Family on a Bike

This part of the site 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 what it means to adventure together as a family. Here you can share in some of our experiences of adventuring in different ways, in different places and at different times.

Coast to Coast UK - the C2C (2012)
On a mission to see if we can cope with harsher climes and prepare for a possible tour of Iceland in the summer, we decided to take on a UK classic coast to coast ride. In mid winter.

Blue Danube: Gone Chopin, Bach Soon - Central Europe (2011)
Inspired by the school recorder club, we set off on a musical adventure, exploring some of Central and Eastern Europe's musical history while trying to learn to play an arrangement of the Blue Danube for four recorders.

BIkes, Boats and Moomin Summer Madness - The Baltics (2010)
Cash strapped and inspired by a Moomin like winter, we headed off to try and join the Moomins 65th anniversary party in Finland, travelling on boats and bikes via the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

The Italian Job - Amsterdam to Venice (2009)
With the credit crunch starting to bit, we wanted to get away from 'Broken Britain' and find out how fellow citizens of Europe were coping on this journey from one city of canals to another, from Amsterdam to Venice, by bike. Following the great rivers of Europe and crossing the Alps on the Via Claudia Augusta. Find out more on our Italian Job homepage.

Pedalling Pilgrims - The Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela (2008)
Looking for a summer of spirit and adventure (and someplace a little warmer) we took to the road in Northern Spain, tacking the ancient Pilgrims Route across the Pyrennees, the Spanish Meseta, the Montes de Leon to Santiago de Compostela and then to the very end of the mediaeval world, Finisterre. Find out more on our Pedalling Pilgrims homepage.

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.