With our not too hot, not too cold weather conditions this past Saturday, we hopped on our bikes again for another spring ride.  In the following video, we’re sharing our journey, plus a few tips on taking longer bike rides with kids. And if you just a need a few quick tips for reference, I’ve outlined our longer ride tips below!

For this particular ride, we biked to Seattle’s Gas Works Park, stopped for baseball and playground fun, and then rode a little further into the Fremont neighborhood for dinner.  This 9-mile round-trip adventure certainly wasn’t our longest ride, but we figure we are building up to go further later in the spring and summer!

Tips for Taking Longer Bike Rides with Kids

For more information and to see it all in action, make sure to watch the video above, but here are the basics! 

• Choose an activity.

Whether it’s equipment for a pick-up game of baseball or simply a Frisbee to throw around, bring something along! The kids can have something to look forward to do at their half-way point or break spot.  We’ve started utilizing the trailer to carry all of our gear while Georgia rides behind Slaed in the Yepp Seat.

• Let them lead.

Bergen was dragging a bit during the first half of our ride, so on our way home, we changed things up! Instead of him riding between us, he got to take the lead.  Of course, you have to know your child, and what they can handle.  Since Bergen is familiar with our local trails and the roads we ride, he was confident, and the responsibility was very motivating for him!

• Treats!

Of course, right? On this most recent ride, I brought some jelly beans along, and every so often (stop signs, lights, transitions, etc.) we got to take a bean break.  Picnic lunches, ice cream stops, restaurants and eateries also help! And don’t forget the water!

• Choose Exciting Destinations!

Special parks, playgrounds, lakes, splash pads, ice cream shops, and bakeries all make great bike riding destinations.  When kids have have an exciting destination ahead, they are so much more motivated to put the pedal to the medal!

• Cheerlead.

Cheering kids on as they power up a tough hill or longer stretch, makes them feel so special, and allows them to realize that we recognize their effort! You can see our cheerleading in action on our video!

• Build Endurance.

Start small, build up to longer rides (slow and steady), and ride as often as you can! I believe that even other activities, such as hiking and walking, we help build up those leg muscles, and put kids in the mindset that they CAN travel longer distances.

Share your longer distance bike riding tips with us! We’d love to chat more in the comments. Will you try a long(er) distance bike ride with your kids this spring?

Related posts:

• 2019 Spring Bucketlist

• Yepp Maxi Child Bike Seat

• Prevelo Alpha 3 20-inch bike

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