Family on a Bike

The Family on a Bike aspect of this project is about our own family adventures and expeditions. We see these as more than just holidays and a way to enjoy ourselves, although there's no doubt they are that too. Our travels are also one of the best ways we know to live and learn about the principles of Family Adventure.

Here we share some of our own family adventure stories and lessons from the road.

Tour of Britain - Lands End to John O Groats (2007)
Stuck for what to do in the long summer holidays, we decided to attempt a ride from Lands End to John O Groats. Two adults, three young children, two tandems, two trailers and at least a thousand miles of continuous, unsupported riding. Oh and just seven weeks before the kids had to be back at school. Some said it couldn't be done. We thought it pretty unlikely. So we did it anyway.

Adventures in Parenting (2002/3)
With the arrival of babies we had to figure out new ways to tour, as a family. First with one child, then two and now three.

Easter 2006 was our 'Home Made Sticky Toffee Cumbrian Eco Tour'. A clean, green tour of our own beautiful backyard, travelling by bike, spending money with local businesses, visiting eco-and conservation projects, meeting people with a passion for the planet

Two adults, one bike, one tandem, two trailers and three children, treading lightly and learning about sustainable living and sustainable tourism on a wet, wild and windy two week, 450km eco-adventure in Cumbria, England.

Read about the idea for the tour

Take a look at our route map

Read stories, postings, and musings from our eco tour

After almost freezing to death at Easter on our Cumbrian Eco-Tour, and overheating in the record breaking heat of July at home, we spent August 2006 experiencing global warming in one of our clean, green Scandanavian neighbours on our 'Dra åt Skogen tour.

Two canoes, two children, a baby and a blow up shark. Plus the usual two adults, one bike, one tandem and two trailers, paddling and pedalling around Western Sweden. Five weeks, 750 km by bike, 37km by canoe, 24km by inspection trolley.

See inspirational images from our Swedish adventure

Take a look at our route map

Read stories, postings and musings from our tour

In November 2005 we returned from one of our biggest adventures, a ten month, globe spanning 'In Search of Families In Search of Adventure Tour'

We biked 4000km end to end in New Zealand, sailed around the Bay of Islands, eco toured in Independent Samoa, road tripped up the National Parks of West Coast USA and Canada then rode the railroad across America stopping off in five big name cities.

More than just a tour, this was an experiment in family adventure, a chance to see what was possible and opportunity to meet other families around the world who adventure together.

Read stories and musings about our nomadic life in Postings from the Road

Read more about the tour and itinerary

Take a look at our route maps

Find our about our gear and equipment

Family on a Bike Before Children (2000 BC)
Before we started our family, we cycle toured without children. We spent our honeymoon on a six month cycle tour in South America travelling from the Equator to the End of the World.