What I learnt by taking my two young sons on their first long-distance cycle
On my doorstep is a wonderful 41-mile cycle path running from the glorious Duthie Park in Aberdeen to Ballater in Royal Deeside. This converted railway line, popular with cyclists, walkers, runners and horse-riders, is known as the Deeside Way.
My husband and I got it into our heads that we’d tackle this great route, but we’d have to bring our six and seven-year-old children (Joseph and Samuel) with us. How far could they realistically pedal with their tiny stick-like legs, and personalities that veer between extreme joy to misery in the blink of an eye? It would take planning.
The first step, I figured, was breaking the journey into chunks with rewards (sweets) along the way. I readily booked a family-friendly hotel halfway along the route, the rather glorious riverside gem of Banchory Lodge, where I envisaged glasses of chilled rosé, Guinness and Fanta overflowing for our family of victorious cyclists.
The second step was to figure out the public transport logistics. Could we take our bikes on a bus to Ballater to commence the route? Not on a bus, only in the hold of a ‘coach’, came the answer. Yet at no point over the weekend could the company, which drives metres from the cycle path, confirm when a ‘coach’ would be operational. We had to manage the trip entirely under our own steam.
With two panniers and lunch packed, we hit the road. We started our epic cycle (tots in tow) in the suburb of Cults with the sun beating down on our backs. This left roughly 15 miles to reach Banchory, then 15 miles home the following day. We’d already told the kids we were spending the whole day cycling, their eyes widened when we explained we’d even have lunch en route. They were mentally prepared.
Before setting off, it obviously helps to know your kids can put pedal to the metal. Our boys had previously cycled six miles and back from Chatelherault House to Strathclyde Country Park in 2020, but, as a parent, venturing 15 miles in one stretch emotionally felt like hitting the wild west, risking life and limb between trading towns. In reality we’d chosen a very civilised route cycling between towns and villages (rather than a rugged, remote corner of Scotland) so we knew we could lock up the bikes and catch a cab home if necessary.
As the landscape became greener and lusher, with cattle grazing peacefully in the fields, Joseph casually commented: “This is really calming, mummy.”
Life is clearly a pressure cooker for modern youngsters. But he was right, it was joyful. We saw the River Dee from viewpoints we’ve never experienced before. We hit upon a picnic spot where locals swam in the river. We witnessed several families on SUPs cruising downstream. At another spot a man capturing drone footage mesmerised the children with his strange buzzing flying machine. Then we hit upon ‘Bunny Village’, a field filled with burrows, where hundreds of rabbits and leverets nibbled grass in the sunshine like a contented version of Watership Down. I learnt how important it is to leave wiggle room in the schedule for unexpected, unsolicited moments.
For discerning visitors there are headline attractions along the route. Crathes Castle and its elegant Walled Garden, the Deeside Railway where steam engines follow the track Queen Victoria once travelled, and Milton of Crathes with its brasserie, gallery and shops. But for us, the informal sights and sounds caught our attention. Yes, there were stresses and strains with the children, as they wound each other up and squabbled over nonsense.
Expect debates over signage (even on a notably well sign-posted route). Lastly, be ready to face the inevitable life lesson. When we were about 1.5 miles outside Banchory, so near yet so far, Samuel fell from his bike, leaving a fair amount of knee and elbow skin on the track. There were tears, hugs, more tears, but, to his absolute credit, he realised that the only solution was to keep going. And on he peddled. Life lesson? Nailed it.
When we arrived at the hotel we were tired and grubby, but buzzing, and told anyone who’d listen that we’d cycled all the way there. The following morning we got up and did it all again.
Takeaway tips
• We invested in lightweight Wiggins bikes so the kids spent their energy peddling rather than shifting clunky, heavy bicycles.
• You don’t need all the gear, or to resemble a ‘MAMIL’ (middle-aged man in lycra), to succeed. Shorts, T-shirts and helmets will suffice.
• Print off instructions, don’t assume 4G will work.
• Choose your terrain – a converted railway line is relatively flat, an ideal choice for families.
• Pack gloves – tiny hands freeze with the slightest breeze.
• Wear sunscreen, especially as you hold the same position for hours.
• Remember to pack plenty of drinking water.
