With the crushing heat waves of summer, the Canal du Midi is without any form of hesitation avery pleasant refuge. Its secular plane trees offer a grandiose decor all along the way, bringing freshness and tranquility. Cycling is the opportunity to get away from the main roads and be free to follow your own path at your own pace. Strolling along the Canal by bike is a refreshing, anti-stress, and cultural experience with the many works of art of Pierre-Paul Riquet. The ideal family outgoing with children.

Indeed, the sources of wonder for little ones and grown-ups will be plentiful:

• The ingenuity and beauty of the worlds of art along the way; each floodgate, each viaduct is unique.
• The wildlife of the Canal, in the water and on the banks.
• The welcoming lockmasters, who give places their special souls.
• Smiles and greetings from boaters of all nationalities.

The Canal du Midi is a full-blown adventure, that requires, however, a special organization and reflection when children take part in this beautiful excursion. Paulette is giving you the best advices for a successful trip!

The equipment and accessories: central elements for successful journey!

The question keeps coming up: “When are children old enough to ride a bike on a trip?”. Well, there is not any rule. By experience, it is from the age of 7 that children begin to be a little enduring, able to read the signs and to find themselves on the route. They master the bike and can tackle cyclo tourism stages of nearly 20 kilometers! In the end, everything will depend on the age of your child and its ease and autonomy on a bike.

Transport solutions for kids to travel comfortably exist and are suitable for all ages. With toddlers, it is quite possible to travel by bike. Beyond half a day, special trailers for children become indispensable. These are more comfortable than a baby seat and can accommodate up to two children. Additional advice: a headrest will be welcome to properly maintain the child during the nap. Easily adaptable on mountain bikes, hybrids and electric bikes, trailers help to transform the journey into a fun time. Perfect for long distances!

From the age of 6, followers are a good alternative. The accessory attaches to the saddle of the adult’s bike and allows the child to pedal alone, in complete autonomy.

In France, helmets are compulsory until the age of 12. It is an essential equipment for a child who would be on his or her own bike or in a towed trailer. In addition, gloves and a yellow vest are also strongly recommended.

For excursions of several days, it is necessary to provide some additional accessories whether you travel with children or not:

• Turnbuckles and waterproof bags to protect your sleeping bags and other belongings on the luggage rack.
• For a comfortable a quiet trip, rear saddlebags are a good option! These will be added on the luggage rack or on a luggage trailer to carry all the family’s belongings.
• Sunscreen is essential for kids and adults too!
• In the south of France, the sky is not always blue. Rain clothes are not to be forgotten for stays of a few days.
• A first aid kit will also be perfect for minor injuries along the way.
• If the destination is not yet defined, telephone supports on handlebars are a great option to orient oneself quickly and reduce the waiting time for children.
• A set of tools to prevent possible problems on the bike: a set of Allen keys, a puncture-proof bomb and/or spare air chamber in case of a puncture and oil for lubricating the chain.
• Do not forget your helmet, an anti-theft device and a water bottle.

Having the organization in hand to avoid the “I’m hungry!” or “When do we arrive?” ten times an hour!

Bike is a fun and accessible mean of transport that allows you to travel at your own pace. You must know how to take advantage of this! Breaks can be taken regularly throughout the day and parking bicycles is quite easy. It becomes easier to travel with children as long as you explain the safety rules and the road code and warn them on the road that might be slippery or rough in some places.

It is better to leave early to make the most out of the day and have room for maneuver in case of unforeseen events. In addition, it is preferable to organize easy steps and take breaks on a regular basis. The banks of the Canal du Midi are a good alternative to familiarize children with cycling. The idea is start with short trips, ideally around 15 to 25 kilometers a day.

Furthermore, you must cultivate the discovery side of the place and make your imagination. For instance, you can propose an ice cream tasting at the end of the day, games related to the tourist places seen during the ride, challenges to reach the next stage easily and without a crisis of tears or a definitive refusal to continue moving forward. Children will need entertainment and occupation to motivate themselves and forget about the physical effort they are making.

Sleeping in a tent in the wilderness or in a camping area can be a fun activity for a night or two. However, parents know this better than anyone else: a child who does not rest well is child who does not recover well and who will have a hard time moving forward the next day. It is advisable to rent a room, a cottage, or a B&B accommodation as often as possible.

Finally, for a first, one should not overestimate one’s own abilities, especially children’s. Thus, before leaving for several days and embarking on a real adventure, we advise you to test your own endurance, that of children and equipment during weekend trips. The family is not an obstacle to cycling. On the contrary, it is a moment of sharing. You just have to involve children in the project and adapt to their rhythm.

The ABCs of the Canal du Midi with children

• Have an accurate map that will allow you to assess distances, sleeping and refueling points based on travel options.
• Be equipped with a good bicycle in good working order with good brakes, lights and reflectors.
• Make sure to have appropriate clothes and saddles. During the first day, the position on the saddle is bearable. But during the following days, it becomes quite painful.
• Always have water with you and sun protection. Temperatures can be high and pealing increases body temperature especially in the summer.

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Credit :https://phillipshelmets.co.uk/