I was pulling him in the trailer on 20 mile rides. At first I would try timing it with a nap but later discovered the airport loop. From then on, as long as we stopped for a bit to watch planes I could get a decent length ride in. This past summer he upgraded to stoker position on our tandem and we basically do the same type of routes pulling our 1 year old in the trailer. Occasionally just the oldest (he turns 5 next week) and I get out on some pretty long tandem rides without the trailer. They both love it--as long as there are planes to watch. Fighter jets are bonus points...

Getting your wife into cycling may be a bit more work, they tend to not do things unless they want to. Have you tried shoving her into a trailer? :)