Has anyone cycled the camino with children?

[The Gilldaleys]

Hi Has anyone cycled the camino with children? We are planning to start at Ponferrada and finish at Finisterre stopping in Santiago de Compostela for a couple of nights to look at the cathedral. Does anyone have any advice? Thank-you.

 

[Kiwi-family]

We overtook a mother cycling with her approximately 5 year old son. That is to say, she was dragging two bikes and the son over tree roots up a hill. The happiest noise of that party was the spokey-dokes clattering as the wheel turned on the boy's bike.
Now, you will think I am trying to put you off. Not at all. Just be aware of your child's abilities, and your own.
I have *walked* with children and there were days that pilgrims passed us and would be saying "be careful walking with kids, I saw this six-year-old having a hissy fit on the side of the path". It happens. Maybe that's what was happening for the cycling mother we saw. We offered assistance and when she declined, we overtook her and left her to deal with the child - if it has been me, I'd have been inclined to sit down together and have some food and move on when HE was ready to ride his bike.
We went back for more - it really is a wonderful experience and a couple of my boys who have walked are now saying hey would like to cycle it!

 

[The Gilldaleys]

We overtook a mother cycling with her approximately 5 year old son. That is to say, she was dragging two bikes and the son over tree roots up a hill. The happiest noise of that party was the spokey-dokes clattering as the wheel turned on the boy's bike.
Now, you will think I am trying to put you off. Not at all. Just be aware of your child's abilities, and your own.
I have *walked* with children and there were days that pilgrims passed us and would be saying "be careful walking with kids, I saw this six-year-old having a hissy fit on the side of the path". It happens. Maybe that's what was happening for the cycling mother we saw. We offered assistance and when she declined, we overtook her and left her to deal with the child - if it has been me, I'd have been inclined to sit down together and have some food and move on when HE was ready to ride his bike.
We went back for more - it really is a wonderful experience and a couple of my boys who have walked are now saying hey would like to cycle it!

 

[The Gilldaleys]

thanks for your message. Our kids are quite tough and a bit older than 5. How old are your boys how many miles did you walk in a day

 

[Kiwi-family]

thanks for your message. Our kids are quite tough and a bit older than 5. How old are your boys how many miles did you walk in a day

When I walked the first time the youngest was 6. We have just returned from doing a total of 1,400km - the youngest turned 8, the eldest was 13 (two boys and two girls). Our longest day was 37km, our shortest was 5! Between 20 and 25 was comfortable FOR US. The point I go on about all the time on this forum is that it is so important for you to determine what is comfortable for you (comfortable might mean "no pain" or it might mean "pushing yourself to your limit" - you decide). I also frequently mention that it seems to me that many people try to push themselves too hard, especially at the beginning.
Of course if you are on bikes you will likely go further.