Burnette

We usually rent a vehicle for vactions, normally a mini van (love the Toyota Sienna). Remove the last row of seats, with me, my wife and daughter, there is plenty of room for the bike and gear. Get up way before everybody, you could get in a two hour ride in before they rustle up for breakfast. Just be sure to stake out were you want to ride before hand.
I made a mstake a few years ago. We vacationed at Hilton Head Island several times. There are slow walk/bike paths there, OK for putting around, not good for a fun, long ride. I didn't want to ride some path, so I took my road bike there one time, we stayed right in the middle of all that mess, got up early and headed out towards the exit to the island. After a mile I was surrounded by morning traffic. Bumper to wheel to bumper traffic. If you have ever been there and remember that big bridge you go across, I went across that on my bike. Vortex winds swirled trash all around me at the bottom of that bridge, that road of course empties into anoher long strip of store and traffic. It was crazy, fun in a funny way, but you don't want to it, I don't recomend it.
All I had to do was check online about local routes, drive to them with my bike in the van and had some fun.
There was een a LBS ride not too far away that same week we were there.
Rent a van if you don't have one and do your homework about routes before you go.

Gege-Bubu

"Madagascar" and "Constantinople"

cafzali

In my experience, even if you don't share hobbies, couples -- with and without kids -- often like taking some time during vacations to do their own thing. One of the ways you "keep the fire burnin'" is to have some space to do your own thing.

I take my bike on every driving vacation we do and try to get out for at least 2-3 rides of 90 minutes each or so and we've got two kids -- the youngest of whom is under 2. It's extra work for her then, but I have situations where life means extra stuff for me when she's busy at work,etc., so it all evens out.

nesdog

As it happens, I own that van and we do exactly as you described; remove the back row of seats and pile everything inside for the 3 of us.

I've been to HHI twice, both in summer, and wouldn't want to ride in that humidity! There was an shop ride but I had rented a beach cruiser just to hang on the bike paths. That bridge must have been a nightmare!

8086bruce

As a father of 4 the only way I can make it work is to drag myself out of bed at first light and hit the road before anyone is awake.

rumrunn6

my 2 cents. if its not something everyone can do, don't bring it.

B8888S

Boy am I lucky! Both of my planned vacations for this summer have been planning with cycling in mind. All four of us enjoy getting out and exploring on our bikes. I am the only one of us that rides a road bike so I just take my mountain bike along with the wife and kids. We are going to be hitting the trails of the central California coast in early June. Our plan is to ride in the morning and sight see in the afternoon. We will also be spending a week in Mammoth in July for some lift served downhill riding. Out of 7 days we are planning on riding all day for 3 of them. The other days will involve some hiking, relaxing, shopping, and sight seeing.

Mansram01

Family time together is a must but I always try to plan some ride time too. I've taken my bike to Arizona and Utah and rented a bike in Hawaii. Those are some of the best memories I brought back with me. On a 7+ day trip, I'll schedule at least two rides that are from 1 to 4 hours in duration. It really depends too on your wife and family situation. My wife is totally supportive. I'm also ready to head out right after a ride. I'm not gonna come back from a ride and take it easy either! Shower and out! Family time..

rumrunn6

+1

that's what I have done. and sometimes I bring an old classic just to keep it interesting. otherwise the old bikes just sit in the basement.

Long Tom

As the kids get older (and the marriage does too, lol) time apart becomes desired by everyone. Teenagers don't want to be with parents all the time. So for those posting with young kids- things change a LOT.

Everyone in my family sees what a huge net positive my riding is for my mood, health, and physique. They do their things on vaca that don't interest me- like tanning- and I go riding.

tanguy frame

My wife does not ride, but our family vacations are focused on mountain sports, so we hike or ski all day in season, and on those vacations I don't miss the bike. I was fortunate to get my eldest daughter interested in cycling and if we can arrange to be together on vacations, we'll both take bikes and try to squeeze in a ride. It's not the main focus of the trip, but it gets us to some nice places. We're headed to Leavenworth and Lake Chelan this summer for hiking and drinking. We'll take bikes and if we get to go once or twice it'll be worth it. If we end up hiking all day every day instead I will not be disappointed!

caloso

Whenever we go somewhere, we all try to find something that each of us would enjoy. For me that usually involves riding. Sometimes the trip doesn't lend itself to riding, but if it does, no one really minds if I sneak away for a morning ride.

gaucho777 

Yes, I bring my bike on most vacations. To some extent it depends on the vacation. If you are planning to spend a relaxing week at a cabin or some out of the way resort, it's great to have a bike. ("It would be nice to have a bike for short trips to the general store, etc.") But if it's a short, agenda-filled weekend to a destination or urban environment, it's probably best to leave the bike at home. You don't want to seem selfish with family time, or cause your wife/kids to feel they are their vacation on hold while you are gone. But if it's a vacation where everyone is going to lounging around for much of the time, I don't see the problem with carving out some time (ideally, in the morning before everyone gets up) for riding.

The trick is to get the wife to agree and then don't make it something she regrets. Say, "There is supposed to be some wonderful rides in the area. I don't want to get in the way of our family vacation, but if there is a morning or two when you would like to sleep in, or a couple hours of down time, I would really appreciate being able to get in a short ride...I know this is a family vacation first, but it would mean a lot to me if I could squeeze in a quick ride when it's not inconvenient for everyone, etc." Don't over do it or underestimate the how long you'll be gone, and when when you get back tell her how great it was an how much you love and appreciate her. If you do it right, you'll set a precedent for future trips. If that 2-hour ride turns into three hours, and then you get lost, and cause the family to miss whatever it is you have planned...you'll never get to take bike again!

Visiting family can be touchy. My wife gets along with my family, but she doesn't want to be left alone with my mom and our daughter for several hours while I go for a ride. She's rather I leave my bike at home when we visit her in-laws (my parents).

Jiggle

When I was growing up, my dad and I would go for a road ride in the evening while the women unloaded the car and set up camp or moved luggage into the hotel. There was never a debate.

Nachoman

That's just an evil twist to the whole equation.
To be left alone with my mother-in-law is cruel and unusual punishment!

kaisersling

When I am on vacation (already at the destination) and we go on little excursions, I just Leave a little earlier than the group going by car and ride to the end destination. Works like a charm for me. Keeps everybody happy....