Bikepacking with Kids: Interview with Bikepacking Guru Gunnar Fehlau

Bikepacking as an adventurous cycling holiday with your kids? Absolutely! Don’t let doubts or concerns prevent you from going. We spoke with Gunnar Fehlau about what a bikepacking tour with kids would look like, and how every family member can find a way to have fun on this unique type of holiday. Gunnar caught the bikepacking fever way back in 2008, and since then has instituted the Grenzstein Trophy as well as the Candy B. Graveller, and hosted the inaugural Bikepacking Barcamp in 2019.  He has compiled his wealth of knowledge and experience in some books about cycling as a familiy and about Bikepacking. 

Gunnar, when was the first time you took your kids on a bikepacking tour?

Gunnar: With all the perspective I’ve gained, I can say that in retrospect I should have started earlier. I think this has to do with the fact that I had only personally discovered bikepacking 2008, and have only been going on overnighters since spring 2009. Around that time, my family was already spending nights camping in a tent or the treehouse in our garden. At festivals like Schlaflos im Sattel (Sleepless in the Saddle), sleeping outside and cycling already went hand-in-hand. Moritz (born 2003), Oskar (2001) and I (1973) undertook our first “three-man” overnighter in 2012, and in 2014 we brought along a friend of the boys for the first time. In 2018, Oskar and I went on our first major tour together: one week through the Sierra Nevadas in Spain.

In what way?

Gunnar: An overnight trip or a micro-adventure shouldn’t stray too far out of your comfort zone. You can be sure of that as far as family overnighters are concerned, especially with the first child, when parents are inexperienced and haven’t built up a lot of confidence. These uneasy feelings can disrupt daily activities, and can have and adverse affect on kids during bikepacking trips. Power lies in peace, as one would say. In this respect, relaxing and slowing down are the order of the day. This is most important for parents. Trips should be fun and enjoyable, not a horror. Therefore, I would recommend riding to a nearby, reliable destination. Parents should pick a spot that’s as quiet and calm as possible, with a guarantee that they won’t have to deal with any unwanted surprises such as partying young people, active hunters or even a rotting wild boar carcass disturbing a good night’s sleep. You should help your youngest child keep their circadian rhythm intact as long as possible during the tour. Since unfamiliar surroundings and circumstances can disrupt a child’s sleeping patterns, it’s worth considering letting the child fall asleep next to their parents. However, evenings are short for parents, too. I remember our first bikepacking tour all together: how close the boys moved their sleeping mats to me, and how they snuggled right next to me when they were in their sleeping bags, even though I had wanted to sit by the fire for a while.

On the subject of equipment: what basic essentials does a family need for a bikepacking tour?

Gunnar: There is hardly any difference between big and small adventurers. You don’t need any special equipment for your first trip in good weather, although certain things makes touring easier, more comfortable and safer. Your kids’ bikes will naturally determine the pace and progress of the tour. Just because Dad is riding a full suspension bike doesn’t mean the tour has to go over hills and dales. As far as transporting equipment: be sensible, and let the little ones help share the load. For example, lightweight-yet-bulky items such as sleeping mats and sleeping bags are ideal for strapping onto a children’s bike. It looks like a lot, but it doesn’t really affect the kid’s ride. I still have my old saddle bags and mini frame bags from the era before huge bikepacking bags were a thing, which I have no problem hooking onto a kids MTB. The kids love riding with a setup that looks like Dad’s bike. The most important item for kids both big and small is a beloved stuffed animal or toy. Pull-up nappies also help make nights easier for parents and kids alike. In my opinion, a fully-equipped first aid kit along with an extra change of clothes for each child are absolute essentials.

What was the best hack you discovered for overnight family trips?

Gunnar: One evening the temperature dropped quite early on, and the boys were worried they would be cold when they went to bed. Luckily I had a bottle of beer that evening, which I usually don’t pack due to risk of breakage. I put two bottles close to the fire, wrapped them in a tube scarf when they were hot and dry, and put this makeshift “dry” hot water bottle into each boy’s sleeping bag. When the kids had accumulated enough warmth, they took the bottles out of their sleeping bags and slept soundly. I then treated myself to the last unopened and still cold bottle of beer by the fire.

What do you want to say to parents who don’t really want to risk going on an overnight excursion with their kids?

Gunnar: Bikepacking is a great way to overcome these kinds of fears, and a great opportunity for self-examination. Generally speaking, children are like this incredible mirror that reflect our own personalities. An overnighter is a great way to break out of your everyday routine together and experience new things as a family. Your kids will love it and gain valuable life experiences. You might learn something too, as you can use the time to discover new sides to your kids as well as yourself. So, pack everything up, hop on your bikes and go!