Trail Journeys BlogTrail Journeys NZhttps://www.trailjourneys.co.nz/blogFamily cycling holidays: 5 reasons why they're good for youhttps://www.trailjourneys.co.nz/blog/postid/3258/active-family-holidays-5-reasons-why-theyre-good-for-youStyles,Family Friendly,Trail InspirationMon, 16 Dec 2019 05:18:00 GMT<p>A family that cycles together, stays together. Cycling as a family promotes a positive, healthy lifestyle, which encourages many children to keep biking well into their adult life.</p> <p>Trail Journeys has a range of family friendly cycling trips in the Central Otago region with plenty of flexibility built into them. From the Roxburgh Gorge to the Otago Central Rail Trail our self-guided trips offers the bonus off being luggage-free, with your bags shuttled from each accommodation to the next as well has having your meals, accommodation and route planning taken care of.<br />  </p> <h3><strong>Here’s our top 5 reasons why family cycling holidays are good for you</strong><br />  </h3> <h3>1. It gets you outside.</h3> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><img alt="Start of the Otago Central Rail Trail in Clyde | <i>Philip Wyndham</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="717897" dynamiccroppedimage="1" flexibleaspectratio="16x7" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/Otago-Rail-Trail-717897-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/Otago-Rail-Trail-717897-###width###px.jpg" /></div> <br /> A cycling holiday offers the opportunity to explore the outdoors and be fully interactive with the environment you’re in. It's a great way to get up and close with nature, breathe in some fresh air, and create some ever lasting memories.  <br /> <br />   <h3>2. It's great for everyone's fitness</h3> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><img alt="Trail Journeys transport for the little ones! | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="717891" dynamiccroppedimage="1" flexibleaspectratio="16x7" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/LachlanGardiner_TrailJourneys_OTAGO_DAY_05-HIGHRES-8032-717891-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/LachlanGardiner_TrailJourneys_OTAGO_DAY_05-HIGHRES-8032-717891-###width###px.jpg" /></div> <p><br /> Biking holidays are great for health and fitness, and encourage the whole family to be active, regardless of age, ability and fitness levels. Younger children can cycle on a tag-along, while older children develop a healthy competitive spirit to keep up with their parents, as long as the routes aren’t overly hilly or too long.<br />  </p> <h3>3. Learn about New Zealand</h3>   <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><img alt="Kids finding out which way to go! | <i>Philip Wyndham</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="717892" dynamiccroppedimage="1" flexibleaspectratio="16x7" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/Otago-Rail-Trail-717892-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/Otago-Rail-Trail-717892-###width###px.jpg" /></div>   <p>Experiential learning is one of the most engaging ways for anyone to learn. The whole family will learn about world famous natural landmarks, cultural sites, and the history of a region. Your children may also be exposed to different ways of life that they are not used to, helping their resiliance and confidence. <carouselsource aspectratio="16x9">There's even a scale model of the solar system along the trail. </carouselsource><br />  </p> <h3>4. Spend quality time together</h3> <div> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><img alt="Start your Otago Central Rail Trail Trip with breakfast and great coffee! | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="717896" dynamiccroppedimage="1" flexibleaspectratio="16x7" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/LachlanGardiner_TrailJourneys_OTAGO_DAY_05-HIGHRES-7585-717896-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/LachlanGardiner_TrailJourneys_OTAGO_DAY_05-HIGHRES-7585-717896-###width###px.jpg" /></div> </div> <p><br /> Spending quality time together is what it's all about and pedalling slowly along the trails will give you ample bonding moments. Our self-guided cycling holidays offer the opportunity to enjoy friendly local hospitality from our hand-picked accommodation and meal providers. You never know, you may end up on a jet boat on the <a href="https://www.trailjourneys.co.nz/nz-cycle-trails/roxburgh-gorge" target="_blank">Roxburgh Gorge</a> or even curling on an ice rink on the <a href="https://www.trailjourneys.co.nz/nz-cycle-trails/otago-central-rail-trail" target="_blank">Otago Central Rail Trail</a>.  <br />  </p> <div> <h3>5. Explore new Landscapes</h3> <div> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><img alt="Otago Central Rail Trail | <i>Lachlan Gardiner</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="717894" dynamiccroppedimage="1" flexibleaspectratio="16x7" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/LachlanGardiner_AdventureSouth_OTAGO_DAY_03-HIGHRES-5623-_1_-717894-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/New-Zealand/LachlanGardiner_AdventureSouth_OTAGO_DAY_03-HIGHRES-5623-_1_-717894-###width###px.jpg" /></div> </div> </div> <p><br /> There's something new around every corner here in Central Otago. From rolling farmland to flowing rivers and snow-capped mountain ranges, make the most of the ever-changing landscapes both on and off the bike. Historic tunnels and viaducts compliment the dramatic gorges and vast rocky plains, with a diverse network of trails offering the chance to explore new areas, vibrant towns, tourist attractions, and interesting wildlife.<br />  </p> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1">Learn more about our <a href="https://www.trailjourneys.co.nz/styles/family-friendly" target="_blank">family friendly range of Otago region cycling trips</a>.</div> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"> </div> 3258