Ideas for a multi day with a 7 yr old

[Nevis]

I've got a week off over Easter so my daughter and I have decided we'd like to go on an adventure.

We've done several trips already so I know she'll manage about 10 -15 miles before the inevitable boredom sets in. Once that happens I have to hook up her up to the tow bar and then she'll happily "follow" for hours on end. The downside is it's not much fun for me. The whole set up of 2 bikes, 2 people, a tow bar and full camping gear is pretty unwieldy and could hardly be considered lightweight bike packing! It's not bad on the flat but any kind on incline is hard work and on a proper hill I worry about the chain.

So far we've done a potter around Roscoff, the Camel Trail and the last trip we did was a one nighter on the Tarka trail from Great Torrington to Braunton (~21 miles) then back the following day. That was perfect as it's almost completely traffic free and flat.

Ideally we need something that is as flat and traffic free as possible. I realise routes like that are pretty few and fair between so I am expecting to compromise. If we need to hit the road they need to be very quiet (i.e no busy main roads).

I'm thinking about 20 - 25 miles a day would be about right depending on gradients. If the weather is set fair we'll camp otherwise we need to the option of B&Bs or hostels.

I've had a very brief look at the Taff trail as a possibility.

Any experience of the Taff trail or any other ideas?

[Richpips]

I've spent a loy of time on the High Peak and Tissington trails with the kids. Disused railways, so flat.

This loop has a couple of small hills near Carsington and a bit of quiet road though the rest fits your rquirements perfectly.

http://www.mapmyride.com/gb/buxton-eng/ ... e-37736424

There's some useful links up this way on this stw thread http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic ... s-for-kids

[Nevis]

H I Rich

Thanks for that I'll take a look.

I neglected to say I was thinking about 4 days so it would be too short on it's own, is anything else I could add to that?

We're down in Devon so it's a bit of a trek but certainly not out of the question.

[Richpips]

Another suggestion.

Part of Hadrian's Cycleway? We did a 100 mile section from Port Carlisle to Tynemouth, that'd make a nice leisurely ride over 4 days . Off road or quiet roads. There are hills but not steep ones.

(Ignore the riding back to the start bit) :)

http://sometimesridesbikes.blogspot.co. ... st-to.html

[Nevis]

That looks interesting, how much on road is there?

Great effort by your son btw, that's impressive

[Richpips]

That looks interesting, how much on road is there?

Great effort by your son btw, that's impressive

Thanks.

Just had a look at the map. Probably 50% on road. The only bit that I recall as being "busy" was around Carlisle. Though more so for crossing roads, than cycling on them.

[adjustablewench]

I can't recommend Isle of Man enough - just off out to a meeting but here's the link to our trip album from 3 years ago

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... ba382ac53e

have just booked to go at easter again - still a bargain with the rail and sail tickets with a family rail card two adults and two kids return to douglas for 148 from Sheffield.

We did a nice mix of quiet roads, off road, beaches and old railway lines - and there are lots of little things to do to keep them entertained

Oh my two were 7 & 8 last time - and loved the ferry aspect too a real adventure

[Nevis]

Cracking photos, looks like you had a great time.

Just checked and from here in Devon it's only £112.50 (+ £30 for the rail card) from the front door to Douglas and back. That's a great deal.

[adjustablewench]

The ferry makes it a bit different - my mum is a keen motorcyclist and set my two a treasure hunt of things to find around the island. It's almost like stepping into the 1940 ' s, so even the tourist 'attractions' were traditional and easily doable as you travel around.

The wheels at laxey, the parliament at tynwald, various castles and museums, and just exploring the beaches and dunes in the north - it's got a lot of variety in scenery.

Another brilliant thing I liked at easter was the absence of foxes - there were so many chicks and ducklings everywhere, it made it seem very festive :)

[adjustablewench]

And they also have pound notes - my two were amazed that you could have a note for a pound

[Nevis]

Agree, my daughter's first cycle trip a couple of years ago was plymouth to roscoff, the ferry really adds to the adventure.

IoM does sound fab. I've had a look for a bit of info re traffic free routes but haven't turned up too much. Can you point me to some info?

Like the treasure hunt idea too. We often do a bit of geocaching on our trips, it's a great way to lead you in unexpected directions.

[adjustablewench]

here's a link (hopefully!) to a rough gpx - done from memory so it wont be perfect.

I remember having to loop about a bit in the dunes in the north as it wasn't possible to ride straight round along the path - but it wasn't a big diversion and we had no problems camping there. also the bit getting from the campsite at kirk micheal back up to the old railway line was a bit interesting - in hindsight i think i would have gone along the road a bit and picked it up a bit further along.

The ride across the middle from peel to douglas was lovely,in fact i can't remember not liking any of it. one thing to be wary of there is no national speed lilmit so outside of the towns the cars can be going fairly quick - but the roads do limit that as they are not motorways, and there really isn't that much traffic compared to rural england. we also stopped in a b&b in ramsey - the heathers i think it was called , lovely lady i booked as we came into ramsay in the pouring rain. she greeted us with the garage door open and took everything off us and stuck it in the drier - fantastic b&b with great breakfast too. not in the wildcamping spirit but when you are juggling two soggy grumpy children it was perfect!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1Rvp ... authuser=0