Youth Bicyle Travel / Introduction, a plan, and some questions. :)
« on: April 24, 2019, 02:22:51 pm »Short story... I'm planning my first family bike tour for this fall 2019.
Longer story... It's me, my wife, and 2 kids. Ages 48, 38, 8, and 3. I've biked my whole life, until recently. I just bought a new Jamis steel road bike to get back into it. Prior to that, well I've biked constantly, daily year-round commuting, and a couple extended car-free stints, until about 5 years ago. I switched to an out of town job, longer hours, and just quit riding. That job is done now, we just paid off our house, and we are ready to start a new chapter in our lives. We are putting our house up for sale and moving back to Illinois, closer to family. In the interim we want to take a bike tour.
I've never toured, or ridden long-distance at all. My wife is fit, but has never been a cyclist. She had a bike for a while as an adult, but never rode much, not since she was a kid. She does not own a bike now. My 8 year old son rides his single speed BMX bike constantly, everywhere, and anytime he can. I pulled him everywhere in a Nashbar trailer when he was younger. I never liked that trailer, it was uncomfortable for him. I decided this time to get a Burley Solo for the 3 year old. With the better seating, and suspension, I think she'll be more comfortable.
So that's what I've got. My Jamis steel road bike pulling a Burley Solo. We need a bike for my wife, and a new bike for our son. My wife does not want a drop bar bike, she wants an upright, step through. She likes the look of the Raleigh Alysa. My budget is only about $500 for her bike, and my son's. Used is fine, I've always done my own bike maintenance. I saw a Novara Portal on ebay that is listed as a 24" wheel bike, it's got rear rack mounts. All the other 24" bikes I see do not have rack mounts. Also most of them have cheap suspension forks, and I'd rather him have a solid fork for this adventure.
We have not decided on a route, but we are thinking southern states. We are avid campers, so we have backpacking gear, tents, bags, cookware, etc.
I guess I'm just looking for some general input on our plans. Any advice you all can give would be tremendously appreciated! Thanks so much!