Messages

1

Youth Bicyle Travel / Help needed

« on: January 11, 2007, 06:27:59 pm »

Hi, the best way to get the kids involved is to make it their trip. I love cycling and have been touring for a few years. Our two boys started when they were 8 and 10. Our first trips were to the Dairy Queen or even to the grocery (to sit in the parking lot and eat a box of popcycles).  Their first long day was a 105 km day and we took 12 hours to complete it.  The destination was a cabin at a campground with a big waterslide. We stoped for all sorts of reasons along the way including finding treasors (bungy cords,bird feathers and a small flag). Two years latter they have enjoyed a 10 days family trip with Atlantic Canada Cycling in Newfoundland Canada, 670 km of rocky coastline with people from all over. We are now planning to cycle in France in 2008 and the boys are looking forward to crossing Canada with mom and dad in 2009.  The trick is to keep it fun for them and let them make it their adventure.

2

Youth Bicyle Travel / Boy Scouts on Katy Trail

« on: January 05, 2007, 12:02:25 am »

Hi, what a nice topic.  I have been a leader with the scouts here in New Brunswick Canada and have completed a similar project in 2005.  A 5 day ride to participate in a Jamboree.  As Walt mentioned, training is critical and I would say more for the mental than the physical.  The best part of the trip was what happened when you removed all the nintendo, mp3, gameboys and such away from a bunch of young boys for a few days.  It took a day or two but all of a sudden, they would focus on the tasks at hand and could follow and give constructive input into conversations.  You will be sad to see your trip finish so soon.  Once the kids value their responsabilities in the mission, you will be in for a great trip.  We got strong winds and heavy rain and the kids just loved it.  It is in projects like these that you will see the true spirit of scouting as BP intended it to be.  Good Luck

This message was edited by AJB on 1-4-07 @ 8:04 PM

3

Gear Talk / Fenders

« on: March 14, 2006, 07:08:51 pm »

I have a Specialized Rockhopper from the late 1990's and I have no problems with full fenders and my BOB trailer. The full fenders are zefal brand. I think they look pretty cool, almost as much as my horn in the shape of a rhino (from the kids department of big box stores).  Coolness is like tastes, it cannot be disputed but only appreciated. Cycle on troops!

4

Routes / Gaspe Peninsula

« on: December 06, 2006, 11:29:08 pm »

You might want to check the book titled Partners in Grime by Neil Anderson, you can also email him and ask for some info.  I got some got info from him on doing the west coast of Newfoundland.

5

General Discussion / Family question

« on: May 14, 2005, 04:53:24 am »

We have taken our two sons on tours from when they were 8 and 10.  They easily handled 50 km days. The trick is to stop often, keep things positive, and stop to smell the roses (play grounds, pools at campsites). They are now 10 and 12 and can do longer days with no problems. Set your goals based on the child and you should do fine.

6

General Discussion / Trailer Preferences

« on: February 24, 2005, 02:12:57 am »

The BOB is great but yes size matters. Keep the volume of the load to a minimum.  The yellow waterproof bag is worth its weight since you can compress things down to the density of lead. The only draw back is the fact that BOB has not learned to stand on his own yet. I have a preliminary design for "Yak Jacks" that will permit the trailer to be stable in the stop position. Stoping is as much part of touring as smiling and smeling the roses.