touring with kids is not as hard as you might
think. If you’re unsure about it, start small, as
software engineer and cycling blogger Richard
Masoner suggests:
“Among bike people, we have a concept of the
S24O or the Sub 24-hour overnight trip. You
find a destination within easy biking distance
for you and your family, and you don’t even
need fancy or expensive touring gear. My
family and I did this with inexpensive city
bikes and heavy car-camping gear, camping
overnight in a nearby state park. In California, many state parks even have camping sites
reserved just for those who bike or walk into
the site.”
Richard did this when his kids were 9 and 13,
but don’t discount bike travel with younger
kids, as well. My husband and I traveled 4,000
miles across the U.S. on our honeymoon. On
the way, we overtook a young family doing the
same thing. The mom was pregnant, and the
dad was pulling their 2 year old in a trailer behind him. He was happy as a clam at 40 miles
a day! Tandem extensions can help bridge the
gap for kids who are too big for a trailer and
too small to go far on their own. And if you’re
worried about safety in traffic, plan your trip
for an established, dedicated bike trail.
Ultimately, you’ll need to consider more than
just carbon emissions when planning your
mode of travel. No matter how you choose
to go, purchasing carbon offsets can help you
make amends to the planet for your travel
impact. Sustainable Travel International’s
Carbon Calculator for travelers is a useful tool
that lets you calculate your impact and offset
it by donating to reforestation, renewable energy, and other sustainable projects.
Leave no trace
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