A reflection to begin with: the bicycle allows 'social distancing', it is an opportunity to exercise and be outdoors, it is ecological (which makes it the trendiest vehicle of the last decade) and it is fun!
Planning a short bike trip, complete with children on board, is therefore one of the spring dreams of many families. If someone is hesitant due to their poor physical shape, fear not: first of all, technology has now come to meet us by proposing the famous e-bikes, which guarantee good resistance even to the less sporty.
And then, if you are aware that you are not trained enough for the more demanding rides, it is sufficient to choose itineraries suitable for everyone, including children, in terms of difficulty (dirt roads and ups and downs) and travel hours.
Planning is therefore essential, taking into account the distances and also the desire to dedicate part of the time to relaxation, gastronomic and cultural stops. The beauty of cycle tourism lies precisely in the possibility of savoring all the advantages of a 'slow' holiday.
If some European countries have long since chosen to focus on cycle tourism, it must be recognized that today there is no shortage of cycle paths even in Italy: they range from itineraries along the rivers and lakes of Northern Italy to the cycle paths of Versilia and Lazio, up to still little known on the island of Favignana, in Sicily, and in the Giara Park, in Sardinia.
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One of the most 'historical' Italian cycle paths is certainly the Lungodrava cycle path which develops for 42 kilometers from San Candido (Bolzano) to Lienz, in
Austria.
Family cycling holidays
- Another option is the one proposed by the Marche coast, the Riviera delle Palme. It's only 16 kilometers, starting from the Porto D'Ascoli roundabout up to Cupra Marittima, which makes it perfect for families. You can take breaks in the numerous playgrounds, or in the specially prepared refreshment oases. In summer, then, a stop for a swim is highly recommended. The route is particularly varied and has no gradients. Finally, a nice fish-based dinner.
- If, on the other hand, you want a lakeside experience, the cycle path of Lake Garda, called Garda by bike , is the right thing for you: the scenography has no equal, it is a path for many stretches suspended directly over the water ; but there are some climbs, so it needs to be planned carefully. The end of the works is expected for 2021, which will lead to the inauguration of a 140-kilometre cycle path around the lake. A true Eden for cycle tourists.
Where to sleep
On www.albergabici.it , a site managed by FIAB, there is a network of cyclist-friendly hotels throughout Italy. An alternative are the Luxury Bike Hotels ( www.luxurybikehotels.com ), 4 and 5-star facilities equipped with a SPA, laundry service, bike rental and cycling tour guides. In South Tyrol, then, there are BikeHotels ( www.bikehotels.it ), managed by real bikers, available to provide advice on itineraries, maps and GPS devices/apps, and to network with mechanics and guides.FIAB (www.fiabitalia.it), the Italian Environment and Bicycle Federation, promotes cycling tourism as a new style of holiday in respect of the territories and the environment. On his website www.biciviaggi.it he offers advice and suggestions on how to face a bicycle trip in the company of children. On www.andiamoinbici.it, on the other hand, there are the proposals of the associations belonging to the FIAB (bike weekends, day trips, cycle trips), while online you can find many agencies and tour operators who offer cycle tour packages, from simple booking from hotels along the route to all-inclusive trips (bicycle, luggage transport, technical assistance, lunches and overnight stays), to hotel stays with guided tours.
Some technical details
Child seats: to ride safely with the little ones (children aged approximately between 9 months and 5 years), it is necessary to have a child seat that complies with the UNI EN 14344:2005 standard. The seats are classified according to the weight of the child and their positioning: there are seats for assembly between the handlebar and saddle, ideal for children up to a maximum of 15 kg; other products, designed for a weight ranging from 9 to 22 kg, must instead be mounted behind the cyclist.
Trolleys: there are different types. The advantage is that even two children can be towed at the same time. In addition, given their size and comfort, they are ideal for napping and protect from the rain.
The advice is to buy those equipped with seat belts and mosquito nets. Some vehicles even have suspension.
Appendixes: they are a sort of 'half bike' without the front wheel, which has a tube to be connected to the parent's bike. The child can therefore pedal but without tiring too much and, above all, can rely on the adult for the manoeuvres. For long journeys it is not an ideal solution, given that it still requires the constant participation of the child, but it is an excellent way to get passionate about cycling, perhaps over short distances, from 5 years of age.
Not all bike models are suitable for installing child seats, trolleys and appendices. It is better to inquire in an Iperbimbo shop.
