Who has young kids?

[HorTs]

I've got a 3 year old and a 1 year old and other than my commute it's quite difficult to get out for a ride of any decent length. I know it's just part of being a parent, I think I'm just looking for people in the same boat :-).

 

[Markymark]

I've got a 3 year old and a 1 year old and other than my commute it's quite difficult to get out for a ride of any decent length. I know it's just part of being a parent, I think I'm just looking for people in the same boat :-).

It gets easier when they're older. Mine are 8 and 5 now. My 8yo goes for 5 miles rides with me now.

 

[Milkfloat]

Mine are 10 and 6, early Sunday is my time, I have taught the kids how to get the TV setup with headphones, I sneak out early, then when they wake up then go downstairs and occupy themselves with the TV or their tablets under strict instructions not to wake their Mum. When I get back often the kids and Mum are still in their PJs having a lazy start. This way I don't get in too much trouble, but still get a long ride in.

Rides over 5 hours are booked well in advance, making sure that Mrs Milkfloat gets 'me time' too. Being honest, I think I still owe her a few, but please don't remind her.

 

[Milzy]

2 and I just have to make sure mum has her then I can go for a blast. Can be done as long as you don't take the pee.

 

[DCLane]

My club's recently started a 'Dad's ride' at 7am on a Sunday for anyone in your position - leave 7am , cafe stop, back by 9.30.

I go on it and the large numbers surprised me. There's lots in your position.

 

[Sharky]

my children are a bit older than yours, actually my grandchildren are a bit older than yours, but I remember what it was like.

Long, all day rides become less frequent, but I found times for shorter rides when I could. Commuting is a good way to keep cycling and doesn't impact so much on family time. I note the situation with your daughter and this could place even greater demand on your time. My eldest, now 38 is autistic and she is very demanding on my time, so am restricted in what I can do, but somehow have managed to keep at it, including time trials, throughout the years.

The purchase of a tandem trike helped my situation for a while, but as they get older, it gets easier, then harder, then easier, then harder. Particular when you are waiting for your teenage daughters outside the local night club at 1am, knowing you have a 5am start the next morning.

Happy cycling

 

[Drago]

5 year old. Used to take her out in the trailer so I got my rides, she had some fun, and childcare issues weren't a consideration.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Been there myself, it is tricky. I tend to go when they are asleep (early on a Sunday) and I commute to work and ride at lunch time too. But there's always life stuff on so compromises have to be made.

 

[helston90]

Mine are 7, 5 and 2. It definitely gets easier as they get older, they're so demanding when really little like yours.

My ones are now capable of relaxing doing coloring/ reading/ watching a film whilst I'm out on the bike and my wife can read a mag and relax herself.

That and my 7 year old happily comes on 8/9 mile rides which is good fun.

 

[DCLane]

Oh, and don't get your kids into cycling if you want to have your time back in the future.

My evenings / weekends are filled with taking my 12yo to training and racing. It's only when he takes me for a training ride do I get a decent ride atm.

 

[Spiderweb]

My commute is 7 miles but during the summer months I would extend my morning commute to a 28 mile ride often meeting a couple of friends who used to ride 24 miles with me, it meant setting off at 6.30am instead of 8am. My children were mostly still in bed so I wasn't missed.

 

[bikingdad90]

I have 4yo and a 1yo. I commute 5miles each way.

A) I set in advance with my wife my sportive goals for the year so we have a plan for when I will be out all day. Usually 2/3 a year.

B) I make sure I only go out on an evening when the kids are in bed and a do maximum of 2 nights a week out at 8pm back by 9:30pm.

C) Family and housework come first everytime so bike fettling is done as and when. I recently retaped the bars on a lunch hour and got the eldest watering the plants while I swapped some brake pads and I adjusted the pads on the way into work the next day.

 

[Heigue'r]

Ive started commuting because I enjoy cycling but with long working hours I really only get quality time with the kids on wkends.Boy has just turned 5 and girl has just turned 2.At the moment im getting about 200 miles a week in and free wkend with the kids.win win for me,roughly same travel time and saving 15 quid a day.

 

[Bimble]

Been there too, and I think you just have to resign yourself to getting out when you can and enjoying it for what it is for a while, knowing that in a few years time you'll be able to do a bit more.

And don't worry about it too much or resent not being able to get out, time spent with your kids when they're little is precious. You can never wind the clock back to do it all again, so create some lovely memories to cherish for when you're able to get out more later.

 

[Ciar]

My daughters are 5 and 18 months, the 5yr old keeps herself generally contented and wasn't really trouble as a baby, but the 18month old is into everything! you name it dog food eating bathing in the dog water, climbing all over the place, drawing on walls and god knows what else, constantly have to keep an eye on her!

lucky for me i commute 4-5 days a week currently 4 which helps with my wanting to ride a bike issue. luckily for me the wife appreciates my passion is MTB so every two weeks i ride on a Saturday with a local group from 11-4 if i have the time and jobs allowing.

I make sure on weekends to either cook dinner and on top of that do what chores need doing to help out, as my kids generally only want mum, so they drive her crazy i find being fair and giving and taking helps me to get out in the forest and have fun ;-)

also bribery with wine chocolate and flowers from time to time helps haha