Bicycle Touring 101: Touring as one big happy family, Feldmann style!

I have never toured as part of a family group so naturally I looked elsewhere to see how others have managed. One of the most enjoyable family oriented journals I've read on crazyguyonabike is by the Feldmann family.

Later this year they plan to cross the second largest country in the world by bicycle as a family unit. The country is Canada and the remainder of this page let's them discuss touring in their own words.

Hello! We're the Feldmann Family, of Penticton, British Columbia
Stefan, Tristan, Cynthia and Fritz
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"I like bicycle touring because you have more time to look around at the scenery. You have more time to get somewhere and not have a time limit to get there.

You always have a reward after climbing a hill, and the reward is the down hill.

When you tour through new towns, you get to check out all the different bathrooms.

I also like meeting new people and visiting places that I knew zilch about before.

After a good days ride, it is always nice to look forward to a cold pop or ice cream cone.

Rainy weather can be a pain, but it won’t dampen this CRAZY family’s spirits!!"

Another Feldmann group shot. Tristan (left), Fritz (center) and Stefan (right)
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"I like to discover what is around the corner and to see new things, new vistas. Yes, dealing with the unexpected can be trying sometimes, but sometimes it opens new doors. The slow pace of time is very appealing when we’re touring. The soul always feels better when it’s relaxed.

I enjoy tasting new foods from new places. As the family chef, preparing quick cooking healthy camp meals requires extra effort, so it’s always a treat to splurge in restaurants.

Touring will give you a sense of freedom, which you could only match if traveling on foot. The ultimate touring trip would find me in exotic places (South America, Tajikistan, Georgia in former Russian Republic, Nepal, parts of China). I prefer traveling away from the masses.

Touring is fun. Since we are rarely in a rush, we often stop for short breaks and inevitably someone in the family gets goofy.

It’s good to listen to the sounds of the environment around you (minus the cars). Your sense of smell comes alive too, especially when you smell a grizzly bear!

Traveling with children encourages you to see things through their eyes, their interpretation. You get a better understanding of life’s priorities if you see it from a child’s perspective."

Fritz and Tristan out enjoying a ride in the country.
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"I like the sense of independence that touring provides. All that I need, I have with me. My husband, my children, our basic items to survive. Having less, is more.

Touring provides the freedom to go at my own speed, not to be within a pack of cars going 110 km/hr. I also like reaching a summit using my own muscles. You appreciate the scenery a lot more!

I like the freedom to eat ice cream without any guilt. Speaking of eating, food tastes way better when you are hungry after a long day of riding. It’s also fun trying out the occasional new restaurant along the route.

Touring means new adventures, new discoveries, new places, and meeting new people from all walks of life. Touring makes us more open minded and open hearted.

Personally, when we travel as a family, I feel a deep sense of togetherness. I am focused on our time together. Touring creates life long bonding."

What things do you think are most important to your family's successful touring experiences?

"Money for ice cream, an occasional playground, and not having to do too many chores when we arrive at camp."

Stefan Feldmann with the mountains before him.
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"For me, taking along a tiny but proper pillow ensures I have a good sleep. A good sleep guarantees me a good next day. Also, a comfortable seat is a must item for me. Thanks to doing the “butt test” I have finally found a seat that fits me, and I don’t mind spending 8 hours in the saddle."

"Having well behaved children helps a lot! Personally, as long as I remember to eat before I get hungry, and drink often, then the day is much more enjoyable no matter what events occur."

What one thing do you worry about the most when considering your upcoming Cross Canada touring adventure?

"I’m not worried about anything, yet…maybe I’ll get the jitters a few days before we leave. Maybe not."

A rare picture of Cynthia. She's camera shy (or she just takes all the pictures)! :)
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"Due to my food allergies, intolerances and dietary restrictions, I’m a bit worried about the availability of food along some remote sections. I’ll just have to make a concerted effort to always stock up on fresh fruit and veggies, and have a stash of good food tucked away in case we are in between food sources."

Any helpful advice for other parents who are thinking about taking their kids on a tour?

"Train lots for biking so you’re really comfortable riding. Practice riding on your street, then city streets, then the highway. Use hand signals only before the turn, not during the turn. Wear bright clothing. And a helmet. No standing up to pedal when you are on the highway. Don’t let mom catch you looking around too much."

"Be patient. Be enthusiastic. Be supportive. Be receptive to the children’s slow speed sometimes. Remember to stop lots and have snacks handy. Give children the opportunity to excel and they will rise to the occasion."

"Teach safe riding habits. Set good examples. Talk as a family about how to improve safety habits (don’t ride too close behind each other; signal well ahead of the turns, no looking around turning your heads, no weaving around and being goofy). Take the children to a playground and let them burn off energy.

I also think it’s really important that you arrive in camp before dinner time. This way the children have time for chores (filling water bottles and camels, setting up the tent, airing out the sleeping bags, filling the Therma-Rests) and time to play a bit. Meanwhile dad prepares dinner while mum does her daily maintenance on all the bikes (yes, in our family roles are definitely switched around!). This routine ensures an early bed time for everyone, ready for an early start to another day of adventure.

Don’t have too grandiose of plans when you are starting out on a tour. Start with a one night trip, but stay away from traveling on long weekends – traffic volumes increase tenfold.

Be attuned to your child’s body language, moods, and be very willing to stop lots."

Another Feldmann Family Photo.
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"I'll miss my hair dryer, but I guess after 46 years, it's about time I got used to my naturally curly frizzy hair! I’m taking a summer skirt and nice top with me, but I’m sure that after 5 months of living in the same cycling outfits I’ll be craving for some different clothes!"

"I’ll miss my Paderno cooking pots. Otherwise, I really don’t think I’ll miss anything."

The Feldmann families new touring card.
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"Checking out the new house we’ll eventually live in, somewhere, but we don’t know where. That’s exciting."

"I’m looking forward to compiling a list of all the many different places we’ll sleep over the 5 months. While some people may worry about that, I’m intrigued about all the possibilities (behind churches, inside firehalls, in farmer’s fields, in gravel pits, in abandoned buildings). It would be great to also stay with other Canadian families - even on their soft lawns would be a treat. "

"Every day will be exciting for me, I hope. I love traveling, and experiencing new places. I’ve always had the travel bug in me since my childhood in Switzerland, and my youth spent traveling in Sweden and England. I’m also looking forward to scouting various attributes of the campgrounds we’ll stay at. One day our family hopes to operate a campground so I’ll be making notes from a cyclist’s point of view."

Do you have any suggestions for other kids whose parents want to take them along on a bicycle tour?

"Remind your parents that it’s not a race and we’re here to enjoy ourselves Let us stop and play somewhere. We’ve been known to play in a ditch while our parents chatted with some people along the road. Give us dirt and grass and we’re happy.