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Well, I don't really want to but might need to.
I've used my road/gravel-ish bike for Sustrans routes (90 odd miles) with bikepacking bags on bridleways/rough roads and it's been fine, carries my bivi, sleeping bag etc no problem.
However, I'd like to take my kids (6 and 9) out on some local cycle touring, when campsites reopen, so no rush at the minute. Might not be until this time next year.I’ll need to carry our 3 man tent, and three sleeping bags, so bulkier than my current set up.
Options are:
1) Wait until they’re older and they can carry their own crap (using my seat pack/bar harness)
2) Get a trailer (cheap BOB copy)
3) My bike's got an aluminium frame & forks (Whyte Sussex), the forks have a low boss just above the drop out. So, I’m thinking I could get a rack like this Zefal thing and use the bottom boss and jubilee clip for the top, loaded with small panniers for the kids sleeping bags/spare clothes, so bulky but not heavy. Big tent on the rear rack top and other bits in the rear panniers.
4) Buy a proper touring bike
Option 2 is probably easiest and can do shopping duties too (I don’t drive). But we might use local stopper trains to increase our range, so a panniered-up bike is easier to get on (the trains don’t have a limit of how many bikes can go on them but a trailer might not be welcome)
This is all a bit theoretical at the minute with COVID restrictions anyway, so no rush to go shopping but thinking about it is distracting me from doing real work.
Ha ha! My first response when I saw the title was "No you don't"!
I'd say option 2 is your most flexible and possibly easiest to sell on. Putting that amount of kit on any bike is going to make it feel horrible to ride. It's bad enough doing it with one person's kit let alone three. You can get a lot of stuff on a trailer so you really don't have to slum it. Also consider how the extra weight might affect the braking of your bike.
I'd also consider some small panniers for the kids' bikes so they get to carry some of their own stuff and feel a bit more involved rather than just daddy carrying everything. They don't have to carry much, a sleeping bag might be too much at first. But they're your kids so you should have an idea of what they'll tolerate.
Trains? Seems to depend as much on whether the guard's picked his nose in the right order as anything logical as to what they'll accept.
Putting that amount of kit on any bike is going to make it feel horrible to ride.
Depends on the bike. I use a rove for a tourer with low riders and it would lap up that amount of kit and handle fine....if anything it gets more stable with a load in. The key is to distribute it around the. Bike rather than bolt on a pair of large panniers and pile up on the rack......I did that for a tour of NZ years ago on a Kona Jake.... Descending from.homer tunnel in either direction got hairy
If you go for Bob option the cheap ones fold flat and you can get them.on the train that way as part of your booking and Chuck the loaded bag on a luggage shelf.
Your existing bike will be fine with a rack and large panniers, but I think you would struggle to carry camping stuff and gear for 3 people. Even if you add in front panniers, I think that would be a push (unless you go really minimalist) so I doubt that a new bike is the solution.
I have done a couple of tours in the Netherlands with my wife and two kids, using a Carry Freedom trailer with a 130 litre kitbag on it (containing sleeping bags, mats, camping gear, kids stuff) and the tent on top. I also had two large panniers on my bike, and my wife had panniers on her bike. The kids were a bit older on the second trip, so on that occasion they had a single pannier to carry their own clothes and bits and pieces.
I think a trailer would be the best solution, particularly if you can make use of it for shopping.
Cheers, trailer might be the best option then. Figured the handling wouldn't be great with front panniers as its not a proper tourer.
Pretty lucky with the local train line as it gets us out to the countryside but is a very quiet line. Trains don't have guards so you just put bikes in the doorway, but the option of folding one flat to get it on would be good.
Trailer is a good way to go, I've got a bob copy and it's v robust for roads and gravel tracks. If you haven't got QR check compatibility. Try not to load the trailer too high as it tends to rock a bit, and spread the load across your bike, ideally with some weight in a bar bag or front panniers as this will improve handling. Leave enough space somewhere for a quick food shop before you reach the campsite. Don't carry more gear than your knees can handle 🙂
Actually thinking about it a bit more we should probably send Mum in the car with the tent and camping stuff, meet her there and she gets to go home and enjoy peace and quiet.
All the benefits of cycle camping without carrying their gear or buying new stuff!