Top tips on happy pedalling for adults and kids
Now spring is here with sunshine and milder weather – spending time outside suddenly seems like a great option for a life upgrade. So we’re taking the long view here for summer 2025, and thinking about ways to enhance family life with cycling.
We all know that cycling provides exercise, fitness and a focus on shared activity. It takes us away from screens and sofa time and can reset our happiness and wellbeing. Nothing beats the feeling of a day spent in outside in the fresh air, taking enjoyable exercise in the company of your favourite people.
The great thing about cycling is that you can do as long or as short a ride as you want, and that any length ride gives a boost to you and your family. The bike is a great way to build memories as well as fitness.
Here are our tips to get you going:
1. Count the bikes and count the kids … are there enough to go around?
Has someone sneakily grown over the winter and no longer fits their bike? We often help families with a plan for handing a bike down through the family. With some sympathetic upgrades, the younger one doesn’t feel that they are being left out when big bro or sis gets lucky with a new bike.
If you need to buy a new bike for one of the kids, get honest advice from our sales team about the best size. We will ask where you plan to cycle, how competent the kids are and if other children will use the bike afterwards. It’s about smart investment so you get the most cycling value for the family.
2. Get your bikes out and give them a once over
This could mean pumping up the tyres and lubing the chain, but perhaps they need a more thorough looking over in our workshop. If that’s the case, call the workshop on 0121 745 2618 to arrange a no obligation assessment.
If you are not the most confident with bicycle care and mechanics, keep an eye out for our bike maintenance classes that we run in the shop. We also stock a great range of cleaning and care products alongside tools and spares.
3. Consider getting the right bits and pieces
Get tooled up with the basics and check your accessories. If you are out and about, think about having a pump and spare inner tubes just in case – a multi-tool is useful too. Have somewhere to carry your phone, keys and a bottle for example. We also recommend lights on every bike – it’s part of a sensible “be safe, be seen” approach.
If you plan longer trips and days out, it’s sensible to carry food and drink with you on the bike. We fit racks and panniers to most family style bikes. Also think about mitts or gloves and a pair of padded shorts. You will thank yourself when you dodge the sore backside syndrome!
4. Get sound advice on the right kind of bikes
For adults and kids alike, there is nothing quite like a hybrid or an entry level mountain bike. The hybrid is slightly more versatile, as it is more efficient on paved surfaces. But lots of people (particularly children) choose our Trek Marlin for its ruggedness and ability on mixed surfaces.
Have a browse of Trek hybrids and mountain bikes in our online shop. We recommend you visit us in store for honest and fair advice on what will be best for you. We pledge that riders will be properly fitted to the right sized bikes, and that we have every sort of back-up to keep you riding happy miles.
5. Mums and Dads should invest in a keeper
If you want to be riding the bike into the future, then make sure you buy a bike that you can pull out year after year. You’ll enjoy rewarding miles with the satisfaction of knowing that you chose well. Our bikes come with a lifetime warranty on the frame and forks and have service lives of decades.
For extra peace of mind, we provide a first free service on new bikes after the first two months of riding. This includes a thorough check over of the bike with any adjustments needed to keep it riding safely and efficiently.
So, we are here to support your journey to more cycling happiness in yours and your family’s life. For some it is about starting out and getting the kids into riding, but for others it is about getting back on the bike after a long time.
Whatever your starting point is, our advice is: pursue the fun! Pick weather and times to suit everyone, start off gently with modest goals, and let the road and path just take you onwards.
Your reward will be in the happiness, fitness and memories that a few good turns on a bicycle give us all.
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