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Got a couple of days off in the summer holidays and want to take 7 year old for a decent length ride.
Looking for a 2 day fairly flat route. Thinking old railway track or towpath. Think he could manage 30-40 miles on day 1 and maybe 20 on day 2.
Based in Surrey so anything local would be good but happy to travel further afield.
Thought of the downslink to the south coast or maybe the thames cycle path out to windsor from london but any more scenic options would be great.
How much does he ride at present? Even flat that's a bit of a stretch day one for a 7 year old, they don't roll as quick as you might think. I'd look at 20 tops unless you're absolutely sure they'll love it.
Have 3 boys, and they all ride a fair bit, but they tend to need something to keep their interest up every 5 miles or so .. the speed really picks up when they get to 26" wheels.
Not local, but I do like the Tarka Trail in Devon (North coast end), would make a nice 2 day break.
I'm sure there are some 7 year olds who can do 30-40 miles, but that's a very long way for most. Mine was doing 20 miles of disused railway by then, and of course all kids are different, but I wouldn't try and get him to do 40 miles under his own steam even now he's 10.
To be honest I'd say the Downs Link in two days is ideal for a 7 year old. It's got a good amount of shade and shelter to mitigate various extremes of weather, and it's close to home if it turns out not to go as planned. There are a handful of camping/B&B options midway, and while it's not the most fascinating route there are a few cafes to visit and woods you can play in to pass the time, plus optional detours such as ambling down the Wey to Godalming and back. And you get to finish with ice creams by the sea, which is always a winner for a ride with kids.
Like I say, maybe you have a 7yo with much more stamina than most, but I wouldn't overdo the Dad Enthusiasm and turn it into a hollow-eyed death march 🙂
Cheers for the input.
He’s been riding for 3 years and most weekends we will do 5-8 miles and have been down to Swinley. He is physicaly quite big and on 24 inch wheels so quite fast rolling
You are probably right, 40 is maybe a bit ambitious.
Will have a look at the tarka trail and any other suggestions
Depending on whereabouts in Surrey you are riding into London along the Basingstoke, Wey and Thames is a good flat off road route. I have ridden it from Frimley with my son before, and planning to ride it with my 10 year old daughter in a couple of weeks time if the weather is still good. Starting from Frimley it is 45 miles to Waterloo, and then the train home from there. It is gently downhill which also helps. Mostly off road, but once you get to Putney you have to pick up cycleways in London - which aren’t too bad. I think it is a more interesting route than the Downs Link.
The Meon Valley Trail is ~9 miles long, travelling north it gets you very close to the base of Old Winchester Hill, plenty of quiet road options to loop back to Wickham by either climbing Old Winch or heading west to Beacon Hill.
https://www.strava.com/segments/3880674
Lots of nice canals about
The kennet and Avon - so park at a station (with cheapo parking) train to bath and ride back, with you mainly having the train as a bale out option
Also have a look a sustrans map as that shows traffic free cycling
Ridgeway can be done via train from reading to Swindon and cycle back
I was thinking along Kennett and Avon from Reading or Newbury out towards Marlborough and train back. My boy is 8 now and last summer when 7 did Thatcham to Kintbury and back in a day easily enough. Once out of Reading its a nice ride in nice countryside, train options at various points pubs for food etc.
My eldest was doing about 25 miles when he was 7.5 to 8. He’s ridden a lot with me since he was about 6 and can comfortably hold an average of 10mph or so but he would be knackered after 25 miles which we did a couple of times, I think that was about his max distance.
I’m not sure if a big lunch and a rest for an hour or so would have made any difference to be honest, his legs would be spent.
I thought maybe it was too far/fast for his age despite his enthusiasm and I keep rides under two hours or so now.
No idea on routes, but my eldest is 7 and the most he can reasonably do is about 20 miles in a day and he races cyclocross, mtb & road and is (I reckon) one of the fastest 7yr olds out there.
So I'd reduce the distance and up the fun factor as they get bored pretty easily, try and include ice cream stops too - a very hand bribe 😉
It's a lot more involved (and spendy) and probably OTT for a couple of days BUT.... Could you get up to Harwich, night boat to the Hoek of Holland ride up the coast Northwards taking in Madurodam (brilliant model village), Scheveninghen (spelled that wrong I bet) - beach and aquarium then night boat back the other way.
For kids just the most amazing cycling, traffic free, beaches, friendly people, frikadellen, loads of cafes and riding through dunes etc.
I fancy doing this for our next boys trip (mine are 10 and 7)